What will you be doing in 2033?  If the past twenty years indicate anything, we’ll be hobbling up to the counter at Elite Comics for its 40th anniversary.  What were you doing in 1993?  Clint Eastwood was winning Oscars for Unforgiven.  We first heard Jack Nicholson telling us we can’t handle the truth in A Few Good Men.  Sigourney Weaver returned for Alien³ and Michael Keaton donned the batsuit for the last time in Batman Returns.  Deep Space Nine debuted on TV along with Lois & Clark and The Jon Stewart Show.  Winding up their series were Quantum Leap, Hee Haw, Doogie Houser, Cheers, Late Night with David Letterman, and The Wonder Years. 

In the comic book world, 1993 was the biggest year in comic book sales in history.  Batman’s “Knightfall” story arc was in full swing.  X-Men saw its 300th issue.  Mike Grell released his four-issue Green Arrow Year One story in a limited series called The Wonder Year.  1993 was a big year, but it was also the beginning of the end for 9 out of 10 comic book retailers in the country.  Marvel Comics was on its way to bankruptcy.  Only the strongest comic book shops survived.  Thanks to comic books being adapted into movies beginning in 1997–with more than 25 box office, comic book adaptation hits since then–comic books themselves started to climb again in popularity.

One of the survivors over the long-haul of the past two decades is Elite Comics in Overland Park, Kansas.  Proprietor William Binderup has been keeping our pull lists and delivering the newest titles every Wednesday, and tonight he’s celebrating with cake, drinks, and more, and everyone is invited to celebrate 20 years of Elite Comics.  He’s even bringing in a band.  Adam WarRock will be kicking off his ten state tour tonight at the store.  And pick up a new shirt and a Bryan Fyffe limited edition print.

So if you’re in the Kansas City area, get over to Elite Comics tonight at 11842 Quivira, Overland Park, Kansas, and party like it’s 1993!

C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com