Welcome Back to Rocket Comics!

In 1991, Mack Richardson opened the doors of Rocket Comics in Burlington, NC. It was an exciting time to be a comic book fan and, doubly so, for those who wanted to share their love of comics with others. Mack's shop was a place where fans could gather, talk about their favorite characters, and discover new stories. It was a comic book shop meant for comic book fans.

Even though the shop has been closed for many years now, the spirit of Rocket Comics lives on. This site is a tribute to the shop and the fans who made it a special place.

The comic book industry (and world, at large) has changed so much over the last 30 years. In many ways, it seems to be a much more challenging environment to successfully operate a comic book shop. That being said, plans are in the works to reopen Rocket Comics. Stay tuned!

Rocket Comics Memories

Please excuse the quality of some of these photos. Higher quality scans are in the works.

An early advertisement for Rocket Comics in the Burlington-Times News
An early advertisement for Rocket Comics in the Burlington-Times News
Rocket Comics Pre-Launch, August 1991
Rocket Comics Pre-Launch, August 1991
Inside Rocket Comics during construction, August 1991
Inside Rocket Comics during construction, August 1991
Rocket Comics photo #3
Rocket Comics photo #3
Opening Day, October 1991
Opening Day, October 1991
Welcome to Rocket Comics. Be our guest!
Welcome to Rocket Comics. Be our guest!
Open for business!
Open for business!
Open 7 days a week for your comic book needs!
Open 7 days a week for your comic book needs!
The Rocketeer greets customers at the grand opening of Rocket Comics
The Rocketeer greets customers at the grand opening of Rocket Comics
Getting the day started at Rocket Comics
Getting the day started at Rocket Comics
Hard at work in the upgraded cash register area of Rocket Comics
Hard at work in the upgraded cash register area of Rocket Comics
The original cash register area of Rocket Comics
The original cash register area of Rocket Comics
The display cases at Rocket Comics, filled with collectibles and back issues
The display cases at Rocket Comics, filled with collectibles and back issues
The back wall comics. This is where the expensive back issues were displayed.
The back wall comics. This is where the expensive back issues were displayed.
A close-up of a display case at Rocket Comics, showcasing a variety of collectibles and back issues.
A close-up of a display case at Rocket Comics, showcasing a variety of collectibles and back issues.
A close-up of another display case at Rocket Comics. Look at that cool Rancor figure from Kenner!
A close-up of another display case at Rocket Comics. Look at that cool Rancor figure from Kenner!
Limited Edition Superman prints by Jim Steranko and Frank Miller
Limited Edition Superman prints by Jim Steranko and Frank Miller
A sample of posters and prints on display at Rocket Comics
A sample of posters and prints on display at Rocket Comics
A lighted display sign promoting Marvel Comics. Love the McFarlane Spider-Man
A lighted display sign promoting Marvel Comics. Love the McFarlane Spider-Man
An Arkham Asylum promotional display
An Arkham Asylum promotional display
Rocket Comics photo #20
Rocket Comics photo #20
The graphic novel and novels corner
The graphic novel and novels corner
The even more expanded new comics racks
The even more expanded new comics racks
...and yet more new comics
...and yet more new comics
Comic book supplies and more graphic novels
Comic book supplies and more graphic novels
The expanded new comics racks
The expanded new comics racks
The original new comics racks...
The original new comics racks...
Look at all the cool posters!
Look at all the cool posters!
Stop reading comics and get back to work!
Stop reading comics and get back to work!
Helping customers find their next read in the back issues bullpen
Helping customers find their next read in the back issues bullpen
The back issues bullpen's final form
The back issues bullpen's final form
A much smaller back issue bullpen from the early days at Rocket Comics
A much smaller back issue bullpen from the early days at Rocket Comics
A view of Rocket Comics from the front door
A view of Rocket Comics from the front door
The expanded back issues bullpen
The expanded back issues bullpen
The Toys and T-Shirts corner
The Toys and T-Shirts corner
How sweet! Someone sent flowers for our grand opening
How sweet! Someone sent flowers for our grand opening
More toys, models and cards
More toys, models and cards
Looking into the store from the back office
Looking into the store from the back office
Talking shop with some Rocket Comics Regulars
Talking shop with some Rocket Comics Regulars
A little horse trading with a customer
A little horse trading with a customer
Toys, model kits and more
Toys, model kits and more
The back office
The back office
A view of Rocket Comics from the back door
A view of Rocket Comics from the back door
Rocket Comics photo #43
Rocket Comics photo #43
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...Heroes on the Halfshell
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...Heroes on the Halfshell
Mack and Tripp slacking off...again!
Mack and Tripp slacking off...again!
Tripp is serious about his TMNT
Tripp is serious about his TMNT
The back office at Rocket Comics
The back office at Rocket Comics
Rocket Comics' Mission Control. The Mac Classic was awesome!
Rocket Comics' Mission Control. The Mac Classic was awesome!
Friendly service even over the phone
Friendly service even over the phone
Rocket Comics ran on ALOT of coffee
Rocket Comics ran on ALOT of coffee
Craig Gilmore, a Rocket Comics employee, would go on to be a successful comic book artist
Craig Gilmore, a Rocket Comics employee, would go on to be a successful comic book artist
Playing Trivial Pursuit on a break with long time friend, Lynn. Mack is hiding in the shadows...like Batman.
Playing Trivial Pursuit on a break with long time friend, Lynn. Mack is hiding in the shadows...like Batman.

Thank You for Visiting Rocket Comics

We hope you enjoyed your trip down memory lane with Rocket Comics. If you did, please share the site with others who would appreciate a nostalgic pop culture journey or were Rocket Comics' customers.

If you have any photos, videos or articles featuring Rocket Comics, please contact Mack Richardson (mack@mackrichardson.com)  about adding them to the site.