BLACKBIRD IS AN EISNER SPIRIT AWARD WINNER
History
BLACKBIRD sat as an egg in the nest of David Craig and Candice Craig’s minds for over 2 decades. In fact, David and Candice actually met over the comic book SPAWN! Both had talked over the years about opening a shop that had books, coffee, and offered a community space where people could just be themselves. BLACKBIRD officially hatched August of 2018. Since that time, David, Candice, and the entire team at BLACKBIRD have created a place where people can drop their differences at the door and enjoy a community space that promotes personal expression, friendship, and the love of all things pulp!
Motto
COME AS YOU ARE. In this place we believe in the power of imagination. We thrive on ink, pulp, and caffeine. In this place we believe, no, we KNOW the truth is out there; but that sometimes the answer is as simple as “42”. In this place we walk among fey folk, howl with the wolves, and sift sands with Morpheus. We are wizards, jokers, self-rescuing princesses, Lords of Chaos, and champions of the downtrodden. In this place, with all of our differences, we are a family of myriad possibilities. There is work. There is home. And then, there is this place.
Blackbird's Team
Comic Book Dave
Founder of Blackbird/Cyclops Fanatic
Growing up we didn’t have a comic shop in my small town. We had a newsstand. At 12 years old I would ride my bicycle to that newsstand every week. I would pick up my paper route, run the route, and then purchase my comics with my earnings!
David has a background in management and a degree in Economics.
Favorite drink: Let the Good Times Roll
First comic book: Brave and the Bold #128
Candice the Caffeinated
Founder of Blackbird/First of Her Name/Queen of the Caffeinated/Defender of the Downtrodden
“My first cup of coffee was given to me by my Memaw (my gran). I was 12. She percolated a strong brew and put sugar and condensed milk in until it was a sweet and creamy concoction that I can still call to memory today. I have had coffee every day since that day. Coffee represents warmth and comfort to me and I love that I am able to share that with others daily.”
“I am a voracious reader. My love of reading started at 12 (coffee and books!) with The World According to Garp and the flames were fanned with the subsequent readings of Dune and Interview with the Vampire. Dave and I actually met over a comic book: SPAWN! We have, since then, shared our love of reading and coffee for decades and now hope to share that love with everyone we meet.”
Candice is a former Educator and 2 time Florida High Impact Reading Teacher.
Favorite drink: The Brown Sugar Cold Brew
First comic book: Spawn (1992)
Karli
Renaissance Woman
I have a dragon collection so in case that doesn’t make it obvious that I love dragons… I LOVE DRAGONS! I’ve always loved to read but I only started reading comics in the last two years. Where I grew up there weren’t any shops around me so I was never introduced to them. Percy Jackson is the series that I remember kick-starting my love of reading. Since then I’ve also held a love for mythology. My partner and I have vocalized this love through the names of our cats: Pluto and Orpheus! This is also a nod to our love of the musical Hadestown. My favorite thing about working at Blackbird is the endless positivity from coworkers and customers. Everyone is genuinely so kind and it makes me grateful to be a part of this store.
Karli's degree is in Business Management.
Favorite drink: The Atom Eve
First comic book: Bone
Eryn
The Librarian
Eryn (he/him/she/her) loves books in every form they come.
Studying history at the University of Florida filled Eryn with a passion for research and organization that translates directly into how she handles comics. Mix in her background in writing and you can understand how she sees every comic as a special story and unique artifact. And since he grew up just down the street from the shop, this community means even more to him! Chat him up about weird DC Comics, manga and music.
Eryn is working toward a Masters in Library Sciences
Favorite drink: the Naughty Chai
First comic book: Spider-Man Spider Clan #1 (the Italian edition)
Piper
The Baby Barista
I am the Baby Barista and I love drawing, drinking coffee, and sacrificing baby goats to the one-eyed god.
Piper is studying fine arts and is responsible for many of the cool decals, shirts, chalk board art... and the Prince and Hitchhiking Ghosts murals.
Favorite drink: Oatmilk Latte
First comic book: My Little Pony #1
Courtney
Lead Barista
Courts was harvested from the finest orchard in northern Virginia, and is proud to be an organic and ethically farmed Barista. She enjoys roller skating, cooking, and being baked into pies. Courts likes books about love, and loves books about friendly monsters. Her favorite part of working at Blackbird has been using the customers as guinea pigs for bold new drink recipes.
Courtney working toward her education degree.
Favorite drink: Honeybee, iced with cinnamon
First comic book: Lumberjanes
Parker aka the Bug
eCommerce Specialist & Blackbird's LOKI
Bug likes being creative and expresses this through writing, drawing, and painting. She is also a video game aficionado and enjoys Overwatch and Minecraft.
Bug’s favorite thing about Blackbird is the staff (especially Karli) and that everyone is always so welcoming. “Every member really fits in the store and we all get along really well and I think everyone has a place here because we ARE so different.”
Favorite drink: Iced White Queen
First comic book: Adventure Time #1
Favorite Novel: Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Zach
Zach is a Star Trek, horror enthusiast, and aspiring author.
"I am loving my time working with great people, meeting great people every day, and learning about the culture here."
Zach, though fairly new to comics, is no stranger to reading novels such as Dune, the Expanse, and an ever-increasing mountain of literature.
Favorite drink: Bad Bambi hot or cold.
First comic book: Star Trek: Eurydice
Sam
Barista
Sam is a mortuary student. She loves horror, writing poetry, and movies!
“I have no mouth, and I must scream.”
Sam’s favorite part about Blackbird? The Mole People!
Favorite Drink: Naughty Chai
First Comic: Adventure Time #1
Sarah
Barista
Sarah (They/Them)
Sarah is a Florida native studying Psychology at UCF to become a therapist. Sarah loves reading, drawing, thrifting, and their cat Jasper.
Sarah’s favorite part about Blackbird is the staff and community!
Favorite Drink: Brown Sugar Cold Brew
First Comic: My Little Pony #1
Connor
Barista
Connor is a Psych major!
Favorite Drink: The Buckeye (coffee) and Nirvana (Restorative)
Favorite Comic: Horvath's Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees