New comic and toy shop invites patrons to let their geek flags fly

As a child in the 1980s, Lansing resident Tim Hunt, 50, grew up during a golden era of comic book culture. From the moment he got his hands on his first Marvel Comics issue, he was hooked. He knew from that point that he wanted to work in the field someday.

On Nov. 22, the Michigan State University alum achieved his childhood dream when he opened Flashback Comics and Toys in a 1,300-square-foot eastside storefront previously occupied by Hoplite Games, which moved into a larger space a few doors down this year.

Hunt said he’s still working on getting “fully moved in.”

“The store is probably about half full of product, maybe even a little less,” he said, adding that the inventory is growing each day as he settles in.

“There will always be different stuff coming in, but it’ll always revolve around pop culture,” he said.

That includes comics, of course, plus “old ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s toy lines,” like G.I. Joe, He-Man, Transformers, Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Barbie and My Little Pony.

“I also have some plane, tank and car models, Hot Wheels and LEGOs. I’ll probably end up with some old wood and tin toys from the ‘50s and ‘60s, too,” Hunt said.

While this is his first brick-and-mortar shop, Hunt has been active in the local comic scene since 2018 as a co-owner of Capital City Comic Con. In April, his friend Rick Ankney, co-owner of Hoplite Games, approached him about the possibility of taking over the old Hoplite space.

“At the time, I thought, ‘Well, that’s ridiculous.’ I had a job and a family to take care of,” Hunt said. “I didn’t know that I could do it, but after thinking about it for a couple of months and planning and strategizing, I decided to go ahead and do it.”

Hunt is also using his new space to showcase work by a rotating cast of local artists, including painters Skeletorpaints and Michael Boursaw. Early next year, he’ll start taking orders for new comic lines and will automatically set aside the newest issues for subscribers. He’ll also begin comic grading, which entails reviewing comics to determine their condition and sending them back with certifications of their value.

“I also plan on having some events. I don’t know what, and I don’t know when, but things like having an artist or author come in and do a signing and talk about their work. We might even host some club events,” Hunt said.

Between his store, Hoplite Games and the video game shop The Swap Meet a few blocks west, Hunt is hoping the east side becomes a mecca for Lansing’s nerdiest residents.

“It’s a nice little area for people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, whatever age. If you’re into pop culture, nerd culture, geek culture, we’ve got a spot here for everybody now,” Hunt said.