Conversations with Eva Heaberlin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Heaberlin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I fell in love with the industry back in 2005, when I met my husband. Our shared passion for all things geek sparked a journey that would eventually shape our lives and our town.

When we moved to Zebulon in 2014, we noticed a gap—there was no local hub for geek culture. So we made it our mission to change that. In 2017, we opened our first store in a small downtown building, determined to fill the area with as much geek as possible.

It didn’t take long to outgrow that space. As our community grew, so did our events—especially our Dungeons & Dragons sessions. We relocated to a larger venue around the corner that gave us the perfect space to host campaigns and welcome more adventurers.

The pandemic was tough, but thanks to the unwavering support of our customers, we made it through—and even expanded our D&D area. As Zebulon continued to grow, so did our store, and we knew it was time to dream bigger.

In 2023, we launched Mighty Con: a celebration of geek culture designed to bring families together once a year. A year later, we partnered up to help it grow, and it evolved into Epic Mighty Con.

Held at the Wendell Community Center, Epic Mighty Con offers something for every geek in the family—games, comics, toys, collectibles, and anime cosplay. It’s a place where fandoms collide and joy is contagious.

We love our people. We love geeking out, swapping stories, and seeing the pure excitement on kids’ faces when they meet their favorite superheroes. It’s about community, connection, and celebrating what you love—together.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Covid was a challenge, for sure.
But I think being a small business is already a bigger challenge. We don’t get serve as equally as a large company or discount and much as them which it makes it impossible to compete with them.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Comic World, we’re all about creating a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. We love hosting events where parents and kids can geek out together and make lasting memories.

Our annual Halloween celebration is a perfect example. Every year, we transform the back of our store into a spooky little haunted house—completely free for the community. We give out free comics, free candy, and just the right amount of free scares!

Our passion for comics fuels everything we do, especially our customer service. We’re always happy to help, chat about your favorite fandoms, and make sure every visitor feels right at home.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I believe we will continue grow. The geek culture will never go away.
Hope to find a bigger building where more games can be held and offer a save space for the youth and all our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://comicworldzebulon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comic_world_zebulon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zebuloncomics/