Stores

I travel all over scouring every town I visit  to find the comic shops that I find.  Below you will find the shops that I have visited, and the grade I gave it.  Keep in mind, this was my own personal experience, the grade is based on a certain amount of points awarded for things like back issue stock, condition of store, and prices.  Still working on getting all the details down such as websites and such – but let me know what you think – and leave a comment below if you have visited any of these stores and want to share your experience.

CT

Buried Under Comics – Manchester, CT
- Back Issue Stock B
- Toy/Statue Stock B
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices C+
The store is good – it has quite a few pieces all around the store and the comic issues are stocked pretty well. I really enjoyed the visit although felt like the prices on some pieces were a bit out of whack. The store itself and the people working there seemed like good people with a good knowledge of comic history.

Wonderland Comics – Putnam, CT
- Back Issue Stock A-
- Toy/Statue Stock B+
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices A-
This store is certainly one of the tops. The store is broken up into a few different rooms – stocked very well with back issues that are hard to find and priced extremely fair. He has plenty of toys to go through as well as board games and some busts and statues. The owner is a huge DC fan – but I won’t hold that against him, Tee-Hee!

MA

Bedrock Comics – Framingham, MA
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock B-
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices A-
A very small but well stocked store. The owner is very friendly and helps out whenever he can. My second trip was a lot more successful than my first at finding some back issue goods but they seemed to be restocking. It was an enjoyable trip the few times I have visited and I’ve found something to get every time.

Blast from the Past – Falmouth, MA
- Back Issue Stock F
- Toy/Statue Stock B
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices D
This store is beautiful – no doubt – and they do sell comics, but it’s not really a comic shop. He has a bunch of the high end collectibles, which are nice to look at, but I don’t think the owner has a pulse on what is selling and for how much. For example: I saw the Koto Hulk movie bust and inquired about the price. Keep in mind that this bust doesn’t sell for retail – which was like $50.00 to $60.00 – but he was asking $80 for it.

Collector’s Guild & Comics – Mansfield, MA
- Back Issue Stock B
- Toy/Statue Stock D
- Condition of Store C+
- Fairness of Prices B
This store is located in the basement of an auto parts store – but it still has a somewhat generous amount of back issues to sift through. Worth a trip to check it out. The owner used to have a store but it’s a sports memorabilia store now – so don’t get fooled! Like I did…

The Comic Palace – Haverhill, MA
- Back Issue Stock A-
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices A-
This great, little shop has an array of wonderful silver age books – a lot of affordable “reader” copies – which are priced very fairly – as well as harder to find issues in the boxes. The owner seemed like a nice guy – he’s been there for 16 years – and he certianly will work with you on prices. His action figure and bust inventory is a bit lacking – but what he does have is displayed just fine.

The Comic Stop – Watertown, MA
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock C-
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B
A very small store that has a semi-generous amount of comics. The back issues are kept in a small back room – but a positive is that they are all bagged and boarded and there are both affordable copies as well as issues in decent condition. The funniest thing is seeing the wall books hanging up around the store – Darker Image #1, Ravage 2099#1, Supreme#1! It was like 1995 all over again! Not a bad visit – not a bad store.

Command-D – Dracut, MA
- Back Issue Stock B
- Toy/Statue Stock C+
- Condition of Store C
- Fairness of Prices C+
The outside is one of the freakin’ coolest stores ever! It has huge murals of characters you have to see to believe! The inside is not too shabby either… after discussing with the owner I found out why he has action figures hanging from the ceiling from every nook and cranny of the store! A good selection of back issues – but just a bit too pricey for my liking – the owner seems to really rely on a comics price guide. That’s always a turn off to me, when you ask how much something is, and they pull out a book and look it up. The owner is a great guy to talk to though, and the store is what we call “a gem” – and he does something else I really like – the more pricey back issues are not kept in the long boxes, instead he puts photocopies of the cover and you have to ask for them. Keeps the books in good condition and lowers the handlers of the books.

Comically Speaking – Reading, MA
- Back Issue Stock A+
- Toy/Statue Stock A-
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices A
I have now visited this great store twice – both times I picked some rare items and hard to find comics. The owner is such a nice guy and I think pretty darn fair with his prices. You can tell he enjoys comics and as an added plus – He loves the Hulk! He has one of a kind Hulk pieces that you can oogle at- not to mention his store is chock full of great items. You can spend hours in there just looking around at all the great pieces he has.

Comicopia – Boston, MA
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B-
You will certainly find a lot of TPB’s in this store – but it doesn’t seem like they focus on keeping their back issues stocked. It’s a clean and packed store that is worth a trip – especially if you’re looking for a hard to find TPB. They keep those stocked like it’s going out of style!

D&J’s Comics and Collectibles – Marshfield, MA
- Back Issue Stock B+
- Toy/Statue Stock B-
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices C
Overall, this store is chock full of nostalgic goodies. They’ve spent a lot of time getting the store in order lately – so I’ve given a better grade there. The sign outside says “Chris’ Comics” – not the actual name of the store. They don’t take CC – which is a huge mistake in this day and age. They have wall books that they rotate all the time – but some of the prices on books are a little too much at times. All and all it’s a fine store with plenty of stock to look through.

Friendly Neighborhood Comics – Bellingham, MA
- Back Issue Stock C-
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store A-
- Fairness of Prices C+
A brand new store -I think I need to give it a bit more time to settle in before I give a proper grade. It’s a beautiful store – just not full of comic-y goodness. The wall books that he has seem to be over-priced – and not a lot of older comics / silver age comics. I’m hoping, over time, this store improves…

Harrison’s Comics and Collectibles – Medford, MA
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock B+
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices C
Located in the Meadowglen Mall this store has a large selection of pretty much everything. The only downside is that the prices are pretty steep. I’ve bought quite a few things at a time and wasn’t offered any kind of discount. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – a price break for large purchases goes a really long way. The store is really well organized and displayed nicely though – and they are open mall hours so it’s open a lot later then normal shops.

Harrison’s Comics and Collectibles – Salem, MA
- Back Issue Stock A-
- Toy/Statue Stock A-
- Condition of Store A-
- Fairness of Prices B-
Located on a beautiful area of Salem this is the main store of the three – this is a large store packed to the rafters with everything you could possibly be interested in. The bins are stocked full of rare issues and they have a lot to offer in the silver age display racks. The people there did work with me when I haggled with the prices a bit. I would certainly make another trip.

Korner Komics II – Easton, MA
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock D-
- Condition of Store B
- Fairness of Prices C
A very small store that has some comics scattered around the store. It seems like a fine store – but the owner pulls out the Overstreet when charging you for the comic. He’s using mint prices to charge for comics that are far from mint. He does give you a discount for a number of the issues you buy – about 10% – which is fine, but hardly makes a dent if your buying only a few comics. Not sure how long this store will be around as the owner kept saying he’s old and the shop will be closed soon… but who knows what that even means?

Larry’s World of Comics – Lowell, MA
- Back Issue Stock B+
- Toy/Statue Stock B+
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices C
A fine store – very large, I have visited a few times and found some really nice back issues. They are pricier than a lot of the shops I’ve been in and don’t seem to sway on the listed prices. That’s enough to keep my visits rare. They do have a HUGE selection of trades and quite a few statues and actions figures available.

Legends Comix and Games – Maynard, MA
- Back Issue Stock C+
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices B+
Another shop that is focused more on gaming than on comics – not that there is anything wrong with that – but this shop has a lot better back issue stock than I expected! I found a few great gems in there! The “price” grade would have been higher but when I brought my purchases up to the register and he rang them up – the guy rang them up wrong. When I brought it to his attention he acted as if the price tag just wasn’t updated and the price he charged me was supposed to be the real price. Look, even if it was, it wasn’t marked that way AND you’re in retail! Just apologize and fix the price – don’t give a reason to the customer on why the price should be higher.

Music Quest – Worcester, MA
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store F-
- Fairness of Prices C
The owner likes to say that his store is unlike any other store out there. But that’s just an excuse on why his store is in the condition it’s in. I was shocked and dismayed when I entered this store – I really try to keep things positive AND honest – but I can’t give this store a good review at all. It’s packed to the rafters with stuff – but good luck finding any of it because it’s boxes stacked upon boxes upon boxes upon boxes. There’s hardly any room to move around – the “aisles” are narrow lanes between stacks of stuff piled over your head. Ugh. There may be some hidden treasures in there – but that’s if you have enough time to go in and search through everything.

New England Comics – Brockton, MA
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock B-
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B+
The Brockton store is actually one of my favorites. They have a whole bunch of wall books that seem to stay stocked pretty well. Their long box selection is pretty average – but the clerks are helpful when they are asked – and sometimes even when they’re not asked! All NEC have a V.I.P. program that offer discounts for people buying back issues and greater sales for members.

New England Comics – Cambridge, MA
- Back Issue Stock C+
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store A-
- Fairness of Prices B+
I love this store. It’s right in Harvard Square – it’s one of the smaller NEC stores – but that doesn’t make it any less worthy. These are the kind of shops that give you help when you need it in tracking down issues and they let you hang out and talk geek for a while. Pretty good stuff all around.

New England Comics – New Bedford, MA
- Back Issue Stock C-
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B
- Fairness of Prices B+
One of the newest NEC so it’s understandable why it wouldn’t have the best back issue stock – but one of the biggest complaints is the lack of boards in most of their back issues. It’s one of the smaller stores – but still nice – and the clerk here seems to be a real nice guy. Bonus!

New England Comics – Norwood, MA
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices B+
Another NEC whose long box selection is pretty average – but they do have some older wall books that are nice to see. The store is fine – I’m not a huge fan of the set-up, sort of speak, it seems to be a bit too spread out with different little islands in the middle of the store.

New England Comics – Quincy, MA
- Back Issue Stock A-
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store A-
- Fairness of Prices B+
This is the main New England Comics and has the great “Silver Age Room” – a room dedicated to hard to find older comics usually chock full of Marvel and DC goodness! They have a great selection of trades, the only thing really lacking is there Statue and Bust inventory – they do have some, just not too much.

The Outer Limits – Waltham, MA
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock B+
- Condition of Store A-
- Fairness of Prices B
Really decent comic shop full of statues and figures and a good amount of back issues. Mostly common back issues – nothing too spectacular or note worthy – but a generous amount of issues. A lot of affordable copies and reader issues and a whole bunch of statues and action figures. I would certainly return for a few more visits.

Over the Edge Comics and Games – Fairhaven, MA
- Back Issue Stock C-
- Toy/Statue Stock D-
- Condition of Store B
- Fairness of Prices C
To be fair – this seems to be more of a gaming place than a comic shop – but the comics they DO have are not displayed very well and the people working there seem to be more interested in playing computer games than helping you find something.

R & R Cards and Comics – Hanover, MA
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store C-
- Fairness of Prices C
Tiny shop – I really, really wanted to give this store a better review but I always try to be honest at the same time as being as nice as possible – that being said, the owner seemed like a really nice guy and very friendly. He offers all of the options that any comic shop does including subs, pull lists and such. He also told me that there is a discount depending on the amount you’re pulling. All which is very nice – here’s the problem… most of his issues are kept in filing cabinets which makes browsing back issues a lot harder than it should be. Also, the back issues are just bagged – no boards – and that means they’re bent to all heck and not in the best shape, and he still charges mint prices. I was ready to give the benefit of the doubt to the condition of the store until he told me he moved to the new location 5 years ago. It’s way too crowded and unorganized…

Rubber Chicken Comics – Bellingham, MA
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock B+
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B+
I have visited this store quite a few times – the set-up is really nice – it’s pretty easy to find what you’re looking for, if they have it. Some of their nicer books are displayed proudly behind the register, easy to see, and the clerks are knowledgeable don’t mind haggling prices if you’re spending a ridiculous amount like I do. Long box stock isn’t too bad and there’s a whole wall displaying some recent as well as older action figures.

StillPoint Comics and Games – Fall River, MA
- Back Issue Stock C+
- Toy/Statue Stock C-
- Condition of Store C
- Fairness of Prices B+
Most of their store is dedicated to Role Playing games. I don’t think the store is a complete waste – but it’s pretty bare of comics in general. The people working there don’t seem to know whether or not they have something in their back stock. I asked for Defenders they gave me a miscellaneous “D” section and said “if they have it would be in there” They do seem to have a lot of variant issues that they aren’t charging an arm and a leg for – so kudos to them.

Temptation Comics & Awesome Guitars – New Bedford, MA
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock C-
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices C+
This shop is a bit strange – it’s both a music AND comic shop. It’s not even separated at all – they have everything together – which makes it difficult to look at some of the comics because you don’t want to bump into anything… expensive. Also – nothing is priced… which also makes it hard to shop in. He probably has some good stuff – but it wasn’t easy to browse through.

That’s Entertainment – Worcester, MA
- Back Issue Stock A-
- Toy/Statue Stock A-
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B-
What I would consider one of the first HUGE comic shops I ever discovered – I was dating a girl who went to Clark University – this place is so big it’s almost intimidating! They have so much stuff you’d be hard pressed to get a good look in just one day. I do love huge comic shops – and this one is one of the tops! There’s also a Framingham location – not as big – not as stocked as the Worcester – but still worth a trip if you’re in the area.

3 C’s Shop – New Bedford, MA
- Back Issue Stock C-
- Toy/Statue Stock C-
- Condition of Store C-
- Fairness of Prices C-
This store is a bit run-down. If you have to time to rummage through the very bare back issues they have you might find a diamond in the rough. Be prepared to pay list price though. The owner isn’t really sure of what is in stock or what he has in there.

Tin Soldier Games and Hobbies – Amesbury, MA
- Back Issue Stock D
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices C+
A store that is more focused on gaming – the comics they do have are more recent – no real back issues to speak of – but the store is beautiful and the people there are very attentive to their customers. Not a great comic shop though…

TJ Collectibles – Milford, MA
- Back Issue Stock C-
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store C-
- Fairness of Prices C-
I have visited this store many times – and every time the store is confusing, seems a mess, it’s hard to find anything – comics are everywhere. The wall books have been on the shelf too long and are starting to bend – the prices aren’t reasonable. The owner seems nice – but a little too quick to badmouth other stores. Not the worst store I’ve been to – just no where near the best.

Web Head Enterprises – Wakefield, MA
- Back Issue Stock B+
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B
A very clean store split into different areas for CD’s and DVD’s and comics – the set-up of the store is really nice – and the back issue room has a great display of the older comics in glass cases above the long boxes. The prices didn’t seem too bad – but I bought a good amount of comics and wasn’t offered any kind of discount – that kind of thing really goes a long way into bringing back customers, in my opinion. I visited once – and don’t really have a desire or reason to go back – but the store was pretty darn fine.

NH

Chris’s Cards and Comics – Salem and Seabrook, NH
- Back Issue Stock B-
- Toy/Statue Stock B-
- Condition of Store B
- Fairness of Prices B-
Two locations – I’ve been to both and both are nice. I prefer the Salem one and have found quite a few back issues I needed there. I’ve haggled with listed prices as well – and any shop willing to do that is top-notch in my book. They have some of their older and nicer and more expensive books lined across the ceiling and a whole room dedicated to back issues and TPB’s. Really worth a trip if you’re in the area. The Seabrook location is HUGE and has a great selection of $.50 boxes – worth a trip to check out all the deals there.

The Comic Shop – Nashua, NH
- Back Issue Stock C+
- Toy/Statue Stock B
- Condition of Store C+
- Fairness of Prices C
My visit to this store was pleasant enough but I wanted to buy a bust – I asked how much they were asking and the person working there didn’t know. He called someone – had to leave a message and get a call back to find out. Listen, your running a shop – try to at least have things priced – or, at the very least, tell the people that’s working for you how much things are. The shop itself has a lot of stuff PACKED into it. Displayed fine, just not terribly easy to shop in and browse.

Double Midnight Comics – Manchester, NH
- Back Issue Stock B+
- Toy/Statue Stock B-
- Condition of Store A-
- Fairness of Prices B-
This is surely one of the nicest stores I’ve been to. On a business trip to N.H. I found a few shops to visit – and this was by far the nicest. Also, they have a great selection of back issues and a pretty friendly staff. If I take another trip to N.H. I will certainly keep this place in mind.

NJ

The Joker’s Child – Fair Lawn, NJ
- Back Issue Stock A-
- Toy/Statue Stock A-
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices B-
This is a beautiful store – absolutely stunning when you walk in. Everything is displayed finely and wonderfully. Easy to browse, easy to shop in – my one complaint is the prices are sometimes outrageous and they don’t seem to sway on them. I would’ve stayed in this shop for HOURS just browsing their bins.

Zapp Comics – Wayne, N.J.
- Back Issue Stock B+
- Toy/Statue Stock B+
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices A
I don’t live in this town and have only been in this store just once – but I have an inside man who works here. He’s one of my best friends and I talk to him practically everyday – most of the time while he’s working at the store. I know him to be one of the best, most helpful people there is – and one of the visitors to this site named gammapup is a local there – so all in all pretty damn great store, check it out!

NY

Alternate Realities – Scarsdale, NY
- Back Issue Stock C
- Toy/Statue Stock A-
- Condition of Store B-
- Fairness of Prices C
This store was certainly packed. The small space they had was chock full of merchandise – in fact, I walked in and was greeted with four boxes – two Faux Bronze Abominations, a Faux Bronze Dr. Doom and Daredevil. I asked why they were still in the box and the guy said “I have no room to display them” which sums up this store perfectly. A lot of merchandise but not priced to sell.

Midtown Comics – New York, NY
- Back Issue Stock B
- Toy/Statue Stock A-
- Condition of Store A
- Fairness of Prices B+
I was fortunate enough to visit the shop in Times Square and even found the last Tales to Astonish I needed (#59) the store is clean, beautiful and easy to browse. Also, the staff their seemed friendly so all in all this store gets high marks. An added bonus is the great website that is easy to order from.

The Phoenix – Scarsdale, NY
- Back Issue Stock C-
- Toy/Statue Stock C
- Condition of Store B+
- Fairness of Prices B+
Not a lot of stock and certainly lacking in the back issues but the people there are very nice and the store is spacious. Some of their oldest comics are displayed in glass cases and they are stocked pretty well with trades.

RI

The Time Capsule – Cranston, RI
- Back Issue Stock A
- Toy/Statue Stock B-
- Condition of Store B
- Fairness of Prices B+
A store I visited just once – but when I did I picked up quite a few real classic and rare comics. The owner seemed like a solid, nice guy and he told me they are constantly re-stocking the back issue bins. I will absolutely go back anytime! Great store! They also have an area that has old LP’s and videos – but the comic area is so amazing I couldn’t leave it!