New Bedford Comic Book Store Sold [PHIL-OSOPHY]

In Miami, one of the oldest comic-book stores in America was bordering on closing due to the pandemic. Not to mention, as popular as comic book superheroes are these days, traditional publishing of almost any kind is struggling in the digital age.

It's a financially ruthless time to lay claim to a business of your own, but that's what Palmer Chasse, longtime manager of New England Comics, 2184 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, is doing. I want to applaud Palmer for buying New England Comics, which will become Twilight Comics, operating independently of NEC, as of March 1, 2021.

I've had Chasse on my program before, and I can tell you he's a great guy. His friendly and hospitable customer service matches his vast knowledge and scholarship. Stay tuned for new information.

Get our free mobile app

In the meantime, I remember my first comic book store back when I was in junior high school. The owner of this particular untidy joint loathed all of humanity. To this day, it's a mystery to me how he stayed in business. Hey, touch that and you own it!

On the other hand, you'll appreciate the atmosphere at Twilight Comics. I can guarantee that Palmer Chasse will welcome new customers with the warm congeniality he has greeted regular customers for many years.

Some of you may be fans of The Tick, the character who is the star of a TV show streamed through Amazon Prime, and had both an animated and live-action incarnation on Fox back in the 1990s and early 2000s. The character of The Tick was created as a mascot for the newsletter of the Brockton, Massachusetts New England Comics store back in 1986 and took off from there. It is not clear at this writing whether Palmer will continue to be involved in publishing The Tick superhero comic books.

During these unsettled times during COVID, supporting local mom-and-pop businesses is of the utmost importance.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.