Host Anthony Desiato begins a four-episode deep dive into the extensive back issue buying and selling practices of Zapp! Comics founder and co-owner Ben Lichtenstein. In Part 1 of this "Beyond My Comic Shop" miniseries, Anthony and Ben examine the building blocks that shaped Ben's work ethic and business philosophy. Stops along Ben's "secret origin" include his first exposure to comic books at Bernie's Smoke Shop and Jan's Lollipop, part-time job at Häagen-Dazs, and earliest convention experiences at the Creation and Fred Greenberg shows of the 1980s.