Located in the corner of a small shopping center off Business 249, Phase 1 Comics and Games is more than just a comic book store, co-owner Daniel Spencer and manager Larry Cunningham said. The store, which opened in September 2017, offers games, novels, Japanese-inspired comics—or manga—and novelty apparel in addition to comics. Spencer said it is also one of 180 galleries worldwide authorized to show Disney fine art as well as an authorized dealer for Funko POP! Figures, which are collectible pop culture figurines. “We initially set up in this particular location because we didn’t want people from Magnolia, Spring, Tomball, et cetera to have to drive all the way down to FM 1960 or deeper into Houston, if they didn’t have to,” Cunningham said. “It’s not just people looking for comics either. We have people come in looking for games [or] looking for other people who have the exact same hobbies as them. It’s the best time to have all of that, because geek culture is a little bit more prevalent right now than it has been in previous decades.” Cunningham said he and Spencer strive to create an inclusive environment for their customers. “We view ourselves as a gateway but not gatekeepers. Too often with comic books and games, you have those people who try to tell you you’re stupid for liking a different version of a character or game than they do,” Cunningham said. “We don’t subscribe to that.” Spencer said the community, both in the Tomball area and in the comic industry itself, is what he loves about Phase 1. “I love when people come in and talk about the figures they’ve collected over the years or the comics they’ve loved since they were kids. Hearing other people get excited about their fandoms gets me excited too,” Spencer said. Both Spencer and Cunningham said they want the Tomball community and surrounding areas to know they are open and ready to serve the public. “Year one has really been about establishing ourselves and getting ourselves settled. Year two is going to be about expanding everything that we’ve done in the past and focusing on creating more community events,” Spencer said. Phase 1 Comics and Games 28301 Business 249, Ste. 500, Tomball 832-761-7878 www.phase1comics.com Hours: Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., closed Mondays