Golden Oldies and Coaches Cards and Comics
- Dan Maltbie
- Jul 15, 2018
- 3 min read
Golden Oldies and Coaches Cards and Comics
By Dan Maltbie
I make no bones about my love of comics and collecting. I was blessed to grow up around a group of like-minded and determined kids who loved collecting and fantasy. When I think about collecting and reading the places that spring to mind are Golden Oldies and Coaches. In a town of only 14,500 people, it was shocking to have a site that nerds could gather and escape the oppressive Alabama heat, much less two.
Rhonda Walker opened Golden Oldies in 1991 and initially, had ice cream and Dr. Pepper products, but admits that comics, Marvel trading cards, and D&D products were always in high demand. "Image Comics were a big seller. Dark Horse was a fair seller. I had bought stock in Marvel, and after closing the store, the value dropped to .35 each share. I still have the paper even though it's worthless." Walker says. After the store closed in 1997, Walker kept only a few Disney books for her granddaughter, who was more into Batman and the X-Men. She also gave her time to care for her mother in law, a son who passed away from heart disease at 35, and a husband who served in Vietnam who passed away this past year. Rhonda and her family also built prize winning birdhouses, including a win for overall best show.
A love for collecting, a sense of belonging, and a gracious smile were always exuding from Walker, and she made the place more of a hangout than your average store. Before this time comic nerds like myself were forced to scrounge the spinner racks at Big B or brave the hustle and bustle of P & J pharmacy. One thing is for sure, I would know nothing about Judge Dredd, Neil Gaiman, or been caught up in the Image revolution if it wasn't for Golden Oldies.
"I guess you all helped me with what us moms call the empty nest syndrome. I am thankful and grateful to have been a part of your growing up." Walker said.
If you know one thing in Alabama, it's football. I spent my entire youth around what I, and most others, consider to be a local legend. Frank McClendon grew up in Guntersville and went to Marshall County High School. His exceptional play and math skills earned a slot on one of Bear Bryant's legendary football teams. McClendon lettered three years and won a National Championship in 1964. In 1965 he was selected in the 9th round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
I know him best as Frankie. His son, Josh, was one of my most fabulous friends and constant irritations. I have to give it to him if it wasn't for Josh begging me to walk uptown for a milkshake my love for comics may never have existed. As Josh's and my passion for collecting grew Frankie did what any legendary father does, he opened a card shop. Frankie paired up with the local high school science teacher, a man named Jim Thompson and opened Coaches. Coach Thompson probably more than anyone else was the driving force behind my love of comics. I had encountered him several times at the local flea market, and I spent hours at his booth reading and listening to him weave magical stories about books I should be reading. Coaches opened in 1991 and closed after the comic bubble popped in 1992. I’m sad to report that Jim Thompson, my comic hero, died in 2017.
While time has passed, it is a welcome and treasured feeling that each of those stores has placed in the hearts of my generation. But it leaves me with a question, where are the nerds going to read their funny books? I hope that somewhere out there a teacher or librarian, mother or father, brother or sister, is reinforcing a child who is unmotivated or ashamed of being behind the curve by turning them on to comics. The world's next King, Tolkien, or J.K. Rowling is out there right now! Take some time from your day and talk books with your children, like Mrs. Walker, Coach Thompson, and Frankie McClendon did with me, you could be changing their world.
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