After the Fire : Renton's Comic Den to reopen this Wednesday!

Even though fire and water are surely no friend to a comic book, Howard Wheatly, owner of The Comic Den, is rebounding with amazing speed and with tons of good spirits. Today, while visiting with him at site of the fire in his old shop on Wells Ave., things were being cleaned and moved and sorted by a team of friends and customers. The owner of the building at 822 S. Third Street, Bob Delancey, is also the owner of the now totaled building on Wells Ave. that was completely ruined a couple of days ago by a 5 Alarm Fire that struck. Howard is now in the process of moving into half of that store presence on South Third with the intention of opening his doors for business on this coming Wednesday at noon. That's right folks - new comic delivery on Wednesdays is back!

Howard is taking everything in stride these days. Approximately 80% of his stock was lost in the fire, but the remaining 20% was the stuff that was worth saving. In it were his gold and silver age comics. There was more to salvage than you would think - because of the plastic sleeves that covered the comic issues which lent needed protection . At this moment, the sorting process is taking place and those that can be recovered are being put into new plastic sleeves and being readied for the store's reopening in just three days.

Howard explained that at least all of his store inventory had been paid for and that most of his business is in new comics, and that is where he derives most of his revenue. Howard is looking at the cup half full these days - I mean, what else can you do? Which is why Howard struck the pose up above in the photo. Living proof that you can make lemonade from sucky situations.

While there I was amazed at the industriousness of everyone who scuttled around the wet and soot filled rooms that once was home to The Comic Den for nearly two decades.

This shot reminds me of Michelangelo's "Hand of God" - except that what we are looking at here is nothing pretty. That is where the ceiling used to be and where all the water from the firemens'
hoses rained down. Side rooms off of the main area were almost a complete write off as far as comics were concerned. Howard said that they would be lucky to scrape together 10% from the inventory in those rooms. I looked into these rooms and all I could really see was blackened and shriveled pages upon pages of books. Yuck.



The new location for The Comic Den is so close - just across the street. Handtrucks and armloads of rescued goods were being taken over as fast as they could be carried. No one seemed to stop to take a breath or take a break. Pure dedication. Determination at it's best.


Someone put this water bottle up against the temporary wire fence that surrounds the building front on Wells Ave. Change has been accumulating as people already start to pitch in and help. The biggest help, however, will be for all of the former customers and hopefully a whole generation of new ones, to come by on Wednesday for the delivery of the new comics with your greenbacks in hand. Now that would make a great start for The Comic Den Recovery Plan.



Ah, Joker - foiled again!! Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, The Comic Den will live to rule another day!

The Comic Den 822 South Third Street Renton WA
(their new digs!)

The Comic Den - the aftermath of the Renton Fire is not very funny

One of the other biggest losses that occurred from the 5 Alarm Fire that struck downtown Renton last night was at The Comic Den - a venerable purveyor of graphic novels and comics for nearly 20 years. I think it goes without saying that a fire and then tons of water being sprayed to put said fire out are not the friend to anything made of paper. I have yet to hear, but I think most of the inventory must be permanently damaged.

I have been informed this afternoon that there is an account for The Comic Den also if you would like to make donations to help. Remember, this was a very old building and insurance would have been prohibitive and unaffordable, so Howard the owner unfortunately, was uninsured. You can make donations at The Bank Of America for The Comic Den (it is being set up right now) to help Howard rebuild and relocate his business. Please help with whatever you can. If we all give a little, it amounts to more than you would think.

This lot of water ridden comics were pulled from on top of the storm drain just at the corner of Wells and South Third. It must have drifted out of the building when the tide of water from the firemens' hoses washed the flames away.

This was The Comic Den just at the beginning of May when the owner, Howard Wheatly, participated in a National Comic Day and gave away free comics to anyone who came to the store, no purchase necessary. There were a dozen or more issues specially designed for the day, May 1st, and Howard had said that the 300 or so people that had come in that weekend was the best turnout he had had for this event to date.

This was one of my all time favorite windows that graced the front of The Comic Den. I am a bit of a Wolverine fan, so I could hardly help myself. I'm so glad, now, that I got this shot in when I did. It was still up last night before the fire struck.

I found this Joker action toy in the gutter near the scene of the fire. The Joker was always know for his notorious acts of violence in the Batman comic series. You know, The Joker is a self-professed Arsonist - and I blame him for this entire situation. And you can tell him that for me personally.

Day after the fire in Renton

This is the view that our downtown Renton peeps are privy to the day after our 5 Alarm Fire in our little burg. Firefighters still on the scene, though the fire was put out successfully last night with the help of over 100 firemen from Renton, Skyway, Kent and Tukwila plus the off duty members that were pulled into duty. They are assessing the damage - and the very little that is left of the building that once housed the Comic Den, A-1 Vacs & Locks and a handful of residents in apartments who once lived there. No one was hurt, mercifully, but the loss is great otherwise.


This is Jennifer Davis Hayes of the City of Renton checking in with the Fire Dept. and getting a handle on what she can do to help - which with Jennifer, is always a lot.



Luckily, you could still get a cup of coffee and come down and look what happened. Coffee is from Liberty Cafe and these locals are from left to right: Phyl Carroll, Ron Hughes, Sue Hughes, Bill Collins and Sarah Iles of the Renton Historical Museum. If you were a steady coffee client at the Common Ground Coffee & Cupcakes, you will be sad to know that their cafe was affected by the smoke and has some damage, so they are temporarily closed. But don't worry - they will be back.

This is Braden - and his great Grandfather, Mr. Anderson, was the owner of the now destroyed building. He is with his Grandmother Delancey, looking at the remains of his family's property and the loss of another piece of downtown Renton history.

This is the back of the building where two fire engines still remain and the firefighters are actively investigating the interior of the building.

Smoke and Flames in Downtown Renton

The second floor of the building that houses the Comic Den, A-1 Vac & Locks (looks like this was hit pretty bad and a mere shell of the building remains) and is a neighbor to St. Charles Antiques (current state unknown)and then Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee (completely black inside, owner Hang and Lang will have to close for awhile to repair - damn!) caught fire this evening a bit before eight o'clock. This is a 3 Alarm Fire, folks. No - upgrade that - 5 Alarm Fire!

Our firefighters from Renton were joined by Kent, Tukwila, and Skyway firehouses (thanks to you for helping with our dear old downtown, fellas). I counted 5 large fire engines (apparently over 100 firemen) at the scene tonight, not counting Medic Vans and police cars. The turnout was immediate and impressive. Later, as I was writing this and downloading pictures - I heard a huge cry of happiness and clapping from the South Third Street vicinity. We really do appreciate you - you guys!






This is the back of the affected building - there is a small piazzalike parking area, and it was awash in smoke.

Our mayor, Dennis Law was immediately on the scene. I think that big walkie-talkie he is carrying comes with the job. He headed right into the smoke to consult with the firefighter crew.

Already on the scene was a professional photographer and soon after I saw the news helicopter cruising our Renton skies. You can be sure to find this event on the evening news.

Marcie Palmer was over at the South Renton Neighborhood Picnic at Burnett Linear Park this evening, when all of a sudden the firefighters who traditionally come and join the summer eat and greet event left in a hurry. Marcie says they had a good turnout until the fire put a kibosh on things. (That's Jay Hand from the Ancient Arts Tattoo right behind her).

"Try not to breathe this smoke, folks,it's not very good for you". This kind firefighter reminded all of us longneckers at the fire scene that the dark, heavy smoke pouring from the vintage building is probably full of things our lungs would rather not have first hand knowledge about.

Get your free comics right here!

The Comic Den on Wells Street, right in our DTR between South Second and Third Streets, is giving away comics - for free - this Saturday - no obligations to buy, just stop by. The owner, told me to tell all of you, so it must be true.

This establishment has been serving up a healthy dose of graphic novels, a very large collection of comics and other such collectible paraphernalia since it opened in 1991. Every Wednesday, all the cool guys I know get ready to go check out the new goods, 'cuz that is delivery day and there is a pile of boxes usually outside to prove it. The store is small but from what I have heard, has a great staff and the right goods which is why they have that such a loyal clientele. I even saw a new graphic novel with our new prez on the cover in the window. Maybe he really is a super hero after all.

Okay - I know I already posted this photo earlier in the week as the coolest pic, but I don't care! I have a thing for the Wolverine, and I am not afraid to share that - again.

The Comic Den 234 Wells Ave. South (425) 235 - 1663
Noon till they close at 6 pm - they will have enough comics for everyone!

Coolest window in town

Caught at the Comic Den, 234 Wells Avenue - this image of Wolverine is tops on my list as the Coolest Window in town - whew! I love the Wolverine....