The world always needs superheroes.
But our cape is at the dry cleaner’s.
So we’ll let Spider-Man, Supergirl, and that sentient tree-thing from “Guardians of the Galaxy” take it from here.
Where to find them all? Start with this roundup of some of Vegas’ best comic shops.
Altered Reality
5300 S. Eastern Ave.
How jam-packed with wall-to-wall awesomeness is this place? Well, there are even comics on the ceiling. Owner Ralph Mathieu, who is perhaps Vegas’ definitive comics lifer, bought the store back in 1995 and has overseen its growth and its move to a new location while still serving as one of Nevada’s flagship shops. You feel his passion as soon as you step through the door, which is painted like a comic strip, of course.
Blackbird Comics
5615 Losee Road, Suite 105, North Las Vegas
Because northsiders need to get their Wonder Woman fix as well, Blackbird Comics flies high with a well-curated selection of new releases and fresh back issues released every Friday. The gorgeous shop almost has an art gallery feel to it, with paintings brightening the walls amid an equally colorful landscape of collectibles and superhero-themed gear. Also, major bonus points for the sweet pinball machines up front.
Red Hood Comics
570 S. Decatur Blvd.
The Joker is always in the house at Red Hood, where Jack Nicholson’s screen-worn costume, hat and overcoat from Tim Burton’s “Batman” are part of the collection. Said film memorabilia serves as the exclamation point punctuating the sleekly designed store’s mammoth array of comics. To borrow a line from ol’ Joker himself: Wait’ll you get a load of this.
Cosmic Comics
3830 E. Flamingo Road
Open since 1997, this Vegas institution lives up to its name with a whole galaxy of comics — one of the largest selections in the state — in addition to enough collectibles and merch to stock a superhero department store. The shop caters to all tastes and budgets, ranging from $1 back issues and $25 mystery boxes of 100 (!) comics to $1,200 Donald Duck classics and other rarities. There’s even a couch to chill and enjoy all your new purchases.
One of Us
1117 S. Commerce St.
A life-size Captain America keeps watch over this newish shop in the Arts District. Though there’s a large array of new, old and rare comics at One of Us, there are even more toys, film memorabilia and cool antiquities — not to mention a truly gnarly, custom-made Raiders motorcycle that looks like something The Terminator would ride to a tailgating sesh. Oh, and did we mention the “True Romance” action figurines? Worth the trip alone.
Maximum Comics
5130 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 285
A disco ball hangs above the room, meaning it’s time to party down with Wolverine and Co. here. There’s a sizable selection of kids’ comics for newbies and a vastly bigger array of titles for those with more grown-up tastes. There are also collectibles and novelties galore, plus 50-cent discount titles to beef up your collection, making this the go-to comics spot on the west side.
Action Comics and Sports
210 N. Boulder Highway, Henderson
Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon heads alike flock to this Henderson fantasy outpost, where there’s a gigantic collection of games and cards in addition to comics. Novels, models, figurines — you name it — if it breathes fire, wields a broadsword or feasts on Hobbits, chances are you can find it at Action.
Velvet Underground
500 W. Oakey Blvd., Suite C13
If you’re going to share your name with one of the greatest art rock troupes of all time, you’d better mean business. And Velvet Underground does just that. Opened in 1990, this is one of Nevada’s oldest comic shops — it moved to its current location this past spring — as well as one of the biggest, with over 500 current titles and 150,000 back issues. Sweet Jane would definitely approve.
Contact Jason Bracelin at [email protected] or 702-383-0476. Follow @jasonbracelin76 on Instagram.