Flying Monkey Comics and Games stocks a wide selection of collectible comics, a great variety of the coolest tabletop games, as well as fun to play current and retro video games! For owner Stefan Bridges, his hobby has become a passion.
1. What was the first comic you remember buying?
My first comic was Spectacular Spider-Man #197 – Purchased off a spinner rack at the local pharmacy in Ripley, OH!
2. Where did you get your comics growing up and what made you want to run your own comic shop?
Growing up my local shop was Comic Central on Beechmont Ave. in Cincinnati, OH, though I also picked up comics at the Red Barn Flea Market in Batavia, OH from a great guy that had a booth there!
3. How did you choose the name of the shop?
I have always thought that monkeys were funny. Once while setting up at a local convention, before I actually had a store, I was asked what the name of the store was and, after very little thought, I blurted out “Flying Monkey” and everyone that stopped by to shop that weekend said how much they loved the name so it stuck!
4. What is the most interesting part of owning a comic shop?
Getting to read and talk to all the awesome fans about the HUGE variety of comics that come out each week from publishers and creators of all sizes!
5. What is the prized comic of your collection? Is there a comic you would love to own, but don’t?
The last comic I would ever sell from my collection would be my copy of Uncanny X-Men #266! My number one want right now is a copy of Adventure Comics #247 – the first appearance of the Legion of Super Heroes! Along with the X-Men, they have always been favorites!
6. What changes have you seen in the comics world over the years, both on the production and fan side of things?
Having collected in the early 90s, I got to live through the early variant cover boom, cover gimmicks like holograms and chromium covers, Bad Girls era, and more. The most important change that I have seen especially over the last 5-10 years is the increased quality, diversity of creators and story topics, and acceptance of different art styles, especially in nonsuperhero titles! It is such an amazing time in comics. There is a creator to identify with, a comic with subject matter, and a story for EVERYONE!
7. Who are some of your favorite national artists? Local artists?
I currently love the covers being done by J. Scott Campbell, Shannon Maer, John Royle, Jon Boy Meyers and Artgerm. I will read pretty much anything drawn by Rob Guillory, Babs Tarr, Billy Tucci, JH Williams III, Matias Bergara, Fiona Staples, Matthew Roberts – man this list could go on for years! Locally – Sean Forney did our awesome Red Sonja/Vampirella store variant cover and my all time favorite sketch cover, and I think Natalie Haines has a huge future – her Sonic The Hedgehog covers have been GORGEOUS!
8. Who is your favorite character?
Gambit of the X-Men. I have loved him ever since I started reading comics after watching the X-Men Animated Series
9. What comic series/graphic novel/etc. would you recommend to someone who was just starting to get into comics and why?
I would recommend heading to your favorite shop with a list of three things you are passionate about – any three things that you LOVE or CARE DEEPLY about. They will be able to point you to a GREAT comic that will make you want more!
10. What has you most excited about the future of comics?
I believe that storytelling in the comic medium is the greatest it has ever been and continues to get better and better each and every year! Eventually, it feels there will be a plateau, but, until then, I am along for the ride! I am extremely interested to see how the self-publishing world continues to grow and how things like Substack will push storytelling and also the impact the model will have on collectibility of comics!
Find more information about Stefan Bridges of Flying Monkey Comics, go to flyingmonkeycomics.com.