Our favorites over on The Big Bang Theory can typically be found at Caltech doing experiments, gaming at one of their apartments, or hanging out at the local comic book store. The boys were at the comic book store so much that they befriended the owner, Stuart. He became such a regular part of their lives (and as such, our lives) that we learned the ins and outs of the comic book store as much as their own apartments.
As an artist, Stuart has a connection to these comics and even lived in the back of the store when times were tough. The comic book store is Stuart’s one and true passion. However, there are are few things we didn’t realize about Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj’s favorite comic book store. Take a look below to see 10 things fans may have missed.
THE COMIC BOOK STORE HAS AN ACTUAL NAME
The funny thing about the comic book store is the gang has only called it its real name a handful of times. Other than those times, they simply call it the comic book store.
If you take a look at some merchandise and the sign on the door, you can see the real name of the comic book store: The Comic Center of Pasadena. After the fire in season seven, the comic book store had a facelift and the name was clearly (and proudly) on Stuart and Denises’ shirts.
THERE WAS ONCE A WORKING WEBSITE
Now that we know the real name of the comic book store is The Comic Center of Pasadena, Warner Bros. did their best to make the comic book store come to life.
They bought the domain name The Comic Center and created a website for the store where fans could buy merchandise for The Big Bang Theory. The store also had its own Facebook page that shared fun moments in the comic book store as well. Sadly, both the site and the Facebook page haven’t worked since 2011.
WHERE EXACTLY IS IT LOCATED AGAIN?
We know that the comic book store is close to where Sheldon and Leonard live because they’re there every week, but where exactly is it?
When the website was live, the location for the store was East Green Street, which was right down the street from where the gang worked at Caltech. However, at the end of “The Creepy Candy Coating Corollary” in the third season, the view from the comic book store seems to be near Hollywood High School. The problem is that those two locations are about 20 minutes from each other. Does that mean the comic book store is somewhere in the middle?
THERE ARE TYPICALLY THREE REGULARS WHO ARE ALWAYS IN THE COMIC BOOK STORE
Stuart’s comic book store isn’t necessarily crowded when the guys go in to look through comics. Sometimes they’re the only people there while other times there are a few guys sprinkled in. It’s not normal to see women in the store unless it’s Denise in the later seasons, Penny, Amy, or Bernadette.
Nevertheless, when we see our favorite group of guys in the comic book store, there are three men hanging around doing the same thing Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj are. There’s Captain Sweatpants (who is always wearing the same thing), Lonely Larry (who happens to be friends with Wil Wheaton), and Dale (he’s the man who helped Stuart one day at the store and didn’t know how to make a return).
NEW STORE, NEW VIBE
Before the end of season seven when the comic book store burned to a crisp, we can see the store’s lime green walls. There’s memorabilia everywhere and comics were pretty organized around the store.
After the comic book store burned down, Stuart didn’t have enough money from the insurance company to fully open and make it the dream store it was destined to be. Thankfully, the guys put their money together and helped make it happen and it came out beautifully. Now the store is painted in a grey and blue color with hints of yellow and red.
WHERE ARE ALL THE MARVEL COMICS?
Diehard comic, DC, and Marvel fans noticed something odd about Stuart’s comic book store. Where was all the Marvel? We see Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, etc… all over the store but where’s the Hulk? Where’s Deadpool? Penny did point out Thor when she was once in the comic book store but that was really the only mention of Marvel.
As it turns out, Warner Brothers produce The Big Bang Theory while also owning DC Comics. So when you think about it, it makes sense that we don’t see too much Marvel around.
STUART ADDED MORE WINDOWS TO THE RENOVATED SPACE
If you thought the new comic book store looked lighter, more cheery, and less seedy, that’s probably because Stuart added more light to his store after the renovation.
Before the store burned down, the only light coming in was from the door and the small window next to it. The window and door, however, were covered in posters and stickers, so we didn’t see the sunshine too much in these scenes. Once the renovation came, it appears that a window was added, making the space seem more inviting. Perhaps that’s why the store got more foot traffic.
AS AN ARTIST, HOW DID STUART COME TO OWN THE COMIC BOOK STORE ANYWAY?
When we think about how sad Stuart’s life really is, it makes you think how he even came to own a business. As an artist who graduated from the Road Island School of Design, how come Stuart wasn’t partaking in his true passion for designing?
Before the fire took down his shop, he constantly mentioned how the store wasn’t doing well and he was short on cash, so it doesn’t appear that he went to business school. Some theories suggest that Stuart was a regular at the comic book store and when the previous owner retired or died, he left the store to Stuart.
BAD DOINGS & BIG IDEAS
Behind the counter, we can clearly see a book called Bad Doings & Big Ideas by Bill Willingham. This book is filled with short stories and tales but it’s also written by the person who gave us Fables, the comic series by DC Comics.
WHAT IS STUART HIDING?
Now, we may be reaching a bit but there is a sign in the back of the comic book store that has fans scratching their heads. Leading to a dark hallway, there’s a sign in the back of the store that says ’no one under the age of 18 beyond this point.'
We know that Stuart has graphic novels for sale at the comic book store but is there anything else that’s graphic that he’s selling to a more mature audience? Then again, if he was selling adult content in his comic book store, we have a feeling Howard would be back there far more often.
