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From Soldier to comics: Army veteran opens local comic book store

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley L. Gardner
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  It's a bird, it's a plane, it's superman--well not exactly, but an Army veteran has become the hero of Sumter comic book junkies by opening a comic book store in the city last year.

When patrons walk into Nuklear Comix, the first thing they are met with besides the superheroes of childhood past is the vivacious tone of Barry Edwards, who not only greets you with a smile, but also many tales of superhero sagas.

Edwards, an Army veteran and Hartsville, S.C., native, has had a lifelong love of comic books and in November 2012, he decided to share that love with others by opening his store in Sumter, he said.

As a child, his mother was his hero.

"My mom took care of me; she was my rock," he said. "I remember going with my mom to the grocery store, and every time I walked through the threshold of the door I saw the comic stand, and that's where it all started."

"I opened this store because I know there are people around the Sumter area who share the same interest in comics as I do," said Edwards. "I also just wanted to see if I could do it. I love comics, and to see die-hard collectors and readers who share the same interests is fun. I love my job."

The veteran actually started the store from his own private collection, he added.

Edwards had been reading and collecting comics for about 30 years, but no longer collects comics; instead, his interest is built on the joy of reading and sharing that joy, he explained.

Around the store, comic book readers will find a wide variety of famous character comics, posters and action figures for all ages, which has given his store more of a focus on a family environment rather than just collectors, Edwards said.

Before Nuklear Comix opened, Edwards had numerous careers.

In 1990, he signed up for the United States Army and served on active duty until 1996. He then continued his military service for another eight years in the Army National Guard, working with artillery equipment and going to places like Oklahoma, Georgia, Iraq and Germany.

In 1997, he started a construction company with his family and currently still works in construction. Edwards spends most of his time doing construction throughout the week and goes to the comic store on the weekends, commuting from his hometown of Hartsville.

During the weekdays, he has the help of Tim Taylor and Bradley Hyde, comic sales employees.

"This has been a great experience for me," said Hyde. "I have had countless opportunities to meet new people and to just work for Barry has made this experience really memorable. He looks out for people."

Edwards now finds himself passing on a tradition of love for comics that he was introduced to as a child.

"My oldest son Matt (currently deployed) receives care packages of comic books from me," he said. "I remember the feeling it gave me to receive them, knowing I had a deep passion for them. Getting them in the mail gave me something to look forward to and passing that on to Matt gives him that same feeling."

Looking towards the future of the store, Edwards would like to have Nuklear Comix become a Sumter landmark in hopes that people across generations will continue to come to his store.