Whether you're a longtime mutant booster or someone that just developed a taste for tights, stopping into your local comic bookstore is a year-round way to keep up with those caped crusaders. Here are some top spots in Vancouver to grab some comics. [Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver/Nelson Mouellic]
A staple in Vancouver comicdom since the '70s, the current two-floor Comic Shop location in Kitsilano is the stop for all of your DC and Marvel needs. The dozens upon dozens of new comics coming in keep things current, but this shop also has one of the city's deepest back issue collections. Hero timelines can get confusing, so digging through the dollar bin for some vintage issues can fill the gaps.
Being located in downtown Vancouver has more than a few perks. The high traffic Golden Age Collectables on Granville Street is just a few blocks away from Scotiabank Theatre, so you can stock up on comics right after watching the Avengers rip into bad guys on the big screen. Golden Age sets the standard with its mix of current issues, a glass case full of rare '60s treasures and hard-to-find cover variants, manga, and a dirt cheap, discount graphic novel section. They also sell a hulking haul of merchandise, from Batman mugs to form-fitting Fantastic Four T-shirts.
There's more to comics than just superheroes. Lucky's on Main does stock up on graphic novels – including classic runs of Spider-Man – but you can also pick up offbeat indie comics that are more personal than they are punchy, small-run zines full of cartoony illustrations, kids’ books and more.
Whether you're looking to flip through a comic book or pose a chiseled action figure, Tazmanian Comics has plenty of hero-themed products to hawk. The massive East Hastings location is fan-friendly, offering a free subscription service to its customers that includes a mighty 15 per cent discount on new arrivals. The store also showcases plenty of sports memorabilia, making it a meeting spot for jocks and geeks alike.
8th Dimension is the newest store in town, but its owners are comic book shop veterans that took over the Rx Comics spot on Main Street. Gone are the overwhelming stacks of back issue boxes that cluttered the older enterprise. 8th Dimension's streamlined curation focuses on current comics from major publishers – minus all the gimmick cover variants – and local books. Don't be surprised to see a Vancouver comics creator or two leafing through the new release wall with you.
While Pulp Fiction does bring in new releases of lesser-known graphic novels, the Main Street location of the local bookstore chain is a must-stop for anyone looking to fill up on lightly used Marvel classics. Poking around their stacked-to-the-ceiling shelves and piles of new arrivals can be your gateway into the out-of-this-world activities of the Guardians of the Galaxy or Green Lantern.
Just a quick trip over the water, Lonsdale’s Big Pete's is a juggernaut of comics content. The North Van shop's front room lets you get your fill on weekly comics arrivals, as well as cosplay-perfect Captain America shirts, batarang key chains and more. The back room is a meeting spot for anyone wanting to talk shop on recent battles or play a game of Magic: The Gathering.