SubCity Comics is on the move!
So as you must have heard by now, Dublin’s own SubCity Comics is on the move. But don’t worry, they’re not going far. The move will take SubCity from its current spot on 2 Exchequer St, just across the way to Dublin’s Dame St and into an even bigger setting. Having been nearly 20 years trading in Dublin we caught up with SubCity’s Rob Curley to talk about this move and what the future holds for SubCity on Dame St.
So Rob what’s promoted the move from Exchequer st over to Dame street?
“Moving premises has been on the cards for a very long time, it was just a matter of finding the right location. We always said if we were to move it would need to be in the general area and it would preferably be a bigger unit. Dame St is both of those things, so when I stumbled across the Five And Dime pop up shop which was there over the Christmas the wheels of my mind started to turn.“
So as well as comics and graphic novels what other goodies can we expect to see in the new SubCity location given it’s bigger setting?
“We want to expand our graphic novel section to include more independent, European and manga titles. This wont happen over night but we will phase in all of these over the coming months. We will also be expanding our collectibles, figures, statues and the like. We even have space for a large t shirt section! One thing we will make sure to continue is our backissue section, this has been an important part of Sub City from day one and we intend to continue that tradition.“
What’s your favourite memory in the old shop?
“I have dozens of great memories of Exchequer St. Myself and Brian were in our new shop last night till around 11:30 putting up stock and that really brought me back to when we were setting up Exchequer St. We are extremely lucky to be in a job where we get to meet people into the same thing and be part of something that we love and which we have grown up with from a very early age.“
What’s the biggest difference between the older location and the new spot?
“I guess the space is the most obvious difference and it gives us such possibilities. We plan on running card tournaments, movie nights and a comic club which we could have never done in Exchequer St. We also have a big basement space for storage so that essentially gives us even more space on the shop floor. It will take us a while to settle in but its a very exciting time.“
With the 20 year anniversary of SubCity coming up this year what can we expect?
“We have a lot of big plans on the horizon, signings, competitions and of course there will be a big birthday bash closer to the actual date of November 14th.“
Where do you see Sub City 20 years from now?
“Right now I’m just concentrating on the next few years, we still have a lot of work ahead of us to make Dame St the best it can be for us and our customers. The comic world is one which moves very fast and its important to keep up with whats going on around us. As long as the next 20 years are as good as the first I will be happy enough.“
And with Atomic Diner being another creation of yours how would you encourage other Irish comic creators in the biz? and how could they get their stuff into the shop?
“It really is a matter of just having some belief in yourself and getting out there and doing it. Don’t be discouraged by barriers or negativity, believe in what you want to achieve and go for it. We are more than happy to stock anybodies books in the shop, just drop in, its that simple.“
There you have it folks, with a new shop, card tournaments, movie nights, comic book club, and a lots lots more cool new stuff set to keep us all entertained well into the next 20 years. Some very exciting times are on the horizon indeed.
SubCity Comics open their new doors on 62 Dame St 9:30AM on Friday the 14th.
Make sure to stop by and wish the lads all the best in the new location, and don’t forget your comics too.
You can also keep up to date with the gang over on Facebook!
