Comic art is at the heart of many classic stories. Whether it’s DC, Marvel or independent graphic novels, comics are an important part of art and literature. Thanks to the store Books with Pictures, comics and graphic novels are far more accessible in Eugene. Additionally, the store’s events create community and career building for aspiring writers and artists.
The store itself, based at 5th Street Public Market in the downtown area, has a large variety of choices under the graphic novel and comics umbrella. The store sells role playing games, zines and everything from single issue comic books to graphic novels. Books with Pictures is also known for its regular, community based events like creator meetups, book signings and crafting events.
Andréa Gilroy, the store’s owner, got into the comic and graphic novel industry through their field of study at the University of Oregon. They taught at UO and got their Ph.D. in comparative literature. They got the idea of opening a Eugene location for Books with Pictures from the owner of the original location in Portland, who offered the idea of a new store in Eugene to Gilroy. Gilroy opened the spot in Eugene only months before the COVID-19 pandemic. They fought through quarantine to make it the flourishing store it is today…