You guys know how much I love, love, loooooove Villainous Grounds in Perryville, MO. (If you don’t know, I recommend finding out here and here.) I recently heard they were going to have comic artist Rick Burchett in the shop for a signing, and I’ve been meaning to make a trip down for a few weeks, so I rearranged my plans for May 13th and made the hour drive.
Free Comic Book Day comes but once a year – the first weekend in May, to be exact. It’s a time where new fans and old fans come
out from all over to grab free comics, check out some deals, and all around enjoy some nerdy good times.
This was the first time in a few years I’ve decided to participate in FCBD, but I knew this year I had to not only for myself, but because it was the first year my nieces both seemed ready to participate. They’ve been working on their own comic collections, and when I told them about FCBD, they HAD TO GO. Plus, my mom wanted to go, and my best friend joined us last minute. Nerd Girls, unite!
Let’s get something out of the way, before I begin: Road trips are not my preferred means of travel. If I have to choose between 14+ hours in the car, or 3 hours on a plane… Hands down, I’d be choosing to wait in the TSA line with my shoes in a bucket and a boarding pass in hand. Roads trips, a good percent of the time, are quite miserable for me.
So, let’s start sharing some things I’ve found that can make the trips much easier, starting with one of my favorites. Whether it’s just an hour drive to St Louis, or 15+ hour journey to Orlando in a car full of people: I love listening to Bat Force Radio in the car.
A few months ago, I went to a tiny con in Farmington, MO called Max Con. While there, I met the lovely shop owner of Villainous Grounds in Perryville, MO. I’ve never been to Perryville, but decided that I’d make the 50 minute trip to check out the shop on a weekend. It took me a couple months, but I did it! Totally worth the drive!
There are two floors to Villainous Grounds. The first floor is a cool and welcoming coffee shop. The second floor, which is where I darted to first, has three rooms of comics and collectibles, etc, as well as The Mad Hatter’s Tea Room – a cozy place to enjoy your beverage ordered downstairs, or to host a small event for a reasonable fee.
Upstairs was my haven. I loved how comfortable I felt, as well as the selection of newer issues. And that DC Rebirth wall? Ooooh, yeah. I need to go back in with a list of what I’m missing and catch myself up!
But, the comfort was a big thing for me. I have, on occasion, felt very uncomfortable in some shops, as odd as it sounds. I feel like I shouldn’t look or touch, or I shouldn’t even be there, etc. However, in Villainous Grounds, I felt at home. It was clean and cool, but also felt like you were in a welcoming environment. Plus, you can’t beat the delicious smells coming from downstairs. Then, there are the nerdy little touches:
After I made my selections, I headed back downstairs to pay, and ordered one of the most delicious hot chocolates EVER to go. You can check out their menu here.
My haul:
I hope to head back soon with some friends, a list, more time, and a wad of cash. And, hopefully, make it in for an in store event. If you live in Missouri, or happen to be visiting, definitely go stop in if you have a chance. I hope to spend a little more time during my next visit, and plan to do another, more detailed post when I do.
You can visit Villainous Grounds on their website or check out their Instagram ( @VillainousGrounds ) for some fantastic pictures.
-Angel
