Skylark Toys and Games is Grove City’s home for collectibles, comics, classic toys such as GI Joe and Transformers, and all things pop culture. Learn a bit about owner Daren Neff’s love of comics and what inspired him to open his own shop.
1. What was the first comic you remember buying?
The Punisher #1, 1987.
2. Where did you get your comics growing up and what made you want to run your own comic shop?
My dad was a truck driver and always had tons of change in his pockets. He would come in off the road, drop his pants, and hit the sack. As soon as he was asleep, my brother, Devin, and I would sneak in and empty those pockets out and were off to what we thought at the time was the greatest comic retail establishment in the world, the Lawsons carry-out that was located near the neighborhood that we grew up in. Those were unforgettable days. To answer the second part of the question, I wanted to run my own toy/comic shop because I love all things collectible. To quote the great Adam Sandler in the classic The Wedding Singer, “I’m a big fan of money. I like it, I use it, I have a little. I keep it in a jar on top of my refrigerator. I’d like to put more in that jar.” That’s where the shop comes in.
3. How did you choose the name of the shop?
If you must know, if I was anything in my youth, I was a schoolyard sports legend, and I played a lot of street basketball. Years 14-16, I was not very good, but at about 16, I could jump out of the gym that I wasn’t in. I was never able to actually dunk, but I made the rim-jam into an artform! Someone in my group of homies labeled me “Skylark,” like the bird, because I played in the air. In between games, a fellow baller would exclaim, “Give us a halftime show, Skylark!” I would oblige by taking to the sky once again, defying gravity as I slammed the rock into the cold, unforgiving iron of the rim. I would careen to the ground as my friends laughed hysterically, and passers-by would glare as if to say “Why?” The nickname stuck, and I integrated parts of the story into the shop’s logo. That’s why the robotic skylark is perched on a purple basketball. The #21 is in reference to my number when I played organized sports and, I just stole the Silverhawks (the classic 1980s animated series) font because it is just incredible! I would also like to add that my basketball game developed, and I proceeded to be dominant for years on end.
4. What is the most interesting part of owning a comic shop?
Interacting with the customers by far. Our patrons are a very diverse group that collect a lot of different things for a lot of different reasons. Their eclectic personalities make every day an enjoyable adventure.
5. What is the prized comic of your collection? Is there a comic you would love to own, but don’t?
I don’t possess a favorite comic of my own, so to speak, so I am going to go with the young man who works with me in the shop, Lance, which is X-Men #1. He likes it enough for both of us. As far as a comic that I would love to own but don’t, I would go with a very high-grade copy of Action Comics #1, because I would sell it and be filthy rich.
6. What changes have you seen in the comics world over the years, both on the production and fan side of things?
Over the years, I think that the comic world has become much more than Marvel and DC. Don’t get me wrong, the Big Dogs are as popular as ever, but independent publishers and non-superhero titles have definitely made inroads.
7. Who are some of your favorite national artists? Local artists?
I am a fan of Frank Miller and Todd McFarlane. Locally, I dig a comic called ill World. It’s done by an artist/writer named Cleve Westmoreland. Look him up and check it out! Awesome art and writing!
8. Who is your favorite character?
Marvel’s Kingpin. I fancy myself a good guy version, if that makes any sense.
9. What comic series/graphic novel/etc. would you recommend to someone who was just starting to get into comics and why?
I would say Daredevil. That’s what I cut my teeth on and it’s awesome.
10. What has you most excited about the future of comics?
Skylarks Toys & Comics….because Skylarks Toys & Comics IS the future of comics.
Find more information about Daren Neff of Skylark Toys and Games, go to facebook.com/GroveCitysCoolestStore.