San Francisco Comic Con's Grand LCS Tour!

[KingOfRulers]

That's over 20 San Francisco area comic book stores in two days! What a journey it was!

 

From the Florida swamps (Tampa and Orlando), TupennyConan and I traveled to one of the great hearts of civilization this past Tuesday. Having just announced our debut San Francisco Comic Con ( http://sanfrancomiccon.com/ ) two weeks ago, there were many things for us to do in San Francisco in our abridged two day visit. From meetings with the venue to meetings with decorators, it was a packed schedule. The most enjoyable of the many things was to visit as many local comic stores as we could.

 

Wherever we hold a convention (whether local to us or not), we always visit all of the local stores. It's important for us to promote the convention to the haven of what a comic convention is all about. The convention isn't until Labor Day weekend of 2016, but when we host a convention we want to make sure it's done right. As well, we love getting feedback and suggestions from all of the store owners, management and patrons that are within earshot. Finding out what they like, don't like, want to see etc. is such an important factor of hosting a fun and successful convention. Not only that, but we get to be around comic books all day and see so much of the area.

 

Upon arriving on Tuesday at around 11:30 AM, TupennyConan and I acquired our rental car and started visiting comic stores right away. Our first stop was Lee's Comics in San Mateo. It was a very clean and bright store, with a very nice young lady behind the counter. We didn't get to see Lee as he was in his Mountain View store further south and we never quite made it down there this time.

 

 

 

Next stop was to a nearby gaming store; Gator Games & Hobby. This store was brimming with board games, table top gaming, cards and friendly people. They only had great things to say about their friends at Lee Comics as well!

 

 

 

We then made our way to the lovely coastside town of Pacifica for a visit to Coastside Comics. This is among the longest running stores in the Bay area. We also had the pleasure of some fish and chips at a restaurant just around the corner.

 

 

 

 

Following the unforgettable views provided by Pacifica, we made our way further north into San Francisco city limits with a visit to Comix Experience Outpost. It was a fantastic store. The Outpost was an encouraging sight, as it was filled with young people that will keep our hobby going for decades to come. They were filming a promotional segment for the store's YouTube channel. Everyone was so excited about the San Francisco Comic Con. It was a really, really great reception.

 

 

 

Next up was Two Cats Comic Book Store. By this time we were in the thick of San Francisco traffic. Fortunately (for me), Tupenny was the wheelman. San Francisco is fantastic, but the traffic was a harrowing experience. It was a cauldron of unfamiliar traffic patterns and never before seen (by us Floridians) signage & roadmarks. Nothing would keep us from Two Cats Comics though! We eventually made it and eventually found a place to park (both took quite a while).

 

 

 

Back into the Infiniti and onto Amazing Fantasy! Here we met one of the nicest store owners (I believe his name is Frank). He had already heard word of the San Francisco Comic Con from one of his customers. He was so enthusiastic and supportive. The store is very nice. It is another very long running store. I believe Frank has been running it since 2000, but it was around long prior to that. There appeared to be some quality vintage material in there. Unfortunately, strapped for time, we were unable to enjoy sifting through any of it.

 

 

 

Cards and Comics Central was next on the docket. It was a store that was filled from floor to ceiling, essentially. This store also featured a bit of vintage material, but again the busy schedule prevented us from reveling in it.

 

 

 

Green Apple Books was the first store that we went to that wasn't a typical comic book store, in that it features all sorts of books. The selection of comic trades was immense. There was some vintage items on the wall. What comes to mind were the underground comics of the 60's and 70's, which are things that make me instantly think of San Francisco.

 

 

 

Next up was Collector's Cave. It closed earlier than it's normal store hours on this particular day, so we didn't get to go inside. It's a shame as the outside looks very nice. It was in a very fashionable area of San Francisco.

 

 

 

Isotope Comics was the first stop of day two. We tried to get there on the previous day but were simply unable to find a parking space anywhere nearby. It is such an amazing store! The owner is so enthusiastic about comics. He was also aware of the San Francisco Comic Con already and right away offered his hand in assistance.

 

There have been so many legendary creators that have visited the store, made apparent by the walls that were lined with toilet seats all featuring their artwork. JH Williams is the next creator scheduled to attend. I should have snapped a shot of the toilet seat wall. This is one of those stores that not only features the standard big publisher comics (Marvel, DC etc0, but also small press comics and those created by locals. The store is a local favorite, made plain by the "Best of San Francisco" awards hung on the wall, behind the register. It was located in a fantastic area of SF as well. We got lunch at the restaurant next door.

 

 

 

Following some epic San Francisco hill climbs and descents, we reached Comix Experience. It was yet another beautiful, clean store. Behind the counter was a young lady who reminded me of one of our great convention staff members. The Comix Experience stores are a great operation. More great artwork lined the walls of this store. This time, Matt Wagner was the artist whose work most adorned the walls. Another splendid highlight in our journey. A cool Cerebus statue which neither Tupenny or I had ever seen before was also on display behind the register. I believe this store also featured a very nice Fantastic Four #1 priced at $8k--it looked quite nice at a quick glance.

 

 

 

Gamescape was a memorable stop. As we walked into the store, we accidentally herded a pigeon inside. Below you'll find the attempt to capture the bird and get it back outside. We left before the conclusion (sorry about that guys!). It was another great store though! The guys were cool even with our mishap.

 

 

 

Whatever Store was a cool, little store. We chatted shortly about his podcast, "The Geek Chat". I haven't listened to it before, but will certainly give it a listen soon.

 

 

Mission Comics & Art was a cool store. It's always nice to see the art of locals decorating the walls and this one featured just that. The owner, Leef, had already done his homework on us as he was aware of the San Francisco Comic Con, and our other two conventions (Tampa and Indianapolis). So, we talked shop and got some great feedback and suggestions concerning the convention itself and San Francisco specific externalities. Leef is a super helpful guy!

 

 

 

By this point we had visited all of the comic stores within San Francisco city limits. Now we were off further north to El Cerrito, to stop in at Stand-Up Comics. This store was the first one that we visited to feature a significant video game element, as they deal in some vintage video games. Behind the register was an array of consoles from across the ages that they use to test games brought into the store. It was cool store.

 

 

 

Tupenny and I were both excited to visit Berkeley. Fantastic Comics was our first stop in the famed college town and it certainly did not disappoint. The stores in the area are so well kept these days--a farcry from the stereotypical comic stores of old. This store was a clean and well kept as they come. It's a hip store with proper music playing at the right sound level. Employees have a section where their personal recommendations are spotlighted, which is a great thing to have at a store. Also, Fantastic Comics featured some books that illustrate works of philosophers from across the ages that struck Tupenny's interest, as it was something he'd never seen before. We departed this stop for a quick visit to the Berkeley campus as neither of us had been there before. It is indeed a lovely looking campus!

 

 

 

Escapist Comics was the second Berkeley stop and it was a great one. Of all of the stores that we would visit on our trip, this one featured the largest selection of overall inventory and vintage inventory. The second floor had a large room devoted to just vintage material. After having chatted with the very friendly staff, we were escorted up to the vintage room where we got to look around for about five minutes before we forced ourselves to leave. We could have spent hours in there though. Apparently, there is a big collection dating back to the 50's (20,000 comics) that's about to come into the store, so if you're interested, check it out.

 

 

 

Now it over to Oakland, where we dropped in at Dr. Comics & Mr. Games. We chatted with the owner, Paula, about the store and her childhood entry into comics. Although we started in different eras, we both grew up on the X-Men. She's been running the store for 28 years, I believe. It's a large store. Too bad we didn't get to do some longbox digging.

 

 

Our next Oakland stop was Collector's Haven. Unfortunately, it appears to have just recently gone out of business.

 

Alameda Comics & Games is the only store in Alameda. If memory serves, there was a midgrade Hulk #181 in there. It was a nice store that featured a nice mix of it's comics and cards namesake. I really love their logo/sign as well. It's a different look than I've ever seen before.

 

 

 

Comic Shop in San Leandro would be the final store on the journey. It's another long running store, having been around for 20+ or so years, I think. We chatted with the owner about her extensive participation in west coast conventions. They travel up and down the west coast.

 

 

 

It was a fantastic trip! We got to see so much of San Francisco and the surrounding area by travelling to so many stores. Most importantly, we got to meet so many great people along the way!

[steveinthecity]

Nice reviews! It's great to know there are so many active shops in a relatively small geographic area.

[wombat]

Awesome report.

[BlowUpTheMoon]

No pics of Tupenny!

[KingOfRulers]

No pics of Tupenny!

 

In addition to wheelman, he was cameraman. Besides, he does not have my million dollar smile.

[The Brain]

 

 

Are tickets only online, or will I be able to purchase from my local LCS???

[TupennyConan]

No pics of Tupenny!

 

In addition to wheelman, he was cameraman. Besides, he does not have my million dollar smile.

 

A smile for the ages.

 

Hey chum, am I correct in noting that you overlooked the sweet pic of Alameda Comics & Games?

 

The H181 should have come home to Castle von Tupenny.

[TupennyConan]

 

Are tickets only online, or will I be able to purchase from my local LCS???

 

Aren't you a Doverite? Free for you.

[paperheart]

i've lived in the Bay Area for 25 years and have been to a grand total of 3 of those

[KingOfRulers]

No pics of Tupenny!

 

In addition to wheelman, he was cameraman. Besides, he does not have my million dollar smile.

 

A smile for the ages.

 

Hey chum, am I correct in noting that you overlooked the sweet pic of Alameda Comics & Games?

 

The H181 should have come home to Castle von Tupenny.

 

Whoops. Alameda pic added.

[The Brain]

 

Are tickets only online, or will I be able to purchase from my local LCS???

 

Aren't you a Doverite? Free for you.

 

What do I need to do to make that happen, (not going to do anything

 

illegal, immoral, or unethical), and THANK YOU!!!

[Designer Toast]

Congrats on the new show! SFO is a quick jump for me so I'll be there. (thumbs u

[musicmeta]

Great write up on the Comic Book store visits. I was there last year in October on business. My wife had a blast and I did too even though I was very tired after the conference was over.

[TupennyConan]

Taken in Pacifica.

 

[RockMyAmadeus]

Did you leave your heart there....?

[ahsieh]

Mission Comics & Art, Isotope and Gator Games are all great places. Especially Isotope-- their signing ops are always nice and cozy. Nice pics!

 

Too bad Cartoon Art Museum is moving out, though ... would be great to have that around for the con.

[Semicentennial]

Wow, thanks for the reviews. It really brings back memories. I remember a couple of these stores way before they were established. If Coastside in Pacifica is owned by the same guy that I knew, Romy, then I remember when he and his wife used to set up at the Alameda Flea Market back in the mid 80s or so. I would ask/bug him, every week to see if I could help him since I wanted to some day be a comic book dealer. I remember him letting my friend and I assist him with hit booth one year when he set up shop at a local con. He gave my friend and I a copy of a Captain Britain magazine for helping out. It was at this con that I saw my first actual copy of Batman #1. Cool times...

 

Romy sold at the flea market around the same time as another guy named Bob. I think it was around 84 or so because I bought a box of 84 Topps football cards from him really cheap. Bob eventually opened up East Bay Comics and Cards in a hole in a wall spot in Alameda. He sold it years later to a lady named Patty. I think its now Alameda Sports Card and Comics.

 

Dr. Comics and Mr. Games...I remember when they were called SOTI (Seduction of the Innocence) and were located in the really out of the way place by Laney College in Oakland. They had some really nice books at that store but really didn't get much traffic in the area. They eventually moved to another place in Piedmont and i think that's when they renamed the place to Dr. Comics & Mr. Games. A few months later the owner sold his share to another person whose name I totally forgot. A year or so later they wound up moving a couple blocks down to an even bigger place. I still have my FF#1 that I bought from them 25 years ago.

 

I remember Stand Up Comics when they opened up and marveling at their nice SA keys. I still have my ASM#14 I picked up from them. I remember hitting up Comic Shop in San Leandro almost every weekend even when they moved a couple times in between. That was a fun place.

 

Hard to believe some of these shops have been around for so long...damn I'm getting old. The Bay Area has some really great stores, Dan from Nightmares and Notions was probably my favorite. Thanks for the memories.

[thehumantorch]

Fun stuff, thanks for the tour.

[TupennyConan]

Romy is indeed the proprietor. He sent us for fish&chips around the corner.

 

Paula was our host at Dr Comics & Mr Games. Decades in business & beautiful! Vibrant! X-Men, Paula!

 

[oakman29]

Awesome.