My Life With Comic Books: A History Of A Comic Shop: Part # 215

 

A brief introduction:

My name is Paul Howley, owner of the Eisner Award winning pop culture collector’s store known as “That’s Entertainment” in Worcester, Massachusetts and a second store in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Some people have called me the “luckiest man in the comic book business.” (I’m not) My stores have been around for over forty years and it’s been a long and interesting combination of events and people that have brought these stores to this current place. It is not my intent to boast or brag about my store or my life. I just want to tell you my story. In many instances, my wife remembers things a little differently, but this is the truth as I remember it.

The Current Cast of Characters:

Paul Howley: age 49

Mal Howley: age 50

Adam Howley: my son, age 21

Cassy Howley: my daughter, age 20

MY LIFE WITH COMIC BOOKS: THE HISTORY OF A COMIC SHOP:  Part #215

   While we were getting ready for Cassandra’s wedding to Matt, our stores were busy with an interesting event for our customers. Someone, (I don’t remember exactly who it was) was a big fan of the popular newspaper comic strip titled, “Mutts” written and created by Patrick McDonnell. It was a gentle, humorous comic strip about animals, primarily dogs. Our major local newspaper, “The Worcester Telegram”, ran this comic strip in the newspaper as a black and white daily strip and a full-color Sunday strip.

   Patrick didn’t do store appearances often, but Ken (the company manager) contacted the local Animal Rescue League and asked if they’d be interested in being part of an in-store appearance. Once they agreed, the idea of the appearance was presented to Patrick and he agreed to come. He would bring copies of the Mutts book collections that had been released in paperback versions for customers to buy. We also got commitments from local artists Jennifer Lopez of “BizToons” and Suzanne Thibodeau-Gale of “Dear Diary: A Middle School Memoir” and “Dear Diary: The High School Years” to appear.

   We figured that the “Worcester Telegram” would be interested in helping us promote the appearance since they ran the comic strip and they didn’t disappoint us! They did an very nice two-page article about Patrick’s appearance and it was published a few days before the event. The mayor of the city of Worcester declared the day of the appearance, Sunday, July 11, 2004, to be “Mutts Day.”

   When the day arrived, we were happy with the crowd of people who came to meet Patrick. He sold some books and some of the attendees even adopted pets! It was another fun day for everyone!

Next Chapter: I go “back in time” to tell a sad story.