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Celebrating Atlantis Fantasyworld's 40th Anniversary Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz's multi-award wining comic book store is celebrating it's 40th year serving the Santa Cruz Community. It started business in a 2000 square foot wooden building on lower Pacific Avenue that originally housed the Landess and Toohey market, a family grocery store. The comic book store scenes that appeared in the popular cult movie "The Lost Boys" were filmed in that location. Atlantis operated in this building for thirteen years until the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged it beyond repair. Atlantis Fantasyworld was one of the 45 businesses that relocated into the eight pavilions constructed after the earthquake by community volunteers, built on the parking lots of what remained of downtown. Atlantis occupied an 800 square foot section of "Tent E", a 6,000 square foot pavilion that was also home to Lily Wong's and Plaza Books. What was supposed to be a six-month temporary arrangement for Atlantis became a business saving solution lasting three years. In 1992, Atlantis found its permanent home in the newly constructed retail space adjacent to the downtown Locust parking garage. Originally occupying 1,000 square feet, Atlantis expanded in 1994 to its current size of 1,600 square feet of retail space. The expansion, named the "U.S.S. Atlantis," simulates the engineering deck of a Starship. A monitor screen, catwalk to a Jeffries Tube, simulated warp engine, and four red alert lights, add realism to the design. On the back wall is a full mural of the engineering station, and through airbrushed windows you can see the U.S.S. Enterprise in orbit around Planet Earth. In 1996, Atlantis Fantasyworld was selected as the recipient of the prestigious "Will Eisner Spirit of Comics" Retailer Award. Since that time Atlantis owner, Joe Ferrara, has served as facilitator of the judging process and presents the award each year at the International Comic-Con in San Diego. Atlantis Fantasyworld will continue its 40th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 10 am to 7 pm. "When we first opened our doors in 1976," says owner Joe Ferrara, "the price of a new comic was 30 cents, the same price as a gallon of gas!" To thank the community for its many years of loyal support, Ferrara will have 10,000 comics on sale for 30 CENTS EACH! As a special bonus, everyone who visits Atlantis Fantasyworld on October 15th between the hours of noon and 6 pm will receive a slice of FREE PIZZA! When: Saturday, October 15th from 10 am to 7 pm Where: Atlantis Fantasyworld - 1020 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz CA Who: Special Guest Artist, Darick Robertson About Special Guest Artist: Darick Robertson started working in the comics industry at 17 years old when he created Space Beaver in 1985. By age 21 Darick landed his first illustration work with DC Comics working on Justice League Quarterly #4. Marvel comics first hired Darick to illustrate Wolverine (Vol 1) #34. His first extended monthly run was for Marvel's New Warriors, taking over the art when Mark Bagley left the book. Robertson is possibly best well known for his work as co-creator on Grant Morrison's Transmetropolitan and Garth Ennis' The Boys. Darick will sign up to three personal items and anything purchased at Atlantis the day of the signing.