The Trader Joe's & Flying Colors Connection!

 

 

 

We get a ton of comments about having our shop near another Trader Joe’s on Concord Ave after our years near a Trader Joe’s at Oak Grove Plaza

I like to joke that I was the original Trader Joe at the old location. We had already been in biz for almost 15 years before TJ’s moved in.

If I went on Shark Tank to pitch my business, I’d ask for funds to put branches of Flying Colors near every Trader Joe’s.

Why? The synergy is real— TJ shoppers are open to try new things, they look forward to a friendly shopping experience and they tend to be more generally open-minded. And that’s also the way it is for comic book fans, our savvy FlyCo Faithful… and the new people visiting all the time after their TJ’s visits.

The connection to Trader Joe’s is also meaningful because my late father-in-law, the great Bud Fisher, knew a thing or two about retailing and especially grocery retailing. As a matter of fact, Bud hired the original Trader Joe Coulombe to his first job out of grad school. The two were colleagues, sure, but they were also great friends.

Our Trader Joe’s connections are one reason we stock the book “Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way & Still Beat the Big Guys.” One chapter is even dedicated to Bud Fisher! It’s a fun and fast business biography well worth picking up next time you visit Flying Colors Comics… just before or after you visit Trader Joe’s here in Heritage Square on Concord Ave.

And now you know… the rest of the story!

FREE Comic Book Day @ Flying Colors

Stay tuned for exciting details! 

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500 Days of Gratitude

Today marks the occasion of the 500th day since the opening of the new Flying Colors Comics on Concord Ave. How about that?!

We thank each and everyone of you for making these last 500 days such a happy start to this new beginning. We're grateful for every visit you make to the shop, the kind things you say about the shop with your friends in person and online, the solid reviews that hopefully lead others to finding us here.

Moving Flying Colors after 36 years in Oak Grove Plaza was a massive leap of faith, especially after some trying times behind the scenes in our last Treat Blvd years. We're glad to have that behind us!

In reality, we could have just looked back and then retired. But we found the perfect new location and we really do believe in the strength of the community we've built with Flying Colors! All of you Flying Colors Hero Society members sure proved us right! 

Your Flying Colors Retailing Brigade is happy to keep bringing unique character to the great city of Concord, Contra Costa County... and the Cosmos! 

Bringing Happiness through Comics-- that's the Flying Colors' way!

Thank you, all!

500 Days of the New Flying Colors!

Saturday January 17 we celebrate the first 500 days of the new Flying Colors on Concord Ave.
Please join us!

And big thanks to all who have helped us get this far!

Hit this link for more including a cool deal!

 

 

 

Flying Colors 2025 Top Selling Graphic Novels and Comics

Some years, we post lists of Flying Colors top selling comics and graphic novels, like these:
2023 Best Selling Comics and Graphic Novels
2022 Best Sellers
2019 Best Sellers
Top 50 Graphic Novels for 2006

In 2025, we posted a "Mid Year Report" of best-selling graphic novels you can view HERE --- and then compare to 2025's full list just below. 

A couple of notes:
* There were a ton of distribution issues all through 2025. That led to some stock outages and lack of availability for some titles through our traditional means.

* Some titles really surprised us with how quickly they sold. Publishers were surprised, too, as there were many sell outs of print runs that were not anticipated, and with that, we lost some sales. Honestly, that's a good problem and a testament to just how entertained comics readers are these days!

* Maybe it goes without saying, but 2025 was ABSOLUTEly and ULTIMATEly a very strong year for comic books.

* In 2025, Flying Colors sold at least one copy of about FOUR THOUSAND different graphic novels! On the flip side, we sold just a single copy of nearly 2000 of those graphic novels.

* A HUGE dose of gratitude to our frankly fantastic FlyCo Faithful for helping to make our first full calendar year in our new shop a very memorable time. Y'all are awesome!

Take a look and let us know what you think. You can post your comments down below here or over on our Facebook page HERE!

With that little intro, here are two lists, one for graphic novels and one for comics, comprising the best sellers at Flying Colors Comics. 

Flying Colors Comics Video Tour 2025

We hope you enjoy this video! 

Flying Colors Comics
1170 Concord Ave Suite 140
Concord CA 94520 
925-825-5410 

Flying Colors HOLDAY HOURS!

 

Sat Dec 20: Local Artisans Holiday Faire!

Saturday December 20 Noon-3PM
Flying Colors Local Artisans Holiday Faire

Featuring:
* CHUCK TODD, Illustrator
* OZAN BERKE, Puzzled Comics

A cool opportunity to get one of a kind original art gifts for the pop culture lovers in your life!

Sat Dec 13: TMNT with GENE YANG! Substitute Santa!

Saturday December 13 NOON - 2PM
Flying Colors Holiday Doubleheader! 
Be here! 

Coming Soon: Holiday Events at Flying Colors!

DECEMBER 13 NOON-2PM

FlyCo Hall of Fave pro GENE LUEN YANG is taking over the writing of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. Gene will visit Flying Colors on Saturday December 13 to talk about his first issue and upcoming plans for our half-shelled heroes.

We will also have a selection of Gene's great graphic novels, including award-winners LUNAR NEW YEAR LOVE STORY, BOXERS & SAINTS, AMERICAN BORN CHINESE... and more!

(We'll be adding another fun feature to this event, so be sure to hit the link below to stay in touch)

Our event page is HERE!

 

DECEMBER 20 NOON- 3PM
Flying Colors Local Artisans' Holiday Faire 

We've got great ways for you to SHOP LOCAL and support local artisans.
 

Special Guests:
* CHUCK TODD, Illustrator
Chuck will have original comics art and one-of-a-kind sketch covers available for purchase. Perfect for the comics lovers you want to surprise with something special.  

* OZAN BERKE, PUZZLED COMICS |
Ozan turns real comic covers into handcrafted, laser-cut wooden puzzles!

Each one is unique, made from an actual comic book. Every puzzle uses the original cover as the artwork and comes with the remaining comic as proof of authenticity. Ozan's puzzles combine comic art, craftsmanship, and collectible appeal.

Ready-made puzzles will be available--- and/or you'll also be able to order custom puzzles using any comics purchased from Flying Colors. Show up, pick a comic, and watch it become a puzzle.

Our event page is HERE!