Exploring Jim Hanley's Universe
This story originally appeared in PW Comics Week on January 9, 2007 Sign up now!
by Chris Arrant, PW Comics Week -- Publishers Weekly, 1/9/2007
Jim Hanley's Universe is one of the biggest comic stores in one of the biggest cities of the world. Located just across the street from New York City's Empire State Building, it has emerged as a hub of comics culture in the area, playing host to comic creators—both as guests at signings and as customers—and the city's mammoth fan base. The flagship store in Manhattan and a second store in Staten Island, offers the gamut from traditional single issues to graphic novels, import books, T-shirts and merchandise.
Jim Hanley's roots can be traced to the early 1970s, as a dealer at area comic conventions. In 1985, Hanley founded his first store in Staten Island, and later added the Manhattan location on West 33rd Street. The chain, owned by Hanley and Rich Hafstead, now employs 13 full-time staffers and 9 part-time.
"Our layout is similar to a supermarket, with long rows of aisles. It's our goal to have customers look at all the comics, rather than just a new releases section," says Ron Hill, manager of new products inventory. "We carry a full range of comic books and graphic novels, from large and small publishers alike, new and old. We have massive selections of alternative, manga, kids and adult titles. We also sell comic-related merchandise."
In addition, the store features a children's section near the front and an adults only section in the rear. "We also have special sections that spotlight the work of singular creators such as Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Frank Miller," says Hill.
Sales in Jim Hanley's Universe have been evenly split between graphic novels and single periodical issues for the past three years. "2006 is shaping up to be one of our best years in sales, [but] manga is barely a factor in that," says Hill. He points to a "glut" of new product that he perceives as driving away the core manga crowd. But he also acknolwedged that neighboring chain bookstores "may be the reason why sales growth in manga has been slow this year."
While Hanley's primary customer is the traditional "Marvel/DC loving comics fan," Hill says those customers' buying patterns aren't limited to superhero comics. "So you see someone come up to the register with the new Superman and X-Men and also buy [a manga title like] Blade of the Immortal or [a literary comic such as] Love & Rockets.
With the 33rd Street store being directly across the street from the Empire State Building, that location does considerable tourist business in addition to its regularly weekly customers. The Manhattan location also attracks comics professionals. "We count many comic book creators, editorial, and production people as customers and friends of the store," says Hill. "And since many in the creative community live nearby, it's fairly easy to hold signings and events."
"Jim Hanley's Universe is my weekly one-stop shopping destination for all of my comics-related needs," says Tom Brevoort, Marvel Comics' executive editor. "I've been shopping at Jim's store [around] 15 years now, and the staff there has always treated me as a valued 'friend of the store'—like extended family. There are other good comic shops in Manhattan—we've got a cavalcade of riches compared to some areas of the country—but Hanley's is the outfit I call home."
