How far away is your Local Comic Store?

[samurainoir]

so how far do you drive/travel to get to your local comic store? How often do you go there? Do you have a pull list?

Is there a book store with a graphic novel section that is closer? Or any other non-comic stores that also carry comics? Does your library carry graphic novels, and do you borrow from there?

Has your trips to the LCS become less frequent? Anyone else gone almost completely digital with their comics?

My wife loves to point out that when we first started going out, in true OCD fashion, I acted like the world would end if I didn't get to the comic store on Wednesdays and would always plan my day around that. Now that I've gone digital, my comics just automatically get downloaded to my iPad and I don't have to sweat it.

[jwyblejr]

There's one here in town. When I found out they didn't carry Art's stuff,I never went back. I usually get my comic book fix from Books-A-Million. The better comic book stores are all in Huntsville.

[emeraldknight47]

Here in the Louisville area, we've actually got several comic shops, probably each within a five to ten mile radius of one another. The grandpappy is The Great Escape (which, before comics were "cool," was the ONLY comic shop around). In addition, we now have The Zone, The Destination, Comic Book World and Empire Comics on the Indiana side of the bridge. Of course we also have a pair of BAMs and two Barnes and Nobles, which also carry comics and graphic novels.

Sadly, although I peruse the aisles of these stores and shops from time to time, the world of comics that I knew and loved is dead and buried under a wasteland of modern-day stuff you couldn't pay me enough money to buy. When I was younger, and probably even into my early thirties, I probably bought 10 to 20 titles regularly and enjoyed them a lot. Now I look at the books with characters whose names are familiar, but they're not the characters I grew up with and still care about today.

Today's generation of comic book readers can't be satisfied with a decent two or three issue storyline (back in the day, if a storyline ran through two issues, it was a lot), they've got to be constantly spoon fed over-hyped, overblown event books that run through ten to twenty titles each. And, the suits behind it all are no better, with visions of dollar bills spinning 'round in their heads trying to come up with, imitate or somehow tie into "the next big thing." I miss my old, glossy cover, smelly newsprint comics that were crafted by artists and writers who gave an actual damn about the characters and storytelling rather than just figuring out how to justify changing a character's costume, identity or motivations.

OK, sorry, rant over....

[hawkmike]

60 miles away

[Mikey]

Like 3 miles away

Called The Gamer's Edge

[Hector]

Oakland has only two true comic book shops. But right next door, Berkeley, is the mecca for comic book shops here in the East Bay. I know of at least six of them...I'd say thanks to the tens of thousands of Cal college students who frequent and keep these comic shops alive and well. I'm not sure about the number San Francisco has, but I'd say about a good dozen comic book shops would be a good guess.

[Boy_Wonder_1978]

About 2 miles is the nearest one here. Not much of a store really, but the owner is a nice chap. Stock level wise there's not really a great selection and most issues available are most of the time pretty mauled. It's good for back issues as they get sold off really cheaply and I've found a few gems in those boxes.
Most of the time I just order online. Issues are always bagged and boarded and cost much less than the store.

[PNGwynne]

I collect only a few monthly titles. Otherwise I buy trades online. My "local" shop--which is comics/vintage toys/cards, memorabilia, cross-sells-- is about 30 minutes away. I typically pop in three times a year to browse and buy my bundles of books. Lots of back issues and great toys, but pricey.

[ScottA]

There are only 2 here in Montgomery. Both 5.5 miles from my house and located directly across from each other. I've know both owners for over 20 years. If one store doesn't have it they will send you across the street.

I haven't had a pull list in forever but the DC Rebirth has had me stopping in way more than I have in years. I typically go once a week or so to both of them. I will say one has way more toys, pops and statues. He also had the EMCE Deadpool the last time I was in there. I've even bought a couple of Megos off him over the years. In fact I got my Comic Actions Mangler MIB from him years ago.

[Spyweb007]

Closest comic shop to me is less than ten miles. That being said, I self published a comic book mini series a long time ago. When we started work on the comic in 1992 there were about thirty comic book stores in the state, (and Rhode Island is very small). By the time we finished and published it in the late 90's there were 8 stores left, and now I think there are about 6 if I include Newbury Comics which carries more music than comics.

[Blue Meanie]

My original comic store that I went to from age 9 to about age 25/26 was a walk across a mall parking lot. For the last 20 years though it's been maybe a 10 mile drive. I don't have one shop that I frequent...I like to spread the wealth whenever I do go to buy new books. This has become more and more infrequent in the last 5 years or so. It will get even more so if Marvel is going to do what I think they are going to do.

[Mr.Marion]

I believe my nearest one in about 20 mins away. This is a local card store that carries toys and current comics but no back issues. If I ever see a comic shop while I'm traveling I try to stop.
I just watched this documentary and it pretty much encapsulates every comic book shop.

https://youtu.be/yrv1LmD_Xj0

[Godzilla]

Less than a mile. I used to go once a week, but more like once a month now.

[TrekStar]

Next town over, about 15 minutes.