Angela Nicholas

Special to Asheville Citizen Times

ASHEVILLE — It could be a story straight out of a comic book: Female nerd steps up to save dying comic book store.

That is how Morgan Albritton portrays her role in keeping the former Haywood Comics from having its doors shuttered. It is a dark story, she said, that she could write a comic book about someday. However, for now, Albritton is content in knowing she is the only single female comic book store owner in the local industry.

Albritton operates Morgan’s Comics, a store she calls a “nerd sanctuary” and has planned a grand re-opening for Sept. 8. It is a place, she said, where people love to spend their leisure time browsing comic books and networking with other self-proclaimed “geeks” who immerse themselves in the world of drawn and animated characters and their stories.

Opened in 2015, the store now carries the name of the woman who spends her every waking moment dedicated to saving the store at 600 Haywood Road — a store that has claimed its space as part of a growing and somewhat alternative lifestyle community.

Related: 4 local shops participate in Free Comic Book Day

Albritton has been with the company since before its original opening, she said, and jumped at the chance to keep the store from closing permanently.

“I was the face of the company for all social interactions, in-shop and out,” she said. “A dispute between the previous owner and his business partner left the store in a position to be locked and liquidated unless I chose to step up and dedicate the time and energy to get it back on track and keep the doors open.”

With a silent partner backing her, Albritton was able to save the popular comic store. It reopened July 12 as Morgan’s Comics. The September celebration of the re-opening coincides with her 38th birthday week, she said.

A full line-up of events run from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 8, with a "surprise" visit during the day by singer-actor Chelsey Lee Mirheli and her interpretive dancers. (Scroll to the bottom of this story for the full lineup.)

“We will have plenty of free comics and locally made treats available,” Albritton promised.

Morgan's Comics serves niche market, owner says

Albritton said a small business like Morgan’s Comics needs time to grow but she feels the store is filling a niche market with a lot of potential.

“The store has always been super customizable. We can carry what people who shop here want,” she said. Product in the store goes far beyond comic books. Shoppers can pick through rows of vinyl albums, retro video gaming systems and games, trade paperbacks, patches, stickers, models, vintage action figures, board games and much more.

The “nerd sanctuary” allows shoppers to linger and browse in comfort, knowing they are among other individuals who enjoy the same interests, Albritton said. Her goal is to help provide a break from reality where customers do not have to feel rushed out the door by an impatient shop owner.

Related: 5 ways to geek out before (and after) GeekOut (2016)

Owner wants to create inclusive environment

Albritton said growing up a geeky kid, her favorite role model was Mr. Rogers and she is trying to bring the concept of neighborhood to the store.

“I am trying to create a world that is all inclusive. We’ve created a family here… Nerds tend to be a loyal group,” she said, adding that former store customers have stuck with her through the transition.

Abritton brings her own personality to the store, often dressing in character and sometimes being compared to Wonder Woman by her shoppers. She blends into an area of town where you might see someone walking down the street in a “Pikachu footed onesie,” she said.

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At Morgan’s Comics, new releases arrive on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are release days. Avid comic readers rush to get the new releases or reserve them ahead of time. Albritton said she feels the comic industry is growing and has been nurtured by the craze over the Marvel movies that feature Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, the Avengers, Spider-Man, Ant-Man and so many other vivid fictional characters.

While being a comic book geek as a child made people like Albritton be more reclusive, Morgan’s Comics and others like it allow those grown up “geeks” to continue indulging in their favorite pastime.

“It is more acceptable now, just like changing hair color is today. It has all become more main stream,” she said.

IF YOU GO

What: Morgan’s Comics Grand Re-opening

Where: 600 Haywood Road, West Asheville

When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 8

Learn more: Visit morganscomics.com or call 828-505-4003

GRAND OPENING SCHEDULE

All events Sept. 8 at Morgan's Comics:

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: comic writer/artist Chris Behrens’ launch of his “Thee Astronauts”

• 2-3 p.m.: live drawing artist Milton Rene Rouleau

• 3-6 p.m.: artist/painter/sculptor Dan Jaworsky

• 6-7 p.m.: stand-up comedians Petey Smith, Sahil Dhawan, Lily Campbell, Moira Goree and Craig Holcombe

• 7-8 p.m.: nerdcore/hip-hop band The Last Wordbenders

• 8-10 p.m.: board game night and after party