Colo. man’s passion for comic books turns into big business

DENVER — When Chuck Rozanski was 13 years old, he started to read comic books as an escape from a physically abusive father. “It was a way of escaping some of the difficulties that I had in my childhood.”

It was the beginning of a life-long passion. “If you don’t have any role models, Spiderman is actually a really great role model,” Rozanski explains as he holds a very old and rare copy of a Spiderman comic.

Forty-three years later, Rozanski has turned his passion into profit.  His business is Mile High Comics. His net worth? “It’s in the millions, so, somewhere up there.”

One almost becomes overwhelmed when entering the 62,000 square foot warehouse Mile High Comics facility displaying some $20 million worth of collectible comics.

And that’s just the half of it. Rozanski has another warehouse, chocked full of highly sought after comics. “We have another warehouse about 12 blocks from here and that one has twice as many books as this one does.”

Chuck Rozanski owns more comic books than any one collector on the planet, “On this planet,” he adds.

Rozanski’s quirky ways were the actual inspiration for the comic store guy featured in the Simpsons cartoon.

“I’m one of the people who have found their passion, who wakes up every day, cannot wait to get to work.  And when I get to work I love this building so much it makes my butt wiggle.”

Business man, entrepreneur, and self-made millionaire, all thanks to a comic book.  The 13-year-old boy still lives inside Chuck Rozanski, and he hasn’t stopped smiling.