Montclarion - Human Interest Article

The Montclarion, September 20, 1994 -The graphic novel was on the upswing, riding the crest of a whole new wave of enthusiasts.
Dr. Comics and Mr. Games hosted a book signing for the artists of the graphic novel series "Elf Quest."

A popular Piedmont Avenue retailer isn't relying solely on its stock of comic books and games to keep customers' interests and curiosities kindled.

Dr. Comics and Mr. Games has been inviting celebrated comic book artists and authors to spend an afternoon at the store, signing autographs and dashing off quick sketches of their fans' favorite characters.

Last weekend it was award-winning graphic novelists Wendy and Richard Pini, there to celebrate the publication of "Shards," a long-awaited new series in the "Elf Quest" legends. With them was Brandon McKinney, who joined their 20-year creative team in 1992.

One need only walk into the store during one of these extravaganzas to see the excitement it generates, with followers of the Elf Quest series young and old, dressed as their favorite characters.

On Saturday, devotees lined up and waited patiently to ask questiong about their favorite characters, about what's going to happen in the next issue, or to claim the biggest prize of all -- an original sketch from Brandon or Wendy.

Similar scenes have been played during previous visits from Marvel Comics' "X-Men," "Ren and Stimpy," and world-famous Japanese animator Rumiko Takahashi.

The Pinis are currently working on an animated movie with Edward Pressman Films (producers of The Crow), based on their first Elf Quest novel, to be released in 1995. Although their company Warp Graphics is based in Poughkeepsie, New York, the Pinis have an elaborate network of freelance artists all over the world, communicating by fax, phone, and overnight mail.

With Wendy in Southern California working on the movie and Richard in New York keeping the comic books flowing, the Pinis are maintaining a long distance relationship.

And, with production of the movie just beginning, Richard had only one comment: "We're both going to rack up a lot of frequent flyer miles."

When asked how it feels to have such enthusiastic followers, Wendy replied, "Well, I can sort of sum it up in what happened to us last year in Livermore. We were doing a signing and this young couple cam up to us with a two-month-old baby. She put the baby in my arms and said, 'We'd like you to meet Ember.' So this little girl's going to go through her life named after [one of my] character[s]."

Fun, games on the Ave.
The man behind the scenes of these events is none other than Dr. Comics himself, Michael Pandolfo. He most recently won the prestigious "Retailer of the Year" award for 1994, given by the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Foundation. Recipients of this award are selected from a national field of over 6,000 retailers.

After a successful two years at 3091 Piedmont Avenue, Pandolfo and partner Leon Cowen (Mr. Games) moved into their new address at 4014 Piecmont Avenue in 1992 (previously the Ace Hardware store). After extensive structural remodeling, the original store interior still maintains much of its old family charm. The upstairs offers a comfortable area for avid gamers, who can meet to play various board games, or regularly scheduled role playing games that meet daily after school and on weekends.

Coming soon to Dr. Comics and Mr. Games: In October, Rob Liefeld and Eric Larson from Image Comics will stop by as part of their Extreme World Tour to spotlight their new "Young Blood Series" comic books. For more information about future events or organized gaming, call 836-1000.