Kurt Wayne Comics grand opening set for July 22

A new business for adults and youth alike will officially open its doors July 22.
Kurt Wayne Comics has set up shop just off Red Oak downtown square at 418 E. Coolbaugh St. The family-owned business is run by Curt and Christine Anderson, son Sam Anderson, and son-in-law Andrew Willyerd. The Willyerds moved into the area in May of 2018, and the Andersons recently retired to Red Oak from Cedar Rapids. Christine shared how the family got into the comic book business.
“Curt has a Ph.D. in chemistry. With the onset of COVID, his company requested employees who were sixty-five and over retired. Curt accepted retirement and started a comic business with Sam, as encouraged by his other son, Jordan. Sam has allergies, which prohibit him from working traditional hours. Anderson continued. “Jordan informed us he had been making money in comics; Sam loves comics, it was a natural fit. Sam and Curt have bought, sold, and traded comics over the past six years, primarily selling online. I retired as a professor from the University of Western Illinois in 2023. Sam managed the online store while Curt and I served a mission for our church to New Zealand as education specialist from January 2023 – July 2024. Upon our return, we reevaluated business growth and determined that we needed to open a brick and mortar.”
Andrew Willyerd said that eventually ownership of the store will be passed onto Sam and himself. As for the name of the shop, Willyerd said it was intentionally done by Curt. “While Papa Anderson’s, his name is Curt with a C spelling. The Wayne is his father’s name. According to Curt, he named it Kurt Wayne Comics with a K because he was nervous when he was first starting an online business about being looked up or tracked down. He decided to spell Curt with a K, and that is just how it stuck,” explained Willyerd.
Willyerd said the shop will offer a wide variety of items, beyond just comic books, though comic books are the focus.
“We have comic books primarily because that is the market we know best. However, when we are telling people that we are opening a comic bookstore, typically the first question that they ask is, ‘Oh, are you going to do Magic the Gathering cards or trading card games?’ We don’t have those yet but are working to get them as soon as possible. There are rules and conditions that must be met before distributors will allow specific items to be sold. We are hoping to meet requirements early next year. We also sell Manga and a variety of figures, Funko Pops, in addition to protections for your comic books,” advised Willyerd. “There’s a massive stock of items that can’t all fit in the store at the present time and will be added as space allows.”
While currently the focus is selling, Willyerd said there are plans to offer buying or trading as well.
“We are listed as a buy-selling trade, and we can, depending on what is being offered for us to buy or trade. We will expand more on buying and trading the longer we are in operation,” stated Willyerd.
While they looked at brick and mortar locations in the larger cities, Anderson said they were drawn to the red oak buildings on Coolbaugh.
“Perry White was the previous owner of the store location and the Mason building next door. The buildings were listed then removed and reposted recently. Our daughter, Sherstin Willyerd, sent us the advertisement, and we knew it was perfect because of the location and the apartments. Later we will be renovating the Mason Lodge, but we have not finalized anything yet for that building.”
Willyerd added that not only was it an excellent location for purchase, but it also brought a unique business to Red Oak.
“There’s really no one that sells comic books or card games, manga, and figures other than Walmart in Shenandoah or stores in Omaha, and in Southwest Iowa, it is limited. It brings something unique to the area and allows us to support other local businesses ourselves,” Willyerd said. “My wife and I have been living here for eight years and love this community. We’re excited to be part of our own small business and work with the other local businesses.”
The store also includes a children’s area for play under the supervision of their parents. “We have games and toys that children can play with on site and others for purchase. The bookshelves will be organized depending on age. At the very bottom you will have kids’ books, and above that you will have more kids and tweens, and then the shelves will move to young adult, and then adult comic books towards the top,” advised Willyerd. “We have many classic comic books and are working with distributors to obtain new comics. If we do not have an item in stock immediately, we can order it. The same policy applies to figures and other items. We also have rare comic books, such as, Hulk 181, which features the first appearance of Wolverine.”
Anderson said that the store will also offer pull lists. Books are released on Tuesdays, movies on Fridays, and new comics are released on Wednesdays.
“If you want a new comic, you can ask an owner of a store to place you on a pull list. Most people simply add your name to a pull list, and you pick up your comics, but we really want to be helpful and part of the community. For anyone who shops with us that preorders and prepays a pull list, we will offer 10% off, and we bag and board your comics,” Anderson said. “Bagging and boarding helps keep your comics in good condition.”
Another feature that Anderson said they will implement with the store is a place for all ages to have a place to play cards, games, puzzles, and other activities.
“We’d like to have a space for adults to be able to play card games, even bridge, whatever they want. They can do that while the younger people are playing Dungeons and Dragons. We are setting up tables around the store to facilitate a variety of activities.” Anderson explained. “We will also offer paint classes. Sam has painted figurines, which has a high interest. I have been asked to teach young people how to do pyrography. I will teach on an individual basis and only children 14 to 16 years of age or older.”
The building will also be available for rent for a nominal cost if someone wishes to host a family night or other event. While there will not be a kitchen offered, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase for individuals playing games and participating in events.   
Items will be available online for a shopper who does not want to visit the store in person, they can buy the items online and get them shipped right to their home.
While they have lived in many places over the years, Anderson said she and the rest of the family are happy to call Red Oak home.
“We’ve lived in big cities all our lives. We live in L.A., Tampa, Phoenix, and Auckland, New Zealand. I love Red Oak. I love walking down to get my paper in the morning. I love walking to the bank, the library, or the Agora Coffee Haus, it is great,” said Anderson.
The store had a soft opening during Junction Days weekend, June 24-27, and there was a small line of people lined up half an hour before opening, which Willyerd said was very thrilling. July 22 will be the store’s official grand opening, and it will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit the website at kurtwaynecomics.com/, or for more information, call 712-4586148 or email kurtwaynecomics@gmail.com. To shop between now and the grand opening, you can visit the Ebay store at ebay.com/str/kurtwaynecomics.