The challenges for comics commentary has been very much on our minds here at Broken Frontier of late so it’s nice to be able give a shout-out to some of our colleagues in the field, especially for as neat a project as this. Check out the press release below from Comic Book Couples Counseling about their Ten-Day Cross-Country Comic Shop Road Trip for news of exactly the kind of appealing positivity we need to be reading far more about in comics right now,
Comic Book Couples Counseling Announces a Ten-Day Cross-Country Comic Shop Road Trip
Brad and Lisa Gullickson will launch from Four Color Fantasies in Winchester, Virginia, and arrive at Now or Never Comics in San Diego, California, for a live podcast recording with superstar creator Daniel Warren Johnson.
This July, the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast is hitting the road. Hosts Brad and Lisa Gullickson seek to celebrate the many comic book sanctuaries scattered across America, recognizing the industry’s brick and mortar lifeblood and the retail warriors who keep it flowing week after week. Along the way, they’ll meet with creators and shop owners, visit historic comic book landmarks, and climax with a rousing conversation with one of the medium’s most popular talents, Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers, The Moon is Following Us).
The Comic Shop Road Trip begins on July 12th at the Eisner-nominated Four Color Fantasies in Winchester, Virginia. For the last several years, they’ve partnered with Comic Book Couples Counseling on a monthly Comic Book Film Club at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, screening every kind of comic book movie from Howard the Duck to Atomic Blonde to Superman: The Movie. July 12th will conclude Four Color Fantasies’ annual Summer Kickoff Sale, so it seemed appropriate to party hard together that Saturday. All are welcome to attend, buy comics, and talk comics.
“We have been dealing with Comic Book Couples Counseling since the beginning of the pandemic,” says Four Color Fantasies owner Mike Kwolek. “Comics are lucky to have such great advocates as Brad and Lisa! Four Color Fantasies is honored to be chosen as the kickoff for their Comic Shop Road Trip.”
From Winchester, Brad and Lisa Gullickson head North to Cleveland, Ohio, determined to put their eyes on Jerry Siegel’s childhood home, the birthplace of the original superhero, Superman. They’ll then travel West to Metropolis, Illinois, and record a special dispatch from the Super Museum. And they’ll connect with writer Jason Aaron (Absolute Superman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) in Kansas City for an essential BBQ pitstop.
“My favorite comic book podcast is hitting the road to celebrate the comic stores of this country from coast to coast,” said Jason Aaron, “and I have no doubt that we will all be the better for it, just as we are every time Brad and Lisa share their passions and insights with their listeners.”
Comic Book Couples Counseling will end its journey at Now or Never Comics on Tuesday, July 22nd, just days before San Diego Comic-Con International takes over the city. At 7:00 PM, they’ll record an epic podcast before a live audience, complete with guest Daniel Warren Johnson, who will conduct a signing before the event. As the only store in downtown San Diego, Now or Never Comics is the prime location to begin your Comic-Con marathon.
“Now or Never Comics is incredibly proud and excited to be Comic Book Couples Counseling’s final stop of their Comic Shop Road Trip,” said store manager Zach Norris. “Not many podcasters work as hard as Brad and Lisa, and few times during the year are as hardworking as they are during SDCC. So, we’re happy to be where that hard work hits the big finale! There are a ton of podcasters who love talking about comics, but not as many LOVE comics the way Comic Book Couples Counseling does. Now Or Never can’t wait to feel all that love come this July. SDCC and CBCC can’t get here quick enough!”
Cartoonist Marc Jackson (Goof, Duck Dare) has illustrated a Comic Shop Road Trip poster as a giveaway to those who meet up with Comic Book Couples Counseling along their ten-day journey. Brad and Lisa Gullickson are still plotting their course, looking for rad shops to visit on the road. If you know of one or own one, reach out to them via the Comic Book Couples Counseling website. Comics thrive through their retail spaces, and 2025 is a year when they could use your adoration and support. Let’s celebrate together
