Announces Tariff Surcharges

After Paying $240,000 on Product on the Water When Tariffs Announced

Because of Tariffs

What if the villains we’re really fighting aren’t out there—but in here?  Anxiety. Depression. Self-doubt. In my TEDx talk, I reveal how the ancient wisdom of the Stoics and the modern mythology of superheroes helped me face those battles—and how you can become the hero of your own story. Marc Bowker is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience as the owner of Alter Ego Comics, an award-winning comic book store located in downtown Lima, Ohio. With deep expertise in comic retail, he has helped shape the local and national comic book community, offering valuable insights into building a successful and sustainable business in the niche world of comics. As a certified Heroic Coach, workshop instructor & speaker, he specializes in guiding small business owners to increase their energy, productivity, and connection. Drawing from personal experience living with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder after a nervous breakdown in 2016, Marc is dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of mental health while achieving peak performance in both business and life. He and his wife, Angie, live in Lima and have three children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

'Shop Nerdy. Shop Local: Local Comic Shop Day 2025'

On Friday morning, West Coast port officials told CNN about a startling sight: Not a single cargo vessel had left China with goods for the two major West Coast ports in the past 12 hours. That hasn’t ...

Small businesses are scrambling to figure out the cost of tariffs. Most are passing on some of the cost to American customers.

What if the villains we’re really fighting aren’t out there—but in here?  Anxiety. Depression. Self-doubt. In my TEDx talk, I reveal how the ancient wisdom of the Stoics and the modern mythology of superheroes helped me face those battles—and how you can become the hero of your own story. Marc Bowker is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience as the owner of Alter Ego Comics, an award-winning comic book store located in downtown Lima, Ohio. With deep expertise in comic retail, he has helped shape the local and national comic book community, offering valuable insights into building a successful and sustainable business in the niche world of comics. As a certified Heroic Coach, workshop instructor & speaker, he specializes in guiding small business owners to increase their energy, productivity, and connection. Drawing from personal experience living with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder after a nervous breakdown in 2016, Marc is dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of mental health while achieving peak performance in both business and life. He and his wife, Angie, live in Lima and have three children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The researchers found that heavy drinkers had 133 percent higher odds of developing vascular brain lesions than those who never drank.

The tariffs on China could put us out of business by 2027. All our blood, sweat, and toil could vanish with the stroke of a pen.

For Free Comic Book Day 2025, Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man/ Ultimate Universe #1 will prepare fans for Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion!

ALT: a red sign that says 100 agreed in white letters

Let’s talk tariffs. I’ve owned my small business, Alter Ego Comics, for over 22 years. We’re a specialty retailer—we don’t manufacture products; we curate the best of what others create and deliver a...

The dollar has lost almost 10 percent of its value since Inauguration Day with roughly half of that decline coming this month.

Let’s talk tariffs. I’ve owned my small business, Alter Ego Comics, for over 22 years. We’re a specialty retailer—we don’t manufacture products; we curate the best of what others create and deliver a...

ALT: a group of people in a dark room with pigs written on the bottom of the screen

Welcome, fellow comic aficionados, to a celebration of storytelling brilliance and artistic mastery! In this blog post, we're diving into the crème de la crème of the DC Comics universe with our car...