Comic fans have had a new paradise in the heart of the Gràcia neighborhood for a few days now: the ECC Comics megastore. At the confluence of Torrent de l'Olla and Bonavista, this new space aims to offer a new model that prioritizes wide aisles where customers can comfortably browse the latest releases and back issues. With its 400 square meters, it is the second largest store in Barcelona, after Norma Comics, on Paseo Sant Joan.
ECC Comics opens in Torrent de l'Olla thanks to the opportunity to rent the ground floor of a building whose owner did not want to dedicate it to restoration. Also, due to its proximity to the parent company, ECC Ediciones, which publishes the DC and Marvel universes in Spain, with Superman and Batman at the forefront. Furthermore, they did not want to make "the mistake" of opening in the area known as the Triángulo Friki (Geek Triangle), next to Arc de Triomf, where a group of stores in this sector are concentrated on Paseo Sant Joan, Alí Bei, and Bailén, according to Albert Benavente, ECC stores coordinator.
The Triángulo Friki is considered the ground zero of the comic sector and its derivatives in Barcelona. It is led by Norma Comics (Paseo Sant Joan, 9), Gigamesh (Bailén, 8), and Freaks (Alí Bei, 10). Alongside them, other stores are concentrated. According to Benavente, in the Triángulo Friki they have achieved a certain balance by each specializing in a specific area. Thus, Gigamesh manages to differentiate itself with an unbeatable offer of fantasy literature, while Freaks has a very good catalog of imported books and cinema.
The Torrent de l'Olla-Bonavista store is the fourth ECC store, after those already operating in Alicante, Alcorcón, and in the Las Arenas shopping center, in Plaza Espanya. But, according to Benavente, the Gràcia store is the store "in capital letters." ECC Comics plays the card of being a major importer, especially of merchandising, where they boast an extensive catalog of figures and statues, highlighting their specialty in the Star Wars universe. "There are many things that you surely won't find anywhere else," adds Benavente. For this reason, it will be a very frequented spot for collectors.
ECC Comics starts with a stock of 25,000 references for sale and incorporates 350 new items every month. The truth is that it's a pleasure to walk through the comic book store in Gràcia, where a structure of long, wide aisles and perfectly organized shelves allows for easy and comfortable searching and finding. In addition, the merchandising is strategically differentiated into its own spaces. One would take half the store home.
ECC's is not the only emergence of the comic world in Gràcia. For years, the Antifaz store has been operating at number 239 of Gran de Gràcia. The two share a neighborhood, but at a sufficient distance so that, for now, a concentration phenomenon like in the Friki Triangle is not repeated. Benavante is aware that, just as Norma Comics acts as an engine for the area next to Arc de Triomf, ECC Comics could lead a similar phenomenon in the Torrent de l'Olla axis. However, he continues to insist that it would not be a good strategy and that the price of premises in Gràcia can be a significant barrier.
Among ECC's objectives is not only to be a comic reference among the Barcelona public, but also among tourists. Therefore, part of its strategy involves appearing in guides. "Here we have everything and for everyone," highlights Benavente. Although the world of superheroes weighs heavily, there is also an important offer of manga and European comics, to which a segregated and sized children's section for the little ones must be added. In short, it covers a range to satisfy tastes for all ages.