You never forget your first comic store and I found mine 40 years ago. It was called Funny Business and it was on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. There I started getting new and old issues of The New Teen Titans, the comic series that solidified my fandom. The store’s customers were predominantly male, but a melting pot of age, shape and ethnicity. We were a tribe: readers and collectors I understand.
Since then, there are plenty of people who understand, as so many comics have been released by television, film, podcasts, and animation. There are also more stories than ever before and a significant female readership. Funny Business is no more, but there are many other stores in New York City. and together Free Comic Book Day When Saturday arrived, it seemed like a good time to check them out. All the stores were worth a mention in some way – a wholesome vintage comics, plenty of toys, a range of recommended reads from the latest DC to the newest Daniel Clowes – but feel free to ask for specific needs. Most stores place orders on your behalf.
If you are inspired to visit a store in New York or across the country, Comics Store Locator — please follow this advice: Call ahead to find out times and if the store is participating in the Free Comics Day. (Some fans are also planning to buy a few issues to support the stores.)
Bronx
collector’s cave
3021-23 Middletown Road, Pelham Bay; collector.cave.shop.
Come for new comics, lots of Funko Pops and bargain boxes of old issues; stay to eavesdrop. I overheard a funny conversation about the action figure Spymaster, a little villain of Captain America.
Fordham Comics
390 East Fordham Road, Fordham; facebook.com/Fordham-comics.
A trip up the creaky, dimly lit stairs leads to a chaotic yet inviting store. A table set up for fans to play or trade collectible cards and a maze of cardboard boxes – as if the store were in the middle of a move – hold new releases slanting towards DC and Marvel.
This store, which opened its doors during the pandemic, is a deep but narrow space, but still large enough to allow tabletop games. During my visit, an employee recommended some comics starring ex-boyfriend Dick Grayson.
Everyone Comics
1216 Union Street, Crown Heights; everyonecomics.com.
Dimitrios Fragiskatos, co-owner of Everyone Comics with Thomas Gryphon, said he’s on a mission to spread the love of comics by seeing other stores as consulates rather than rivals. I liked the shelf labeled “Represented Leader Comics” and the original comic art, some of which was drawn directly onto the wall panels. The area also has a lower level for card games and drinking and draw events.
bulletproof comics
2178 Nostrand Street, Flatbush; bulletproofcomix.com.
During the city quarantine, this store embraced live online auctions and produced videos that featured its products. It’s densely packed with the expected and unexpected: skateboards! A standout display from Boom! Studios included the House of Slaughter series, which is of course a horror comic.
Comic Book Station
188 Eckford Street, Greenpoint; comics station.com.
The bargain table outside drew me to this little shop, which still has ample room to go through a lot of old issues from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. I bought a copy of Kyle Baker’s “Why I Hate Saturn” (1990) for $1.
desert island
540 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg; celislandbrooklyn.com.
Talk about the interesting: The showcase still displays the name of the former resident Sparacino’s Bakery. This appeal is manifested in the jumble of crafts, antiques, and old Walt Disney comics. Owner Gabe Fowler produces the occasional (and free) “Smoke Signals” picture broadcast.
galaxy comics
6823 Fifth Avenue, Bay Ridge; 431 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope; facebook.com/GalaxyComicsBklyn.
The Bay Ridge location made me feel like I’d walked into a convenience store, thanks to the soda fridge and candy counter, but it had a friendly feel and distinctive flavor: Nine stellar volumes of Saga from Image Comics were displayed on a shelf. cross (aliens) lovers. At the Park Slope outpost, I saw the “Official Batman Advent Calendar” that I couldn’t help getting to a friend.
Hey Kids Comics
157 Huron Street, Greenpoint; heykidscomics.net.
Jason Mojica, owner of Hey Kids Comics, started selling comics with his son on the sidewalks of Brooklyn after learning it was legal. This hobby became this shop, which appeals to young readers, has a comic book club and a zine in its own right. While I’m not a fan of Tron, the $125 action figure in a box in the form of a coin-activated arcade game was captivating.
Joseph Koch’s Comics Repository
206 41st Street, Sunset Park; kochcomics.com.
Weak signage gives the building the look of a villain’s hideout. (The overpowering aroma from a nearby live poultry store adds to the uneasiness.) But once inside, I wanted to spend hours exploring the aisles of toys, posters, and old comics. Animal Man No. 1990, in which my letter to the editor was published. I bought a copy of 23. By appointment only.
Pinocchio Deals
1814 McDonald Avenue, Gravesend; 718-645-2573.
It took more than four decades to amass a treasure trove of new and old comics, action figures, trading cards and sports memorabilia here. It was a pleasure talking to Bella Gaba, partner with his wife. After explaining my mission, I asked, “Is that what they pay you for?” said.
st. Mark’s Comics
51 35th Street, Sunset Park; stmarkscomics.com.
iconic closing After 36 years in the East Village, St. Mark’s Comics It was the end of an era. But it rose again in a large, brightly lit space in Industry City. take a look captain america statue at the nearby Liberty View Industrial Plaza.
booth
1410 Gravesend Neck Road, Sheepshead Bay; 718-646-9281.
This charming store is Yu-Gi-Oh! Avoids new versions for trading cards like and Pokémon, loose action figures, and a host of past issues that include everything from Archie to The Walking Dead.
Manhattan
Alex’s MVP Cards and Comics
1590 York Avenue, Yorkville; alexsmvp.com.
Under new management, in a new location, this store has the latest comics, old issues (high quality and affordable), and lots of cards, baseball, and more. A “Superman” movie card from 1978 made me sad not to keep some of my childhood collections.
forbidden planet
832 Broadway, Greenwich Village; fpnyc.com.
This store blew my mind when I first visited it in the late 80’s: a wonderland of comics, posters, t-shirts and toys! I always come here when I’m in the city center or in London to visit its sister store. The display case captures the spirit of the store: a life-size metallic Terminator skeleton with a rainbow flag.
Midtown Comics
four locations; midtowncomics.com.
Each of its three Manhattan locations requires an upward flight of stairs. I recently met a collector trying to sell a 1976 Pink Panther toy (with a pull cord that activates a recording) and a 1984 action figure by Soundwave, a Transformer, at the Grand Central store. Only open on weekends in Astoria, the store downstairs has nirvana: a large, brightly lit room full of back problems, most of which are priced at 99 cents.
Montasy Comics
431 Fifth Avenue, second floor, Midtown; montasynyc.com.
The shop has regular card game tournaments and is expanding to the upper floor, which will be used to showcase autographs and local artists. A sign reads: “Be friendly, respectful and FUN!”
Time Machine
104 Washington Place, West Village; 212-691-0380.
This place is a comic book institution thanks to its owner. Roger WilliamsHaving run it in some form or name since the early 1980s. “It just doesn’t work for me,” he said on a recent visit, when I found several Best of DC Blue Ribbon Digests from pocket-size reprint anthologies from the ’80s.
queens
Anime Castle
35-32 Union St, Flushing; animecastle.com.
A one-stop shop for Japanese animation and its fans, this store is filled with DVDs, posters, toys, books, and manga that often seem like endless volumes of inspiration for animated series and movies.
Everyone Comics and Books
41-26 27th Street, Long Island City; everyonecomics.com.
This sister store to Everyone Comics in Brooklyn opened in March. For younger readers, the books are displayed next to large storefronts opposite a mural of the Doom Patrol, quirky protagonists involving an emotional alley named Danny. On another wall are blank covers from Valiant—with a hand-drawn Hello Kitty for $50 each.
It’s a Hit Collection
90-08 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven; 718-805-2020.
This store has an active presence on Instagram and highlights recent purchases, including Nintendo games, tapes, and translated American comics. It’s great to see Wonder Woman say “I’ve had enough of the evils of the human world” in German.
Royal Collection
96-01 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills; 45-03 Broadway, Astoria; royalcomicsnyc.com.
The façade of the wider Forest Hills location features a mural of comic book characters leading up to its entrance, and a birthday announcement for a client gave it a “Cheers”-like vibe. A locked showcase has illuminated some comics, like She-Hulk, which has been selling for $17 since 1980. Astoria store has similar stock.
Silver Age
2255 31st Street, No. 208, Astoria; silveragecomics.com.
I like this store’s comic book packs – several issues of a particular series for a particular price. Captain America issues 193-206, written and penned by Jack Kirby, sold for $450.
Ultimate Card and Comic Book Universe
19907 34th Street, Flushing; 718-888-9587.
part of this store Wrestling Universe, other stores focus on these theaters. The Flushing store has an excellent stock of countdowns, bargain boxes, and sports memorabilia, including autographed baseballs by ex-Mets Howard Johnson and Dwight Gooden for $59.95.
staten island
Hypno-Tonic
156 Stuyvesant Place, St. George; hypnotroniccomics.com.
Horror and fantasy (and comics) are the focus here. Owner Joy Ghigliotti is proud to sell hard-to-find items like a life-size Yoda and a Dragnet board game from 1955 that were part of the Pepsi promotion. Love the enthusiastic sign: “$1 Comics Yay!!”
Newbury Comics
2655 Richmond Avenue, Space 2300, New Springville; newburycomics.com.
This branch of the retail chain – whose website lists 30 locations – is a one-stop destination for pop culture where vinyl records are as important as comics. If you want “Game of Thrones” socks or an Astro embellished pair from “The Jetsons,” you’re in luck.
JHU Comics
298B New Dorp Road, New Dorp; jhucomicbooks.com.
Still standing after several moves and new management, this store’s window features a life-size statue of the Silver Surfer beckoning customers inside. Larger than its sister store in Manhattan’s Kips Bay, and inside it’s 1996 Sovereign Seven No.