This is a great shop?
So we spent the last several days in San Francisco on vacation. Since I’ve read so much about them, I decided to visit the two famous comic book shops in San Francisco — Brian Hibbs’ Comix Experience and and James Sime’s Isotope Comics Lounge
I have to say that I was incredibly disappointed with both shops. They get so much publicity and both seem so committed to Comics Retailing, that I guess I was expecting a much different experience. Comix Experience is your basic, run of the mill shop — all the latest mainstream (DC, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse,Vertigo) releases, a few independents, a smattering of trades and a meager back issue selection, 80% of which I would term ‘Quarter Bin’ material.
Isotope seems like a shop with a great idea that is poorly executed. It styles itself as a ‘Comics Lounge’ and indeed, has a few chairs and sofas scattered about for reading the stuff they have. The problem here is that they don’t have much, and their shelves are poorly organized and unkempt. The quality of the furniture they are using is just this side of a bean bag chair, and the shop has a stark, cool, modern look. That seems much less conducive to lounging. I would think something with warmer colors, and a little more plush would work better — that might be me. Something like a comic shop crossed with a great coffee house.
As I discussed it with my wife after visiting Isotope, she may have hit the nail on the head when she mentioned that maybe these are really good shops and we have just been spoiled by our shop — Austin Books and Comics. I’ve always thought Austin Books was about eighty percent of the way toward being a really great shop, but I might be wrong. It may outclass almost every other shop in the country — seriously. Especially if these two shops in San Fran are any indication. Over the last few years, I’ve visited three ‘big name’ shops — Lonestar, Isotope, and Comix Experience — none of them even come close to competing with Austin Books as a great shop. It’s not even funny how far away they are. Even the store I consider a second tier shop in Austin — Dragon’s Lair — blows the other non-Austin shops away.
Next post I’ll talk more about what makes ABC a great shop and how these other shops could take a lesson from Austin Books.
Posted in Comic Book Shops
November 15th, 2008 at 2:52 am
I visited Isotope twice in the last year, and had a fantastic experience both times. It has a different mix of books than what I’m used to, which made it a lot of fun to look around. My wife, long the victim of my comic shop visits had a great time there as well. James was a welcoming host and made the whole visit enjoyable. In fact James also recommended a couple of places to us that made our trip to the city even more enjoyable.
When I returned to San Francisco in January, I visited Isotope once again, and again found it every bit as enjoyable. The next day, I braved the rain and walked to Comix Experience and found, as you say a run of the mill comic shop, complete with the stereotypical lousy customer service that one would expect of a run of the mill shop.
Next time I return to the city by the bay, I’ll save myself the trip to Comix Experience, but I’m looking forward to seeing the Isotope again!
November 15th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Thanks for the response Paul. I agree that Isotope is a better experience than Comix Experience. I had a similar experience with my wife. She looked around in Isotope, leafed through some books, etc.
Whereas at Comix Experience she walked in and in about 5 seconds said she was going down the street to the antique store and would wait for me there.
Isotope is definitely more welcoming.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Sorry you didn’t like the store, Trevor. We try our best, but we don’t gel with everyone, naturally.
I have to object to two of your characterizations, however: “a few independents, a smattering of trades” — less than half of our linear display space (48%, actually!) is devoted to “comics mainstream” material, and books-with-spines outnumber the number of periodical titles we stock something like 8:1.
I’m very much looking forward to your post about lessons that could be taken from Austin Books though. Brad’s a great guy and runs a great shop!
-B
November 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Isotope is definitely the more welcoming of the two, and I enjoy going there, but I can’t tell you how many times i’ve gone there for a specific issue and found it to be out of stock. (However, they are always friendly about re-ordering materials for me, but that does nothing for my instant gratification needs).
Comix Experience is the last place on my list of do-able SF comic stores. Kinda drab, kinda meh. Just a boring place.
My favorite? Al’s Comics on Market. Good selection of current issues and BACK ISSUE BOXES! Hallelujah! Sure, it’s a hole in the wall, but dammit, they had all the issues of the Grant Morrison Flash run I’ve been meaning to collect. I’d like to see Isotope or Comix Ex have that…