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Comic Book Buyer’s Guide #5 - Every Comic Shop is Different - Part 2

Feb 8, 2009 Comic Book Buyer's Guide, Comics

On Friday, I posted Part 1 of Comic Book Buyer’s Guide #5 - Every Comic Shop is Different and today’s entry picks up directly after that.  Be sure to check out Part 1 if you haven’t already and then come back for the second half in today’s entry.  Basically, we’re looking at ways to capture the excitement of walking into a comic shop for the first time by listing methods to help you locate new comic shops easily and effectively.

The methods covered in this entry are listed below:

Punch it into your GPS and Head out for an Adventure!
Leave a Message, Get a Message.

Punch it into your GPS and Head out for an Adventure!
Many people have access to a GPS to help with directions these days.  I was lucky enough to score one for Christmas thanks to my folks and I don’t know how I got along without it.  If you don’t have one, try hitting up a friend to borrow theirs and if that doesn’t work, you will have to rely on an online mapping service like Mapquest or a good old fashioned road map!  For this example, I’m going to assume that you have a GPS in hand.  Once you have found street addresses for the comic shops on your destination list (NOT mailing addresses) and have called to confirm that the shop still exists and has not been turned into a McDonald’s, you’re ready to plot your course.  I recommend looking at a map online to see where everything lays out geographically.  Then, simply input the cities, streets and addresses of your destinations and within minutes you should have a course laid out complete with time lines so that you can plan your travels.  The only thing remaining is to jump in the car and head out!

Leave a Message, Get a Message.
Online comic book message boards are FULL of comic fans from all over the globe.  Be sure to tap into that resource.  A few posts on one of these and you’ll have answers straight from the source.  There are MANY of these boards out there, so you can try your luck on any of them and will likely get the answers you seek.  The DC Comics and Marvel official boards are recommended as they have plenty of users and you should get an answer pretty soon from people eager to tell you about their favourite shops.  The type of question that will give you the most appropriate replies would be something like:

I`m looking for a cool new comic shop to check out.  I like (insert specifically what you are looking for here. ex. TPBs, shops that are willing to trade, etc.) and wanted to know if anyone here had any suggestions.

Once you have left a message, responses will likely start pouring in minutes later.  Carry on the conversation with all involved until you have the answers you require.  Be sure to thank everyone once you are finished and then proceed to plan your trip!

So what are you waiting for?  It`s time to recapture that feeling of excitement!  Just think of all those undiscovered comic shops out there just waiting for you to walk through their doors for the very first time.  Have fun and be sure to leave a comment below if you find anything worth telling other fans about.

That is where I will wrap up for today. I will be continuing this series soon with Comic Book Buyer’s Guide #6. Keeps your eyes open for it!

Tags: comic books, comic shop, Comics, google, gps, new