Wicked Comics & Collectibles — Attraction in Albany

I absolutely love this store! Firstly the sense of community is wonderful. I attend the MTG pre-release events with my Fiancé and every time I have gone everyone has been so supportive, they readily offer advice and help me understand the game a little more each time I go. The people here genuinely seem to really care about each other. The in person experience is so vastly different than anything you could get playing MTG online. The sense of community is a testament to the shop owner Kevin honestly; he really cares about his customers and interacts with them on a personal level. He takes the time to schedule events around the majority instead of just setting a time and hoping people show up. He’s considerate and thoughtful enough to help out someone running late by getting their packs of cards sorted and ready for them. The MTG events are a great opportunity to get out of the house and meet friendly new people. Kevin will go out of his way to look up an item if it’s not readily on hand even when he’s busy. It’s really fantastic to see a store owner interact with their customers as people rather than a means of income. It’s not just cards here though, there’s some fantastic collectible figures in stock and plenty of really amazing comics being offered for reasonable prices (There’s a few things I’m saving up for at the moment actually). Wicked is seriously the best collectibles shop in town.

A side note: I’ve been to plenty of card shops that have hardly any lighting and smell like a teenage boy’s neglected gym bag. NOT HERE. This place smells so good! I can’t describe it but honestly I wish my laundry detergent smelled even half as nice. It’s just clean, it feels and looks so clean here. The lighting to me is spot on, it’s not blinding but it’s bright and you can see your cards without squinting. I wish I could give a 6th star just for the atmosphere but 5...

Upon entering Wicked Comics and Collectables in Albany, Oregon, you're immediately greeted by an intriguing array of action figures and toys hanging on racks, promising a nostalgic trip for collectors and fans alike. To the left, a dedicated space hosts tables for trading card game (TCG) enthusiasts, adding a communal vibe that's essential for fostering a local gaming community. The store itself is a treasure trove, offering a decent selection of TCGs and an array of collectibles that are hard to resist. It's the kind of place that quickly catches the eye and invites you to explore.

However, my experience was somewhat tarnished by the customer service. The gentleman behind the counter came across as standoffish, leaving me with the impression that customer interactions were more a burden than a part of the job. While I would like to chalk it up to perhaps a bad day—which everyone is entitled to—it did affect the overall atmosphere and my comfort level in the store. Despite this, I did make a purchase, drawn by the unique items that the shop had to offer.

I'm hesitant to say that I won't give Wicked Comics and Collectables another try, as every place deserves a second chance, and experiences can vary widely from day to day and person to person. I encourage others to visit and form their own opinions. After all, my perspective is just one of many, and what didn't sit well with me might be unnoticed by others. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, it's worth stopping by to see what treasures you might find and to possibly enjoy a better...

My first trip to Wicked was in the middle of the stores preparation for moving to their new location. Things were a bit disorganized, understandably so. I was able to find a few back issues of comics, but any of the newer products I wanted we're not present. I had a good conversation with, the owner who was very accommodating and offered a subscription service for books I was looking for over a playlist of heavy rock from the likes of Marilyn Manson, and others.

My second trip to Wicked after their move was much shorter lived. I stopped in to see if they had any new release comics and the rack was more sparse than my original visit. Their back issues of comics were just on the ground, seemingly removed from their place so Magic the Gathering players could have table for their endless weekend gaming. This was probably a week and a half after they opened their doors at the new location but there was no organization improvement over their books than my previous visit.

This is a small owner-operated store, so I understand some of my feedback is more critical than it may need to be, and based mostly off my experience at stores in adjacent towns or bigger cities. If you enjoy Magic, this looks to be the perfect place to head to in Albany to find a game and cards. Magic and other card games keeps hobby shops afloat so it's perfectly understandable for that to be a major part of the experience. Other facets of the experience, though, comics and board games, namely, seem under represented and for me personally, will keep me looking elsewhere for my...