The New Cathedral of Madrid is Hidden in a Comic Book Store

One of the most inspiring quotes by Walt Disney, which says 'if you can dream it, you can do it,' fits the Marugán brothers perfectly. Although, to be fair, they are more into comics and manga than anything else.

Back in 1993, the Marugán family opened a small comic book store in the area of Barrio del Pilar. The following year, they launched Mangaka, a fanzine related to the manga world created by Jesus Marugán with contributions from numerous customers. In just a year, it became a reference point in the fanzine sector across Spain. And that was just the beginning.

Thirty years after its opening, Akira Comics has moved through several locations until finally settling at Avenida de Betanzos, 74. It also changed its name to La Ciudad del Cómic after a space expansion that took place in 2017. Then, it became the largest comic book store in Spain and one of the references in Europe.

Additionally, with the renovation came a reorganization of the bookstore, classifying its volumes by continents: Europe, Asia, and America. This pioneering method of organization joined a spectacular and immersive decoration where any visitor could take pictures and, in the process, enjoy each type of geographical area of comic books, as its décor evokes the furniture and urban signage of those geographical zones.

Awards and recognitions are also plentiful for this space and the family that made it possible: they won the Eisner award in 2012, served on the jury of the San Diego Comic Con in 2013, are members of the American booksellers association ComicsPRO, and hold an eCommerce Award or the official Seal of Quality for Bookstores certification, among many other accolades.

Now, let's go back to 2014, when the ceiling of this bookstore transformed into a very particular Sistine Chapel, paying homage to the work of Michelangelo, turning Adam and God into Spiderman and Stan Lee surrounded by famous Marvel and DC characters.

At that moment, the bookstore came to life and became a place for visit, entertainment, and culture that goes beyond a simple specialty store, incorporating decorative, cultural, and entertainment elements that create an immersive experience.

However, as with everything, it is essential to evolve, and Akira Comics could not have done it better. The store has become a true museum where only the most astute readers will discover the endless literary references hidden in each corner.

We begin our tour in the area dedicated to European references. There, a true cathedral has been recreated, complete with every detail. In real limestone, we can discover fantastic gargoyles, gothic columns, spectacular colored stained glass, pointed arches, a four-part vault, and even a large rose window similar to that of Notre Dame.

But there's more: readers can also discover references to the legendary Baker Street, the street where Sherlock Holmes, the detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle, lived. The little ones will enjoy a recreation of a climbing tree inspired by the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. And comic fans can dive into a museum that houses numerous originals from the world of comics, which are unique pieces.

Lastly, and by no means less spectacular, we find a tribute to fantasy literature writer J.R.R. Tolkien through the recreation of the Door of Durin from Moria appearing in The Lord of the Rings, along with two immense Argonath welcoming visitors to a bookstore that we can confirm has become a must-visit place for lovers of literature, comics, and manga, as well as for those who wish to discover a true theme park right in the heart of Barrio del Pilar.