Villains hit The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, lift Spider-Man and X-Men
The remnants of the break-in at Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach last weekend. Photo courtesy of Mike Wellman
Some not-so-super villains used a big rock to smash the glass front door of Manhattan Beach geek magnet The Comic Bug last weekend, making off with about $7,000 worth of 1960s-era comic books.
The theft came days before the Bug is set to give away thousands of comics to mark the 14th annual nationwide Free Comic Book Day.
“I guess they couldn’t wait, and they started Free Comic Day early,” said Bug co-owner Jun Goeku.
The baddies – or perhaps a solo baddy – broke into the store on 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd. between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday, co-owner Mike Wellman said.
The rock used to smash the front door was also used to smash a glass display case, which was not locked. Titles grabbed from the display case included Spider-Man, The Silver Surfer, The X-Men and The Fantastic Four.
Wellman, who also is a comic book creator, learned of the theft of the Marvel and DC comics while he was on his way to teach a comic book writing class at Adams Middle School in Redondo Beach. He detoured to the store, and then went on the school.
“The thieves took about 45 minutes of education from young children, that’s the real tragedy. Boom! There’s a line for you,” Wellman offered.
The Bug’s Free Comic Book Day, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3, will feature about a dozen costumed superheroes, 12 comic book creators, and 55 giveaway titles.
On Tuesday, the Bug will bring Free Comic Book Day to the pediatric ward at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance.