Comic books give readers the rare ability to transport themselves to worlds full of heightened senses, legendary fighters, superhuman powers, endless do-overs, and even the dreaded Kryptonite. Good and evil forces duke it out as cities wait in suspense, and more often than not our heroes come out victorious. Whether it’s well-known personalities such as Spiderman, Superman, and Batman saving the day or a more obscure yet loved peer, it’s great fun to jump into an unknown world with a larger-than-life guide keeping us safe. Birmingham has multiple great spots to find the perfect comic book for your liking. Here are a few.

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Sanctum Tattoos and Comics

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Tattoos meet comics at this unique Birmingham treasure. Image from Sanctum. 

Sanctum is nestled snugly inside Birmingham’s coolest shopping center next to other city favorites like Seasick Records, Beacon Yoga, Ore Mercantile, Mom’s Basement, and Sheppard’s Pet Supply. As the name implies, the shop is a unique combination of comic books and tattoo/piercings. The front section is a graphic novel lover's paradise, with a wide variety of books available and neatly broken down into convenient categories. The magnificent Sanctum Vault holds some of the greatest old comic finds you’ll come across in the city, and they also feature a section full of educational graphic novels that discuss Civil Rights figures and other important moments in history.

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Legion Comics and Games

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Comic books are one of many treasures found at Legion Comics and Games. Image from Legion.

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This Vestavia Hills shop is another ideal combination of good times. Legion has one of the city’s best collections of comic books, and is also one of the finest gaming locations in the city. The store sells and hosts events related to Magic: The Gathering, MetaZoo, HeroClix, and countless other gaming adventures. The staff is highly educated on the items they have for sale, and can point you in the perfect direction for your next fantasy excursion.

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Bob’s Comics

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Another great comic book shop can be found close to the Birmingham Race Course Casino on Gadsden Highway. This Magic City experience brings plenty of options for comic book lovers to choose from, and is a short drive from Downtown near Trussville. We’d recommend checking out Bob’s Comics to find your next great read.

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What’s On 2nd

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It’s easy to get lost in What’s On Second, but you may find a map of Montana or Arkansas inside so that’s a plus. Image from What’s On 2nd

While the previously mentioned shops will have the most recent editions and a wider selection of comics, What’s On 2nd is a must-stop for fans of random finds. Comics join other fun and relatively cheap collectibles like action figures, old video games, paintings, postcards, and more to make for quite the fun shopping trip. This store is a gold mine for those who love the miscellaneous, and every day brings new treasures to the shelves. Be prepared to make tough decisions once you enter this store, as you will be tempted to buy multiple items.

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While comic books offer us portals into new realities and can show us glimpses of better tomorrows, it takes real people working hard every day to turn our actual worlds into brighter places for all. We are thankful Birmingham has so many who choose to create a better city for others, including these great comic book stores. 

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Cover photo from Pixabay 

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