Traveling Comic Pop-Up Fills a Void, Creates Community for Carlsbad Collectors

By R. Gabriel Villalobos

For Kenneth Simpson, the journey from a Hastings Entertainment employee to the owner of a thriving traveling comic book business was fueled by a simple belief: there's a better way to connect people with the comics they love.

Based in Odessa, TX, Simpson, 43, operates a unique traveling pop-up comic event that makes regular stops in Carlsbad and other communities across the Southwest. His venture, which hosts roughly 45 events a year in 10 states, has found a particularly loyal following in New Mexico, with Carlsbad being a standout success.

"New Mexico is probably one of the best states that we go to, as far as just consistent shows. The people show up," Simpson said in a recent interview. "There are multiple places in New Mexico where we do at least two shows a year."

The concept was born from Simpson's frustration while working at Hastings, a now-defunct general entertainment store chain that once had a location in Carlsbad. He described it as a place where you could "rent movies, buy new release books and CDs and comic books, and just general entertainment related stuff." But for a purist, the presentation was all wrong.

"I didn't like the way they were doing comic books," he recalled. "They were putting wire racks, and they're all beat up." This experience, contrasting with his memories of the dedicated "comic book store era," pushed him to start selling online and on the convention circuit. It was there he discovered a new model: small, targeted pop-up events in hotel meeting rooms. He saw a notion that he could refine.

"I think there's a nugget of an idea here that if you actually went to places that didn't have comic book stores, you would actually…be better received," Simpson explained. "And that's how I came up with the traveling comic book store."

From Hobbs to Hastings: A Lifelong Passion for Panels

Carlsbad, which Simpson remembers from his youth growing up in nearby Hobbs, was a natural fit. He noted the city hasn't had a dedicated comic shop since his high school days, making it a perfect example of the void he aims to fill.

"That's the normal situation for places that are 20-, 30-, 40,000 people. They usually can't sustain a store," Simpson said. "So, for a long time, they haven't had one."

His pop-up event functions like a traveling store, offering everything from new releases and key back issues to toys, collectibles, and other physical media like CDs and books. Simpson and his wife personally run all the events, a dynamic he prefers. He tried having other vendors, but found it created anxiety.

"Unfortunately, it always turned into...a situation where I wind up spending most of the show wondering how well someone else is doing," he said. The events now run more smoothly and successfully as a solo operation, though he is quick to clarify it's not a convention. "It's a little bit big for a pop-up store, but it's not what you would expect from a convention."

The focus is on creating a welcoming, accessible atmosphere far from the overwhelming scale of large conventions, which Simpson believes have "seen better days."

"It's not about the big, glitzy spectacle," he said. "It's about that shared moment. A kid finding their first 'Amazing Spider-Man'…a parent sharing a character they loved with their child. That's magic."

Simpson's own love for comics began in the mid-90s, first influenced by an older brother and then solidified by comic book trading cards. He was drawn in by the intricate art, specifically cards that connected like tiles to form a larger image.

"I thought that was really cool," he said. "Eventually, I turned my head around to it's like, well, you know, there's all these comic books behind me that are actually the thing that these are all based on."

Titles like "Ghost Rider" and "X-Men" hooked him with their art and then their stories. "I already like the X-Men cartoon. And this comic book here has the characters that I like… Once I started reading them, it's like, oh, it's a story."

Local Support Key to Success in the Pecos Valley

He credits continued interest in pop culture from Marvel and DC movies with driving new fans to seek out the source material. But the heart of his business remains the physical, tactile experience of comics—a form of media he believes is important to preserve and keep in circulation.

While he uses Facebook to advertise his events in unfamiliar towns, Simpson highlights the local support in Carlsbad as a key ingredient to his success there, specifically praising the staff at the Stevens Hotel, the event venue.

"It's not just a good general manager… A lot of the employees are legitimate fans of comics and toys," he said, a fact he finds unique and deeply appreciative. "They really like that this is there and that they get to support it; they are a big part of the success that we've had in Carlsbad. I really appreciate how welcome they make us feel."

For Simpson, the goal is straightforward: to provide a place where people can come out, explore, and enjoy a hobby rooted in nostalgia and community. And with 45 shows on the annual calendar, he and his wife are tirelessly committed to bringing that experience to towns that appreciate it the most.

Kenny's Comics is popping up in Carlsbad again on Saturday, August 30, at Stevens Inn from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a drawing at 2:30 p.m. to win a $50 shopping spree.