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by **LOLtron** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:06 pm

Sad news today as Atomic Comics, the comic store popularized in the Kick-Ass movie, has shut down.

The news has floated out via twitter and facebook that Atomic Comics, the Phoenix Arizona comic book store chain, has shut its doors for good. Multiple sources, including two store employees, confirmed that the business permanently closed after hours today, although no official word has been given on either the store's website or twitter feed. A ripple effect has begun to spread as fans and creators alike expressed their dismay at the popular chain shutting down.

Atomic Comics is best known as the comic book store featured in the 2010 movie Kick-Ass. The chain had four locations, including locations in Chandler and Mesa. The owner of Atomic Comics, Michael Malve, was one of the more widely-respected retailers in the business and was often featured in retailer features on Comic Book Resources and Newsarama.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Written or Contributed by: Christian Hoffer

http://173.199.169.70/index.php/news/comics-news/15340-phoenixs-atomic-comics-has-closed.html/

by **ReturnoftheMack** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:55 pm

All of them? Wow.

by **guitarsmashley** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:08 am

This doesn't sound right, they are the biggest store in the valley, and I was just in one of the smaller ones a few days ago. I think I need to hear this from an actual source.

by **BlueStreak** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:16 am

Does Matt Fraction count? Malve is contacting his friends in the industry.

http://twitter.com/#!/mattfraction

According to an assistant store manager, Malve has filed bankruptcy with the IRS. Working on confirming that now.

by **guitarsmashley** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:16 am

The only other place I've seen this said is on the beat. And the employees fb page I still don't think this is completely real, I mean it's not the end of the world because there are tons of shops near me but they always had the best stock.

by **BlueStreak** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:19 am

Jesse James Comics (a local competitor) is now confirming it.

Here's the employee's twitter feed. Confirmed that she's an employee for the store.

http://twitter.com/#!/jinbins

by **BlueStreak** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:24 am

Also, two of the four store's phone numbers were just disconnected.

by **BlueStreak** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:34 am

Chandler Store Manager confirms the store closing on Facebook.

by **guitarsmashley** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:21 am

BlueStreak wrote:Chandler Store Manager confirms the store closing on Facebook.

Seems like a real ugly way for them to have done all this. Just disappointed in the message. SHould have at least come from an e-mail to the customers.

by **Evan Meadow** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:04 am

guitarsmashley wrote:This doesn't sound right, they are the biggest store in the valley, and I was just in one of the smaller ones a few days ago. I think I need to hear this from an actual source.

Trust me its confirmed.

Forget the pros who know, I've gotten confirmation from not only one of the store managers but other comic store owners out here in the Valley who Mike called personally.

My friends and I have been sitting around with stunned looks on our faces all night. I've never been a regular Atomic customer (I've bought odds and ends when I found something interesting or a great back issue sale) but I've known Mike Malve for over 25 years before he started Atomic when he was selling his stuff in the back of a used book store.

The comic store community out here in AZ is extremely sociable and friendly with each other so long term customers have really gotten to know all the people. Mike always said hi to me, asked how I was doing and if I was actually buying back issues was shocked because "I thought you already owned everything".

Its an extremely sad day out here in Arizona, but very curious to see where all the customers go and see how all the other stores handle the possible increases in sales.

This Wed is going to be verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting. I'll be out in Tempe checking some of the stores out there to see what happens.

by **Evan Meadow** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:06 am

guitarsmashley wrote:
Seems like a real ugly way for them to have done all this. Just disappointed in the message. SHould have at least come from an e-mail to the customers.

They were all called into a staff meeting tonight earlier today and Malve told them at the meeting what was going to happen.

It came out of nowhere. Anyone who went to the stores earlier today reported no one even looked like that had in inkling this was coming.

by **fieldy snuts** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:03 am

Considering this was a success story with how it grew so much it's pretty shocking.

But to file for bankruptcy through the IRS proves that the writing was on the wall for a long time before this.

by **Punchy** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:16 am

A shame, the shop in Kick-Ass looked awesome.

by **Amoebas** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:09 am

When can we start blaming the trade-waiters?

by **Punchy** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 7:16 am

Amoebas wrote:When can we start blaming the trade-waiters?

After we've blamed:

Dan Didio
Joe Quesada
Robert Kirkman
Barack Obama
The DC relaunch
One More Day
Wolverine being on too many teams.
Superboy Prime.