The award-winning comics and collectibles store has called Davis Square its home since the early 2000s.

By Kris Atienza

Some people may know Comicazi for its collection of graphic novels, toys, from events or even its win for Best of Boston 2017. What they might not know is that it won one of the highest awards in the entire comic book industry, the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award.

“Unlike most awards where you go ‘How can I top that?’ You can’t. There is no topping that. You can’t ever win it again,” said co-owner David Lockwood of the Eisner win.

“It’s like the Hall of Fame,” added co-owner Robert Howard. “Once you’re in it, you’re in.”

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry. Named after famous cartoonist/pioneer of graphic novels, the awards are given to acknowledge the best in the comic book industry all around the world.

According to Comic-Con’s official website, the Spirit of Comics Retailer Award is presented to “a store that has done an outstanding job of supporting the comics art medium both in the community and within the industry at large.” The winners are announced at San Diego Comic-Con, one of the largest events in pop culture. Out of the dozens of shops that have earned the title, only a few other shops on the East Coast have ever won the award.

“Hopefully, now it can give us a chance to attract some artists or writers to do some work here because we won the award that maybe they can win for themselves,” said Lockwood.

Comicazi has been in Davis Square since the early 2000s. The idea for the shop came to Howard in the 80s and he was eventually joined by his fellow partners Lockwood and Michael Burke to open a shop. While the current store was not the original location for Comicazi, it is the only one remaining of the three.

Winning such a prestigious award wasn’t planned in the beginning, the trio just wanted to share their passions for toys and comics. That passion starting with Howard, Burke and Lockwood is still seen today with the shop’s staff different interests. According to Howard and Lockwood, the staff is what truly makes Comicazi so unique.

“Our staff just knocks it out of the park,” said Howard. “They get it. They’re excited to be here. They want to take care of people. They want to get what makes them excited. We constantly get feedback saying how good of an experience a customer had, even if they weren’t a regular here.”

While New York Comic Con might be the next big event for the comic book industry, Comicazi will be taking part in LadiesCon 2017. LadiesCon is a celebration of women in pop culture. The second convention will be on September 16 at the Center for Arts at the Armory from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event is free, but people should RSVP on Facebook in advance.

Comicazi is located at 407 Highland Avenue. The shop is open seven days a week with the hours varying. For more information about the shop go to comicazi.com.