Many college students may never think of magic and comic book heroes when considering their options for Friday night. However, contained in the four walls of Ed’s Reality Check, a world of imagination comes to life everyday.
Ed’s Reality Check specializes in hobbies, games and comics. It remains the only true comic book store in Starkville. And in addition to comics, Ed’s offers a wide variety of activities for video gamers.
“I’m originally from Chicago, but graduated from Mississippi State. And after moving back to Starkville, I found out that Gun Dog Comics was going to close. I just couldn’t imagine this town without a store like this,” owner Ed Koeder said.
Koeder, who got into the business through a love for model airplanes, saw the potential for a store in Starkville and decided to go for it. In September Ed’s will close in on its second year of successful business. And with a second year under the store’s belt, events and business continue to grow.
“It’s not just a comic book store-it’s a community,” Koeder said. “And definitely since the store has opened, the gaming community has become more connected. It’s like we’re a social group.”
Ed’s Reality Check offers scheduled events every night of the week. Events that include miniature tournaments, painting and converting miniatures, club meetings, computer network gaming and live action role-play. Ed’s provides a place for people who love games and comics to come and hang out with a group of people.
“We are constantly getting together to go to the movies, tournaments, out to eat and just to hang out. Plus we have group for everyone whether it’s role playing, computer gaming or cards,” Billy Nation said.
Nation, president of Movie and Gaming Enthusiasts, or MAGE, directs meetings held on Thursday nights. This organization, constructed of around 50 people, meets weekly to hold gaming, role-play and social events.
Nation explains that many of MAGE’s members are very imaginative people. This is mainly due to the nature of role-playing games. Role-playing games share many similarities with impromptu acting.
“It’s a good way to let off steam. You’re almost like an actor playing a character; therefore, many people who take part in it are more creative and tend to be smart,” says Nation.
There are two types of role-playing games: tabletop and live. Tabletop role-playing consents of players sitting at a table while a storyteller presents them with a scenario. Then every player responds to the imaginary action taking place according to how they feel their character would react.
However, with live role-playing games, players actually dress according to their characters, just like a play.
“The game is very player-driven and interactive. This is because you make a character within a venue and then act within it. The whole point is to tell a story,” says storyteller Lee Whitlow.
Whitlow says that through his experiences with role-playing games he has traveled to places like Nashville and Las Vegas. He adds that through role-playing organizations he belongs to, he has met people from all over the nation and from Europe.
“You get a lot of ability to interact in a positive way with a large group of people from all over and all ages. It’s a group of people who like to get together who are all friends. Plus it gives you a way to escape from real life for a while,” says Whitlow.
Ed said that when he saw Gun Dog close, he saw something he enjoyed about to go away. This led him to quit his job and the start the business all because of a game he loved and that he knew others enjoyed, too.
Ed’s Reality Check will be moving locations hopefully at the end of this month. The new location is unknown at this time. Call Ed’s Reality Check for updates.