Can anybody recommend some shops in the Baltimore/DC area?

[yertle]

I'm recently returning to the hobby after a short hiatus and would like to know if anybody can recommend a shop in the Baltimore/DC area? The only places I've been able to locate are non comic book specialty shops so the selections have been lacking. I'm crossing my fingers that the book store I found today online actually has a semi-nice selection of comic books to thumb through on my lunch break tomorrow.

 

-sam

 

[Darthdiesel]

Hook up with forum members: flyingdonut, chrisco and monumental collectibles - I live in Northern VA and can recommend BC Comics in Fairfax and Phoenix up in Reston; plenty of others around here

[Illiterati-migration]

There was a pretty sweet store in Georgetown, actually... though I can't remember what their back issue selection was like... there's another one in Crystal City (one of the most disturbing places I've ever been-- and that's including the night that Greggy offered me that drink and I didn't wake up until the following Thursday) and they had a pretty decent back issue stock, though they looked like they were on the brink of a "Going Out Of Business" sale. It was in this crazy underground mall................... strange place, that Crystal City.

[FlyingDonut]

This is one of the worst areas in North America for comic stores. I can recommend without hesitation Pheonix Comics in Herndon, Big Planet (a little pricey, but have a lot of alternative stuff) in either Vienna or Bethesda, Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, MD and Adventure Comics in Rockville. Also Barbarian Books in Wheaton, but that store is, well, pricey and VERY difficult to deal with - but they have a great back stock. E.G. Comics in Vienna is also pretty good. That's about it!

 

The stores Major Khaos is referring to are Another Universe in Georgetown, which sells almost no comics, and Geppi's Comic World in Crystal City, which is gone.

[yertle]

Thanks for the info Darth. Monumental Collectibles has already sent me a message so I'm corresponding with them already. I actually work in Falls Church so maybe I'll check out the places you recommended. Thanks.

 

Thanks as well Khaos. I'm not sure I'll venture into Crystal City as I've only been there once and I wasn't all that thrilled with going back anytime soon. I'll have to check out Georgetown though based on your recommendation. Thanks.

 

-sam

 

[FlyingDonut]

If you're in Falls Church, your best bet is probably E.G. or Big Planet. Again, this is a lousy area for comic stores.

[chrisco37]

Donut is right. Not much for Back Issues as Geppi's is gone and Another World has changed their focus. Card, Comics, and Collectibles in Reistertown is your best bet ifyou're looking for back issues. I've only been there a few times, but the selection is the best you will find around here. Last time I went (last summer) I was looking for some early 80;s DD's, and all the copies there were extremely nice, and he consistantly has a great selection at the Tyson's show. His prices are fair as well.

 

Chris

[Lantern]

Great question,

 

Donut, Darth, and everyone else that is supplying info to yertle will also be helping me as I am scheduled to move to the DC area in June.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[yertle]

Thanks for the information FlyingDonut. I will certianly have to check out the two stores in Vienna and I may drive out to Herndon for the first store you suggested. Heck maybe I'll take a detour on the way home and stop at the store in Rockville.

 

Regardless of the quality and quanity of stores in this aera you've at least given me some places to check out. That is certainly a lot better then what I was doing. I was planning to check out a place called, "A Hole in the Wall Books" tomorrrow and I'm sure I was going to walk out of the store disappointed like the others places I've visited. I'm not even sure why some of these places list that they sell comic books since when I call and ask if they still carry comic books they say, "Comic what?".

 

-sam

[FlyingDonut]

Hole in the Wall is AWFUL

[chrisco37]

Hole in the Wall is AWFUL

 

'Nuff Said!

 

Chris

[yertle]

Hole in the Wall is AWFUL

 

'Nuff Said!

 

Hmm, let me see if I follow the two of you. Hole in the Wall is....Awful? Care to elaborate any? Thanks for the tip, I wont be visiting that place tomorrow I guess.

 

-sam

 

[FlyingDonut]

It would be helpful if a comic store had, in fact, comics in it.

[fantastic_four]

Is "Hole in the Wall" the place that is two stories with the 2nd story blocked off from customers that has a bunch of porn behind the counter near the front entrance? With velvet oil paintings of naked chicks in view way up in the loft, and wire-spinner racks guaranteed to make all their newsstand comics VG to FN within the first few days of release?

[yertle]

That was my problem when trying to search for some comic shops in this area today. All the lisiting were predominately book stores that stated the sold comic books but most didn't actually stock them contrary to what was stated on line.

 

-sam

 

[FlyingDonut]

Um, no. But that store sounds like fun! Where is it!!! Darth, Chrisco and I will make a visit!

[aardvark88]

See if Diamond Int'l Galleries (Baltimore) has tours or an open house this year. It is Stv Geppi's playpen full of his wonderful comics & Disney art.

[FlyingDonut]

I'd go with E.G. Comics and Pheonix then - large selection of back issues at both stores. Big Planet has a smaller back issue selection, but carries EVERYTHING new.

[fantastic_four]

Hehe, I think the "porn" place is called "Cosmic Books/Black Hole Comics" now that I think about it; it's in Manassas. I remember it because I made a trip to about a dozen comic shops up there in late 2000 looking for Silver Age X-Men and didn't find squat except for that store. My girlfriend didn't want to stay when she saw the porn, and he had very few comics, but when I asked him if he had any others, he pulled out a stack of 7.0 to 9.2 X-Men between #11 and #35. Hitting that store made the trip worthwhile.

[Illiterati-migration]

The stores Major Khaos is referring to are Another Universe in Georgetown

 

Almost no comics?!?!?! The devil you say! Ah, my water-colored memories are bleeding out everywhere... Well, they certainly had a lot of comic-related stuff AND new issues!

 

And yes. "Geppi's." What a weird little place that was. Donut, I take it you've been to Crystal City? Or, as I like to call it: "Apartment Buildings As Far As The Eye Can See"?