When Did Hot Topics become a Comic Book Store?

I visit one store for first time in years. Wow! All that goth punk bs was moved for Captain America, Batman, and Superman stuff. I'm surprise.

It's not, but i get all my marvel merch there.

it's a trend, superhero's are popular now, so supply. Demand.

How is it a comic store when all it has is cape themed shirts? Until they sell actual books they're still just a clothing store.

Probably cause they realized that goth/emo shite is on it's way out, and to keep selling such things would be detrimental to profit margins.

This. Just because it sells t shirt of comic characters it doesn't make it a comic book store.

They've got more of an emphasis on what's hot with teens right now, not just counterculture stuff. Hence the name Hot Topic.

They have what sells. And they have sold cartoon.comic character themed things as long as i have shopped there.

@wildvine: *takes you shopping*

Huh, never new that. I thought it was all punk/goth crap.

@humanrocket said:

OP doesn't mean an actual comic book store. OP means a comic book merchandise store. No offense but it really isn't that hard to comprehend when he meant.

Tree gets it right.

@arturocalakayvee: Then don't say "comic store"

Then what would he say? Its current business standpoint is a comic book merchandise store, therefore he used near correct terminology.

@jwalser3: They actually do sell some independent comics. Mostly J. Vasquez

@toastergeist: Same here. I've never been in one.

It's all about merchandising. Hot Topic looks at what's popular right now, and sells merch to get more business. Cap just came out in theaters, so they have a lot of Cap things, Batman is /always/ popular,so they keep that. My local Hot Topic has TONS of Game of Thrones stuff because the new season is starting. That's all it is, them trying to stay relevant.

@arturocalakayvee: Would you say Walmart is a comic store because it sells Captain America shirts? No. Would you say they sell superhero shirts? Yes.

It's because we are taking over.

Walmart and Hot Topic are two completely different store types. You basically compared an apple and an orange.

They want to cash in on the trend while it lasts. Good business.

Its not a comic store its a kool kat store.

Oh, I'm so sorry. Is Kholes, Macy's, or Journey's a comic store then?

Interesting, I didn't know that, is it just your average Superhero shirts and merchandise here and there or is it something worth actually checking out?

Whenever comics became a 'hot topic'..

Damn Hipsters!

@doomguy: AHHH! I was planning on making that joke... nice job.

They are basically just selling T-shirts for franchises that are popular right now and superhero movies are popular right now.