It’s official: Samurai Comics sets up in the East Valley (at least for now)

Samurai Comics owner Mike Banks sent me an email this morning saying he’s got the keys to 1120 S. Country Club Drive, Suite 107, next to the closed Atomic Comics location in Mesa (pictured).

“Ever since Mike Malve called me on Sunday with the news about Atomic I’ve been pulling 20 hour days trying to step up and fill that void,” Banks said.

Banks said his crew spent all day processing shipments originally meant for Atomic Comics, and that Samurai is acting as supplier for at least four other local comic shops to help them meet demand.

“Customers who stop in the new shop on Wednesday will be see some familiar faces — We’ve already had a couple of Atomic employees step up and volunteer to help us out,” he said.

Atomic Comics, a local chain of four shops across the Valley owned by Malve, closed abruptly Sunday amid bankruptcy proceedings.

Banks told me Tuesday that Samurai’s venture in the East Valley is just a temporary arrangement — for now — but he definitely has his eye on long-term plans for expansion. He owns two Samurai stores in Phoenix: one at 10th Street and Camelback Road and another at 107th Avenue and Indian School Road.

East Valley Tribune photos by Jayson Peters; video by Victor Moreno

Follow Nerdvana on Facebook and Twitter.

See also:

• No more Atomic? Where to buy comics in the Valley
• Atomic fallout: Samurai to the rescue for comic book subscribers with possible foray into East Valley
• Comic book fans, creators mourn Arizona’s Atomic Comics