In the late 1960’s, something as simple as a stop at the 7-11 can begin a life’s course. That’s what happened for Frank McGinn. In his hometown of Denver, Colorado, he and his twin brother, Philip would go to the convenience store.

“We’d go to the spin racks. Comics were fifteen or twenty cents, so we could get a good chunk for a buck.”

The comics that grabbed the brothers attention in those days were, Marvel Monster Books, Silver Surfer 18, and the infamous, Spider Man. Frank liked to draw, but claims he had no talent.

“I can’t even draw a straight line.”

Spider Man captured his attention, primarily because of his costume, but the introduction to comics transformed this young boy into an avid reader. Spider Man suffered self doubt like most teenagers and with Steve Ditko’s illustrations, Spider Man could be seen swinging from a web, and reminded readers, “Spider Man, Spider Man does whatever a spider can.”

A loyal customer, Lew strolls in with his dog, Betty. They marvel at my ignorance of the genre. I tell them I read Brenda Starr as a kid.

“A good strip”, Frank says.

And I’m transported, to my days as a twelve year old, eager for Sunday’s, “funnies.”

I could be Brenda Starr, the reporter with flame red hair, ready for adventures, glamour, exotic locations and love.

Frank and Lew remember their boyhood days and how comics seduced them both to become the readers that they are today. Lew says,

“I was a lousy reader, but as soon as I started reading comics, my reading comprehension went up to 98% because I needed a dictionary to figure out how one word changed the story.”

Frank tells me that in the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s comic book writers were very intelligent, well educated and read all the classic authors.

They want me to know about The Fantastic Four. They tell me a little about the editor and writer; Stan Lee and the collaborative artist Jack Kirby. They created super beings with super powers. There is a backdrop of outer space and cosmic rays. Now, I’m intrigued. There is a Mr. Fantastic, an Invisible Woman, a Human Torch and The Thing. These super human beings co-exist as a dysfunctional family bickering all the way while enjoying their status for using their powers to contribute to society. A body can be re-shaped and contorted, a woman can become invisible, any fire can be controlled and the ability to fly exists. “Flame On.”

Frank moved to San Francisco thirty years ago and in the mid 1980’s he worked part-time for Comics Comix, the largest comic book chain store in Northern California and eventually managed several stores for the chain.

Prior to acquiring the business, Frank had quit Comics Comics. The proprietor became embroiled in a real estate scam and a 9/11 scam and is currently incarcerated.

One day, Frank was walking down Irving Street and the landlord of 650 Irving Street approached him.

“Why don’t you open your own store?”

In 2000,Frank opened Amazing Fantasy, in the same location Comics Comix had been and thankfully he still has the same landlord.

I’m curious about the Amazing Fantasy customer.

“We have customers from every walk of life. I have customers who earn minimum wage and people with millions of dollars. Once they come in the door, they're on equal footing. They’re all regular dudes.”

He has seen a few generations come thru his shop. Many grandfathers and fathers, introduce their children to the art form.

Unlike many comic book shops, Amazing Fantasy has a respectable female clientele, representing a little over 30% of his business.

I ask about Michael Turner. I read his obituary, chronicling his untimely death in June of bone cancer at 37, his success as an illustrator for Fathom, his own creation, with the super heroine, Aspen, a voluptuous and striking Marine Biologist, who possessed water based powers. She had the curves and the commands.

“He was a great cover artist and had quite a following. If he did the cover, the sales went up.”

I learn of the San Diego Comic Con, an annual comic book convention in San Diego. The very convention that in 1993, with five pages of his illustrations, Michael Turner was recognized and within a short time, no longer had to wait tables.

Frank McGinn realizes,

“I’m lucky to get up every morning and come to work.”

Challenges in the business?

“To keep it running in the Recession we’re not in.”

Also the internet has negatively impacted the small business owner.

“I can’t compete.”

A favorite comic book hero today?

“Captain America. The writing is so good.”

And if you don’t think comics are your thing?

“If someone walks in with an open mind, and doesn’t think comic books are stupid, I can find something that would interest them.”

My mind has been opened.

Next Week: Meet Rika, Sushi Chef from Ebisu.