Saskatoon man embraces 'comic side' of Star Wars over 'dark' movie theatre

The excitement over the new Star Wars movie has jumped to "hyperspace" with fans around the world frantically buying tickets and queuing up at theatres.

The writing is brilliant.- Pat Thompson

Saskatoon's Pat Thompson will not be in one of those lines.   

"I'm a comic book fan," the comic book vendor says.

"Comic books have become chic, I don't know how else to put it, and it's because of all sorts of movies that people are reading comics now who didn't used to read comics."

Star Wars comics have a long history

Thompson is the owner and operator of 8th Street Comics and Books, and his love of the Star Wars legend began a "long time ago."

The comics have a history that stretches back to the original 1977 movie.

Today, Thompson took time out from his store to visit CBC Radio, which isn't really "far, far away" for an interview with Saskatoon Morning host Leisha Grebinski.

Thompson cut through the movie hype with a rhetoric-powered "lightsaber", arguing instead for the comic book option as the preferred medium.

Marvel began publishing a new series of titles in January featuring such familiar characters Luke Skywalker, Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2.

"The writing is brilliant, the art is absolutely wonderful," said Thompson.

"The stories they are telling … just exceptional, exceptional stuff."

Star Wars comics, according to Thompson are in demand. Right now he's selling dozens of copies of the main Star Wars comics, without having to call on the "force."

So is this the right gift for the "Jedi" in your life?

"Star Wars is a hot property right now. Christmas presents are silly. Star Wars Christmas presents," said Thompson.