Comic shop set to open

Two Cochrane brothers will finally get to make their dream of opening the town's first comic book shop a reality.

Tyler and Devin Petitclerc - along with co-owners Kees Fralick and Andrew Pittaro - are aiming to open Rebel Comics this September on First Street West.

“It's very surreal … I can't even believe it myself, ” Devin said. “It's so overwhelming … everyone's enthusiasm is insane. ”

Their $20,000 initial investment toward opening the store was doubled when Pittaro and Fralick each invested $10,000 and became co-owners of the shop after reading an article about the brother's dream.

“It has been really good, ” Devin said about their new business partners. "We have a lot in common … they are really down to Earth guys - it's definitely not going to be hard working with them. ”

While comic book stores tend to have an expected ambience, Tyler said his new store will rebel against that clich é.

“It's not going to be dark and gloomy, ” Devin stated about the atmosphere they're aiming for. “It's going to be bright and fun. ”

Rebel Comics will not only be stocked with comic books, there will also be a game and video game area.

They strive to have an exciting shop their customers will continually come to and have a good time.

“Cochrane never had a place for our kind of crowd, ” Devin explained. “We want to give kids a better place to go to. ”

Over the past few years, Tyler has been building a catalogue by shopping at fan forums and online markets aiming to have 5,000 to 10,000 assorted comic editions for when their doors open.

And with their September opening, you can catch the brothers racing for some local advertising at The Great Cochrane Outhouse Races on Sep. 30.