The Spirit Lives On!

Zeus Toys and Comics of Dallas, Texas, is 2006 Eisner Retailing Award recipient

The late Will Eisner had a vision. He wanted to acknowledge the important role that comic book retailers play in the relationship between the creators and the readers and the contributions retailers make to the comics industry. As a result of that vision, each year Comic-Con honors retailers from around the globe with the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailing Award. The 2006 recipient is Richard Neal's Zeus Toys and Comics of Dallas, TX.

The award is given to retailers who have done an outstanding job of supporting the comics medium in both the industry at large and their local community and nurturing that special relationship between comic book creators and their readers.

The nominees for the award are selected by a group of industry professionals and facilitated by retailer Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA), a past recipient of the award. This year's committee included Frank Beddor (creator/writer, Hatter M), Al Gordon (writer and artist), Mimi Cruz Carroll (co-owner of last year's award recipient, Night Flight Comics, Salt Lake City, UT), Nance Romer (Diamond Comics customer service manager), and Paul Levitz (president and publisher, DC Comics). The award was given out at the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards on Friday, July 21, 2006.

We talked to award recipient Richard Neal of Zeus about his store.

The Zeus Comics staff (left to right):
Noele, Barry, Richard, Mike, and Bryn.

CCI: First off, how did it feel to win the Eisner Award?

Neal: The best part of winning the Eisner is being able to share it. I've made some lifelong friends here, from the staff to our audience; this is for them.

CCI: How did you get into comics retailing?

Neal: I wasn't working in a field I enjoyed, so I decided to take a chance. There weren't any comic stores catering to adult professionals, both men and women, at the time. I decided to style the store to appeal to the modern adult while remaining price competitive.

CCI: Zeus celebrated its 6th anniversary lately. What's the secret to your success?

Neal: I do this because I love comics [and] I want to share it with others. Comic retailers need to recognize that product does not separate them from their competitors-customer service does. You get the same support and enthusiastic attitude from our staff whether you spend $3 or $300.

CCI: Part of the Eisner Award criteria is involvement in your local community. How is Zeus accomplishing this?

Neal: We're heavily involved in Free Comic Book Day. This year we gave out free comics to 6,000 attendees, including a make-your-own superhero activity book for the kids. We were even able to get it declared Free Comic Book Day in Dallas from the Mayor's office! Often we donate merchandise like comics and graphic novels to local charities. This gets our name out there and gets comics into the hands of new fans. And it's very important to stay connected-buy local comics, support local creators, and have in-store signings.

CCI: Give us your top picks to give to that friend who never reads comics.

Neal: Writers! Keep Bendis, Wood, Ellis, Ennis, Simone, Morrison, Kirkman, Rucka, and Vaughan on hand. I can sell a concept over a cape any day. For the complete novice adult I'd suggest Blankets, Fun Home, or anything from Oni Press.