CHATSWORTH, Calif. – They had just opened the doors to their bigger and better comic book store when COVID-19 hit.  


What You Need To Know


  • San Diego Comic-Con canceled for the first time in 50 years

  • Julio Galvez expected to make $13,000 in 4 days

  • He didn’t think his business would survive the loss

  • Virtual Comic-Con helping hundreds of comic book stores

For Julio Galvez and his partners, it was a major blow to business. But that wasn’t the worst of it. For the first time in its 50 year history, the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, the holy grail of the comic world, was cancelled.

“It's just mind blowing that these events are not happening because I mean, everybody looks out for this event, especially San Diego Comic-Con. It's like the Superbowl of you know, conventions, everybody's there,” said Galvez.

Galvez has been attending Comic-Con for 26 years, but this was going to be his first year as a vendor selling his comic books. He expected to make at least $13,000 in four days. He didn't think his business would survive the loss.

“This is huge. The comic book season is big comic convention season is huge” Galvez said.

 

 

 

Just when Galvez thought that the pandemic would take him under, he was approached by his friend Ali at Elite Comics 11 who had an idea to create The Remedy Tour. The virtual Comic-Con will feature tours of comic stores around the country, comic talent appearances, and panel discussions about the comic world. For Galvez, it was a game changer.  

“I've hosted three here at my store for vendors that were usually would do something like Comic-Con, and that don't have a storefront. So I invited them here and they did a sale here, and I think all nine stops have generated over $200,000,” Galvez said.

This kind of virtual Comic-Con is saving hundreds of businesses around the country. Galvez and his team are now hosting remedy tours at his store to help other vendors stay in business.

“I want us all to give a round of applause to the buyers today because they were amazing,” said Galvez.

The Remedy Tour is providing a much needed source of comic relief during these challenging times.