Free comics for everyone

May 1st has lots of connotations and celebrations - but I bet you never counted on Free Comic Book Day being part of the spring day fun. Saturday at noon, the newly renamed business on South Third Street, The Comic Hut (formerly known to us as The Comic Den) will host a grand opening and participate in the national giving away of comics, along with door prizes and a special sale of backstock.


This is a sneak preview of some of those free comics we will be looking forward to picking up this weekend. Limit of two per person - bring a friend, get different issues and then swap. That's the plan here at The Picaroon.

This year's commemorative Free Comic Day shirt. Here's hoping that is one of those sweet door prizes.



Howard Wheatley, owner, has created a great new home for his comics after a 5 alarm fire nearly a year ago shook his shop in a smoking death grip. By this weekend, there will be a new wood sign hanging outside the establishment and fresh window designs up front. The Comic Den rises from the ashes to become The Comic Hut and our town keeps one more independent store that sets our downtown so far apart from the norm.

Saturday, May 1st noon-6pm National Free Comic Book Day
free comics, door prizes, fun

The Comic Hut
Comics and Collectibles
822 S. Third Street Renton ,WA 98057
425-235-1663

What's a Christmas without comics?

Comics - they appeal to those from six to sixty, and you can find an amazing supply of them right in Downtown Renton. Just six months after the fire in Historic Renton in June that wiped out an entire building that housed The Comic Den for years, and things are looking pretty darn good for owner Howard Wheatley. By next summer, the shop should be completely situated in their new digs and comfortably using all of the additional space the South Third storefront provides them. In the meantime, the selection of goodies is a must to go and see.

The new comic racks are full and renewed each Wednesday when a shipment arrives with fresh stock. There is a shelf just for trade paperbacks and of course, lots of other memorabilia that will catch your eye.

All the Super Heroes have a place to call their own within these four walls. The shop mascot, Howard's dog, is named after one of them - Hercules.

This set of Mr. Potato Head dressed up as all the members of the band Kiss had me laughing immediately. I know a few people who would be happy to give this a home. Man, I can hear them begging for a set even now.


At $6.99 a box, these Minimates are reasonably priced stocking stuffers that anyone could purchase. I want a Wolverine one, just for the record.

The Comic Den is all about making comics accessible to everyone. Kids can go in and not have to worry that they won't be able to afford anything. Comics are meant to be enjoyed and read, and the toys to be pulled out of the box and played with. This is what Howard likes to see and it is reflected in how he runs the shop.

If you happen by this Wednesday for the new comic delivery, the store will be having a festive holiday gathering and snacking to share their appreciation of all the customers that have been so loyally supportive over the year. Couldn't think of a better time to drop in and become better acquainted. Open from noon until 4pm Christmas Eve.

The Comic Den
822 South Third Street
(425) 235 - 1663

Weekdays - noon til 6pm, Sunday noon til 5pm
Email: comicden@hotmail.com

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!)

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!