Submitted by _SpicySauce_ t3_ytakxy in pittsburgh
I have gone to Phantom of the Attic most of my life and they will always have my business. They are honestly such nice people (in both Oakland and Monroeville locations). But I also want to checkout some other shops to just shake things up a bit.
I already sometimes go to New Dimension in the Waterfront for dollar bin diving and if Phantom doesn't have what I need. What else should I be checking out?
Copacetic is fantastic! The owner is really cool to talk to and always makes great recommendations.
It’s a small place but it is packed, prices are great, and a solid literary book options too. Tons of small press and indie titles.
Oooh this is one of my favorite bookstores in any city, came here to talk them up
I really like Arkham on Rt 8 in Allison Park. I don’t know a ton about comics and like to browse and pick up a few things every once in a while - I never feel intimidated when I go in. The owner (I think the only employee?) is always really nice and helpful. I highly recommend checking it out.
I second Arkham on 8!
I don't know if it's still the same guy who owns it, but I knew the original owner! Super nice guy named Jeff who used to work at Borders when that existed on McKnight Rd.
I've delivered there a couple times (UPS driver) the place looks super cool and they guy is always nice whenever I deliver. I'm not a comic book guy but came here to reccomend Arkham.
Check out K&J Comics in West View. They opened over the summer and acquired the inventory from Duncan's when they closed down. Nice place and the owners are super cool.
Eide’s and Copacetic
I've heard the people in Eide's are douchebags, any truth to this or just a fringe opinion?
I've never had any issues, either with just myself or my kids. I went in as basically a comic book noob and they were nice and explained things to me. They gave me promo tickets for the first Guardians of the Galaxy once when I went in with the kids too.
There's no denying that type of store attracts a certain type. Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons wasn't randomly made up. I have seen them have to get on people about the bag policy, and a few heated conversations with a lot of "ackchyually"s flying around.
Oh I can definitely deal with that. I was more worried about them hanging over my shoulder the whole time thinking I’m gonna steal. Thanks for the heads up
Worst. Redditor. Ever.
They're definitely a prickly bunch
They won’t hesitate to make fun of you for your purchase if they don’t agree with its level of ‘cool’. Won’t ever set foot in there again. Duncan Books was my favorite shop in town, but I haven’t been out that way in a while and I heard he closed down.
Big Bang Comics in Sewickley is a nice little shop. New Dimension has shops in Homestead and Cranberry, plus their home location up north in Elwood City (never been to this one though). There’s also one on Mount Nebo Rd. that I can’t remember the name of and haven’t had the chance to check out. These are the ones I know of. Hope it helps.
Edit - not Mount Nebo, Mount Royal Blvd.
The thing with Eide's is that those dudes have been there forever and they've seen a lot of shit. Any time I am in there I feel like they are watching me to makes sure I don't steal or break anything. It is kind if justified because if I ran a business in downtown Pittsburgh in the 80s/90s I'd probably be a little skeptical of people too, but like damn is it uncomfortable in there as a customer sometimes.
Sarcasm and dry humor, sure, but that comes with the territory. They have always helped me find things or made recommendations etc. But YMMV I guess.
I would also recommend the New Dimensions in Elwood City. It’s a bit of a hike, depending upon where you are, but it has a huge selection of dollar books.
I know of multiple complaints in that respect, but I've never had any issues with any of them. Understand that the sarcasm meter can really spike with the workers if you're obnoxious. I've also seen them tolerate some egregiously stupid people, so you just never know who you're behind in line that day. You can ask basic questions, just don't behave like an idiot and you'll be fine.
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They were in the late 90s and early 00s. they used to WRITE THE PRICES directly on the books in pencil also, which i always thought was insane. I can’t speak to the experience there now.
I went there a few times about ten years ago and was turned off. Just sort of dour and curt. I really didn't like them asking me to leave my bag with them at the counter
If you're not the stereotypical comic-buying type, you might have issues. I had an experience with someone whom I was told later was in charge of the comics section, gender-based.
They definitely have a large catalog to buy from; hopefully they have improved since my visit. I never went back after that.
I usually find them to be good if not great. I think maybe once of the dozens of times I've brought friends, one of them had an unpleasant comment, but not enough for me to even recall what it was.
I went once and they were douches to me. Considering how many other amazing comic book shops there are in the area, I don't see any reason to ever give them my business.
I don’t know about current ownership, but Greg Eide was a complete POS, to both customers and staff, from when he opened it in the 70s until the day he died. And treating customers like they should feel blessed to be allowed into the establishment was something he instilled in his employees.
I haven’t been there since Greg died, so I can’t say whether that’s still the attitude the staff has.
copacetic is a delight. diverse and expansive selection, and a knowledgeably eccentric owner who provides great recommendations. def worth a stop.
If you're downtown, check out Eric's Bill & Walt's (in the basement off Smithfield St). Small shop, but been around for decades.
Big Bang Comics in Sewickley is great and they have a bunch of collectibles as well! They’re super friendly and helpful and I can’t recommend them enough.
My go to. Owner is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet.
I'll vouch for this one as well. It's a really nice little store in a great location.
Caliban across from Phantom has a small trove of rare single issue and collections, but I haven't been there since the owner was caught in a scheme that stole millionsss from the Carnegie Library.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/theft-carnegie-library-books-maps-artworks-180975506/
POS owner though. Look up his involvement in a theft ring from Carnegie Library central branch. I wouldn't support him at all I'm light of that.
Real talk: did you read the first half of that sentence and not the second half?
Sorry, I jumped when I read the name lol. Bears repeating anyway.
No worries! I mainly brought them up to share the insane story.
I work in the judiciary and read the criminal complaint when it came in. By far the longest I've seen. A truly stunning crime. No idea how Caliban is still in business
I'd have assumed the Carnegie would have sued for the irreparable harm and bankrupted him. I didn't follow the case all the way but it caught my attention when it broke as I worked there years (decades) ago.
Infinity in Murrysville. Smaller shop but Alvin has been there forever and he's a great guy. Always willing to help you out and help you find whatever you're looking for/order whatever you're looking for. He always has some pretty awesome statues and figures too if you're into that
Oh man, I miss that shop. Nice that Alvin is still there, too!
FWIW, Phantom of the Attic is four separate operations independently owned by four separate people.
The original owner retired in the early 90s and sold the Oakland, Monroeville and Greentree locations to different people.
Around 2000, the Oakland store separated into separate comic and games operations, and in 2020, the owner of the comics store sold the gaming store to the longtime store managers.
Yep I’m well aware, all of them are very nice people in my experience. Been going since I was a little kid. Brock at the gaming store is a buddy of mine, I used to sell him lunch meat haha
Absolutely love phantom no better shop in my mind. Jeff and the gang are always helpful
Tru dat. I’ve been going to Phantom since the third week they were open, before Jeff was even an employee. When I cut back on my visits and pulls - moving away from Oakland, mostly - Jeff and Wayne would always put aside things they knew I’d want, no charge. Somewhere I still have a few of their bucks, with Steve Ditko on them.
Is the Greentree one still there in the mall? Used to go there with my dad as a child.
Sadly Parkway Center Mall has been leveled, only Giant Eagle remains.
That Phantom location moved into Noble Manor, where the Italian Bread place used to be. Located in the same strip as The Ugly Dog, Subway, Phong May House, etc.
I have fond nostalgic memories of that mall, especially CompUSA.
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South Side Comics on Curry Hollow road is great. Nice owner and friendly staff. Can’t recommend them enough.
Came here to comment Southside comics. The owner is such a good dude.
New dimension comics at the waterfront is a good place
yeah like i said, I go there every once in a while already. Nice place
Must be a long day already, I totally missed that second paragraph.
Though not aptly named, Pittsburgh Comics on McMurray/ 19 is the best by far. Colin, Tim, Pat, and the shop dogs are great company!
I went in there for the first time a few weeks ago. Got some interesting comic book adaptations of old stories (Oliver Twist and a few others) as well as a graphic novel re-imagining of Slaughterhouse Five. Neat place and right across the street from where I go grocery shopping.
Love the shop dogs! So friendly. I love going in the middle of the day as they follow you around. Should be noted though, they're a little wary of children.
Glad to see this rec'd. They don't have Magic anymore, but when I got back into magic like 12 years ago, that was where I played for awhile. Colin was always great. Huge selection of comics.
Bells is up in Grove City (pine Grove square, ~10 minutes off 79). A bit of a hike from PGH but very much worth it. The owner (Mark) grew up collecting comic books with his dad then started his own shop 30-ish years ago. They do tend to open on the later side (noon-ish) but are generally open very late.
You gotta give a look at Geekadrome on Brookline Blvd... one of my favorite community-centered shops. Cards and tabletop in the back, too.
Owner is a really nice guy
Just because my friend runs it, Bill and Walts in downtown Pittsburgh. Has a nice selection of comics and games
They used to be on the street where our new office moved and they left just as we moved in. I forgot about them and just stumbled across the new shop last week. First street is really pretty, I wish it could become more of a destination for cool shops like theirs.
I haven't been at his shop since quarantine started. Is he still there?
I hope so, this is from a week ago: https://imgpile.com/images/b9O533.jpg
Awesome. I should stop down and say hi some day soon.
Thank you
New dimensions comics waterfront. Great selection and nice staff.
Phantom of the Attic in Oakland is pretty awesome, they have gaming and comic shops across the street from one another
Eides going into the strip is amazing, Bill and Walts downtown (end of Smithfield near point park) is a great place and the owner is nice as hell. New Dimensions waterfront is the same team that ran the century 3 location and they're great.
There's also a decent NDC in the Mills Mall, pretty much only store surviving there.
Copacetic in Polish Hill
The folks at Heroes Ink in Robinson are great people. I go there for games but they have mostly comics.
I couldn't have been more turned off by the employees of Phantom of the Attic in Monroeville. Classic gatekeeping. I'll never go back. New Dimension for me.
Whaaaat, really? I have never seen them be anything but so nice to everyone that walks in there in the many many years I've been going off and on
I went once and that was enough.
What happened?
I miss Infiniti in Murrysville.
It's still there! Same spot and still run by Alvin!
Is Duncan’s Comics still around?
Duncan’s closed sometime over the last year. Game Masters moved into the old Duncan’s building.
Duncan sold his inventory to K&J Comics who reopened just down the street in the West View shopping plaza. Nice store and great owners, highly recommend checking them out.
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Eidie's is a nice store with a decent collection, but I'd have to say their foreboding signage on the front door seems a tad over the top, and their snarky to downright rude manner is incredibly off putting. If shoplifting is that much of a problem, that seems like a store problem and not the clientele. They're basically saying you can only come in with your wallet in your teeth and nothing else. Stick with Phantom and elsewhere.
Chromosome_Cowboy t1_iw3vc8f wrote
Copacetic Comics in Polish Hill. They do offer some super hero stuff if that’s what you’re looking for but their real specialty is international comics. The owner has extensive knowledge of the medium and is a great resource for finding new things out of your comfort zone.