The 20 Coolest Comic Shops in America
Comics have been an evolving medium since the 1930s with brands like DC and Marvel dominating the scene for a while and then making way for independent publications and underground comix to get some shine. What’s become really important, though, is the place where you purchase all of your illustrated reads. When shopping for your comics, you want a place that has a great selection, deals for diehard fans, and release and signing events that allow you to celebrate the newest releases or mingle with your favorite authors. To lend a helping hand, we’ve rounded up a list of the best comic book shops in America for you to get your fix. Don’t worry, though. The pretentiousness of The Simpsons’ Comic Book Guy is nowhere to be found at these spots. From locally published independent zines to mainstream, big name comics, you’ll find everything you’re looking for at these 20 cool comic book shops across America.
Forbidden Planet - New York, NY
Forbidden Planet in New York City is one of the largest and busiest retailers of comics, science fiction, graphic novels, toys, and other collectibles in the world. Located right near Union Square, the store easily is accessible, and is a perfect spot for book signings by your favorite authors and celebrities like Topher Grace from Spider-Man 3 and every comic geek’s crush, Olivia Munn [LINK: http://green-label.com/style/10-things-love-olivia-munn/]. Their blog also provides comprehensive and entertaining reviews, so you can find out which new releases you have to cop while you’re there.
Bedrock City Comics - Houston, TX
After Bedrock City Comics opened its first location in 1990, word quickly spread about it being one of the best comic book shops in H-Town, causing three more locations to pop up around the city. There’s a reason why Bedrock City Comics has also been named the best in Houston for over a decade by the Houston Press. They carry a huge selection of comics, graphic novels, action figures, apparel, limited edition figurines, movie posters, trading cards, underground comix, and pop culture specialties. There’s pretty much something for everyone at Bedrock City.
Bergen Street Comics - Brooklyn, NY
Head to the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn to check out this little comic book shop if you’re looking to find a great selection of independent and self-published comics and graphic novels. Bergen Street Comics is run by friendly co-owners Tom and Amy Adams, who are anything but pretentious, extremely knowledgeable, and happy to special order whatever you can’t seem to find. They also host a bunch of events showcasing local comic artists, so you’re really able to become part of Brooklyn’s comic community there.
Secret Headquarters - Los Angeles, CA
Located in Silver Lake, Secret Headquarters is a boutique comic book store that emanates a warm, inviting feeling right when you step through the door. Filled with dark brown wood racks, the shop has been open since 2005, and is a place that welcomes both the novice and hardcore collector. You can find everything from mainstream comics to graphic novels and independent zines, and the shop even includes a selection of comic-inspired art prints. Also, if you’re looking to unload some of your collection that you no longer want to hold onto, they’ll be happy to purchase desirable current titles, underground comix, and more from you.
Arcane Comics - Seattle, WA
Arcane Comics has been holding it down for the Pacific Northwest comics community since 2004. Even if you don’t really know what you’re looking for, their helpful staff is present to find you something that will really pique your interest. They also have one of the best subscription services in Seattle, and offer a monthly “Best Reads” program that exposes readers to the first issue of a series with a discount of up to 40 percent off.
Austin Books & Comics - Austin, TX
Austin Books & Comics is just more proof that everything is bigger in Texas. The 6,000-square foot store carries over 25,000 issues, graphic novels, manga, and independent publications. They also have a wide selection of collectibles, including trading cards, figurines, and toys. There’s a reason why this establishment was named the best comic book shop in Austin for 20 years in a row. If you’re looking for anything comic related, this is the place you need to go.
Quimby's - Chicago, IL
This bookstore located in the Windy City focuses on selling independently published and small press comics and zines in addition to non-traditional books that deal with topics such as conspiracy theories and human oddities associated with carnivals and freak shows. In addition to supporting local artists by selling their works on consignment, the store also hosts new release events, works-in-progress meet-ups for fellow aspiring comic artists to share their work and receive feedback, and a zine book club. It’s a common misconception that Chris Ware owns the shop and that his Quimby the Mouse character was named after the store or vice versa, but he’s actually just a friend of the shop and painted the sign for Quimby’s with his character as their unofficial mascot.
Floating World - Portland, OR
Floating World isn’t a huge space, but what they lack in size, they make up for in love. They arrange their store in a way that’s easy for you to find something similar to a comic you’ve really enjoyed, organizing their merchandise by author and publisher. They also place similar series close to each other so that you can find something that interests you based on what you already like, keeping you exposed to a variety of titles. They want to help you find high quality comics that you’re going to want to read again and again. If that’s not love, we don’t know what is. What’s even better is that Floating World also houses a record store called Landfill Rescue Unit, which sells new and rare punk, metal, funk, soul, and hip-hop vinyl.
Atomic Books - Baltimore, MD
Atomic Books has been bringing the Baltimore comics-loving community joy for 21 years now. The independent store is known for carrying rare and hard-to-find comics, zines, graphic novels, books and more, and is also a favorite of eclectic movie director John Waters — he actually receives all his fan mail there — so you know it’s worth a visit. An added bonus of Atomic Books is that they sell records next door at their Celebrated Summer Records shop. You can browse their vinyl selection after you’ve located those obscure issues you’ve been searching for.
The Laughing Ogre - Columbus, OH
Some people in Columbus will only buy their comics and collectibles from The Laughing Ogre. How do they keep such loyal customers, you ask? Well, besides having a killer collection of current and back issues of mainstream and indie comics, manga, statues and models, their friendly staff will have a conversation with you about your planned purchases, and even recommend other titles you might like based on your interests, saving you the time it might take to do your own research. If for some reason they don’t have what you’re looking for in stock, they’ll gladly order it for you to make sure it gets in your hands.
Pulp Fiction - Long Beach, CA
There are a ton of reasons why Pulp Fiction made it onto our list of the best comic book shops. First off, they carry the largest selection of comics, graphic novels, toys, and statues in Long Beach, and offer the best prices in the area. Secondly, you’re welcome to trade in the graphic novels and manga you no longer want to get store credit towards something new for free. They also offer art classes for you to master your comic drawing techniques so you can get started on your very own masterpiece. We could give you more reasons, but do you really need them?
Mac’s Comics and Collectibles – Miami, FL
When you’re not soaking up the sun on Miami Beach or checking out street art at Wynwood Walls, there’s another great attraction to visit in Miami, Mac’s Comics and Collectibles. Their wide selection of comics and graphic novels will have you perusing their shelves for a minute, and you can also check out their statues and vintage collectibles while you’re there. Become part of their subscription service to receive 25 percent off your purchase, and if you’re a first time customer, they’ll hook you up with a free comic book from their discount bins if you mention their Facebook page.
Midtown Comics - New York, NY
While you’re in the Big Apple, it’s a must that you check out Midtown Comics. Peruse over 500,000 books in the store’s collection, and pick up any action figures, collectibles, apparel, games, trading cards, DVDs, and supplies to keep your comics looking fresh and new. They have three stores in New York City, and they even have a mini-boutique in the famous FAO Schwartz toy store. If for some reason you can’t make it to any of those locations, you can always shop their inventory online.
Meltdown Comics - Los Angeles, CA
With over 20 years in the business, Meltdown Comics is not only renowned in the Southern California area, but has also made a name for itself globally. Its diverse 14,000-square foot space houses new and old comics, graphic novels, collectibles, toys, and apparel as well as its Nerdmelt Showroom where they record podcasts in front of an audience, host panels, and produce standup comedy shows. The spot has become so popular that several food trucks park out front, so you can grab a bite to eat after working up an appetite browsing the store’s selection.
Crescent City Comics - New Orleans, LA
Crescent City Comics supplies New Orleans-area fans with a variety of comics, indie publications, and graphic novels to choose from. This is the place to go to find New Orleans-inspired comics created by local artists, as well as action figures, toys, games, and apparel. The store has been set up to make it incredibly easy to find what you’re looking for, and if for some reason you can’t, their friendly staff are available to assist you and maybe even recommend some new titles based on your interests.
Isotope - San Francisco, CA
Feel free to take a seat on one of the plush couches at Isotope to flip through the comics you’re interested in buying. The San Francisco comic book store combines a lounge, original comic art gallery, and educational environment all in one place. In addition to their wide selection of comics and graphic novels, through their Isotope Comics University, they offer comic book classes to help those trying to launch a career in the field understand how to strengthen their existing story, effectively market their product, and embark on conventioneering — all with a small budget.
Big Planet Comics - Bethesda, MD
Right outside of our nation’s capital, Big Planet Comics in Bethesda has been holding down the D.C. area since the mid-‘80s. With three other locations in Georgetown, College Park and Vienna, Big Planet is filled wall-to-wall with a diverse stock of mainstream and indie comics, specialty games, collectible figurines of both your favorite superheroes and TV characters, T-shirts, socks, and magnets. To ensure that you are finding what you need, they employ staff members who each have a different expertise. Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of comics or a seasoned vet, you’ll find what you need at Big Planet Comics.
Desert Island - Brooklyn, NY
Housed in an old bakery in the hipster paradise that is Williamsburg, Desert Island is another shop in Brooklyn that is not to be missed. With a more inclusive and diverse selection of merchandise than other shops, their inventory includes regular and independent comics, graphic novels, illustrated children’s books, handmade artist’s books, vintage Mad magazines, prints, and posters. The beauty of Desert Island is that any artist is welcome to sell their merchandise at the shop, so there’s always something interesting and new that you won’t find anywhere else.
Oxford Comics Games & More - Atlanta, GA
The largest comics store in Atlanta, Oxford Comics Games & More has been on the scene for 30 years. In addition to their wide variety of domestic and imported mainstream and alternative comics, they also carry games, cards, posters, toys, and models. Additionally, you can purchase or rent your favorite movie, TV, and anime titles at Oxford. If you’re purchasing 10 or more titles a month, they’ll take it easy on you with their customer-friendly subscription service that offers a 10 percent discount and makes sure that you get the latest issues before they sell out.
Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find - Charlotte, NC
This shop was founded by entrepreneur Shelton Drum, who is kind of a celebrity in the comics world after realizing back in the mid-‘60s that comics in good condition could be sold for tons of money later on in life. He quickly began purchasing a three copies of every Marvel comic that was released and eventually opened his own shop, Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find, in Charlotte in 1980, which has now grown to be one of the premier shops in the country. You can get everything from Silver and Golden Age comics to manga, graphic novels, and the newest releases. If you’re a Spider-Man fan, you’ll also enjoy the large Doctor Octopus and Spidey that are suspended from the ceiling, engaging in battle above the store’s cash registers.
Comics have been an evolving medium since the 1930s with brands like DC and Marvel dominating the scene for a while and then making way for independent publications and underground comix to get some shine. What’s become really important, though, is the place where you purchase all of your illustrated reads. When shopping for your comics, you want a place that has a great selection, deals for diehard fans, and release and signing events that allow you to celebrate the newest releases or mingle with your favorite authors. To lend a helping hand, we’ve rounded up a list of the best comic book shops in America for you to get your fix. Don’t worry, though. The pretentiousness of The Simpsons’ Comic Book Guy is nowhere to be found at these spots. From locally published independent zines to mainstream, big name comics, you’ll find everything you’re looking for at these 20 cool comic book shops across America.