COMICS WORLD
Running a comic book store is an endearing job, especially in Singapore, but if there’s one notable store that has been around for the longest time, it’s probably Comics World.
First established in August 1987 by Bill Teoh at Paradiz Center, Comics World is a household name for many long-time local comic book fans and is possibly the oldest comic book store you can find in Singapore. They have since relocated to Parklane Shopping Mall, with Bill retired, passing the business to his partner, Jun, who has been a co-owner since 1992.
Comics World is a go-to spot for many of their long-time fans and supporters, who swing by every now and then to pre-order and collect their regular reads - whether they’re big publishers such as Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, or even independent and indie labels.
Upon setting foot in Comics World, you’re greeted with an entire library of comic books, graphic novels, and collectables. There’s even a wall full of photographs of Bill with a handful of celebrities!
While the superhero industry might sound like it’s a lucrative market, running a comic book store in the centre of Singapore might be one hell of a challenge. Already a niche hobby that continues to develop today, comic books are naturally still part of the print industry that is arguably losing against the digital age (publishers are also pushing digital comics themselves).
As Comics World continue to run for over 34 years, I was curious to know from Jun if it was passion that lasted them until today, and to my surprise, it wasn’t. “To be very frank, it has become a job that you have to fulfil”, Jun said.
“You know, you begin this whole business with a passion and a hobby. It was all about reading comic books and watching movies at first - but once it becomes your job, it no longer becomes your hobby. The job is extremely time-consuming and sometimes, you no longer have a life.”
Is it really an all-out grind for many of us who are trying to pursue our dreams? Well, for her, no. Otherwise, you can’t carry on, she explained - even though it was not like before where she could use her entire Sunday to enjoy comics.
“Now, if you can finish two comic books a week is not bad already and considered quite good already”, Jun laughed.
To deliver as a comic book store, they often have to order stocks before their customers place their orders. And in her own words, it was their greatest challenge, to “fulfil their customer’s needs and their interests”. The ever-changing trends of superheroes tend to create a highly speculative market on what’s good and what’s not. And there are many collectors who buy to speculate the comic’s value rather than for reading.
Covid hasn’t been kind to them either, or any retail operators. 2021 dealt a heavy blow to their business and they faced a decline of about 90% of customers. For them, the choice to turn to other ventures was long gone, as Jun explained, doing this for the past 34 years has left them with little to no other options since it has become their main source of income.
“We have to accept this because it’s part and parcel of life - no one’s life is easy. But it’s not that difficult lah, we have to face reality and I could’ve changed my job if I didn’t want to face reality.”
Still, the comics industry itself has undoubtedly grown over the years, with many more people picking up the hobby thanks to Marvel and DC’s cinematic universes.
Jun vividly recalled parents asking her whether their children will join cults because of comics and how people used to pick up comics and asked if they were CDs.
Now, she rejoices at how the industry had come a long way and continues to go towards a better place, with a bigger audience of females, wider acceptance, and awareness.
“I hope this industry can continue because this is really a culture and a very healthy one. When you read something, it’s different from games or what. Of course, it’s still up to the individuals but I hope people will know more about comics - to have that interest. If you have more people who have more interest, then this industry can continue.”
To those who would love to find out more about comics, trust me, Comics World is always a welcoming space, whether you know a lot or nothing about comics at all. And as Jun put it herself, “I can sponsor you some comics if you really want to, so you have an idea what it is about, it’s a graphic novel, and it’s like reading a book with art. How nice and marvellous!!”
Comics World is located at:
#B1-22 Parklane Shopping Mall
35 Selegie Rd, Singapore 188307
Mon-Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 1.30pm-6pm
