So goes a line from The Astonishing Ant-Man, just one of the many comic books available at the Campbell store Heroes'.

Comic books are seeing a recent revival, with movies like X-Men and Daredevil drawing big movie crowds, and Heroes' storeowner Alan Bahr is benefiting from the increased attention.

"There's more comic book recognition now than I've seen in the last 15 to 20 years," the 40-year-old Bahr says.

And the airing of new cartoons on television has also brought greater recognition to the comic book industry.

"Cartoon Network does good stuff," Bahr says. "It gets the attention of kids."

With the premiere of every new comic book movie, Bahr sees a spike in sales and acquisitions—people bringing in old comics.

But despite the increased marketing, Bahr has seen about six of his closest competitors close their doors during the recession.

"There was an implosion of the comic book retail business and now everyone's feeling the pinch," Bahr says.

But he is confident his business can weather the downturn. The store has been located in downtown Campbell near the corner of Winchester Boulevard and E. Campbell Avenue since 1985. Bahr acquired the store in 1995, wanting to run a business that allowed him to spend more time with his family.

Heroes', with a Capt. America shield for the O, carries primarily comic books with such titles as The Witching Hour, Avengers and Witchblade. But the store also sells trading cards, limited-edition porcelain mini-busts of heroes and villains, and original comic book art, the last of which is Bahr's "weakness." He uses the store's website to showcase any original art for sale at the store.

For Bahr, becoming a comic book store owner was easy because he has read comic books since childhood. He remembers when an issue cost 15 cents. Today, the average price for a comic book is about $3, with back issues costing more. Some of the store's merchandise is rare and prices can run into the thousands of dollars.

More than 90 percent of Heroes' customers are men, generally ranging in age between 20 and 40. The comic book industry never has done a good job of attracting women.

But the industry is doing something to attract children with "Free Comic Book Day" on May 3, when people can go to participating stores and get a free limited edition comic book.

The day should bring in some new faces but most of Bahr's customers are regulars. "About 75 percent of my customers return every seven days," he says.

Wednesdays are especially busy for Heroes' because that is the day Bahr gets his new shipment of comic books for the week.

Mike Marianacci is one of the many customers who religiously visit Heroes' on Wednesdays.

"Every week it's a little surprise," says the 40-year-old Marianacci.

Marianacci, who runs an investment firm, buys a handful of comics every week or about 20 to 30 comic books a month.

Bahr has a "frequent buyer plan"—he'll pull certain titles and set them aside for his customers every week and the customers usually receive a small discount.

But unlike other customers, Marianacci does not have Bahr set aside comics.

"I like to pull from the rack myself," said Marianacci.

Another frequent shopper is Dominic Milano, 47, who's shopped at the store for "quite a while."

"I've been a customer for many years," Milano said. "It's a great place, and the guys who work there are knowledgeable."

Milano faithfully makes an evening run to Heroes' every Wednesday to buy new comics.

But 40-year-old Guy Mills doesn't wait until after work. He tries to go every Wednesday during his lunch hour.

"I like their variety of selection," Mills said. "Heroes' has a good cross of new comics and golden age ones to cater to the collector."

Mills lets Bahr pull titles such as Superman and Batman for him.

"I just like going every week," said Mills, an IT manager.

While Bahr has seen a growth in the number of his younger customers, his primary customers are part of the baby boomer generation—those born in the '50s and '60s. And because his customer base is more mature, their comic book taste reflects more serious, mature content. Mills, Marianacci and Milano all say they like the comic book 100 Bullets, which is about a man—Agent Graves—who helps others get revenge.

And because the plots are addicting, collecting them may become an obsessive habit.

"I'm totally a collector at heart," Bahr says. "I have the collecting bug in me."

But Marianacci gave a different reason for his fancy.

"It's a connection to my childhood that I'm not ready to part with yet."

Heroes' is located at 24 E. Campbell Ave. For more information, call 408.378.3667 or visit www.heroescomicbooks.com.