The first time Michael Hansen picked up a comic book he did not know it would determine the course of his life. Fast forward 37 years and he is now the owner of his own comic and collectibles shop. Lightspeed Hobbies is the hub of Portage’s gaming community.
Michael began collecting comics when he was seven years old. His mother would let him pick one out from the shop down the street from his home, whenever she brought him shopping with her. They moved to Portage in 1979. The town did not yet have a dealer of comics so Michael dropped out of the hobby for a while.
Seeing one of his favorite comics, Guardians of the Galaxy, be re-launched in 1990 brought him back into the world of masked superheroes and their raucous villains.
“I’m a big fan of the storytelling,” Michael said. “I don’t really follow artists or writers I just like a good story. Something I can read and be entertained and enjoy.”
He ended up getting a job at a comic book store in Valparaiso. He spent years working toward a management position only to be set back by a dislocated ankle. Running the store was still something he longed to do.
“I realized after a lot of late nights and chats with my wife that I needed to be doing this for myself.”
So he left the shop where he worked and opened Lightspeed Hobbies on Rt 6 in Portage. It is not easy, especially in the roller coaster economy we are living in. Michael works a minimum of six days a week, seven if there is a special event on Sunday. He makes sure he is at the store for his loyal patrons. January 9th will be the tenth anniversary of the opening of Lightspeed.
“I only have to answer to myself,” explained Michael. “It’s tough because all of the responsibility is on me, but it’s worth it because I don’t have to answer to a boss. Except my wife.”
Michael’s wife, Jennifer, has been his support from day one. Their first date was on Free Comic Book day over a decade ago, and they were married the same year that Lightspeed Hobbies opened. They have a home halfway between Portage and Valparaiso.
Michael says the best part about Portage is the people. He has made a lot of really good friends here.
His store has an atmosphere that is helping build the same quality friendships for his clients. Michael hosts a gaming event every single day. Most of them are free: only the tournaments with prizes that he hosts must cover the cost by having an entry fee attached.
“The overall goal is to promote a community of players who like to have fun and take care of each other. If it helps support the store, even better. I want to provide a clean, well lit, safe environment for everyone to relax without having to worry about who is the best. It never mattered to me. I built this place on the notion that no matter how far you’ve been or how long you have been gone when you come back you are coming home.”