Let the Comic Book Adventures, Childhood Memories Resume

Jerry Bright wants to purchase the rookie card of Major League Baseball star Tim Lincecum.

But that can wait.

"Are you OK?"

Those were the first words a concerned Bright — decked out in San Francisco Giants gear — spoke as he walked through the doors of Monday afternoon.

"Yeah. I'm fine," said Bob Borden, who owns the beloved comic shop on the corner of South Livermore Avenue and First Street in downtown Livermore. "I guess I should have put up a better sign out there."

Borden is referring to a note he posted at the shop's front door in mid-October that read: "WE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. BOB"

That note sparked rumors among the store's fan base: Was the place being sold? Was Bob ill? Would it reopen?

Residents and customers grew concerned with each passing day as the doors into what one patron called "awesomeness" remained shut.

The comic shop first appeared in 1978 just a few blocks from its present location. Two years later the shop moved to its current home.

Borden reopened the store Saturday, more than three months after closing it. 

"I had some tax problems I had to take care of," he said. "All is good now and I'm happy to be back."

For self-proclaimed comic geek Bill Morris, the reopening was beyond a "happy" moment.

"I can always go online and order my comics," he said Monday afternoon while shopping at the comic shop. "But I like coming in here to browse around and get that personal experience."

Borden said customers have been flocking in since the reopening, greeting him and showing their support.

"It's great, and it's nice to feel loved," he said. "I'm just happy to be open again."

So are customers like Bright, who even at 59 stops by the shop to relive his childhood.

Now, about that Lincecum rookie card ...