One Stop Comics — Local services in Oak Park

This store is floor to ceiling comics, collectibles, etc. They have all the latest comics, but also an EXTENSIVE back stock collection (potentially hundreds of boxes of comics including silver and golden age books - the owner admits he buys everything that comes his way!!). The owner really knows his stuff and wants to be helpful.

BUT, if you're expecting to come into the store and thumb through all the Bronze/Silver/Golden age back stock, think again. I spoke with the owner and due to people mishandling books, all of the back stock is kept in an area not available to the public (as well as at a warehouse nearby). Moreover, it sounds like most of the stock has not been repriced in a long time, but that the owner will likely look up the current price before selling. Thus, if you see a book at what appears to be a great price, it seems likely you won't get that price. I might be wrong here so someone can correct me, but that's the impression I got.

So, it seems you've got a mini 'Buy it Now' eBay where you can request a book, an employee will pull it from the stock, and you'll be charged some form of market rate. That may be fine for someone who just wants a book regardless of cost, but one of my favorite things about comic hunting is thumbing through the boxes and finding a book you really want at a great price. Seems like that experience is not available here. Obviously, the store can charge whatever they want for a book, but that's not what I'm looking for from a comic store.

Don't get me wrong, this is a cool store, a geek's dream, but just doesn't have what I'm looking for in...

Walking into this store gives you the immediate overwhelming sensation "That's a lot of comics". The place is /packed/ with comics, manga, toys, and all sorts of stuff. It can certainly be overwhelming. Took me a while to get comfortable here, but I found the secret is to simply talk to the owner who is usually there, or one of his staff, if not. They are super approachable and excited to help you find anything, or talk to you about new comics to look into. Honestly, I am just rekindling my interest in comics, after having been away from them for so long. Most of what they say still goes right over my head. But I'm starting to get it.

They are closed on Tuesdays to restock for "new-release Wednesday." As I have come to learn, Wednesday is the day that all new comic books hit the shelves across the country. Head straight to the back to a brown shelf, and you'll see all the new comics for that week. On Tuesday, they get moved to the other shelves to join the other back issues. Useful if you want to get caught up on a series.

Again, this place is packed wall to wall with product. If you're looking for something old, best to show up at a down time, when the staff can assist you. They may even have the issues in their warehouse, so talking to them might actually be your only option. Unless you want to just get lost in the see of books. That's a whole lot...

I love this place! If you love comic books, or Pop Culture you really need to visit at least once. This place is loaded with comics from floor to ceiling, and practically wall to wall. The newest of the new, and tons of back issues as well. Lots of Pop Culture stuff from action figures, to statues, and toys of all types, mostly related to comic books, or movies. A lot of stuff that you probably won't find anywhere else.

The owner has been running this store for probably 40+ years, and knows all things comics, and loves to talk about them. It's a wonderful place to look around. There is so much there.

My only issue with the store would be that it is so packed with stuff that it is not always easy to get to everything. That being said, I'm sure the knowledgeable, and helpful staff is more than willing to get you access to something you want to see, and if they don't have something they are more than willing to search it out, and get it for you.

This is a very unique, and robust store, that every comic book lover should definitely visit at least once.

By the way, if for some reason you can't make it out to the store, they do have an online presence now too, so you should be able to order what you want, and have it...