Tucked below a staircase, sheltered by greenery, sits West Seattle's premier comic book store: Tails to Astonish. Founded in 2021 by Shaun Duff, it takes a new approach to comic book collecting. It has a little of everything, from brand-new comics to worn classics.
Duff decided to open the business following the COVID-19 pandemic. "I was, like, 'It's now or never,'" he recalled. "I needed to do something I love doing. I decided to go for it. I did everything I needed to do, got a business license, and we started in July 2021."
Although he's only been in business for about two years, Duff has been a lifelong comic connoisseur. "I've been collecting various things, including comic books, for most of my life," he said. Before opening Tails to Astonish, Duff and his wife regularly visited comic book conventions, where they would take their small collection to sell. It was there he was inspired to open his store.
"I came up with the name because we have a couple of kitties at home," Duff said. "Tales to Astonish is a common comic book name, but I thought it would be cute to do 'tails' to astonish and make our cats the mascots. My wife made us a sign to take to conventions."
While patrons may not see the cats who inspired the name, Duff is always happy to return home to his two feline friends, who work remotely. He currently has two cats, 15-year-old Kitty ("She's the older statesman," Duff said) and the newest addition to the family, Cosmo. "We just got [him] six weeks ago," Duff said. "He's a tiny ball of energy."
Hot reads of the summer
Tails to Astonish is off to a busy summer already. Not only is little Cosmo learning to be a mascot, but Duff has also been selling issues like hotcakes. "This summer, I've sold more Saga books than anything," he said. "I've got about ten people that have it on their list."
Saga is also one of Duff's favorite reads. The story follows intergalactic star-crossed lovers Alana and Marko as they flee their warring extraterrestrial races and raise their newborn baby. "I think it's a fantastic series," Duff said.
While some collectors have artists or genres they feel loyal to, Duff loves to read it all. "I like everything from The Walking Dead to Saga to Spiderman to Batman. Most fans like a specific thing and come looking for that specific thing, but I dabble in everything," he said.
Tails to Astonish reflects his interests. Though Saga is one of the best-selling books there at the moment, a new Marvel crossover event has also led to a spike in sales. "It's called Ultimate Invasion. The first issue just came out, but it's selling well," Duff said.
Something for everyone
Tails to Astonish has something for everyone — including the LGBTQ+ community. "[The store is] friendly and inviting," Duff said. "Everyone is welcome here. It doesn't matter what creed or sexuality. I don't give a crap what you are — as long as you love comic books and cartoons, you're welcome here."
Tails to Astonish is still growing, so it doesn't have a set LGBTQ+ section, but there are Queer- and Trans-centered stories in nearly every corner. "We have LGBTQ stuff throughout the store," Duff said. "There are tons of Gay characters in comic books. Most of them are new characters, so that's why [people don't always know about them]," he explained.
"Superman's son is Bisexual, and he's with a Gay man in the comic books. The young Flash is a Gay character. DC is really at the forefront of that," he continued. "Marvel is a little farther behind. Most of their main characters aren't Gay. America Chavez was in the new Dr. Strange last year, and she's a Gay character."
While many comics still have a long way to go, Duff says modern books are light-years ahead of where the comic industry used to be.
"It's been incredible. I mean, when I was growing up in the '90s, there weren't any [Queer comic book characters]," he said. "It was kind of a 'don't ask, don't tell' kind of thing. The first comic I can remember including an openly Gay character was in the mid-'90s in a book called Alpha Flight. One of [its] characters, Northstar, came out as Gay. It was a big deal in the comic world, because nobody had come out as Gay. It's night and day from then to today."
Variety
Tails to Astonish has a variety of titles and styles. "We have an entire bookshelf back here that's all graphic novels, hardcovers, and trade paperbacks," Duff said.
The store even carries prose novels on occasion. "I had a Minecraft one that sold out. I had a Superman one from the '70s that sold. I don't typically buy newly published books that often, but I can order them," he said.
What makes Tails to Astonish unique is it is the only place to buy comics in West Seattle. "The closest store to us is in Burien, a place called Ancient Comics, but you can't find anything new there," Duff said.
"The closest place you can find a new comic book is at Pike Place Market, and I know how difficult it can be to drive down there each week," he added with a laugh. "We have a pretty good collection of new books here."
Duff selects each title the bookstore carries, but if readers can't find what they're looking for on the shelves, he's more than happy to order something for them. With so many comics to choose from, he says he makes most of his buying decisions based on a "gut feeling."
"If it's a new property, a new book, I just have to go with my gut if it sounds interesting," he admitted. "If I know the artist or the writer, I'll try it out, but there's tons I don't order."
Tails to Astonish also sells fun gifts and toys for anyone interested in more than just literature. "Honestly, the stickers and cards sell regularly. Toys are a little more expensive, but I do sell quite a few Star Wars toys," he said. Though the books are what keep people coming back in.
Saga, the top-selling series, also has LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Duff loves the series so much, he has selected it as his official pick for the SGN's summer book club reading list. Grab a copy from Tails to Astonish and read along with us!