Comic book store owned by 'System of a Down' drummer John Dolmayan reopening in Vegas
John Dolmayan is not only a musician but an investment guru.
Dolmayan isn’t into stocks, nor does he have a background in finance.
He does, however, know the value of a comic book.
John’s been hunting rare comics since the early 90s, when he first started dealing at small LA-based baseball card and comic book conventions, shuttling boxes back and forth out of his 1988 Chevy Beretta.
By age 25, he was making $60,000 a year selling comics.
According to Dolmayan, he had to take a pay cut to join System Of A Down in 1997, who at that point were a brand-new band and had yet to release their debut album.
When they’d tour in those early days, Dolmayan would go find local comic shops, buy books, then sell them for a profit when he got back home. He did that for years.
In 2003, his business turned into an online outlet and is now a physical shop with a new location that’s doubling the size of its previous space.
The Grand Opening of Torpedo Comics will feature guest signings from some of the biggest names in the comic book industry including DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee on Friday, May 19; legendary artist Art Adams on Saturday, May 20; and acclaimed artist J. Scott Campbell on Sunday, May 21.
Dolmayan obtained a rare 1938 Action Comics No. 1 for multi-GRAMMY-winning artist Jack White and he helped Heidi Woan, wife of Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn, obtain a $10,000 issue of The Incredible Hulk No. 1 -- currently worth $40,000.
Accompanied by an escort, customers can view the store’s inventory, which includes a copy of “The Amazing Spider-Man” No. 9, valued at over $60,000.
