Kaboom Test Labs

When the next species begins the excavation they’re going to have a lot of questions. After the inevitable demise of the human race, once this planet is blown to smithereens or the virus takes us or we fall victim to man-​made planetary poisons, there will be other inhabitants, alien or otherwise. And they’re going to start digging. They’ll find cathedrals and skyscrapers and great machines, relics of deities, lots of pornography and a quirky, childlike hybrid, collectables. Comics and pop culture merchandise, specifically. There’s an explanation for pornography. Comics, not so much.
I’m not pissing on my geeky brethren, here, promise. I’m still plenty geeky myself. The best Christmas present I ever received to this day was the Millennium Falcon. Boba Fett, man, forget about it, shortest time on screen, coolest character ever. And Princess Leia, chained in Jabba’s lair, I think that’s when I realized I was heterosexual. I was like… eight. Thirty years later, I still love a good monster movie, zombies, UFOs, definitely Sci-​Fi, but I’m sorry, shops that peddle this stuff — er, the grown men that buy it — are really just into fantasy porn.
And there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, at all. It’s perfectly safe, no exploitation involved (save the old female stereotype thing) and you know, it’s cool. There is a TON of fantasy porn at Kaboom Test Labs, tastefully displayed and quietly tucked between the pages of graphic novels and counter-​culture mags. And there’s so, so much more. Collections of Batmobiles. 80’s relics. Simpsons Halloween gifts. Disney dolls. Costumes for role play. Everything spun together with terrific branding, and in my experience, sold by a family-​friendly group that know what they’re doing. I really, really like just wandering these isles and imagining what Catwoman would be like in the sack.
What will the aliens think?

I don’t love it here. They have mostly current comics and some tabletop games, and some collectibles. The last time I was in on a Monday the two guys working were playing a game in the back. Don’t think we coulda gotten their attention even if we did find something to buy. :/

I want to start out by saying that Kaboom has an awesome selection of everything comic or super hero related you could ever ask for… you can get lost just looking around. However, what sets them apart is their willingness to help their customers. The previous owner of the east side store (Tall Tales) took a $ 200 pre-​order then just walked off with the cash. The owner of Kaboom didn’t have to make it right after acquiring the Tall Tales stock and lease, but he did. His honesty has earned a customer for life. Cheers!!!

Kaboom has comics, graphic novels, cards, figures, and an area with tables for games that was buzzing on Friday night. It’s nice to visit a place like this that keeps things organized, clean, and friendly. I have a new favorite comic shop.