Send the Bat-Signal: Comic-themed pizzeria to make anticipated return

Marvel, DC Comics and pizza fans alike, prepare your tastes buds for the superhero slices that await at Port Orange’s newest pizzeria.

Gotham City Pizza recently signaled its anticipated return to Volusia County, and is set to open Aug. 1, after nearly four quiet years.

Owner Marco Falletta, a restaurant veteran whose family has been in the business for roughly 50 years, first opened the popular pizzeria back in 2017, then at 197 N. Yonge St. in Ormond Beach, where it became an instant hit within the community.

Falletta ultimately sold the shop in 2020 after his father fell ill, among other personal reasons, and by 2021 it had closed for good under its new owners.

The restaurateur said he never planned to revive the pizzeria and, instead, opened a comic shop, Arkham Asylum Comics in South Daytona, about a year and a half ago.

What started as a side gig at only a fraction of its current size, quickly grew in success. Falletta soon began working full time at the shop and, within the first seven months, expanded into the unit next door with Arkham Asylum Toys & Cards.

“We went from a little to a lot,” he said, with what he predicts to be over a $1 million in inventory between the two stores.

It wasn’t until receiving a “random” afternoon phone call, Falletta said, that he learned of a local pizzeria, Port Orange's Pizza Pazza, looking to sell just a mile and half up the road — an offer too good to refuse.

“I started thinking and was like, man if I did my (previous) concept, and I have (the comic book shop) here, too, it’s like a two-in-one — same road and everything. It’s perfect,” he said. “… So, now I’m back.”

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While Falletta began collecting comic books as a child in the early '80s, his love for them and the culture that surrounds it has persisted into adulthood.

"It's always been a part of me," he said, reminiscing on his very first comic book, "an 'Amazing Spiderman' #238," that he purchased alongside his father and, to this day, continues to buy each he time he comes across it.

Now, a father of quadruplet girls, twin girls and a son, he says the comic-themed pizzeria’s re-opening, with the help of partners Dominick Milano and Kevin Zahnen, will be an exciting addition to his already-full plate.

Whether a returning customer or first-time visitor, guests can look forward to the same larger-than-life interior at Gotham City Pizza, decked out in Marvel and DC Comics memorabilia, including photos, action figures, toys and more. Falletta also plans to stock the restaurant with three comic book racks for kids to scour through, pick their favorite and bring home for free — a decision he hopes will encourage reading among children.

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While the eatery’s soft opening is scheduled for Aug. 1, guests can expect to see cosplayers during its grand opening the following Saturday, Aug. 3 — and once a week, moving forward — alongside "legendary" comic book artist Alex Saviuk and a plethora of pizza options.

Familiar faces like Batman, Spider-Man and Harley Quinn, among others, will make appearances in the future, Falletta said, bringing the fun for guests and posing for photos at the restaurant.

When it comes to grabbing a bite, the restaurant’s menu — created to replicate the appearance of a classic comic book — will offer a variety of on-theme, New York-style pizzas to choose from, all homemade from family recipes that date back over 45 years.

Options will range from the The Boy Wonder plain cheese pie; The Gotham City supreme pie; and The Joker pie with french fries, ranch, bacon and cheese; to The Arkham Asylum — chicken and waffles, and bacon, drizzled in cheese and maple syrup; and the Merc With a Mouth — a "Deadpool"-inspired pie, among many others.

“Everything that we’re making is going to be made in house, fresh,” Falletta said.

Additionally, the pizzeria will feature a new loyalty program, allowing guests who order at the restaurant to bring their receipt to the comic and toy shop for 10% off their purchase, and vice versa.

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Looking ahead, Falletta hopes to make Gotham City Pizza a “destination” restaurant that brings locals together with community events, special guests and light-hearted challenges.

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While Falletta has already had several celebrity guests at his comic shop — Bam Margera, wrestler Kevin Nash, and professional comic book artists — he now hopes to continue the fun at Gotham City Pizza, where following signings at the shop, guests can look forward to a meet-and-greet VIP dinner that includes a signed photo and selfie with the celebrity guest.

Actor and comedian Robert Wuhl, who played Alexander Knox in Tim Burton’s 1989 film, “Batman,” among various other notable roles, will be among the first celebrity guests, Falletta said.

Moving forward, the pizzeria plans to offer “kids' night” where children can make their own pizzas at the restaurant, as well as host private parties, special events — like costume contests for Halloween — and even make pizza deliveries to local elementary schools with the help of surprise superheroes.

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Gotham City Pizza will also reinstate its food challenge, the "Infinity Gauntlet,” where participating customers must finish a 3-foot-long stromboli in less than 30 minutes.

If the challenge is completed within the allotted time, customers are spared the Stromboli's $49.99 price tag and receive the meal for free, alongside a Gotham City T-shirt and their name written on the “Wall of Gotham.”

“I’m excited, but overwhelmed, you know? I have seven kids, (the comic shop) business, and now I guess I’m crazy enough to open another one,” Falletta laughed. “… But we want to change things, you know? Even though we’re something little, we're trying to do our part.”

Pizza Pazza did not respond to The News-Journal's request for comment before this story was published, however a note taped to the restaurant's door confirmed the closure, reading "We are closed. New owner take over. Gotham City Pizza coming soon."

Gotham City Pizza will be located at 3761 S. Nova Road in Port Orange and will be open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and noon – 8 p.m. Sunday. The eatery will offer dine-in, pickup and delivery through Uber Eats and other common delivery apps. For more information, visit facebook.com/GothamCityPizza.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Port Orange pizza restaurant to feature superhero and comic book theme