Superheroes aren't only found in the glossy pages of a comic book.
For John Mullins, long-time Auburn native and owner of the comic book store in Auburn, Collector's Corner, his passion for comics and reading was inspired by his older cousin, John Wesley McEntyre, who died Nov. 13.
"As a kid, when he got through reading the comics, he would leave them for me," Mullins said. "I taught myself how to read through those comics."
McEntyre was 65 when he got in an accident involving a tractor at his farm house.
Mullins said even though his cousin was 10 years older than he was, as children, McEntyre always allowed Mullins to hang out and tag along.
"He was as big as a giant, but he was always gentle, too," Mullins said.
Mullins said his love for reading in general can be attributed to his early love for comics.
Before he even entered kindergarten, he was reading and knew how to use a dictionary.
"When we got to 'Jack and Jill went up the hill' and all that, I just thought, 'This is boring,' because I was used to Spiderman," Mullins said.
In honor of McEntyre's recent death, Mullins is offering 40 percent off all back issues this week.
"He was my older cousin, and he was my favorite cousin," Mullins said.
Mullins has owned the comic book store for 12 years.
"I got really tired of working in the corporate world," Mullins said. "I gave a two weeks' notice without having a job lined up. And I was looking to buy a business I enjoyed. I was just fed up."
Mullins said he walked into the shop and told the previous owner he was interested in buying the business.
The owner told Mullins the shop was always for sale if the price was right, so Mullins made an offer and became the owner effective Jan. 1 of that year.
"Even in the most difficult financial times, in the middle of the Great Depression, I would rather do this than work for anybody doing something I've done before," Mullins said.
Mullins said he sees customers of all ages, from 6 years old to professors at Auburn.
"I've never actually counted," Mullins said about his customer base. "We have over 80 frequent customers."
Mullins said he reads 90 percent of all the comics that he sells, not only because of his passion for them, but also because it can help with sales and recommendations.
Collector's Corner is located on E Glenn Avenue near the Chamber of Commerce. It turns 25 years old this January, making it one of the oldest comic book stores in the Southeast.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
