Happy Fourth, Gray Ghost: Local comic shop celebrates anniversary
Sep. 12—TIFTON — Good spirits were abound at Gray Ghost Comics as they celebrated their fourth anniversary last weekend.
Since opening nearly half a decade ago, the comic shop has become a core part of Downtown Tifton and a go-to stop for residents of Tiftarea looking to pick up the latest in comics, cards, and collectibles, and owners Andrew Elder and Scott Beasley were more than happy to honor that accomplishment.
After holding a ribbon cutting the previous day to mark the occasion, Gray Ghost invited customers and comic lovers to celebrate with them all throughout Sep. 9.
As part of the festivities, a handful of professionals in comics, anime, and games set up shop in the store, acting almost like special guests at the shop's own little self-contained convention.
This included Carlos Mendieta, animator for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and the NBA2K series, comic and storyboard artist Dan Fraga, author and artist of Sheldorr: The Defender Todd Kelley, voice actress Tiffany Grant, known for her role as Asuka Langley Soryu of "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and writer of Bounty Bullfrog and Demon Blood and comics artist and illustrator Jason Flowers.
Some of these industry professionals had collaborated with Gray Ghost before, while others were working with them for the first time, but they were all happy to come out and support the local comic shop's anniversary.
"When my new books come out—I live in Valdosta, went to Valdosta State, I'm from the area—I typically do signings here," said Steve Ekstrom, editor for comic publisher Sumerian Comics and writer of the crime thriller comic SOKO. "I'm a big fan of this store and the comics scene in Tifton."
Giveaways and contests were also hosted throughout the day, with customers being able to win rare collectibles, figures, and comics through an hourly raffle or trying their hand at a blind bag promotion that had a chance of winning them original art drawn by Flowers.
They were also treated to a full store of sales, with practically every item in the shop having a discounted price.
In a way, the celebration serves not only as an anniversary of the shop's four years in Tifton, but a thank you to its customers, as Beasley attests that it his strong customer base has been the foundation that's supported the success of Gray Ghost Comics.
Having started the shop only months before the coronavirus pandemic struck, with only a quarter of the space he and Elder have now, he recounts fondly the customers that went out of their way to call the store and ask what they could do to keep it going.
"I don't really have words for all [the support]," Beasley said. "I'm blessed, that's for sure."
Beasley and Elder plan to continue to build up their business in the years to come, and hope that down the line they'll be able to host more events for Tifton to give back to the community.
