When Murdock Belt was growing up, board games meant more than just having fun and earning bragging rights after winning.
The hours spent around a game board—whether it involved elaborate layouts and game pieces or just marbles and dice—meant bonding time with his family.
“It’s how we’d spend time together as a family when I was a kid,” Murdock said. “Even now, we still crack out the playing cards and get canasta going or ‘Wahoo’ or any of those classic games.”
Murdock and his wife, Kirsten, decided to bring their love for board games and comic book superheroes to Frisco with the opening of Doc’s Comics & Games on Nov. 14.
The store offers comic books, graphic novels, board games and other types of games. It also sells collectible toys and game pieces.
Most of what is on the shelves at Doc’s has been requested from customers, Murdock said, and more merchandise is still coming in.
“We have lots of room to grow,” he said. “If they don’t see something on the shelf that they’d like to see, please let us know.”
Doc’s also hosts weekly events, including gaming tournaments and open board gaming, at which patrons can select from a variety of board games to play in the store with friends.
Allowing patrons to play games in the store helps bring people together, Kirsten said.
“It’s a community for everybody that’s interested in these kinds of things,” she said.
Murdock said the demographics in Frisco make it a good market to have a comic book store.
“Frisco is a big family town, and board games are all about family,” he said. “Comics [are] a great way to get your kids to read.”
Murdock also said the presence of superhero and science fiction characters in pop culture has resurrected an interest in comic books. With the new “Star Wars” movie being released in theaters this month, a lot of customers have expressed an interest in “Star Wars”-related games and collectibles, he said.
Owners Murdock and Kirsten Belt bring their love for comic books and games to their store.[/caption]
The resurrection of comic books has also brought about a greater acceptance of those who tend to enjoy comic books, Murdock said. He said he wants his store to be a welcoming place for anyone who has a passion for games and superheroes.
“Most people who play these games or read comics, they can sometimes be on the fringe of society. They can be the outcasts,” he said. “I want [Doc’s] to be a safe haven. If you’re a nerd, it’s OK here. There’s no judgment.”
The Belts said they hope the things offered at Doc’s will have the same influence in other people’s lives as comics and games have had on their family.
“Reading is supposed to help you empathize with people around you, and board games bring people to the table and let you spend time together,” Murdock said. “That’s something we’d like to see more of.”
