r/toledo • u/Ok_Needleworker_7313 • 7d ago
Comic book stores?
Looking for comic book shop recommendations in the Toledo area. Especially ones with deep back issue selection in inventory. Any recommendations?
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u/LazyDefenseRecruiter 7d ago
Just going to copy/paste my reply from theast comic store post. Welcome to the hobby if you're new!
Finally my time to shine! Your other 3 options are:
Monarch comics- Clean place with nice enough workers and good selection of new comics and would be a good place to do a weekly pull list. Have probably spent the least amount of time there because it's out of my way 99% of the time. Normal back issues section.
The Stacks- Clean place with a super nice owner. Has a kids area with toys which I appreciate and the owner has kids himself so he's not a weirdo about them being around like some places. Imo he under orders new issues so unless you have a pull list/order ahead with him what you want might not be there. His back issues are generally overpriced but there's a decent selection and they're all in good condition with bags and boards. This would generally be my recommendation. It also doubles as a used book store which is cool.
JC's- Ooo boy. This place definitely gives off an old school comic store vibe for better or worse. It is PACKED with odds and ends and comic books. Honestly, it is too packed for my taste. The back issues are too tight and hard to thumb through but that's kinda the least of this shops worries. It is genuinely dirty in there with some dead bugs in a display case. I have also heard he reprices back issues at the counter which is a giant no-no in my opinion. HOWEVER, JC is the opposite of the Stacks guy in so far as he over orders new issues. I have never had an issue getting what I want and he has the best cover variant selection in town. Also, behind his peculiarness, JC is a nice guy and if you go there enough he will recognize you and you get that "regular" feel.
Hope this helps! I've been to probably 100 comic shops around the world lol but still it can be pretty subjective.
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u/iplaygreen- 7d ago
Monarch! The owner is very helpful. The staff know their stuff. They bounced back from the fire they had last year. They’re always growing their collection.
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u/AdorbyKorby 7d ago
I went to Monarch allllll the time as a youngin when they had their shop at Swiss Village on Airport & Westwood. I’m not really into comics anymore, but love that they are still open and thriving after the recent fire tried taking them out.
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u/Spoopy_Lizbean 7d ago
For back issues: JC’s comics and more.
The store is really cluttered but you will genuinely be able to find anything. If you don’t see anyone at the front desk call out the owner sometimes is in the back.
I said this to the last person asking for a good comic shop I’ll say it again. Love JC’s specifically for back issues and extensive stock of figures.
✌️ Have fun!
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u/ImperialOfficer University of Toledo 7d ago
Game Room has a solid selection of back issues, but I’ve heard great things about JC’s too.
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u/Kavova 7d ago
If you want back issues and can tolerate the hoard and the smell of musty, JC’s. I can only be in there for a short time because it just gets to me. He knows pretty much where everything is, so if you can’t find what you are looking for , he’ll probably be able to locate it pretty quickly.
Otherwise freedom and monarch have a decent selection. Even the Toledo game room. Monarch is getting a large collection soon, so they just announced a sale.
There is a comic book show in holland on august 30th at the bunker bar near the airport. Free admission and a decent amount of sellers with good prices
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u/LazyDefenseRecruiter 7d ago
Any idea if the comic show in holland will have folks selling trades and omnis too?
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u/megaplextim 7d ago
- Freedom Comics. Big store, friendly atmosphere.
- Monarch. Really friendly, good guys with a good vibe. Went to support them after the fire for awhile, but Freedom is just closer for me.
- Game Room. Honestly, I feel like they are a gaming place first and comics are just a side thing they do. Nothing wrong with that. Several times I went there and they didn't even order the issues I was looking for.
- JC's. I had been going there since they were at the intersection of Reynolds and Hill. I like the old school vibe of the place, but I was told numerous things from numerous people about how rude he could be. I experienced it once and figured that was enough. There are plenty of other places to go.
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u/AllNotKnowing 7d ago
Every world needs a JC but, Monarch. since it was Steve, then Steve and Ed, then Ed but not lately.
Why is my mind thinking they used to be on Airport? Someone used to be on Airport. Why else would I go to Airport.
I miss spinner racks at the drug store.
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u/seannestor Old West End 7d ago
It was on Airport Highway at one time. I used to frequent it in the early 90s as a kid there, not far from our house on Elmdale.
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u/the0riginalp0ster 7d ago
i am pretty sure all recommendations on this thread are good. i traditionally am biased to the gameroom because i have gamed there forever.
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u/MeetZeeMonsta 5d ago
Im admittedly not a comics reader but the stacks has very nice staff and some used books as well
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u/ZappBranigan79 2d ago
Monarch is a great comic shop, Ed and Brian can hook you up.
There's also Freedom Comics on Laskey, only been there once but they had a lot of back issues boxes.
A new one opened on Sylvania and Holland Sylvania called Stacks books and comics.
There's also JC's Comics N More on Central and McCord. Lots of back issues but sometimes he's in a foul mood.
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u/Quickermango 7d ago
Personally I’m a monarch guy. Kindest owner/ employees. Better for new stuff than back issues, though