In 2007, the owner of Dragon’s Lair Round Rock retired and Randy Lander, at that time the shop’s assistant manager, purchased the store and renamed it Rogues Gallery.
Fourteen years later, Rogues Gallery still sells a wide array of comics, graphic novels, board games, card games and roleplaying games, or RPGs.
Rogues Gallery is also a gathering place for fans of comics and tabletop games in the Round Rock and Williamson County area.
“Our mission from the outset has definitely been community building,” Lander said. “Our ultimate goal is to build sort of a geek community.”
Rogues Gallery’s frequent in-store game nights and events play a vital role toward that ambition, Lander said. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rogues Gallery hosted Dungeons & Dragons games two nights a week and Magic: The Gathering every Friday.
Safety concerns have resulted in the suspension of most in-store events for the time being, and Lander said he is unsure when in-store gaming will return in full force.
In the meantime, Rogues Gallery is still holding limited events including Free Comic Book Day, Free RPG Day and Magic: The Gathering prereleases.
Despite the pandemic-related pause on most in-store events, Lander said the sense of community is still alive at Rogues Gallery as familiar faces continue to visit the store regularly.
“We have a mailing list of about 1,000 people, but I would say we probably have a couple hundred people who I know by name and face,” Lander said. “It’s kind of like their neighborhood bar where we know them and we have their comics set aside and that kind of thing.”
Running Rogues Gallery is hard work, especially when it comes to managing all the complications brought about by COVID-19, but as an avid comic book fan, Lander said the work is as rewarding as it is difficult.
“I get to work with people who I really respect and like, and I get to put stories in the hands of people who appreciate them,” Lander said. “That’s really the best part of this job.”
Rogues Gallery Comics and Games
1601 IH-35, Suite 330, Round Rock
512-279-8888
www.roguesgallerytx.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
