register |  login
› PORT ST LUCIE
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
Latest Postings

Story


25 YEARS of COMICS, Fun, FROGS, & Education

Contributed by: "Capt Joel" Kilmer - Big Dog Comics on 10/14/2008

October 7, 1983 local resident Joel Kilmer opened the doors to O K Comics, Saint Lucie County's first comic book and collectable store. A lot of things have come and gone but "Capt Joel" as the fans and customers came to know him, has been serving the area in one form or the other for 25 years.

OK Comics started as a small 400 square foot store in the corner of the plaza. With only 3 tables, 7 boxes of comics, 1 rack of new comics, a box of posters, wall to wall purple and white shag carpet, Capt Joel's dream grew.

Knowing that you should give back to the community that supports you, Capt Joel soon created the comics for A's program. Regular customers and or their children bring in their report cards and get a comic for each A they have earned. This system has been adopted and used by comic stores all over the US ever since.

Over 25 years OK/BDC has given away over 125,000 comics to churches, libraries, charities, Shan's Hospital, local hospitals, schools and countless other organizations and charities. Also
helped send young musicians to band competitions, Worked with the sheriffs bicycle safety programs, Donated to the "Get hooked on fishing not on drugs" program with Dept. of Natural Resources, helped a successful student go to C S I school summer camp,
and of course has supported Big Brothers Big Sisters the last 10 years.

Besides having had a huge comic display's at the old Fort Pierce library for many years, Capt Joel has given free lectures on collecting comics and graphic novels. Heck he liked the library so much he married the Library director Susan over 17 years ago.

True to his love of and work with reptiles Capt Joel has also fielded a couple thousand calls and questions about reptiles over the years. His Argentine Horned Frog -Jabba the Hutt and Brandie a 13 foot python have both fascinated and frightened kids of all ages for almost twenty years.

Having worked with dozens of young artists and seen them go into the comic field thru the years has made Capt Joel very proud. And BDC is a quite place to come talk if a teen is troubled. Parents and young adults have returned to visit over the years to a place they said "feels safe or like home".

Now with BDC's sister store THUNDERDOME Gaming right next door the area now has a game store where they can meet and play other gamers in the area. With its 1000 sq ft of spacious play area and ten tables there is room for many different games to be played each day.

So Big Dog Comics invites everyone to stop in on Saturday, October 25, from noon until the fun stops, and check us out as we celebrate our 25 year anniversary. Everything in the store [except new comics] is at least 25% off plus loads of other specials. It will be a day of fun for everyone with prizes and raffles and just good ol' fashion fun.
Captain Joel would like to Thank everyone who has made his life, his work, his love, and his hobby so enjoyable for over 25 years. Thanks to everyone.

Big Dog Comics, 4804 S US Highway 1, [the Del Rio Plaza] just north us Midway Rd. Fort Pierce. Or call 772-466-7323 [READ] for directions or questions.


SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story



Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

"Capt Joel" Kilmer - Big Dog Comics has posted 433 stories and 3 comments since joining on 5/5/2006. "Capt Joel" Kilmer - Big Dog Comics 's average story rating is 4.95.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY
STORY RSS FEEDS
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by Scripps Treasure Coast Publishing Company
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
site map //  subscribe //  about