School of Comics - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Business of Comics

Nestled in the center of a strip mall in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the 600 block of Jefferson Highway, between the corporate-franchise pizzerias and non-descript dry cleaners, The School of Comics, with its vibrant red, blue, and yellow décor stands out like a super-hero among a sea of beige trench coats. This untraditional comic book store took its color scheme and its philosophy from the original comic hero: Superman.

At one of the blue draped tables, Dr. William Erwin manipulated a toy iron man with thirty-two points of articulation, and explained, “The School of Comics is a showcase for the super-hero. My brother Kevin and I thought that Baton Rouge needed a comic store that was user friendly, a store that helps people find what they are looking for.”

As if on cue, an elderly lady shuffled past Dr. Erwin, with a very confused look on her face. Dr. Erwin swooped into action. “Is there something I can help you with miss?”

“I’m looking for normal comics: for my five-year-old grandson.”

Dr. Erwin suggests the silver-age comics and helps the woman to an age appropriate section.

“There are five ages in the history of comics. The platinum-age began in 1890 and was primarily black and white political satire pieces. The gold-age arrives with Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman. The creation of Superman is a real turning point for comics. Before Action Comics #1 the idea of the super-hero, someone unlike everyone else, did not exist in the world of comics.”

“The silver-age was largely about revamping and updating the super-heroes of the golden-age. The Green Lantern, for example was brought back by Julie Schwartz, editor of DC comics, but with significant changes to character and story line. The Green Lantern no longer received his powers though a mystical source, but rather from an advanced alien race who choose their champion based on his strength of will.”