Rowan Magazine | The People. The Places. The Way of Life.

Thank Star Wars.

The 1977 film sparked something in Ray Franks when he saw it as a boy.

In no small way it led to him operating multiple locations of 4-Star Video, which has rented movies in Rowan County since the mid-90s.

And now he’s come full circle. He’s scaled back the video business and is the proud owner of the Comic Monstore, a 1,800-square-foot fantasy land for comic book, collectible toy and game enthusiasts.

Franks says the store, located at 813 S. Jake Alexander Blvd, is an extension of his childhood room. Those Star Wars action figures he played with in his youth are displayed prominently on the Monstore walls.

And in October, Franks will welcome one of the biggest – literally – Star Wars characters to Rowan in conjunction with the Monstore’s first Comics & Toys MonsterCon. Along with several big names in the comic world, the convention’s featured guest is Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-3-inch actor who donned the Chewbacca costume in four of the six Star Wars feature films.

Star Wars had hooked him early, and later Franks’ friends introduced him to comic books.

In his early teen years, Franks started reading the popular “X-Men” comics, and after attending Charlotte’s Heroes Convention around the age of 13, “it just grew from there.”

After high school, Franks spent time managing a video store until he and a family member launched the 4-Star Video chain in 1996. At one time, four 4-Star Video locations operated in Rowan County. Then, in the early 2000s, Franks began thinking about the frustration of having to drive 30 to 45 minutes to pick up his favorite comics. That, coupled with a good dose of prodding by his friends, sealed the deal.

“I knew there was a need,” Franks says. So in 2003, he opened the Comic Monstore, choosing the name because it was different and because it incorporated his passion for monster movies.

The first Monstore location was hindered by difficult parking, Franks says. The second, which took the place of one of the 4-Star Video locations in the Marketplace Shopping Center on Statesville Boulevard, was better. But the new spot has more floor space and sits a couple hundred yards from Interstate 85. Now Franks welcomes a steady stream of new faces, many of which are elated there’s a local source for their comic book fix.

They come for comics. They come for the weekly gaming sessions, where they play “Magic: The Gathering” and “HeroClix.” And they come for the collectible action figures and toys.

Evidence of the store’s popularity can be found in the roughly 70 subscription boxes that hold new issues for avid comic readers.

Here Comes Chewbacca

Going strong after four years in the comic book business, Franks is well into plans for his next venture. The Comic Monstore is hosting the Comics & Toys MonsterCon on Oct. 6 at the Salisbury Civic Center. The MonsterCon is a daylong celebration of comic books, toys, games, sci-fi and fantasy. Exhibitors will gather at the Civic Center with comics, toys and collectibles. Franks and his wife, Karen, have scheduled a series of seminars and other special features to coincide with the convention.

“I wanted to make it an event,” he says. And die-hard Star Wars fans like Franks are sure to see it as such due to the Mayhew appearance.

For Franks, landing Mayhew for the first MonsterCon was a coup. He recalls when he first got Mayhew’s contact information. “I just looked at it and thought: ‘Wow. I’ve got Chewbacca’s phone number. I’ve got Chewbacca’s e-mail.’”

The Meroney Theatre in downtown Salisbury will be the location of a special “Evening with Peter Mayhew” at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 6, following the close of the MonsterCon.

Franks’ clientele is stoked about the appearance, though some have asked in disbelief if Chewbacca is really coming to Salisbury. It’s true, he assures them. Other special guests include big names in the comic world, such as writer Gary Friedrich, creator of the Ghost Rider character, and Shane Davis, a DC Comics artist who has worked on titles such as “Batman.”
Franks says he hopes to build the MonsterCon in the future. He’s looking for businesses or individuals interested in helping sponsor the convention so it can become an annual Rowan event.

Meanwhile, if you ever find yourself in need of the latest issue of “Marvel Zombies” or you’re on a search for that vintage Darth Vader action figure you had as a child, you’re likely to come across them displayed somewhere in the Monstore.