Martin Kravetz outside the shop in Inverness Street

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FOR the past four decades, lovers of visually arresting tales have made a beeline for Mega City Comics.

The Camden Town shop has sold thousands of titles since it opened in 1987 – but the last page might be turned in January, as owner Martin Kravetz plans his retirement.

Mr Kravetz set up Mega City Comics as a mail order firm in 1981. It was so successful he decided to have a physical shop and chose Inverness Street in 1987.

He recalled: “I was a student and selling comics from my bedroom. “I collected them since I was a kid. I wheeled and dealed to finance my own comic book collections.

“When I first started I was fascinated by American comics, but there were very few comic shops in London, and of the American publications, we’d get about one in 10 produced. Then, in 1973, Marvel UK was set up in Kentish Town. The great Stan Lee came to give a talk at the Roundhouse and they started publishing UK versions of the American comics – that was what really got me started, as there were so many more available.”

Comics have a universal appeal, and Mr Kravetz states the stereo­type male comic fanatic doesn’t really exist.

He added: “I love the people. We have comics for all ages and we have always stuck to that. People think comics are nerdy but we get kids right up to pensioners coming in, and the gender split is 50/50.”

Mr Kravetz prides himself on the vast range of graphic novels, comics and books they stock. Topics range from the ubiquitous superhero – which make up about 25 per cent – to richly illustrated tomes on history, science, fantasy, comedy and more.

He said: “It is the art, the story and the escapism. The beauty of comics is they combine both literature and film. When you read a book, you use your imagination to visualise. When you watch a film, you visualise without having to think too much about it. Comics do both.

“They tell a story and give you a visual interpretation.”

Comics can be a gateway for children to start reading, he adds – and has increased the children’s book section to four times the size since the closure of Camden Town’s Waterstones branch.

He said: “It is a proven way for children to get into literature. We hear of children using iPads all the time, and the rise of digital. But the rise of ebooks has not affected comics. Children are reading them as much as ever.”

Being on a busy Camden Town shopping stretch has been a lively experience, says Mr Kravetz, and one he will miss when he retires in January.

He said: “This is Camden’s heart and the combination of crazy comic book fans, who are brilliantly diverse, coupled with the diversity of Camden Town – it was what brought me here in the first place.”

He recalled how Inverness Street has changed since 1987.

He added: “Back then we had a dairy, a greasy spoon, a place called Hermans Head Shop, and the record store. It was an arts and crafts place. Now it is more commercial, but there are still people like ourselves who keep the vibe alive. Camden Town has evolved but we have remained and have been a jewel in the crown.”

Mr Kravetz added there are bargains to be had as they organise stock, rifle through their archives and bring out treasures. He says customers can expect the unexpected.

Mr Kravetz said: “We are not quite finished yet, and we will be going out with an upbeat bang. There will be some once-in-a-lifetime deals to be had.

“The back room back issue stores are being opened up, and the shop is bursting to the seams with comic goodness. We have always offered up a huge range, but for the final run, there is more on show than ever before.”

Mr Kravetz says Mega City is currently closing for good – though a superhero may save the day.

He added: “That is currently the plan, but we still hope to find a new owner.”