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Best comic store in Miami

Started by sfrenchenterprise,

22 posts in this topic

Mark 1

Mark 1

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Miami is really missing good comic shops.

 

I know there is one place in Miami that has some back issues and new stuff but I don't know the name.

 

There is Tate's, Past present future and Phil's comics in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

 

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paradigmcomics

paradigmcomics

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It depends on what you are looking for, but I typically say there are no good comic stores in Miami.

 

If you don't mind going into Broward County, (the county directly above Miami-Dade County) you'll find more choices.

 

Tate's is in Lauderhill, which is like North/West Broward:

 

4566 North University Drive Lauderhill, FL 33351

(954) 748-0181

 

They have a huge selection of just about everything, are open great hours (like a real business), have sort of a knowledgeable staff and have been open for several years. In fact, they are considered one of the best stores in the entire country, and won the Eisner Aware at SDCC in 2010 or 2011, I don't remember exactly.

 

There prices are FULL retail though, so I typically don't shop there often. Also, they are sort of far from me.

 

Also in Broward is Past, Present & Future Comics. They have several locations, and you should Google and call and ask each location what you are looking for. The location in Lauderhill (it's literally like 2 blocks from Tate's) seems more for card gaming. They have another location with a lot of back issues. I have purchased from the owner at conventions. There prices are more inline with what things go for online. I'm pretty sure they sell a lot online as well, so that explains that.

 

There is also Florida SuperCon Comics. They are also in Broward. The owner of the shop (Mike) also runs the convention by the same name. They have a limited selection of anything and are full retail on prices.

 

Back to Dade (Miami). If you are looking to just buy new issues, Villians is not bad.

 

1788 NE 163rd St

North Miami Beach, FL 33162

(305) 944-4773

 

He doesn't sell any back issues, at all. I also don't believe he sells any new toys or statues. Only things that people order from Preview through him. He does have a huge selection of new issues though. They do a lot of gaming events there and the store can get nuts because of that. The owner, Glen, is a cool guy but I think he's perpetually upset that his store has become a newstand/gaming center. His store used to be awesome, and he out lasted some local giants (Tropic Comics) right down the street, but it is what it is.

 

A&M Comics

 

6650 Bird Road

Miami, FL 33155

(305) 661-3406

 

This is the oldest store in Florida probably. It has been actively open since the 70s. However, I don't and won't recommend this place. It's small and completely STACKED with comics and toys. I mean literally from the floor to the ceiling. However, nothing is priced, grading is sort of all over the place. This is one of those places where you bring what you want to the counter and the owner tells you how much. If the owner isn't there, they have to call him sometimes. It's loosely organized, but very loosely. If you're looking for anything you have to ask one of the young guys working there and they'll try and find it for you.

 

Mac’s Comics & Collectibles

 

2678 SW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33165

(305) 226-5072

 

More of a general selection and a typical comic store. Nice staff. Good hours. A lot of TPBs.

 

If you're looking for vintage action figures, there was a store down in South Miami that sold only that and statues. I just can't remember the name. Also in WAY South Miami there is another store that specializes in new toys.

 

Lastly, if you're looking for back issues there is a monthly conventions at the Miccosukee casino on SW 8th St. and Chrome Avenue. It's in 1 ballroom and they typically have about 5-15 dealers or so. It's mostly back issues and actions figures, though you'll get artists, card dealers and the like. They don't have a website but you can take a look at there Facebook page. The guy who runs it's name is Rolando and he also sets up as a dealer at the show.

 

https://www.facebook.com/btlshow

 

 

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zosocane

zosocane

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I'm in Miami.

 

A&M Comics, located in South Miami, is IMO the best comic shop in Miami. Best is a relative term. If you're expecting Mid-Town Comics with tons of space and Pergo flooring, go to Midtown and knock your socks off. Under different ownership from the original Arnold and Maxine owners of the 1970s but in the same location, A&M has a good deal of back-issue inventory (mostly bronze and copper, but a good deal of silver also) and very diversified, not just super-hero. The owner (George) is willing to negotiate on price -- most of their back issues have a price written in sharpie on the plastic bag. The #2 guy there (Xavier) knows all the new comics that are out and, for a dude in his 20s, he has a good deal of knowledge of comics artists (historical). Both George and Xavier make you feel welcome. Yes, the place is unkempt, unorganized and cramped, but that's what lends A&M its charm. I do wish they had more room to display all of a particular month's new issues, not just what has come in for the current week. On weekends plenty busy with customers of all ages coming in and out.

 

Villains in North Miami is only good for new issues, but the owner is fun to talk to and the place has a cool vibe. Some comics are on a spinner rack which is neat. Small place but feels vibrant. If it weren't so far from me I would go there a lot more often to support them.

 

Similarly, Mac's Comics in Westchester is only good for new issues. No real back issues except modern back issues. Unlike Villains, Mac's is, frankly, a bit of a morose place -- kinda stale and no charm to it. In a bit of a desolate strip shopping center. I can never tell if it's open or closed because of the deep black tinted windows they have. I go every once in a while to support their business, but when I'm there I always wonder if they're going to last.

 

Historically, A&M is Miami's oldest comic shop. Long ago, and only about 3 blocks from A&M, there was another shop -- Sunshine Comics. Sunshine was open in the late 70s through the early 90s but the owner (Joel) got out of comics when the industry imploded and got into gaming (now called Sunshine Games). I built my collection as a kid at Sunshine. Fun times.

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paradigmcomics

paradigmcomics

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How close is New Force comics from Miami? If you can get to that one Rick is a board member,and one great guy. (thumbs u

 

Rick's main store is in Panama City I believe. That's about 9 hours from Miami...

 

Rick sets up at Megacon every year, in Orlando, which is only 3 hours from Miami, so if you wanted to buy something high end, you could have him bring it to the convention. I agree with oakman29, Rick is a great guy to deal with.

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paradigmcomics

paradigmcomics

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I miss Tropic comics!

 

Tropics was a real nice store before there were real nice stores (like Tate's is now).

 

My favorite store was Fresh Comics in Hialeah. The owner John Fresh was a really stand up and nice man, (he still is!), and you could always get really good deals there. Store was literally in a warehouse with no A/C (very Hialeah). Strictly comics, statues and toys. None of gaming stuff that is prevalent now a days (justifiably so).

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zosocane

zosocane

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Another, now-closed comic shop in Miami was Outland Station. That was very well located across the street from the former Bakery Center (now Sunset Place) in South Miami. It was always quite busy in the 90s -- good inventory of new and old books -- but it closed down right before the super-hero movie boom took off around 2002. I guess the rent there got too expensive? It was in somewhat posh neighborhood. Also, Outland was big into the gaming boom of the 90s.

 

FWIW, A&M Comics and the now-closed Sunshine Comics still had better back-issue inventory than Outland Station.

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