Retailer Buddy Saunders of Texas retail chain Lone Star Comics saw our coverage of Outsiders #8 (see 'Outsiders #8 'Edgy'') and shared his philosophy of long-term business growth:

Comics such as Outsiders #8 represent little if any legal problem for retailers.  But as I've said before, if not properly handled, such comics are a credibility problem with parents that could lead to a loss of young customers.  When that happens, these young readers are deprived of an opportunity we ourselves hold precious.  Comic retailers are likewise deprived of these younger customers who, if they follow in our footsteps, will spend thousands of dollars on comics in the years to come--hopefully in our stores.  The former reason is important to me as a longtime comic fan and collector.  The latter is equally important to me as a retailer.

Last time I looked, the comic book business wasn't awash in customers, but even if it were, it would still make no sense to be hostile or indifferent to the sensibilities of any patron.  Yet over the years I've spoken to retailers who were indifferent.  I've actually had other retailers say bluntly, 'I don't want kids in my store.'  While I know there are many comic retailers who value every customer, the reality remains that a significant number of comic retailers still have the 'If you don't like it, get out of my store!' attitude.

I've been a comic collector since 1960 and a comics retailer almost that long. To give an idea of how long, I've sold mint FF #1's for 25c a copy.  The first Lone Star Comics store opened in the summer of 1977 in a hole-in-the-wall-sized location on a dead end side street and was bankrolled with a $1,500.00 loan and a comic mail-order stock that had helped finance my way through college.  Today, Lone Star Comics is an eight-store chain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with a thriving Internet business.  We've never downsized or had to close a store even in the worst of times.  I say this not so much to brag (although I am proud of Lone Star's accomplishments), but rather to point out that Lone Star Comics is a success story within an industry where thousands of comic stores have gone belly up.  I attribute much of Lone Star's success to our constant effort to build the next generation of comic fans at the earliest age possible.  As we approach 30 years of continuous comic retailing from our storefronts (40 if you count the preceding mail order only years), Lone Star Comics is now serving a 3rd and even 4th generation of comic fans.

Getting kids into comics these days isn't easy.  But it is worth the effort.  The dimes and dollars from many a kid's pocket has helped Lone Star become the largest comics retailer in Texas.  The comics industry needs more strong retailers.  Now is a good time to open a comic store.  If you are thinking such thoughts, I hope you will follow our time-tested example.