Community. When people talk about the comics industry, they’re talking about community—a network of readers, creators, publishers, and retailers who support each other through art and entertainment. Especially when comic shop owners talk about their businesses, they often talk about building and supporting their communities. “Wednesday Warrior” is a loaded term, but beyond launch day, it also means a way for people to connect. Yes, the best comic shops are where cool stuff is sold, but they’re also where the people who consume and create cool stuff come together.
We saw a couple of really cool examples this week. One of them is a new fundraiser for San Francisco retailer/publisher Silver Sprocket, owned by Avi Ehrlich Discussed at length with Publishers Weekly.
Another one closer to home for me, GoFundMe Keeping Williamsburg’s Desert Island Comics GoingDespite a huge rent increase, a local liquor store is demanding more from Fowler’s landlord.
As we reported earlier this week, owners Gabe Fowler started an event Raised $79,200 to help the store sign a 3-year lease at a rent of $201,600. (That’s $5,600 per month.) That’s no small sum, but as of this writing, just three days later, the campaign is worth $88,548…and counting.
I was surprised. I think Fowler does too. In his latest Instagram post, he wrote: “Are you kidding me? You guys are awesome! “
https://www.instagram.com/p/DA3pmAKudoX/
Comments on Instagram and GoFundMe indicate that Desert Island is not only a beloved institution for comics fans… but also a favorite among the surrounding Brooklyn community.
Of course, there’s still a long way to go for stores. I knew Fowler had a lot to do this week besides talking to reporters, so I asked him a few questions, which he answered graciously.
THE BEAT: What are you going to do now? You did mention that you might use the money to fund a move, but the current location is ideal, so you’ll have to make some tough decisions.
Fowler: With the outpouring of support, it’s my responsibility to respect the interests of the community and find the best solution for everyone. I am not particularly happy with my current landlord and will continue to look for a new space with better conditions until the October 15 deadline. The worst-case scenario is that the desert island stays where we are now, which is not bad. But it would be nice to have a more supportive landlord, less brutal rent, and a lease longer than three years. Just maintaining the status quo for three years feels like a shame.
THE BEAT: Why do you think the event was so successful? Do you think part of that is the local community and not just comic people?
Fowler: It’s hard to speculate on other people’s thoughts and intentions, but I’m grateful that my commitment to this community is noticed and appreciated. As you suggest, some people may be donating because they are tired of the oppressive culture of the rich in New York City. My bandmates said it was like I had a tip jar on the counter for 17 years and didn’t know it was there.
THE BEAT: I guess it’s been a bit of a whirlwind this whole week, but what has surprised you most about the reaction to the news of the store closings?
Fowler: Honestly, what surprises me the most is some of the commenters suggesting something bad needs to be done to liquor stores, and the weird mob mentality that’s emerged online. I’m not too happy that a liquor store would approach my landlord and throw my life into chaos, but they’re only doing it because they have real estate problems of their own. There is a lot of suffering to go through.
Obviously, the deserted island may still face changes, but at least it now has a chance.
Now a little editorial from me:
As a New Yorker (30 years old as of next Tuesday), this story makes me feel like there’s still hope for New York’s rich history as a laboratory for eccentric, independent artists and creativity.
If I can be a little silly, the best part of being a New Yorker is other New Yorkers. Don’t believe the stories about crime and homelessness. We love our city because it’s a giant hodgepodge of communities that have rough spots and make mistakes (and contain a lot of jerks) but still come together to create bigger and better things.
I’m so touched that the community in Desert Island realizes the value of a good bookstore – as a place to buy cool stuff, be exposed to new ideas and art, and meet like-minded people.
Perhaps the most shocking thing happened in Williamsburg. When I moved here, it was a cool, edgy neighborhood where artists could afford huge lofts and bands rehearsed day and night. It’s a little rough around the edges there – street crime still exists, and I once saw a young woman wearing Doc Martens kicking down a bar door after the bartender threw a roll of tissues at her. But cool and edgy will inevitably become popular, and so will pristine loft spaces. Two-bedroom apartments cost $9,000 per month. We all know the ills of gentrification, or what I call kale trails.
if you have ever seen girlsIt was Williamsburg in the ’00s, filled with hookup spots and trustarians—spoiled rich kids pretending to be bohemians, while real artists were priced out of the city. This is happening at an ever-increasing rate everywhere, and now, in a stakeholder-driven era, money is not everything but the only thing.
Anyway, and that’s a roundabout way of saying it, I doubt the independent comics community could have raised that $80,000 alone. Considering the low page utilization and high profit margins, there’s no way. (Not to disparage the comics community; James Tynion was the largest single donor, with $2,500—he’s truly one of the good guys.)
I guess what touches me most is the hope that people who can afford a $9,000 apartment actually understand that supporting a weird little comic shop that sells Lale Westvind magazines and Hideshi Hino books is more important than having an $18 cocktail at William’s .
Or, maybe as Gabe suggested, everyone pitches in $1. (I guess if Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were still here, they would be participating in a GoFundMe campaign instead of putting on a show.)
Regardless, I think most of us understand that passionate personal spaces like Desert Island make Fort B a cool community. We just don’t need another Chipotle.
There’s certainly more to the Desert Island story, but let’s take a few minutes to enjoy the victory.
