Chicago Comics

Chicago Comics has sold comics on North Clark Street in Lakeview since 1986. Its shelves lean toward small-press, independent and alternative work, with a back room set aside for indie publishers, local creators and self-published titles, alongside mainstream releases and manga.

The shop keeps a large back-issue stock in drawers and in the basement, and staff will check stock by email. A loyalty scheme called Backstock Bucks gives a $5 credit slip for every $50 spent in one transaction, usable on back issues. Back issues are 10% off on Wednesdays.

It buys comics on Tuesdays from noon to 6pm, or by appointment on other days, with a focus on pre-1970s books, key issues, horror titles, pulps and manga collections. The shop won the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award in 1997.