The Best Comic Book Stores in LA

In September 1994, Edward Greenberg and Joseph Zelich bought an existing comic book store in Winnetka called Little Angel’s Comics, and reopened it as Collector's Paradise. The shop later moved two doors down to a much larger space, where Greenberg and Zelich were able to realize their vision for Collector's Paradise - thousands of well-organized comics and graphic novels, exciting creator events, and an art gallery, which artist Jim Mahfood helped launch in 2009 with a live mural painting. Collector's Paradise opened a second location in Old Town Pasadena in April 2010, and a third shop in the NoHo Arts District in August 2019.

The Comic Bug opened in June 2004, taking over Crazy Cat Comics in Manhattan Beach. The shop moved to a larger location in 2006 - remodeling the interior, expanding the inventory, and creating a warm and welcoming setting with a couch and chairs. The calendar is filled with frequent signings, and recommendations from the friendly staff are on point. The Bug opened a second location in October 2014 in the former Comics Ink space in Culver City.

"Feeding your visual addiction since 1994," Comics Factory attracts a loyal Pasadena following with its extensive, well-organized selection of mainstream and indie titles; massive collection of Funko Pop figures, and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

In the battle of Comics vs. Toys, everyone wins! Opened by Ace Aguilera in 2005, this Eagle Rock favorite is small but mighty. On Wednesdays, make your way through the narrow room - past the shelves of collectibles, action figures and t-shirts - to the counter in the back for new releases. The shop's popular pull list program offers discounts to subscribers.

Located in Culver City, Dreamworld Comics is housed in a former gas station that's been reimagined as the colorful comic book HQ of your dreams. Along with its wide selection of new releases, back issues and memorabilia, Dreamworld has recently expanded its teen, young adult, and LGBTQ+ sections. Dreamworld also hosts food pop-ups in its parking lot, such as Tacos del Valle and AB Crepes.

Entertainment industry veteran Carr D'Angelo opened Earth-2 Comics in 2003. Since then, the Sherman Oaks shop has earned accolades like the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, given out at Comic-Con to an individual retailer "who has done an outstanding job of supporting the comics art medium both in the community and within the industry at large"; and "Best Place to Stock Up on Graphic Novels" by LA Weekly. In 2009, Earth-2 opened a second location in Northridge.

Opened in December 2008, Emerald Knights Comics & Games boasts more than 3,000 square feet of comics, games, t-shirts, and graphic novels. There's also a 1,500 square-foot gaming area on the second floor - recent events include Magic the Gathering, 40K Warhammer, Pokemon, Digimon, My Hero Academia, and D&D.

"This is where comics live" - along with shop cats Princess Pugsley and Shuri the Black Panther. Opened by Warren Jaycox in 2009, Galaxy of Comics offers a free pull service and weekly specials like Twitter Tuesday and Facebook Friday. Galaxy of Comics also hosts Friday Night Magic, Yu Gi Oh! tournaments on Sundays, and SoulGeek Singles night on the second Saturday of every month.

Arguably LA's most famous comic book store, Golden Apple Comics was founded by Bill and Sharon Liebowitz in 1979 and is now in its second generation of ownership. Along with modern comics, back issues and exclusive variants, Golden Apple also offers a large selection of toys, action figures, statues, trading cards and more. Sign up for the free pull box service so you never miss an issue - Nick Fury himself recently stopped by to pick up his box.

Lines have stretched down Melrose for Golden Apple's famed creator signings and events. The long list of past guests includes Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman, John Carpenter, George Romero, Matt Groening, Kevin Smith and many more.

In March 2022, the Liebowitz family announced the Golden Apple Comic & Art Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission "to preserve, safeguard and showcase private collections to ensure that comics, books, art and collectibles are secured for future generations to enjoy."

LA's OG comic book store, Hi De Ho was established in 1977 and has been owned by partners Geoffrey Patterson Jr, Eddie deAngelini and Mauricio Machuca since 2014. (Patterson also owns Geoffrey's Comics in Torrance.) Renowned for its massive collection of Silver Age, Golden Age, and underground comics, Hi De Ho maintains an eclectic, indie vibe in spite of its elder statesman status. Hi De Ho also hosts frequent creator events that celebrate diversity - Pride-Con took place in June 2022 and featured Prism Comics and Stacked Deck Press; and in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, signings included Rafael Navarro, Javier Hernandez, Maxi Rodriguez, Peter Mellini & Valeria Ontiveros, and Jose Pimiento.

In 1991, Paul Grimshaw "mothballed his collection of suits and ties" and opened ACME Comics in Montrose. Grimshaw moved his shop to Burbank in 1996 and renamed it House of Mystery after the classic DC Comics series. A couple more moves - including another name change to House of Secrets - took Grimshaw's shop to its current location on Olive Avenue.

House of Secrets is a visual feast - every inch of the interior is packed with comic art from floor to ceiling. Don't miss the two "secret" rooms with harder-to-find comics and zines. The shop's pull list service, PREVIEWS, lets you select everything from comics and action figures to busts and posters for in-store pickup - along with a 25% discount!

Opened by Howard Chen in 1990, Legacy Comics & Cards is located one block north of the Glendale Galleria. Legacy touts its Silver and Golden Age selection, along with Hot Toys and Sideshow action figures, Funko Pop, graphic novels and manga. Shop the wide range of TCGs like Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dragon Ball Super, Digimon and more - Legacy offers a dedicated room for players to get their game on.

Named for the post-nuclear megalopolis featured in the Judge Dredd universe, Mega City One is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 1992. The Melrose Avenue stalwart offers a 20% discount off comics and graphic novels every day; and is a haven for Magic: The Gathering nights, premium statues and action figures, Funko minis & POPS, graphic tees, and board games.

Opened in 2022, the LGBTQ+ owned Revenge Of is a comic book and pop culture mecca that also boasts one of LA's best pinball collections.

In August 2023, the Glassell Park favorite doubled its space with an expansion that lets Revenge Of showcase back issues, a dozen more pinball machines, and host tabletop gaming like Magic the Gathering. Artist Tristan Eaton said Revenge Of is his "favorite comic book shop," and to celebrate the expansion he created an X-Men themed mural that was unveiled at the August edition of LotZilla.

If its “origin story” were to be believed, Secret Headquarters has been around since 1932 - in reality, SHQ opened in 2005. After 17 years at its original Silver Lake location, Secret Headquarters moved a block up Sunset Boulevard over Labor Day Weekend in 2022. In June 2023, SHQ announced its flagship store had opened in its new "forever home" in Atwater Village.

Beloved for its support of independent publishers, underground comics and international titles, SHQ also curates Dungeon Dungeon, a mini-shop inside The Last Bookstore in Downtown LA.

Mike Richardson opened the first Things From Another World store in Bend, Oregon on Jan. 1, 1980. Since then, TFAW opened two more stores in Oregon and an LA location at Universal CityWalk. In 1986, Richardson founded Dark Horse Comics, which is now the third-largest comic book publisher in the country.

Part of the original retail collection when CityWalk opened in May 1993, TFAW moved to a larger space in 2015 - the extra room is great for displaying life-size Iron Man and R2-D2 statues. Of course TFAW has the largest and most comprehensive selection of comics and graphic novels from Dark Horse, but the extensive inventory includes Marvel, DC, and independent publishers like Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Zenescope, Boom! Studios, and many others.