Golden Apple Comics, Hollywood

Golden Apple Comics is a comic book store in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

History

The store's original owners, Bill Liebowitz and Thom Smitham, opened Golden Apple Comics on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in 1979. The original inventory of the store consisted of Thom's comic book and comic art collection and bags from the prior company that had occupied the building, a business called Golden Apple: thus, Golden Apple Comics was born. Bill was a yo-yo champion in the 1950s, a co-founder of Rhino Records, and had recurring roles as himself in Archie Comics. After Bill purchased Thom's share of the business, he opened a second location in Northridge in 1983.[1] Liebowitz was well known for hosting signings by comic book artists and writers, as well as for his anti-censorship activism.

After Liebowitz' death in 2004, his widow Sharon and son Ryan took over the business and continue to run the store.[2]

In April 2009 the Northridge store was sold to Earth 2 Comics, and became their second location.

Public image

The shop has been featured in many film projects, including "Weird Al" Yankovic's "White & Nerdy" video and—perhaps most prominently—in the movie Free Enterprise (1998) in which Sharon Liebowitz played herself.[3] Blair Butler, G4TV's resident comic expert, often hosts her segment of Attack of the Show, called "Fresh Ink", at the Golden Apple. It was also featured in an episode of the short-lived NBC crime drama Raines, in which an up-and-coming comic artist who frequented Golden Apple Comics was murdered.

Golden Apple regularly hosts celebrity guests such as Stan Lee[4] before his death, Frank Miller,[5] Marc Silvestri[6] and George A. Romero,[1] and has been frequented by famous patrons such as Michael Jackson[2] and Michael Boatman.[7] DC Comics vice president Bob Wayne called Golden Apple Comics "one of the most important comic book stores in the world".[2]

References

  1. 1 2 DesRocher, Bailee (April 21, 2008). "Golden Apple Comics: GM Ryan Liebowitz". Sequential Tart.
  2. 1 2 3 Fausset, Richard (November 15, 2004). "Comic Book Fans Pay Respects to Superhero". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ↑ Van Gelder, Lawrence (August 6, 1999). "Free Enterprise: Captain Kirk And Friends Grounded In Neverland". The New York Times.
  4. ↑ "Stan Lee Makes Landmark LA Appearance for DC Comics At Golden Apple On Melrose". Business Wire. August 13, 2001.
  5. ↑ Weiland, Jonah (October 27, 2004). "Comics Retailer Bill Liebowitz Dies". Comic Book Resources.
  6. ↑ Apodaca, Patrice (October 13, 1992). "Adventure Capitalists Publishing: After inking strategic deals, Malibu Comics has become a leader in the world of mutants and super-heroes". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ↑ Linan, Steven (May 10, 2001). "My Favorite Weekend: Michael Boatman". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Alt URL
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