ComicsPRO Announces Board Appointment for Chicago Comics’ Eric Kirsammer

ComicsPRO President Joe Field announced today the appointment of veteran retailer Eric Kirsammer of Chicago Comics to the organization’s board of directors.

Kirsammer has owned Chicago Comics since 1991 and his store is widely hailed as one of the best in the business.

Kirsammer received the Will Eisner "Spirit of Comics" Retailing Award in 1997 and Chicago Comics has received numerous other awards, including "Best Comic Book store" from Chicago Magazine, The Reader and NewCity newspaper. Kirsammer purchased Quimby’s bookstore in 1997.

He is regarded as one of the staunchest supporters of independent comics, ‘zines and alternative literature.

"Eric was someone I always hoped would run for one of our open director’s positions, as I’ve known him for years to be a progressive retailer of the highest caliber. I am sure all ComicsPRO members will benefit from Eric’s addition to our board of directors," said Joe Field, ComicsPRO President and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA.

"I believe every professional comic book specialty retailer should also be a member of ComicsPRO," said Kirsammer. "I look forward to helping ComicsPRO continue its growth in influence and membership."

Kirsammer’s appointment follows Ben Trujillo’s (Star Clipper, St. Louis MO) resignation from the board effective March 23, 2009, a year before the expiration of his term.

"The growth of Star Clipper and MOBY™ led me to make this difficult decision," said Trujillo. MOBY™ is the retailer point-of-sale (POS) software system co-designed by Trujillo for Bitter End Systems. "I am proud of the organization's many accomplishments and look forward to serving ComicsPRO in a new capacity. I am confident Eric will be an asset to the Board."

ComicsPRO is the retailer trade organization with 140 member-retailers with approximately 180 storefronts.

ComicsPRO membership is open to all comic specialty storefront retailers with the goals of creating a unified voice for the concerns of specialty retailers, the mentoring of new retailers and the expansion of the entire comics specialty market.