Talk Nerdy to Me: Everett Comics

Editor’s note: Originally published June 21, 2017. Updated July 15, 2021.

Everett's nerd scene: it's a thing, and it's growing. With Funko moving in downtown, we thought we'd talk to some of Everett's experts in all things super and mystical. We hope you enjoy this interview with manager Brandon Ottenberg and store clerk Dan over at Everett Comics.

Part 1: Brandon, the overlord of Everett Comics

Who are you and what do you do/what is your role at Everett Comics?
Hi, my name is Brandon and I am the Manager of Everett Comics. I have been with Charlie and Tracy since 1998.

What's your background with comics?
My background is that I am a lifelong comic collector. Started reading around 5 years old and got introduced to comics shortly after that. Been hooked since.

Anything you wish people knew about the store?
We strive to be a family-friendly place to come shop and talk comics and all things geek.

What first brought you to Everett, and why have you stayed? Why did you choose to start managing Everett Comics?
When Charlie first thought of opening the store back in the early 80’s, he saw that there wasn’t a shop in Everett. Everett Comics first opened in October of 1983, we’ve been in Everett since. We’ve moved three times total but always close to Colby Ave. The store was under the Strand Hotel for twenty plus years, we had to move about six years ago due to a fire in the Strand. We are now on the corner of Wetmore and Hewitt.

What do you do for fun in Everett when not running the shop?
The wife and I are currently having fun “Rocking” Everett. That is; painting, hiding, and hunting rocks. Famers Market and the Jetty are also high on the list.

What does Everett Comics specialize in? Any direction you want your shop to grow?
We don’t really specialize in anything, we try to just have a great assortment of geeky items that people want. We carry new comics, a large selection of Trade Paperback Collections, Art Books, Toys, Pins/Buttons, T-Shirts, Posters, Funko PoP! figures, and we still carry backissues.

Everett's nerd, gamer, comic scene. Is it a thing? How does it affect your shop?
Everett does have a geek scene. Places like AFK Tavern have people coming to Everett, we see people coming in during Silvertips games, an event at the Theaters will bring people in.

We have very loyal customer base and we love them.

Most important question: who is your favorite super hero/comic book series?
My Favorite character is Batman, has been for many, many years. Followed closely by Aquaman, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Spidey. I currently read about a dozen books. Invincible, Reborn, and Superman, are all high on the list of my current favorites.

How do you feel about Funko opening its doors soon?
We love Funko, everyone out at the warehouse treats us awesome. Downtown Funko, the Art Department are all great people, that come in and shop with us. It’s fun learning what these people like. As more employees come we get new customers. We wish them luck and while they grow we hope to grow with them.

Anything else we should know about you and your business?
Like I said before, we strive to be a family friendly one stop geek shop. Don’t see it, ask, we can probably order it for you. We offer a subscription service for new comics. We’ve been here since 1983 and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.

Part 2: Dan the Man

Who are you and what do you do/what is your role at Everett Comics?
I’m Daniel (Dan), and I’m a store clerk.

Everett's nerd, gamer, comic scene. Is it a thing? How does it affect the shop?
The Nerd, Gamer, Comic scene is very much a thing, especially since it’s become more mainstream in the last several years. And now, more so than ever, many of these scenes cross over into each other. Many comics are being made into movies, many games are being adapted into comics, and Funko is producing products for just about everything, making our store truly have a little something for just about everyone.

What's your background with comics?
I started getting comics when I was at a young age, and got back into them in my late teens. I enjoy several of the superhero based comics as well as a few comics that are nostalgia from years ago like Transformers and GI JOE.

Most important question: who is your favorite super hero/comic book series?
So this is going to sound a little bit weird, but my favorite hero is Red Hood. I’ve really like how they have expanded his story throughout the course of the last several years, and series Red Hood and the Outlaws is one of my favorites.

However, my favorite book for the last several years has been Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye, which just actually became Transformers: Lost Light. As a long time Transformers fan, I’ve really enjoyed the story that has been ongoing now for about 5 years, and getting see a much different side to the long time villain Megatron.

Thanks for talking with us guys! Support our local nerd culture by stopping by sometime to get the latest Batgirl installment or the newest Harry Potter FunkoPop.