Atomic Comics
Atomic Comics is a chain of comic book and entertainment superstores based in Arizona. There are currently 4 stores located in Chandler, Mesa, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix.
In 1988, comic book fan Michael Malve opened Bubba's Comic Store in Phoenix. A year later, he moved the business to the other side of town and renamed it Atomic Comics. First and foremost, Malve's intent was to eschew the negative stereotype of the "Android's Dungeon"-type of comic book store. By making sure the store was uncluttered and the STOCK remained organized and easily accessible, Atomic appealed both to hardcore and CASUAL fans, and drew in mainstream public that was able to experience comics and gaming without having to enter the dreaded "comic store."
In The Spring of 1993, Atomic Phoenix opened in the outer loop of the Metrocenter Mall in north Phoenix. Atomic Chandler was opened in the fall of 1997 in the southeast part of the Valley of the Sun. This location was relocated to the Chandler Fashion Center mall in December of 2002. The most recent addition to the Atomic family was opened in the fall of 2001 in the Paradise Valley area.
In 2006, Atomic Comics introduced the first mobile comic store - a customized van featuring top-bottom graphic representations of comic book ICONS.