Meet Stephen L. Holland, the owner of Page 45 who’s changing perceptions about what comics can be…
Tell us about the origins of Page 45. How long have you been here? Is it true you started out thirty-ish years ago running a comic store in Virgin Megastore with a lovely fella called Mark?What a luverly fella! The silly boy gave me a job.
Working together for someone else we quickly agreed on what we loved about the medium of comics – all the diverse visions and voices radiating through contemporary fiction, autobiography, history, politics, comedy, crime, fantasy – and what we despised about the industry, culpably in thrall to American corporations which crush diversity, blind visions and silence dissenting voices.
I’m rubbish at keeping my gob shut, and Mark was a man with a plan to promote the most personal, powerful and poignant comics which would speak directly to readers. We called it Page 45 and we opened on 17 October 1994. It’s won a few awards, you know!
The shop has recently had an impressive makeover, designed by co-owner Jonathan Rigby. When did the two of you decide it was time to switch things up?
When the shelves began collapsing, the lights blinked out, and we bought the building. There was no point spending £100,000 until we bought the building. The building cost even more. Thanks to Jonathan’s thrillingly open, clean classical design we now have swisher shelves, brighter light and an enormous window through which the gorgeous graphic novels can shine.
What are your criteria for choosing Comic Book of the Month, and the books that end up in the shop window?
Brilliance and beauty! We treasure creators with something to say, and the skill with which to say it.
I curate this shop. That’s the joy of being independent: you choose what to stock and how to promote it. Publishers pay big bucks to big chains to shelve their books in prime positions, whereas we are beholden to no one. Instead of corporate compliance and sullied signals, our customers deserve the best and most diverse visions to choose from, with personal recommendations whenever they ask. Honesty and integrity engender trust; with trust come requests for more. Quality customer service is the best fun ever! To give, as well as receive.
That’s the joy of being independent: you choose what to stock and how to promote it. Publishers pay big bucks to big chains to shelve their books in prime positions, whereas we are beholden to no one
You've had numerous famous faces visit the shop over the years, for signings or even just to purchase some comics themselves. Who have been some of the highlights?
Sandman’s Neil Gaiman signed as soon as we opened. He broke off filming in London to come to Page 45 because he cares. He signed for far longer than scheduled without once complaining, then when we closed the doors Neil said, “Pop the kettle on, and I’ll sign everything else with my name on it”.
Bryan Lee O’Malley’s been similarly loyal. He’s signed more times than I can recall, even when the UK publisher of Scott Pilgrim attempted to thwart it. The queues stretched way down the street and right round the corner.
More times than you can recall...?
One year, I was drunk by midday. It’s all a bit hazy, that one. My cat had just died.
My fav signing was for Philippa Rice’s Soppy, about her loving relationship with Hilda’s Luke Pearson. We asked them to co-sign it on Valentine’s Day 2015. It was so deliriously cute that I had a bag behind the counter full of mewling kittens, and every ten minutes I’d wring another neck just to even the karmic balance.
In an age where we have an endless stream of on-demand content available at our fingertips, why should people be visiting shops such as Page 45?
For cultural enrichment, community and fun - yes, fun! You can now talk to your computer, but it’s not a conversation: it won’t care who you are or how you are. If you stop interacting with people who care then you will swiftly cease caring for others – which explains social media.
Comic book to TV & film adaptations – are there any/many you like?
The greatest creators make conscious decisions about every aspect of their storytelling, including which medium suits that specific story best. Any adaptation is therefore a dilution of original intent, so give me the original source any day. But flipping the question, the comics incarnation of Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens – the most enthralling and important non-fiction prose I’ve ever read – is a truly wit-ridden elaboration, using devices unique to this medium to illuminate what was for some but a wall of words.
Sandman’s Neil Gaiman signed as soon as we opened. He broke off filming in London to come to Page 45 because he cares
This October, you'll be wrapping up your tenure as the UK’s Comics Laureate, a position you've held since 2021. What does this role entail, and how big of an impact do you feel you've left on the public perception of comics during this time?
So much to do before I am done! I chose to do things a little differently by heading directly into schools and libraries while creating The Comics Laureate Recommended Reading List for everyone! It’s a permanent online resource with illustrated reviews which you can show any newcomer. Google it and see! Plus there’s another larger resource aimed specifically at schools and librarians coming shortly because, honestly, there’s so little information out there, and the information out there is well wonky.
What's the best 'gateway' comic book you'd recommend to people who wouldn't normally read them?
Everyone’s different, so we ask newcomers about their individual tastes first, and why The Comics Laureate Recommended Reading List caters for everyone.
But from that list The Nao of Brown, Nelson and The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, The Sculptor and In will speak to almost every adult, and Hilda by Nottingham’s Luke Pearson is the very best intro for your young ones. All reviewed on The Comics Laureate Recommended Reading List. Or come in and ask!
Any other comments you'd like to add?
Yes, please do come in and ask! Your cell phone doesn’t love you; it just wants all your attention. We, on the other hand, are absolutely lovelies in a safe space where everyone is cherished for who they are. And we will show you majesty!
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