Local Treasures… Limited Edition Comics…

As I sit here with snow outside and temperature in the sub-teens in mid-November, I again consider why I would possibly want to retire in Iowa… the winters are so long and brutal, which leads again to a series I am writing about local treasures or reasons to remain in the Cedar Valley for the rest of my life…

For this piece to make sense we must go back into the past to my childhood… it was then that I developed a life long love of the comic books that spoke to adventure and fantasy… Funnies like Archie and Jughead were not for me… give me War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Superman, Batman, Spiderman and so on…

I have no doubt that my current reading habits, which are prolific and my sense for what the Western canon of great literature is, was informed by Classics Illustrated Comic Books. This is not just true for me but a whole generation of other boomer kids were informed by Classics Illustrated.

It was not just fine literature distilled into accessible comic form that I read… I also studied DC, and later as I became more discriminating, Marvel comic books like a Talmudic scholar trying to understand the inner lives of Super Heroes and Villains and the macro-world in which they existed.

Back in my youth, the little towns in North Carolina did not have full featured comic book stores, but instead a twirling rack upon which the monthly released comics were mounted. The beginning of the month always had the best stuff, including, in order of purchase Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Captain America, and later in the month when I became a bit more desperate, The Hulk, Thor, The X-men and finally when I had no other choice, Dr. Strange. Back then, comics were only 12 cents a pop and it was easy to scrounge up a dime and 2 pennies when required!

I raised my two sons to read comic books and to this day they are still huge fans. On the other hand, my daughters showed little interest in comics and occupied themselves with other matters.

What made it so easy getting access to comic books for my boys was the proximity to one of the best comic book stores in the known universe and that is Cedar Falls’ own Limited Edition Comics located on College Hill.

The best part of the store is the man who owns and manages the enterprise, Rob Rogers II. There is probably no one in the known universe who has such encyclopedic knowledge of comics, graphic novels, associated films and, believe it or not, he even functions at a higher level when it come to all things Star Wars. In fact, he owns enough Star Wars memorabilia and costuming to open a museum, which he has, on occasion, contemplated doing so. In addition, he is incredibly nice, helpful and accessible. Besides, he resembles Wolverine and everyone in my family loves Rob!

The shop is replete with weekly releases and collected “trades” from the entire universe of comics and graphic novels. Spanning from the items that kids can safely read to the darker more adult publications. In addition, there is an extensive collection of comic/graphic novel/star wars figurines. The above splash panel is a photograph of the small lead figurines Rob sold me to display back in the days I had an office at the University. There’s also lots of other objects of desire including magic cards and other table gaming appurtenances.

I saved the best for last… In addition to the aforementioned comic book/graphic novel/star wars etc. business, under the Nom de Guerre, Wild Hair Salon, Rob will give you the best haircut in town, which is an essential element in anyone’s survival kit! His mom, Char, is also frequently at another chair in the shop cutting away at someone’s head. Getting a haircut at Rob’s is always an adventure. Besides getting caught up on all things Super Heroes and Star Wars with Rob, who is the consummate insider, there is also a steady stream of comic book fans who stream in during the haircut, adding their own two bits of wisdom and who generally leave with a pile of comics that’ve been accumulating in their personal pull boxes kept for them by Rob.

Rob’s Limited Editions Comics/Wild Hair Salon is truly a local treasure. I actually think the place is fascinating enough to serve as a back drop for one of those idiosyncratic fun movies! Go visit Rob… You’ll love it…

Me in the chair with Rob gesticulating in the background using scissors to cut my hair and not his Adamantium claws…

Local Treasures… Milkbox Bakery…

I was born in New York City, but came of age in Southeastern U.S., spending the most time in North Carolina and Virginia through my middle passages; however through some simple twists of fate I am now a Midwesterner, having lived in Cedar Falls, IA longer than anywhere else in my life.

My dog Nike looking dolefully at the early winters cape in IA…

Compared to the Southeast, the summers in Iowa are sublime; however, the winters here are long and brutal… hateful… I just read we are ranked 11th worst state for harshness of winters. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve fallen on my rear end because of ice, but it’s been too many times.

Now that I am retired, the natural question is do I want to remain in Iowa to muddle through what is essentially six months of winter, with an almost non-existent Springtime? While the winters here present a compelling reason to leave, there are strong arguments to stay. Iowa is ranked one of the top states for retirement primarily because of low cost of living and access to great medical services with Mayo Clinic being just less than two hours drive from here. I love the non-pretentiousness of Iowans too and there is such a thing as Iowa “nice.”

Another important thing to consider are the roots that I’ve sunk into my community during the course of 20+ years and that is to what I will speak to in a series of blog articles that I refer to as local treasures which focus on the small business enterprises that make Cedar Falls/Waterloo a special place to reside.

Located on College Avenue at the “Hill” adjacent to the University…

I’ll begin this series by referencing one of my favorite locations in town and that is Milkbox Bakery which is by definition a local treasure. Owned and operated by Andrea Geary, it is an old world, artisanal bakery specializing in breads and pastries; however, they do offer some meal worthy creations, such as Avocado bread and killer homemade soups!

an excellent place to hang out…

As I mentioned earlier, I lived in New York long enough as a child to appreciate that city for its fine breads and pastries. In fact, those New York creations are the standard by which I measure all others and Milkbox measures up big-time! The bakery holds its own with European breads too, which is no small accomplishment. Andrea has spoiled my family… we will no longer eat loaf bread unless she’s baked it and there’s nowhere in the midwest that bakes a better bagel! Yes… that is true, and I am an aficionado of such things.

I have great admiration for Andrea as she is the creator, heart and soul of this wonderful local treasure! She does it all…

the author and super-baker Andrea Geary in her domain…

So when I am feeling a bit of cabin fever during our long, cold winters, I am sure that one of the best options in town is to get a coffee (free-trade) and hang out at Milkbox Bakery for a bit. If you’re lucky, you may even have a chance to chat with Andrea when she emerges from the bakery where she does her magic. Oh yes… and when I leave I’ll be sure to have a fresh loaf of “Rustic White” bread and a bag of bagels…