Vision Comics & Oddities — Local services in Sheridan

Before arriving at this store, I wondered about the oddities. What would they be? And how odd, really? Upon entering, I got it. This is a store that’s half comic-books, and half Halloween – yes, a costume shop. Like if The Wizard’s Chest had a full comics area instead of games and gaming downstairs. I think there’s another half to this shop that’s indie rock and roll, but that would be three halves, and that’s a wild, unproven theory based on clues here and there. I suppose I should just stick to the facts.

The primary fact is this: it’s a combination that works in an entertaining, fun way. There are bizarre costumes, and creepy figures, and scary statues, and masks and toys and props… and comics, too, lots of comics. Another fact: it’s a large building, and very open toward the back, with lots of floor space. I bet when they have special events, they are able to really go all out.

The owner/manager/person on duty told me they do enjoy putting on such events, particularly for kids. They have a Back-to-School night among the other, more typical comic-book happenings (like FCBD). There is a kid’s corner, with lots and lots of toys (some adorably creepy) and a nice selection of kid-appropriate comics on display, too.

Just considering comic-related facts, here’s what you’ll find: a good, broad selection of new comics, a lot of long boxes dedicated to back issues, a small selection of older comics (Bronze Age, a few Silver), a lot of shelves for an interesting mix of trades and hardcovers. There are sections for manga, Harry Potter books and toys, Star Wars comics and books and toys, and sci-fi books, and horror books (naturally), and posters and DVDs.

There are a few pinball machines, too! If I were a kid who lived near this shop, I would be hanging out here all the time! They would have had a lot of trouble getting rid of me at closing time. When I visited recently, I stayed a lot longer than I intended. I didn’t play pinball,...

My husband is a toy collector and does not look like your typical collector to start off with. Our visit to this establishment was so uncomfortable and unbearable I had to step out while my spouse continued to shop. From the moment we walked in I felt like both employees had portrayed their own judgment on my husband and watched him continuously through the camera throughout our visit. Prior to our visit we planned on shopping as well as trading some pristine items that were unopened and during our visit the staff lowballed the worth of our products. I felt as if they either figured my husband was uneducated on the worth of our toys or if they were judging us based on our ethnicity. Overall this was the worse toy collector shop I have experienced while building and trading my husbands collection and I haven’t even addressed the odor that they obviously have no intention of correcting. The building has multiple leaks in the ceiling which you can tell have been there for quite a long time due to the moldy mildew smell that is so pungent the stench serenades you even after leaving. I have no words how an establishment can have such poor customer service especially dealing with toys which are based on customers childhood history. One employee commented “ look it’s leaking” referring to my One year old son crying while being upset. If that is not offensive as a parent! My child is not a IT and to refer to any person as a IT is very disrespectful but as you can tell in my visit what should anyone expect from this staff that is negligent and disregarded us as paying consumers from...

This place is so darkly amazing that it's where the orange-and-black soul of Halloween lives in the off-season. And there's even a sizeable manga section.

Not only do they have an amazingly large collection of back issues, but they're the only comics shop I've seen that has a sizeable horror back issues section with stuff like brutal viscera-flecked issues of Crossed to classics from when new comics cost 25cents. Which fits, given the awesome horror-punk decorations everywhere you look. Every twitch of your eye catches an art piece that lets you relive your best moments of fun-filled fear. Which is why, when you visit, you need to check out the art display cabinets near the figurines. Black and gold alpaca skull lamp. Far out!

The owner is definitely awesome, too, an easy-going artist bud who makes you feel welcome the entire time. Definitely coming back soon to take a closer look at those...