CHICO >> Trent Walsh finds BaT Comics and Games typically draws in three kinds of customers: collectors, nostalgia seekers and game players. The business’ owner noted the later group is often more into the store’s card, roleplay or board-type games for the social aspect, rather than the game itself.

“A lot of the reason they like it,” said Walsh, “is they’re looking for the anti-internet.”

BaT Comics and Games, located in downtown Chico for over 30 years, offers a variety of games and comics along with plushies, pins, prop-weapons, clothing and books. The store also hosts game days where people can come into play games such as “Dungeons and Dragons” and “Magic: The Gathering.” Customers are also welcome to rent the store’s game space for $30 an hour or $10 an hour for just one table.

Once, a family rented the space for their child’s D&D-themed birthday party. Walsh said this was the birthday kid’s first time playing the game, so Walsh sat in as the Dungeon Master.

Interest in role-player games spiked during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Walsh.

“As soon as things became non-COVID,” he said, “people were like, ‘I don’t want to do the internet 12 hours a day anymore. I want to play a card game with my friends, or play a board game, or maybe even read comics.’”

While the store offers things such as Silver Age comic books, meaning those from around the late 50s to early 70s, Walsh said he focuses more on stocking trendy items. Currently popular items include the “Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy” set — the highest-selling MTG set ever — as well as goth plushies, Ty Beanie Boos, Pokémon cards and manga (Japanese comics).

“The industry has become extremely fad based,” he said.

On trends, Walsh said customers often turn to memorabilia from their childhood during emotional hardship. During COVID, he noticed millennials getting back into Pokémon.

“When you’re unhappy, nostalgia is a comfort food,” he said. “So a lot of people went to Pokémon.”

Business downtown

Walsh takes pride in his store, noting it’s uniqueness and variety. He added that many of the stores items are hard to find north of Sacramento.

“We actually generate traffic for downtown,” Walsh said. “We have people (come) from Redding, Yuba City, Oroville, Orland (and) Marysville.”

That said, Walsh pointed to the alarming amount of business closures in downtown, most recently Collier Hardware. While some local businesses are still around, he said they often aren’t owned by the original owners.

As for BaT Comics, Walsh said business fluctuates but does much better when Chico State is in session.

“Survive the summer and make money in the school year,” Walsh said. “That’s kind of our philosophy.”

Walsh, originally from the Los Angeles area, is a himself a Chico State alumnus. After graduating with a degree in business, he and friend Benny Louie bought out a fledgling comics store in downtown called New Age Comics, which was open for about five years, in 1993. Walsh and Louie came up with the name “BaT” by combining the first letters of their first names, Trent and Benny.

In the early 2000s, Walsh bought Louie out of the business and became the sole owner.

While BaT Comics, like all retailers these days, competes with online shops, Walsh said the storefront offers more than just goods. Standing under giant hanging dragon animatronic in the black and red clad store, Walsh said it is an experience.

“We try to have something for everyone,” Walsh said.

BaT Comics and Games is located at 218 Broadway and open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 3 p.m.

Molly Myers can be reached at mmyers@chicoer.com.