Best places for comics in NYC 3 3

[Foolkiller]

Other than making an appointment to visit Metropolis, I don't think there's any where in New York City proper that is going to have what you're looking for.  

If you're going to make a trip into Northern New Jersey exclusively to hunt back issues, I'd recommend Zapp.

But if you're willing to come a little further down the parkway, the gem of the bunch is Main Street Comics in Milltown NJ -- Mike Pfiefer -- the owner, just opened a huge additional side to his store that is filled with quality back issues, slabs etc., and I am not aware of anything quite like it in Jersey.  Also if you want something specific, I'd reach out in advance, as he may have it, but. not in store.  Mike is also an excellent, excellent grader.  

JC Comics in Plainfield also has a fairly extensive selection of back issues, but still not as deep as Main Street.  Jeff is an insanely tight grader though, so you will find a lot of solid runs and a decent wall. 

There are other stores in Jersey, but few with pricing, grading and selection that you'll find at either of these two and I mean in the whole state.  I'm generally familiar with every single store, and you'd have to get all the way down to south jersey and then there are a few more back issue centric stores.  

[GeeksAreMyPeeps]

On 7/26/2023 at 4:22 PM, Foolkiller said:

Other than making an appointment to visit Metropolis, I don't think there's any where in New York City proper that is going to have what you're looking for.  

If you're going to make a trip into Northern New Jersey exclusively to hunt back issues, I'd recommend Zapp.

But if you're willing to come a little further down the parkway, the gem of the bunch is Main Street Comics in Milltown NJ -- Mike Pfiefer -- the owner, just opened a huge additional side to his store that is filled with quality back issues, slabs etc., and I am not aware of anything quite like it in Jersey.  Also if you want something specific, I'd reach out in advance, as he may have it, but. not in store.  Mike is also an excellent, excellent grader.  

JC Comics in Plainfield also has a fairly extensive selection of back issues, but still not as deep as Main Street.  Jeff is an insanely tight grader though, so you will find a lot of solid runs and a decent wall. 

There are other stores in Jersey, but few with pricing, grading and selection that you'll find at either of these two and I mean in the whole state.  I'm generally familiar with every single store, and you'd have to get all the way down to south jersey and then there are a few more back issue centric stores.  

I've been through NJ a few times in recent months, and I've tried to hit up some comic shops each time to hunt for stuff. Another NJ shop I'd add tot he list is the Joker's Child. They're a little OCD about their back issues, asking if you take a book out of the bins that you don't want, to leave it on top of the books rather than putting it back. That helps them keep everything alphabetized perfectly, which helps find stuff quickly.

Paradox Comics had a decent number of back issues as well.

[Foolkiller]

On 7/26/2023 at 5:07 PM, GeeksAreMyPeeps said:

I've been through NJ a few times in recent months, and I've tried to hit up some comic shops each time to hunt for stuff. Another NJ shop I'd add tot he list is the Joker's Child. They're a little OCD about their back issues, asking if you take a book out of the bins that you don't want, to leave it on top of the books rather than putting it back. That helps them keep everything alphabetized perfectly, which helps find stuff quickly.

Paradox Comics had a decent number of back issues as well.

Since the OP is looking for mostly vintage stuff, I'll make a couple notes.  I'd avoid the Joker's Child.  Over the years the inventory Len and Caren have offered has slowly diminished and the somewhat erratic grading, missed restoration, and books missing pages (all of which I've personally experienced at times over 25 years going there) make it tough to recommend.  It used to be that the selection was pretty good and the store is well laid out, but this is no longer a place or destination spot for back issues, and I doubt many serious collectors would find it a good use of time.

Paradox is another store that I'll mention as sort of the 'B' tier in terms of back issues when you combine selection, price and grading accuracy.  Again, solid place and I'm sure you can dig for some deals, but I've never found anything they're worth picking up.  If you're on a limited window -- from New York -- it's really Zapp, Main Street and JC.  

[GeeksAreMyPeeps]

On 7/26/2023 at 8:36 PM, Foolkiller said:

Since the OP is looking for mostly vintage stuff, I'll make a couple notes.  I'd avoid the Joker's Child.  Over the years the inventory Len and Caren have offered has slowly diminished and the somewhat erratic grading, missed restoration, and books missing pages (all of which I've personally experienced at times over 25 years going there) make it tough to recommend.  It used to be that the selection was pretty good and the store is well laid out, but this is no longer a place or destination spot for back issues, and I doubt many serious collectors would find it a good use of time.

Paradox is another store that I'll mention as sort of the 'B' tier in terms of back issues when you combine selection, price and grading accuracy.  Again, solid place and I'm sure you can dig for some deals, but I've never found anything they're worth picking up.  If you're on a limited window -- from New York -- it's really Zapp, Main Street and JC.  

What is "JC" (I'm assuming not Joker's Child, since you said to avoid it)?

I did go to Main Street as well. I've mainly been hunting Milestone books, and they did have a longbox in storage which they let me flip through. They had a number of tough-to-find books, but they weren't in the best condition, and they did their pricing based on eBay asking prices. Even for common non-keys, they said the prices were going to be about 10/book (for books that are basically dollar-bin books).

Edited July 27, 2023 by GeeksAreMyPeeps

[Foolkiller]

On 7/26/2023 at 8:40 PM, GeeksAreMyPeeps said:

What is "JC" (I'm assuming not Joker's Child, since you said to avoid it)?

I did go to Main Street as well. I've mainly been hunting Milestone books, and they did have a longbox in storage which they let me flip through. They had a number of tough-to-find books, but they weren't in the best condition, and they did their pricing based on eBay asking prices. Even for common non-keys, they said the prices were going to be about 10/book (for books that are basically dollar-bin books).

JC Comics is a separate store -- (it's the initials of the owner)

Main Street is extremely easy to deal with -- Mike generally doesn't price based on eBay and I can't imagine those wouldn't be dollar books -- I'll ask him about it.  

[Bird]

On 7/26/2023 at 8:36 PM, Foolkiller said:

missed restoration, and books missing pages

Main Street has sold me books missing pages and not noted (we re-negotiated once I let him know but ugh, what a let down once I was home) and he told me if a book comes back with resto tough luck, once it leaves the store end of story. I find the prices on the high end but he is certainly open to dealing. He pays well I think for good collections and has good books. I don't like that he won't tell the grade either, just a price. I bought a large lot of GA from him, he graded them all to sell but then would not share that list of grades with me once I bought them.

With all that said, I would likely still go once in a while but my work location changed and it is waaay out of the way for me now. Just a few quirks you have to deal with.

There used to be 6 shops I could go to in that area, only the one in Somerville remains other than Main St.

 

IIRC Mike (the owner of Main St) doesn't work Fridays, otherwise he is the one behind the counter. So if you want to deal or bundle, don't go on Friday or call ahead and make sure he is there.

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by Bird

[Foolkiller]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:00 PM, Bird said:

Main Street has sold me books missing pages and not noted (we re-negotiated once I let him know but ugh, what a let down once I was home) and he told me if a book comes back with resto tough luck, once it leaves the store end of story. I find the prices on the high end but he is certainly open to dealing. He pays well I think for good collections and has good books. I don't like that he won't tell the grade either, just a price. I bought a large lot of GA from him, he graded them all to sell but then would not share that list of grades with me once I bought them.

With all that said, I would likely still go once in a while but my work location changed and it is waaay out of the way for me now. Just a few quirks you have to deal with.

There used to be 6 shops I could go to in that area, only the one in Somerville remains other than Main St.

 

If you're going all the way to Somerville (although why, that store literally has next to nothing) then JC Comics is just down 22.  Main Street Comics and Comic Fortress in Somerville aren't all that close to each other, it's about a 40 minute ride so I'd imagine there's some thing else in that area, but perhaps nothing worth stopping at in particular.  

Again, I'm shocked mike wouldn't take a book back with restoration and I've dealt with him a million times over the years and know for a fact he's taken books back from other customers so that reaction is absolutely shocking.  he does pay well.  As for not telling you the grade, I can see both sides of that.  I know both Zapp and JC Comics write the grades on their stickers so I get both sides of that coin.  

Since he opened the new side, it's a pretty spectacular experience and frankly I know of no where else in Jersey that has that kind of selection.  

[Bird]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:07 PM, Foolkiller said:

If you're going all the way to Somerville (although why, that store literally has next to nothing) then JC Comics is just down 22.  Main Street Comics and Comic Fortress in Somerville aren't all that close to each other, it's about a 40 minute ride so I'd imagine there's some thing else in that area, but perhaps nothing worth stopping at in particular.  

I don't go there either! (Somerville) JC is fine, but they save the great stuff for their cons in my experience. Very hard to find books in the store on 22 though.

 

Zapp is not far from me now. Great store but no personality.

Edited July 27, 2023 by Bird

[Foolkiller]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:14 PM, Bird said:

I don't go there either! (Somerville) JC is fine, but they save the great stuff for their cons in my experience. Very hard to find books in the store on 22 though.

You know they stopped doing shows like 2 years ago.  Joe decided to focus on all eBay.  They also rarely brought their wall stock to New York comic con.  They would bring a few books for dealers, but I know Jeff (the guy who does the back issues) prefers to have stuff for the store.  

[Foolkiller]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:00 PM, Bird said:

Main Street has sold me books missing pages and not noted (we re-negotiated once I let him know but ugh, what a let down once I was home) and he told me if a book comes back with resto tough luck, once it leaves the store end of story. I find the prices on the high end but he is certainly open to dealing. He pays well I think for good collections and has good books. I don't like that he won't tell the grade either, just a price. I bought a large lot of GA from him, he graded them all to sell but then would not share that list of grades with me once I bought them.

With all that said, I would likely still go once in a while but my work location changed and it is waaay out of the way for me now. Just a few quirks you have to deal with.

There used to be 6 shops I could go to in that area, only the one in Somerville remains other than Main St.

 

IIRC Mike (the owner of Main St) doesn't work Fridays, otherwise he is the one behind the counter. So if you want to deal or bundle, don't go on Friday or call ahead and make sure he is there.

 

So I wonder if you're thinking of the same store.  He does work Fridays, he's off Sundays and Mondays.

[Bird]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:15 PM, Foolkiller said:

You know they stopped doing shows like 2 years ago.  Joe decided to focus on all eBay.  They also rarely brought their wall stock to New York comic con.  They would bring a few books for dealers, but I know Jeff (the guy who does the back issues) prefers to have stuff for the store.  

I almost went to the morristown show just to see if JC was there. Now I know better, thanks.

JC is a weird store. Wall books are one guy, other brother does the variants. You have to know who is who to ask about a book. You'll get a contact high on Sunday there too.

[Bird]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:17 PM, Foolkiller said:

So I wonder if you're thinking of the same store.  He does work Fridays, he's off Sundays and Mondays.

I know it well, just confused my days. (I bought bulk new orders from him for 1 year or so, up to 50 issues of a title at a time. I know him well. He had me press some drek for him to see how much it improved books. I know the store.)

He'll know who I am just from these posts. ;-)

 

Edited July 27, 2023 by Bird

[Foolkiller]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:17 PM, Bird said:

I almost went to the morristown show just to see if JC was there. Now I know better, thanks.

JC is a weird store. Wall books are one guy, other brother does the variants. You have to know who is who to ask about a book. You'll get a contact high on Sunday there too.

Again, I don't where you're getting that about the contact high as neither Joe nor Jeff smoke pot -- Joe is a pharmacist full time.  Jeff only smokes cigarettes (does enjoy a good card game) I've been there on Sundays many times.  Joe is almost never there, he's there only on Wednesdays and Jeff prices all the back issues including the variants -- Joe does do the eBay listings.  This is the way it's been for almost 30 years. 

[Bird]

On 7/26/2023 at 10:20 PM, Foolkiller said:

Again, I don't where you're getting that about the contact high as neither Joe nor Jeff smoke pot -- Joe is a pharmacist full time.  Jeff only smokes cigarettes (does enjoy a good card game) I've been there on Sundays many times.  Joe is almost never there, he's there only on Wednesdays and Jeff prices all the back issues including the variants -- Joe does do the eBay listings.  This is the way it's been for almost 30 years. 

I sat in my car and watched the guy smoke pot on the steps. Then I walked in as he opened at noon and it stunk. I never went to a Bruce Springsteen show but that doesn't mean they don't occur. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. It's legal in any event (now).

On 7/26/2023 at 10:07 PM, Foolkiller said:

Again, I'm shocked mike wouldn't take a book back with restoration and I've dealt with him a million times over the years and know for a fact he's taken books back from other customers so that reaction is absolutely shocking.  

stop selling undisclosed resto would be the better approach! (not that I think it is a big problem, but check dose books)

Edited July 27, 2023 by Bird

[Foolkiller]

On 7/27/2023 at 6:46 AM, Bird said:

I sat in my car and watched the guy smoke on the steps.

stop selling undisclosed resto would be the better approach! (not that I think it is a big problem, but check dose books)

Yes, but that's not a contact high as you originally alleged because he doesn't smoke weed.

Second I showed mike the whole thread.  He had no idea who you were or anything about this incident.  He's never refused to take a book back with restoration nor has he even had any real golden age lately, which mostly goes to only three customers on the very rare occasion he gets it in.  He had no idea of any interaction with you or anything of the sort.  Your posts didn't do anything to remind him so he asked if you're going to post things that you give him a buzz and he'll be happy to discuss it with you since you seem convinced that you've got the correct store.  In fact, he showed me a recent message where there was a detached cover (price was correct and accurate for the grade) but the customer simply wanted to return it.  he accepted it without any questions, which is the mike I and many others know.  

You seem to be off on the details until I correct you in both of these stores, so I'm not sure the last time you were in and the owners don't know what you're referring to.

Contrast this with the poster who alluded to the Milestone stuff, Mike instantly remembered who that was and the exchange on it.  

[GeeksAreMyPeeps]

On 7/26/2023 at 9:22 PM, Foolkiller said:

JC Comics is a separate store -- (it's the initials of the owner)

Main Street is extremely easy to deal with -- Mike generally doesn't price based on eBay and I can't imagine those wouldn't be dollar books -- I'll ask him about it.  

To be fair, many of the books he had definitely weren't dollar bin books. He had a copy of Static 1 Platinum, 2 copies of Static 45, and other late-run books that tend to sell for a bit more. But many of those books weren't bagged and/or showed damage. But a lot of the books that I was interested in were earlier-run, non-key books, many of them not in top condition, that I wasn't expecting to be more than $2-3 each. Which I would have happily paid to have the books as placeholders until I found better copies.

[Bird]

On 7/27/2023 at 8:38 AM, GeeksAreMyPeeps said:

To be fair, many of the books he had definitely weren't dollar bin books. He had a copy of Static 1 Platinum, 2 copies of Static 45, and other late-run books that tend to sell for a bit more. But many of those books weren't bagged and/or showed damage. But a lot of the books that I was interested in were earlier-run, non-key books, many of them not in top condition, that I wasn't expecting to be more than $2-3 each. Which I would have happily paid to have the books as placeholders until I found better copies.

I don't think either JC or Main St is a great place to find things to flip. They ARE a great place to find hard to find modern comics. But you'll have to sit on them for a year to flip at a profit. But you have to find good books somewhere. I don't know if JC does sales, Main St does once or twice a year (FCBD IIRC) and that is a good time to hit the wall books if this is a side hustle.

Edited July 27, 2023 by Bird

[GeeksAreMyPeeps]

On 7/27/2023 at 8:46 AM, Bird said:

I don't think either JC or Main St is a great place to find things to flip. They ARE a great place to find hard to find modern comics. But you'll have to sit on them for a year to flip at a profit. But you have to find good books somewhere. I don't know if JC does sales, Main St does once or twice a year (FCBD IIRC) and that is a good time to hit the wall books if this is a side hustle.

If I was looking to flip, I wouldn't be picking out a lot of mid-run Milestones.