Blastoff Comics Owner, Jud Meyers Shares How He Was Cheated Out of a Comic as a Kid

[@serenesoundstation5320]

in 2019 Blastoff Comics Closed their North Hollywood store after Jud Meyers moved to San Diego to take a position with IDW as director of sales where he couldn't manage the store remotely.

[@huskerdoo4494]

About 10 years ago I went into Earth 2 Comics on Ventura Blvd in Los Angeles. I hadn't been in a comic shop since before high school at that point. When I walked in this guy Jud comes right up and asks if I need help finding anything. I tell him my story and that I'm out of the loop when it comes to comics. He then spends the next half hour walking me around the shop, explaining everything thats happened in comics since I dropped out, and made some great recommendations. This guy is the reason I got back into comic books and continue to read today. Thanks, man! Wherever you are!

[@hudsonfilm]

I got goosebumps and teared up a bit hearing Jud's story. He sounds like a great boss and a great person. I'm glad he didn't return to his cave and become a villain after he was wronged.

[@Awiseway]

If you are in the North Hollywood area ... please go check out his shop and met Jud yourself ... he is a very swell guy and very passionate about his shop, people and comics

[@alanway5]

does he sell manga/light novels/japanese stuff? or just comics.

[@Awiseway]

+Chaika? Yes, Chaika. Chaika he does sell light novels and stuff like that ... you should go check out the store.. have a conversation... you might be able order what your looking for, plus he donates to different charities a month with a portion of every sale!

[@quach8quach907]

@@alanway5 You mean Hentai.

[@carlosvargas1874]

Nothing worse then a greedy bastard taking advantage of a situation. So glad you shared this story with us and your employees 🙏🏻

[@joshuamcchristian5365]

The one dislike is by the comic shop owner that cheated him

[@heftyfunseeker9987]

Wow, what a terrible heartbreaking story, but so happy to hear he runs his store differently. Seems like a great person

[@apanapane]

What a dreadful thing to do! Lying, tricking and practically stealing from a child like that. Not ok! And also bad business since you didn't want to come back to the store. Kudos for taking that lesson to heart!

[@Awiseway]

apanapane we absolutely agree! So many people have been inspired and moved by his story about Daredevil 158 he is continually sold out of the specific comic book! For the effect he had on our viewers and people in the community we presented him with the "Most Inspirational Award" of 2016. Please watch his entire interview here, bit.do/Blastoff-Comics-JudMeyers

[@vegathevictor]

His ability to tell a story is great, relationships with others are above things and money

[@pepelepeau]

I grew up in Brooklyn.I learned these lessons really really early.Hard lesson.Thanks for sharing this.Life lessons bro!

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

He really got across his feelings on that story. Really got to me in a way, well done!

[@marcusaurilius8416]

Speechless. Got chills from that. I left the hobby I once loved in the 90s after being told by more than one CBS owner that these books are going to be worth a lot in no time at all. Death of Superman era, etc. I didn’t come back until May of this year. I’ve missed a lot. There were some real shady store owners where I lived back then. Didn’t understand that at the time. I thoroughly enjoyed your story and who you are as an honest representative of this amazing hobby. A heart felt Thank you for that. It helped restore my faith again.

[@Awiseway]

Marcus Aurilius we are overjoyed that you ran across our channel and was moved by Jud Meyers interview with us. If you liked this video, please be sure to watch his entire interview on this channel. Also please be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel

[@quach8quach907]

Now, THAT is THE comic book story! In an Alternate Universe. You demand he refund the transaction. "I Dare you to refuse. I'll burn down your comic book store. You are dealing with the Devil. I am the . . . Dare Devil!" In Star Trek: The Next Generation: Yesterday's Enterprise. "Who is to say one reality is better than another?"

[@mybiasedopinions4793]

I swear, if I knew him as that kid, and he told me that guy cheated him like that. I would have walked into the store. Asked to buy the comic. The guy would pull it off the wall, and hand it to me to look at. I would then agree to buy. He would ring it up. And I would drop 50 cents on the counter. I'd inform him that I knew what he did, and walk out! If he tried any bullshit. Id tell him, call the cops. I'd be prepared to defame that asswipe all the way.

[@EllaCBWalkersSpokeswoman]

Wise man passes his wisdom of disparity to others not to frighten but to show them that "we" should be better, can be better, will be better.

[@quach8quach907]

What COMPELS people to do better? COMPEL. FEAR and VENGENCE keeps people in line.

[@EllaCBWalkersSpokeswoman]

@@quach8quach907 so you're pro dictatorship

[@chrisjuricichxl5]

True all this. As a dealer myself, even when I offered a fair deal on collections, though, I was often accused of being a ripoff scum. Usually they had over graded their collections, imagined I would pay retail and not wholesale, so that Spider-man #1 from 1990 was worth a helluva lot less than they imagined.

[@EagerSleeper]

Excellent video, this is definitely relatable to all of us growing up, and is certainly a good reason to be the change you want to see in the world.

[@JoeArnold333]

This guy is salt of the earth, wish him nothing but the best and happiest life possible

[@mathiasforup8864]

What a powerfull story! That experience is something you never forget. I will never forget mine, i was with my mother to buy a collecterble card i had saved up for. I was 10 and i had done my research, and i still got cheated. There excisted a different version of the card that to a 10 year old looked like the real thing. It was worth very little. Took 3 years to save up for the real card.. I will never forget that moment. Like you said, i diden't know people did such horrible things to each other. I wish it was only worth 20 dollars, then i would have just felt sorry for the guy.

[@COMICBOOKSandBEYOND]

I loved Blastoff Comics and interviewed Mark Waid at that store in North Hollywood.

[@mrpandabites]

This story resonates so much with me. I've never owned any comic worth more than the paper it's printed on, but I had a very similar experience with Magic the Gathering Cards back in the early days of Magic. A comic store owner cheated me out of a bunch of valuable cards that now would be worth hundreds of dollars. It left such a bitter taste in my mouth that for years I just didn't want anything to do with the game.

[@mrpandabites]

People are very cruel.

[@BlaqcRain]

The guy running that comic book shop should be utterly ashamed of himself.... conning a kid out of comic for pennies on the dollar but glad this was a great lessoned learned and applied the moral of this story to his own comic book shop!

[@n0dltr0n]

I had similar a similar experience with a local games and comic store when I was a kid. It took me a while to bring myself to a comics/games store after that. Luckily a lot of the stores I go to now are staffed by people who actually care about the customers rather than making a quick buck. But damn it's a lesson that's followed by a lot of trust issues if not handled correctly...

[@germantecahd3416]

Who the hell is cutting fresh onions near to me?

[@bencouey6354]

Love the Daredevil #158 story, and yes, I had that as a kid and loved it b/c the bad guy in the book spooked me, but the best part of the story is how you want kids and all customers to leave your store, that's how i operated too.

[@lamairepr]

Very well said my friend, I would feel good letting my Grandson shop at your store. He's only 2 1/2 but I'm getting him ready!

[@Awiseway]

Phillip LaMaire thank you for taking out the time to check out our channel. Please watch Jud's full interview here, bit.do/Jud-Meyers-Blastoff-Comics

[@alexrmz86]

I just teared up. I felt the same way when I got cheated out of pokemon cards

[@aftacomics5865]

I thought this story was quit moving and I can relate with another story: It was 1982, and I had just graduated college and had a car accident. I needed money fast, so I took my X-men collection, #94-142, Giant Size #1 & 2, which was very hot at the time, to a comic store in Somerville, NJ . The owner offered me a nickle a book and said "Marvel Comics are not worth the paper their printed on!" However, I was 21 and NOT 10 and decided NOT to sell to him. Something just told me he was lying. I than went to the Wayne, NJ Sunday show and sold them for $300 and got my car repaired. That man and his shop had a bad reputation I found out years later. Both are long gone. By the way, I bought all my X-Men back about 25 years ago!

[@binggibanggabongo]

This is so touching! I’m really inspired

[@immortalmp1720]

Every single comic store ive ever been in is like this. We have one here that even marks up brand new comics from cover price.

[@LuisRodriguez-bt6hh]

Funny thing, the same scenario happened to me... being ripped off in my early teens by a comic book store retailer (Geoffrey Comics in Gardena, CA) affected me personally. We all have had bad experiences when collecting comics, especially when we were young and naive. Don't get me wrong, once I was older (in my early twenties) and wiser I got revenge! Guess my morale to this story, what comes around goes around; 10 fold!!! And it did...

[@Jusdippin78]

Luis Rodriguez how did u get revenge????? Please tell. Thank u

[@metaljar021]

I live like 5 mins away from that store. I prefer comic bug instead.

[@gotohellaaron]

This reminds me of a time when I was a kid when I went skiing on a school trip. I didn't know how to get on the chair lift so some guy told me to pay him like $20 and then he just stole it from me and I still didn't get to get on the chair lift thing.

[@legatodark]

that sucked getting bully out of your comic.

[@Awiseway]

Seriously ..... I couldnt imagine learning that lesson about people at the height of your excitement for comic books and superheros

[@quach8quach907]

@@Awiseway You met your first real life Villain. Now you know . . . and knowing is half the battle.

[@A1Authority]

What a story. Wow. I relate.

[@Awiseway]

How So?

[@jon6309]

Comic book stores are the worst place to sell your stuff because they have to make a profit so you can never get the true value for your stuff. What the comic book dealer did was just dirty to lie to a child and exploit a situation. He could have given store credit applied to new comic books that were not worth as much especially since retailers get a discount. I am glad I grew up in the era of the internet. As an adult who shops for comics now I always check what online retailers are selling for before buying. It's really hard for raw books because condition matters so I never buy the expensive ones from comic book stores. I don't think most comic book stores make much profit from me because most of my purchases are from the $1 bins with the occasional purchases of sets or new issues but the profit margin is probably very small so I do sympathize for some comic book stores but as a consumer I also have to protect my wallet.

[@rodneymarsden3003]

Frank Miller made his rep on Daredevil. Such a sad story.

[@ahchiu9]

Holy shit. What an awful thing to do to a child. It's people like that that give comic fans a bad name. I'm so glad that Jud was able to turn it into a positive, because that would have turned me off to the hobby for good. That's the villain moment

[@vernonford7364]

You can really learn a life lesson from at story at he was talking about

[@johnnymatthews241]

Awesome!

[@richurro20]

The tragic thing is there are comic book shops like this today. Just terrible service, very elitist type store owners that just make you never want to step foot in another comic book shop ever again.

[@LiamsMusic78]

wow. powerful

[@myplane150]

I truly hope that karma kicked that guys ass!

[@Ben1Hayes]

The story shows that people are scum & good honest local comic shop are few & far between.

[@kingzambu6104]

Hero's in comics make Hero's in life!!!!

[@Awiseway]

King Zambu Absolutely! Thank you for taking the time to watch out video with Jud Meyers, please like and share this video and subscribe to our channel. I arch the full interview of Jud here, bit.do/Blastoff-Comics-JudMeyers

[@MeLlamoChris]

Judd, what a bitter sweet story! Thank you for sharing. Will you sell me a copy of Daredevil #158?

[@Awiseway]

He might, go to his comic book store in North Hollywood... the address is, 5118 Lankershim Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91601

[@MeLlamoChris]

+A Wise Way - I saw him today (every Wednesday!). Now that I know this story, I'm going to and ask for a copy. I want to spread his positive reframing of his bittersweet childhood story.

[@michaelproctor8100]

Even if the owner was an honest guy he still would not have given you $20 for the book because as any business owner will tell you, you won't stay in business very long by breaking even on every transaction. Had I been that store owner I would have given you $10 and some store credit.

[@meltyglaze8399]

I feel happy that he is doing the complete opposite of what that stupid comic owner did to him! I went there just today and bought a rocket raccoon comic and I felt very happy! I even want to go back there to buy the old classic comics that are cheap. (2 for $1 I think) Really sad story though! :c

[@quach8quach907]

Legally speaking (I'm not a lawyer): 1. You cannot have a contract with a minor without the parent's consent (verbal or written). 2. Misrepresentation (lying) nullifies the contract. 3. "The Comic Book Guy" commits fraud by misrepresnetation. If I were Dare Devil, the lawyer.

[@ZaydDepaor]

Wow, I'd go his store just to listen to his stories... I think he could sell salt to the sea

[@michaelproctor8100]

As a small business owner why do you stay in California? The taxes alone must be killing you.

[@immortalmp1720]

Name one comic dealer that don't screw people out of there stuff.

[@sugarjoe50]

Whether it's comics, records, etc. You'll never get anything NEAR the so called 'price guide' value. These geeks are snakes, just like car salesmen.

[@JO-zy6fh]

And to think he went on about his business in a manner which that little boy denounced. You became the villain, bud.

[@RobertBeerbohm]

Interesting life lesson I also drilled in to all my employees when I ran comic book stores 1972-1994. Back in the day kids represented the future of comics for a store's survival. As an aside I hosted Frank Miller's very first ever store signing in Dec 1981 which was for Daredevil 181. Over 4000 Frank Miller fans came thru that week end. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208853758734437&set=p.10208853758734437&type=3&theater

[@CanineGaming77]

3:42 VIVA LA RAZA

[@Falangist]

wut

[@PhillipCummingsUSA]

The comic wasn't stolen you were conned out of it under your own free will. I'm honestly very confused by your story. You're a very good story teller but Daredevil 158 is just a regular comic. Its a comic that's the first in the epic Frank Miller run and that's why its worth $20. You actually learned a good lesson that day.

[@Tekni]

Unless you're the kind of fucked up person who'd lie to a kid to get money, you should understand how what happened to him wasn't fair nor a "good lesson".

[@PhillipCummingsUSA]

Of course it wasn't fair but I'd disagree and say its a great lesson.

[@Awiseway]

It was great lesson but its sad because how my times as this happened to a kid and they really never returned or desire to have interest in comics again .. that would be horrible to have an experience that deprived you from the joys of life!

[@Awiseway]

You definitely have to be a really foul person to do this ... its only a good lesson because it yield "light at the end of the tunnel" but how many kids as this happen to that have no desire to read or enjoy comics anymore.... that's the tragic part!

[@Tekni]

***** It is indeed, thank you for the video!