Atlantis Fantasyworld comic book store, located just a few miles from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, is the oldest comic book store in California. It is perhaps best known for being featured in the 1987 cult classic film, The Lost Boys. Paul and I recently had the chance to visit, and upon entering, we were greeted by two incredibly friendly employees. I quickly explained that I’m a huge horror fan and was there specifically to check out all the Lost Boys goods!
Vampires Everywhere!
The workers were totally cool with this and one even let me take a look at the original prop of the comic book Vampires Everywhere! While it isn’t technically a complete comic (it was created specifically for the movie), the store sells printed reproductions. You might recall this comic from the scene where Corey Feldman’s character, Sam Emerson, first meets the Frog Brothers. In this scene they tell him to read it, and then to let them know if he has any questions. I picked up a reproduction, which includes the original pages, plus behind-the-scenes information.
As a bonus for the Trekkies out there, the store is also registered as an official Star Trek ship, the USS Atlantis. They also carry a variety of Lost Boys memorabilia, including magnets, coffee mugs, and posters. The staff told us that Jamison Newlander (who played Alan Frog) hadn’t been back to Santa Cruz for years after filming. But for the last three years, he’s been visiting every June. His visits coincide with the movie screenings on the beach next to the boardwalk.
This event has evolved into a mini horror convention as fans flock to the area. Newlander hosts signings at both the bookstore and the boardwalk. The staff is hoping this might eventually draw the attention of other cast members. Kiefer, if you’re reading this—please come to Santa Cruz!
The Lost Boys comic book sequel
In the movie, the Frog Brothers work at this very bookstore, though the shop has actually moved three times since filming (the first move was due to damage from a major earthquake). While most fans agree the film’s official sequels were disappointing, there was an original script written for a sequel that never made it to the screen. That script was eventually turned into a comic book that can only be purchased at Atlantis Fantasyworld. Naturally, I had to grab a copy!
The comic book plot revolves around Sam Emerson working at the comic shop alongside Edgar and Alan Frog, while his brother Michael works at a convalescent home. They think that Santa Carla is now vampire free, however a new nest of female vampires arrives into town. Stay tuned for more details on both of these comics; I’ll be doing a full write-up on them once I’ve finished reading. Again, that sequel comic is an Atlantis Fantasyworld exclusive!
The staff was incredibly welcoming to this horror-loving nerd. They even let me take all the photos I wanted and were kind enough to take down the original Vampires Everywhere! prop for me to photograph. If you’re ever in Santa Cruz and you’re a fan of The Lost Boys, this store is a must-visit.
To hear our podcast episode about The Lost Boys, click here.
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