Employee Ryan Mundaca holds vintage Spider Man and X-Men Marvel comic books at St. Mark’s Comics Aug. 31, 2009, in New York City. (credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Samuel L. Jackson, as Elijah Price, in Touchstone Pictures' "Unbreakable." (credit: Getty Images)
Comic books, graphic novels, mangas – they are everywhere. Once ascribed as just kids stuff, illustrated titles have been popping up more and more in mainstream book stores as well as on the big screen (“Iron Man”). Whether it’s to stay abreast of the next comic tale headed to theaters or to just stay current with what’s happening in Metropolis and Gotham City, there are dozens of shops in New York City catering to your needs (and addiction). Here is a list of some locations by borough where hardcore fans and the recently-converted can get their fix.
- By Nicola A. Menzie
Book-Off
49 W. 45th Street, New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 685-1410
http://www.bookoffusa.com
Buzz: great deals, rare titles in Japanese and English
Cosmic Comics
10 E. 23rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10010
(212) 460-5322
http://www.cosmiccomics.com/v2/
Buzz: decent selection of back issues, staff either stand-offish or friendly depending on who you ask.
The Forbidden Planet comic book store in Manhattan, on the corner of Broadway and East 13th Street. (credit: Luigi Novi)
Forbidden Planet
840 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003
(212) 420-8579
http://www.fpnyc.com
Buzz: convenient, friendly staff, overcrowded at times.
Jim Hanley’s Universe
4 W. 33rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10001
(212) 268-7088
299 New Drop Lane, Staten Island, N.Y.
(718) 352-6299
http://jhuniverse.blogspot.com
Buzz: not as crowded as some other stores, large selection, a bit disorganized.
Vincent Zurzolo, COO of Metropolis Collectibles holds Action Comics #1, the 1938 comic book he sold for $1 million. (credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)
Metropolis Collectibles
873 Broadway, Suite 201, New York, N.Y. 10003
(800) 229-6387
http://www.metropoliscomics.com
Buzz: great for hard-to-find titles.
Midtown Comics in Times Square. (credit: midtowncomics.com)
Midtown Comics
200 W. 40th Street, New York, N.Y. 10018
459 Lexington Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
(800) 411-3341
http://www.midtowncomics.com
Buzz: great selection of used and new titles, spacious.
Roger’s Time Machine
207 W. 14th Street, Suite 2, New York, N.Y. 10011
(212) 691-0380
http://timemachinenyc.com
Buzz: Truly old school, disorganized, sweet deals.
Ryan Mundaca holds vintage Spider Man and X-Men Marvel comic books at St. Mark's Comics in New York City. (credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
St. Mark’s Comics
11 St. Mark’s Place, New York, N.Y. 10003
(212) 598-9439
148 Montague Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201
(718) 935-0911
http://www.stmarkscomics.com
Buzz: great hours for Manhattan location
Tom and Amy Adams, owners of Bergen Street Comics. (credit: bergenstreetcomics.com)
Bergen Street Comics
470 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217
(718) 230-5600
http://bergenstreetcomics.com
Buzz: great atmosphere and friendly staff, good selection.
Bulletproof Comics And Games has three Brooklyn locations. (credit: Bulletproof Comics & Games)
Bulletproof Comics & Games
2178 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11210
(718) 434-1800
4507 Ft. Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219
(718) 854) 3367
8109 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11236
(718) 531-6415
http://bulletproofcomics.marvelretailers.com
Buzz: good selection, a little pricey.
Galaxy Collectibles
429 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215
(718) 499-3222
Buzz: selection more geared toward superhero titles.
Desert Comics in Brooklyn. (credit: Desert Comics)
Desert Island
540 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11211
(718) 388-5087
http://www.desertislandbrooklyn.com
Buzz: staff is friendly and knowledgeable, handpicked selection.
Rocketship Graphic Novels And Comics
208 Smith Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201
(718) 797-1348
http://www.rocketshipstore.blogspot.com
Buzz: eclectic selection, friendly owners.
Cosmo’s Cards & Collectibles
1422 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, N.Y. 10461
(718) 597-0668
The Game And Comic Station in Bronx, New York. (credit: kingsbridgebid.org)
Games & Comic Station
5547 Broadway, Bronx, N.Y. 10463
(718) 884-0714
Buzz: more geared toward gamers.
Magnum Comics in Bronx, New York. (credit: Riverdale Businesses/Facebook)
Magnum Comics & Cards
3723 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10463
(718) 884-0714
Buzz: fans call this a “classic” comic book shop.
Anime Castle
35-52 Union Street, Flushing, N.Y. 11354
(347) 438-1296
http://www.animecastle.com
Buzz: great for manga and anime.
Comic Book Heaven
48-15 Skillman Avenue, Sunnyside, N.Y.
(718) 899-4175
Buzz: good selection and pricing.
Comic Den
80-62 Lefferts Boulevard, Kew Gardens, N.Y.
(718) 805-3789
http://www.comicden.com
Buzz: small space, but good selection.
Montasy Comics in Queens, N.Y. (credit: Montasy Comics)
Montasy Comics
70-17C Austin Street, 2nd Floor, Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375
(718) 575-8815
http://www.facebook.com/montasy
Buzz: nice staff, store could be more accessible.
Royal Collectibles
96-01 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375
(718) 793-0542
http://www.royalcollectiblesonline.com
Buzz: super friendly staff.
Silver Age Comics in Astoria, New York. (credit: silveragecomics.com)
Silver Age Comics
22-55 31st Street, Astoria, N.Y. 11105
(718)728-9691
http://www.silveragecomics.com
Buzz: convenient (located right near the subway), good prices.
Comic Book Jones
2220 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10303
(718) 448-1234
http://www.comicbookjones.com
Buzz: friendly staff, good selection.
Krypton Comics Of Staten Island. (credit: kryptonsiny.com)
Krypton Comics Of Staten Island
611 Midland Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10306
(718) 667-7695
http://www.kryptonsiny.com
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