Retailer Bruno Batista from Dublin’s Big Bang Comics joins to talk about his path to Big Bang and what he’s seeing at the shop and beyond. Batista discusses daily variance in comics retail, how Big Bang’s online store changed things, how he ended up in Ireland, the evolution of Big Bang, staying ahead of trends, the year in the shop, working with libraries, their product mix, changing customer behavior, quality as a sales point, Transformers and the Energon Universe, Jonathan Hickman’s Marvel, Dawn of DC post Knight Terrors, single issues, manga’s performance, the larger direct market conversation, maintaining motivation, and more.

You can find Batista in Big Bang Comics in Dublin and on occasion on its Twitter.

You can download the episode directly here on Libsyn.

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Thanks to the sponsor of this week’s podcast: Zoop! We’re heading into the end of the year, but the campaigns keep launching on Zoop! There’s still time to support the legendary Howard Chaykin’s campaign, and descendent of Bram Stoker, Dacre Stoker’s tale of Dracula! And keeping it spooky, is gHosts, from Cullen Bunn and Shannon Eric Denton! Finally, you do not want to miss out on the launch of an Artisan Edition book featuring John Buscema, Gil Kane, Barry Windsor Smith, and other A-list artists! There’s so much more on the horizon so stay tuned for updates! Head to Zoop’s website to support the live campaigns and sign up for launch alerts for what’s next. Also, Zoop is taking submissions! So creators, reach out at hello@wearezoop.com to learn more!

Also, thanks to the other sponsor of this week’s podcast: Omnibus! Omnibus is a modern digital comic book store and reader app carrying your favorite single issues, volumes and omnibuses (all day and date). They’re pay-per-book like your LCS, but digital, so you’re already used to the experience. Their focus is on building an excellent customer shopping and reading experience and using novel discovery features to help fans find their next new favorite book. They feature top-tier content and already have many of the top publishers in comics today. Want to find the right digital comic shop for you? Download Omnibus today on the Apple App Store to do just that.

Also, big thanks to my patrons, including – but not limited to – Rick Remender, Tom Drennen, Jeremy Thomas Burke, Jared Schwab, Scott Dunn, Chip Mosher, Allen Ellsworth, Seth Pomeroy, James McEwan, Kenny Meyers, Andrew Leamon, Christina Merkler, Mike Cancel, Scott Place, Travis Gibb, Darcy Van Poelgeest, Tom Evans, Natalie Mokry, Reid Beaman, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Max Wood, Jeremy Lambert, Brian Hole, Chris Doray, Nir Levie, Dennis Hoffman, Jason Hussa, Kieron Gillen, Jonathan Kent-Uritam, Henry Johnston, Django Bohren, James Tynion IV, Chris Lankford, Jason Wood, Tom Peachey, Ben Damstedt, Ram V, Nick Walker, Patrick Coyle, Isaac Orin, Scott Carpenter, Rentnarb Studios Comics, Capes and Tights Podcast, Klaas Van de Ven, Brian, Submet Industries, Jack Mulqueen, Kyle, Karl Kerschl, Robert Masella, Elsa Charretier, Luc Nakashoji, Dr. Luke, Scott Haselwood, CanadianByProxy, Bradley Roeder, Carl Choi, Brandon De Pillis, Patrick Brower, Declan Shalvey, Dan Gearino, Atom Freeman, Ben Wild, Brian Klein-Q, Nick Bennett, Daniel Whitfield, Susana Polo, Reed Hinckley-Barnes, Mario Tiambeng, Andrew Kurita, Matt Mahoney, Stefan Hull, Phillip Maira, Chris Bachalo, Torunn Grønbekk, FuzBubbles, Christopher Ta, Transmitterdown, Walt’s Comics & Books, Akil Wilson, Alex Dimitropolous, Terry Dodson, Wesley Gift, Shawn Kirkham, Julio Anta, Brett A. Schmidt, Jason Goodmanson, Paul Reinwand, Vita Ayala, Akylle, Phillip Sevy, Al Ewing, Ryan Alcock, David Kelley, Nick Poleto, Matthew Groom, Jason Nassi, Adam Bogert, Matthew Taylor, Nick Pitarra, Jacob Sareli, Ford Gilmore, David Baroldy, Nick Hall, Bjorn Basen, John Hendrick, Steve Anderson, Ian Maxfield, Cliff Chiang, Colin McMahon, Nathan Fairbairn, Adam Highfill, Fiona Staples, Mark Abnett, Michael Shirley, Tom Barnett, Jim Demonakos, Norbert, Nick Lowe, James Kaplan, and Mission: Comics and Art in San Francisco. You’re all the best.

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Header photo is from Big Bang Comics. Off Panel’s opening theme music is Vulfpeck’s “Outro,” used with permission from the band (and thanks for me for them doing so!), with the rest of the music being an original track by custom music agency Upright T-Rex Music, written and performed specifically for the podcast. A huge thanks to Ross and Cody from Upright T-Rex Music for putting the track together!