Eric Childs still remembers the first comic he ever owned.
Childs, 47, had read his brothers’ comics by sneaking into their rooms, but got his hands on his first issue around 1985 with “Spider-Man, Storm And Power Man Battle Smokescreen.”
“It was a comic book they gave out at school for, like, smoking awareness,” Childs said. “The villain was Smokescreen and he was smoking out the kids.”
The seemingly innocuous PSA started a lifelong passion that Childs is now bringing to St. Anthony Park via Mind’s Eye Comics.
Childs was a day-one customer of Mind’s Eye at its founding in 1998. He purchased the longstanding institution in 2018 with an eye on futurizing the business and relocating it from Burnsville to Milton Square behind Nico’s Tacos. The business, which was featured alongside industry powerhouses in the 2025 documentary “Shopping for Superman,” had a soft opening in the fall and is now open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Pop culture products abound
Inside, customers will find a panoply of pop culture products. There’s the rack just to the left of the entrance that includes that week’s new releases as well as rows of graphic novels lining the walls from the big two of D C and Marvel to independent publishers.
As an artist and illustrator himself who dreamt of breaking into the industry in his youth, Childs said highlighting independent creators is part of his mission.
“Mind’s Eye, if there’s anything we’re known for is the type of publishers we carry,” he said. “We’re going to have the widest selection of independent publishers.”
The store racks house more than just pulp-noir, sci-fi and superheroes. Childs, who is Black, has a selection of historical and diversity-oriented graphic novels, keeping in line with his personal commitment to literacy and education.
“For me, representation is a matter of fact,” Childs said. “It should be there. This is stuff I want to showcase and have available.”
Mind’s Eye will offer subscription lists for weekly releases. And the store than just comics, including steamy romance novels.
For those looking to publish their own work, Childs also offers on-site printing services for runs as low as 25 copies.
Clothing racks and table displays are full of products from local designers and creators — who get 80% of the proceeds from the sales.
“They can use the store as an opportunity to launch their careers and get exposure,” Childs said. “People ask how the store wins on that. The thing is, they help make the store unique. Many times, there’s things you can come here and find that you’re not going to find at any other comic shop.”
In a back room, next to a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade machine are legacy video games, DVDs, Blu-rays and vinyl. Another corner features toys, figurines and collectibles.
Offering a community room
The part of the store that Childs is arguably most excited about is the community room, which will host events ranging from book clubs to creator workshops to tabletop gaming sessions.
A devotee of literacy education, Childs is already formulating youth programs and partnerships with other local businesses, including his recently opened neighbor Present Company.
Childs is planning a larger opening event, as well as ongoing programming, featuring industry professionals — a sort of continuing miniature comic book convention. Events will be posted on mindseyecomics.com and its social media channels.
For now, the doors are open and he encourages anyone to stop in, whether they plan to purchase their next haul or to just hang out.
“I couldn’t have found a more perfect spot for Mind’s Eye and the way I curate and how I utilize the space,” Childs said.
Seth Richardson is a freelance journalist and serves on the board of the Park Bugle.