The name "House of Fantasy" has raised a few eyebrows over the years, but it may not be what you think. It's a comic book store. Opened thirty four years ago by Paul Bene. Paul has been crazy about comics since he was a kid admitting - he was so young at the time he got his first Superman comic "I couldn't read, but I loved looking at the pictures."
One of Paul's favorite comics these days is Walking Dead which started out and continues as a "graphic novel" and was transformed into a TV show. "Graphic Novel" is what they call comic books for big kids. The Archie Gang has had a makeover into a graphic novel called Riverdale and Jughead now looks like a soap opera star.
There was a time when people collected comic books as an investment, but Paul says not so much anymore adding "I think most people buy old comic books because it's a connection to their childhood."
According to Paul Bene there are only two "authentic American art forms jazz and comic books". He says "neither one of them was appreciated in this country until long after they were appreciated in Europe and Japan and other parts of the world."
House of Fantasy is at 1709 Pine Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14301 Phone: 716-282-8838
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