Best Comic Book Stores in NYC (2026)

New York City has always had a strong comic book culture — Spider-Man swings through Manhattan for a reason. Whether you're hunting for back issues, picking up a weekly pull list, diving into manga, or just browsing indie titles on a rainy afternoon, NYC has a shop for you. This list is updated for 2026 with current addresses and store status, so you won't show up anywhere that's closed.

1. Midtown Comics

Times Square: 200 W. 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 | (212) 302-8192
Grand Central: 459 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017 | (212) 302-8192
Downtown: 64 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038 — closed for renovation until May 2026
midtowncomics.com

Midtown Comics is the largest comic book store in the country and the first stop for most visitors. They've been open since 1997 and carry everything — new issues, back issues, graphic novels, action figures, and variants. The Times Square flagship is massive and the easiest to get to. Worth knowing: the Downtown Fulton Street location is temporarily closed for a major expansion (adding two new floors) and is due to reopen in May 2026.

If you're hunting for back issues, give yourself at least an hour here. Their selection is genuinely impressive and the staff know their stuff.

2. Forbidden Planet NYC

832 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 | (212) 473-1576 | forbiddenplanetnyc.com

Forbidden Planet has been a fixture on Broadway since 1981. It sits right next to the Strand Bookstore near Union Square, so it's easy to combine both into one afternoon. You'll find a solid mix of mainstream comics, graphic novels, manga, and collectibles. They also carry toys, statues, and pop culture merchandise if you're shopping for someone who's hard to buy for.

The store has good depth on DC and Marvel back issues and a respectable selection of indie titles. Hours run 10am–8pm most days, 10am–9pm Wednesday through Saturday.

3. Desert Island Comics

490 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 | (718) 388-5087 | desertislandbrooklyn.com

Desert Island is the shop for people who are tired of the same Marvel and DC titles. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, it specializes in underground, alternative, and self-published comics on a consignment model — meaning artists bring their own work in directly. Founder Gabriel Fowler also runs the annual Comic Arts Brooklyn festival, which gives you an idea of the shop's community focus.

Open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 7pm. If you're into indie and art comics, this is the most interesting shop on the list. It nearly closed in late 2024 but a community fundraising effort kept it going — worth supporting.

4. Royal Collectibles

96-01 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375 | (718) 793-0542 | royalcomicsnyc.com

Royal Collectibles is a family-owned shop in Forest Hills, Queens that's been running since 1992. It's more than just comics — you'll find Funko Pops, action figures, statues, autographed memorabilia, and trading cards alongside the book selection. They offer a pull list service with 10% off new issues, which is a nice perk if you're a regular collector passing through.

The staff are personable and genuinely enthusiastic. Their second location around the corner, Royal Sports and Entertainment, covers sports cards and memorabilia if that's your thing. Worth the subway ride out to Queens.

5. Alex's MVP Cards and Comics

1590 York Ave, New York, NY 10028 | (212) 831-2273 | alexsmvp.com

This family-owned Upper East Side shop has been open since 1988. It's small but well-stocked with new weekly comic releases and vintage sports cards. If you're a collector of older cards, this is one of the few places in the city that still has a serious selection. Note that the address has shifted slightly to 1590 York Ave (just across from the old location).

Hours are Monday through Saturday, roughly noon to 6pm — call ahead as hours can vary.

6. Kinokuniya New York

1073 Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave), 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018 | (212) 869-1700 | usa.kinokuniya.com

Kinokuniya is technically a Japanese bookstore chain, but its manga and anime selection is unmatched in the city. Located on the second floor directly across from Bryant Park in Midtown, it's easy to find. Beyond manga, you'll find Japanese stationery, art books, gifts, and a decent selection of English-language books. There's also a small café inside.

If you're into manga or Japanese pop culture, this is your stop. Open Monday through Saturday 10am–8pm, Sunday 11am–7:30pm.

Note: Two shops from an older version of this list have since closed — JHU Comics (Manhattan location closed September 2023) and Carmine Street Comics (closed January 2026). Both were well-loved spots and worth mentioning out of respect for what they were.

Where are your favorite places to buy comics in NYC? Drop a recommendation in the comments below.