After 23 years managing the pages of Shore Publishing Newspapers’ classified and service directory sections, Dave Ellis has splashed onto Branford’s downtown business scene with a superhero-style “kablam!” at his new shop, What’s The Issue? - Comics & More.

The Branford resident is having a blast welcoming fans of comics, graphic novels, and related merch to browse the action-packed aisles of his colorful shop at 1008 Main Street across from the Branford Green.

Dave can recall when his own obsession with the world of comics first kicked in.

“It was 1989 when the first Batman movie came out. I think I was in fifth grade,” says Dave, who grew up in Madison. “Back in high school, I probably could have named two other guys who were into comics. Now, it’s just exploded in popularity, and it’s 50-50 male and female readers. And there’s so many great artists now, compared to just the few from back in the day.”

While DC Comic’s caped crusader is still among Dave’s favorites, his go-to superheroes are Marvel’s New Warriors. Dave’s broad knowledge and deep appreciation of the comics universe is one of the main reasons he recently decided to take the leap from working behind the scenes at a shoreline news publication to opening his own local business where the stories leap off the page.

“I just love the art form of comics and graphic novels. There’s something for everybody of all ages,” Dave says. “I have little kids’ first comics right on up to the sophisticated art and stories of graphic novels that teens and adults love.”

When it comes to describing the width and breadth of what’s out there in the world of comics, Dave could write a novel. He packs a rolling inventory of as many different publications as possible into his shop. The range runs the gamut from the classics to the cutting edge, such as the revival of the Universal Monsters to today’s slick versions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“There are so many genres today; it’s really incredible,” says Dave.

As a Branford resident who has loved living in the downtown area for 23 years, Dave’s thrilled to have found a spot among Main Street’s popular spread of merchants, restaurants, and businesses. Dave personally did the handiwork to redesign and customize his shop’s space, including adding shelving for key displays and painting the walls with a pop-art color scheme.

“I did it on my nights, weekends, and holidays, which included several visits to the hardware store down the street,” says Dave.

Dave opened his shop to the public on May 1 and enjoyed a particularly auspicious first Saturday in business on May 4.

“Not only was it Star Wars Day, but it also happened to coincide with Free Comic Book Day 2024, which is an international day that hardcore comics fans know about,” Dave says.

Each year, publishers provide retailers with special books for Free Comic Book Day. As for Star Wars Day, May 4 is the unofficial high holy day for the franchise faithful (although if you’ve never heard “May the fourth be with you” on Star Wars Day, you may be living under a rock).

Switching Gears

Dave joined Shore Publishing Newspapers, which includes The Sound and Zip06 among its publications, just a few years after the company was established. As its founding classified and service directory manager, it was Dave’s job not only to run these specialized advertising areas but to establish them. Through the years, he helped the sections to grow and develop, first in print, and then also in digital form.

Dave enjoyed his work, especially as it allowed him to find a great career on the shoreline. He moved to Branford about the same time he started out with Shore Publishing.

“I love being local,” says Dave.

Earlier this year, Dave saw the perfect opportunity to stay local yet switch gears and pursue a personal dream by opening his own business in downtown Branford. He decided to go for it.

“I’ve always had that entrepreneurial spirit,” says Dave. “This was always one of the things in the back of my mind, you know, ‘...maybe, one day.’ I’ve always loved this area of downtown Branford, with all the different businesses and all the activities going on. It’s really become a destination for people. It’s just a fun, vibrant atmosphere.”

Dave is enjoying every day at his shop.

“It’s just been so fun because there’s something for everyone and for all different ages. I’ve had grandparents come in to buy stuff for their grandkids, but they are also fans,” says Dave. “I had one little girl who was all excited to grab her very first comic book, a Batman Scooby-Doo adventure, while I was also having a great discussion with someone about themes in an X-Men graphic novel. Where else does that happen?”

Dave also enjoys talking with other collectors about his curated classic comics, including those lining display shelves above the main floor.

“A lot of them are things throughout the years I’ve personally collected,” says Dave.

The “comics and more” tagline accompanying the shop’s name hints at some of the other merchandise in the shop, from action figures to character lunchboxes to trade paperback collections, hardcover books, and more.

When it comes to hunting down that ultimate issue, from classic originals to the latest and greatest, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, Dave will see if he can locate it for you.

“If people come in and there’s something that they’re looking for, I’d be happy to order it for them,” he says.

Dave’s also interested in buying collections. He can be reached at his email, dave@whatstheissuecomics.com, or by calling 475-382-1139. More shop details, special events, and other news can be found on Facebook at What’s The Issue? Comics. The business is open six days a week, including Tuesdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

As part of a small, but supportive group of area comic book retailers, Dave encourages people who are on the hunt in their area for this type of retail therapy to visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a comic shop near you. The site provides locations by Zip Code search.

“I’m really glad to be a part of this incredible group of people who love what we do so much,” says Dave. “I’ve had other retailers who have contacted me to wish me luck and to share great advice. And I love to stop by their shops to check things out. We all really want to do what we can to promote the medium.”