200711020218
Nerdlebrity news! SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer and big time comics fan John Dolmayan has launched — no, not a line of comic books. That is so 2006! Instead, he’s started Torpedo Comics, an Internet-based retail store which carries some 15-million items — comic books, toys, graphic novels, trade paperbacks, superhero action figures and other comic book-related memorabilia. Sounds ambitious and the picture gallery has that Raiders of the Lost ArK vibe,

If you’re a collector, a comics voyeur, or just looking for a unique holiday gift, be sure and peruse the virtual pages of Torpedo Comics, as Dolmayan has something up there for everyone in every price range.

* If you’re a vampire buff or a fan of the new smash hit film “30 Days of Night” starring Josh Hartnett, Torpedo Comics offers the original graphic novel that the film is based on. Sold elsewhere for about $75, Torpedo is discounting the full-color, hardcover book for $55.
* “Star Wars” toy collectors – you can own the FAO Schwartz Exclusive Imperial Shuttle Tyderium for only $149 – it’s selling on eBay for $225.00.
* Currently, the priciest item available at Torpedo Comics is the Young Allies, Issue #1 comic book. This particular item is acknowledged as the one in the best condition on the planet, and can be yours for only $75,000.



Dolmayan, who has been collecting comic books since he was 12, houses Torpedo Comics’ inventory in a just-completed 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Las Vegas, NV, where he now lives. He employs a staff of 25 who catalogue and care for rare items like Sensation Comics issue #1 (the first solo series featuring Wonder Woman), just about every key issue of Marvel and DC comics including Marvel Comics’ issue #1, multiple copies of Giant Size X-Men #1, plus superhero action figures from Marvel, X-Men, Superman, and Batman titles. Torpedo Comics will also offer original comic art, created between the 1940s and the present, by some 150 different artists, including Jim Lee, Art Adams, Bernie Wrightson, and Alejandro Gaza.

Dolmayan incorporated his love for comic books into the drum kit that he played during System of a Down’s 2006 tour. Dolmayan contacted 22 of his favorite comic book artists, including Jim Lee, Simon Bisley, Kevin Eastman, Neal Adams and Bill Sienkiewicz, were each sent various pieces of the drum kit onto which they drew original illustrations.

As for Dolmayan and Malakian’s Scars on Broadway venture, the two are writing and recording their debut album which is intended for a Summer 2008 release.

1 COMMENT

  1. Hmm very interesting site design. Some good prices too. How does one go about starting that? Did he just acquire a large volume of material to begin?

  2. Well after looking through more of it, they have alot of half off trades, though most of them should be half-off. Im sure I can find some good stuff to make an order.

  3. Looking at those pictures, I think there’s either some sly commentary or some snide jokes to be made about “women working in comics today.” I don’t have either well formulated yet, but I’ll work on it.

  4. OK, I’m getting nitpicky here but I have to groan every time I see anything in print about “the original graphic novel” that 30 Days of Night is based on. Because there wasn’t one.

    But no one seems to realize (or want to admit) that something as big as 30 Days could have started from the lowly periodical format comic book.

    PDS