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STEVE STEIN STAFF WRITER
Twenty-two year-old
Adam Monblatt, a 1990
Southfield-Lathrup
High School grad, is the
owner of a new comic
book/nostalgia store.
CD
Ct.
though there are so many comics out, you have to
try to get the right amount of the right issue. In
the meantime, your customers expect you to be able
to answer all their comic book questions. You have
to be up on everything."
Despite his youth and the fact that he refers to
himself as a graphic designer and computer illus-
trator on his resume, Mr. Monblatt says he knew
what he was getting into when he opened his store.
That's because he has some business experience.
It was gained from working with his father, Jer-
ry, who sold retail clothing, mostly at weekend flea
markets. Mr. Monblatt said his father and moth-
er (Rene) assisted him financially in getting his
store up and running and they are helping with
his business' paperwork.
Being his own boss means Mr. Monblatt
works long hours. Krypton's is open from 11
The name Krypton's a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and
noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
is derived from
Mr. Monblatt, who graduated from South-
field-Lathrup High School in 1990 and was a
Superman's story.
member of Rose AZA from 1987-90, is in his
store just about every minute it is open. His
mother fills in occasionally.
The name of Mr. Monblatt's store is derived from
ing cards, toys, limited-
edition sculptures, model "kryptonite," the mythical mineral which renders
kits, games, posters and comic book hero Superman helpless.
"I was looking for a one-word name which
dolls.
Air-brushing for shirts grabbed my prospective customers' attention with-
and jackets also is avail- out saying comics," Mr. Monblatt explained. "Every-
able, as is design and pro- one who reads comics or knows about Superman
motions work for business is aware of kryptonite, so I think Krypton's works
well."
and personal use.
Mr. Monblatt designed the layout of his store,
So, what would drive a
new college graduate to en- which was empty before he signed a five-year lease
ter the workplace as a in May. On the walls are large murals of comic book
store owner rather than an characters. Several of Mr. Monblatt's friends and
former classmates from CCS helped paint the mu-
employee?
"I just didn't feel like rals.
"I wanted to make the murals big so people could
working for anyone," said
Mr. Monblatt, who was see them from the outside," said Mr. Monblatt.
Superman is on the walls, of course, as are Bat-
employed by four compa-
nies from 1991-94 while he man and Robin. The only representative from the
was attending classes at forces of evil is Venom.
Speaking of "the dark side," an entire section of
CCS.
"I've found that running Mr. Monblatt's store is devoted to Star Wars. Mr.
a business is difficult, at Monblatt says the movie trilogy of the 1970s is en-
times, though," Mr. Mon- joying a rebirth in the 1990s. Magazines, comic
blatt acknowledged. "One books and action figures are among the best-sell-
of the hardest things you ing Star Wars items.
Another blast from the past making a comeback
have to do is order the
right merchandise at the is the "Archie" comic book series. A new genera-
right time. I try to get the tion of comic book readers is enjoying the antics of
stuff I enjoy seeing, but Archie, Jughead, and the gang.
Also available at Krypton's are products from
that's not always the cor-
more current cartoon icons like MTV's "Beavis and
rect thing to do.
"For example, even Butthead" and "Ren and Stimpy" of Nickelodeon
fame. ❑
o you have any comic books sitting around at
home? Whatever you do, DON'T THROW THEM
OUT!
Comic books are a hot collectible these days, and
Lathrup Village resident Adam Monblatt is con-
fident they'll stay hot. In fact, at age 22, he's bank-
ing on it.
A May graduate of the Center for Creative Stud-
ies (CCS) in Detroit, where he studied graphic com-
munication, Mr. Monblatt is the owner of
Krypton's, a new comic book/nostalgia store in
Keego Harbor which opened in July.
Located in the Sawyers Landing Shopping Cen-
ter on the busy corner of Orchard Lake Road
and Cass Lake Road, Krypton's is a 1,500-square-
foot store which of-
fers new and old
comic books, trad-
Adam Monblatt is the comic
book king of Keego Harbor.
Et For further information on Krypton's mer-
chandise, call the store, (810) 682-3895.