Comics Collections
The Arquives
A great resource for queer comics and history
BC Gay and Lesbian Archives - Fonds AM1675
Beyond the Funnies: The History of Comics in English Canada and Quebec
WECA Comic Book Collection (formerly, the Canadian Whites Comic Book Collection)
"Fonds consists of 181 comic books, produced in Canada, mainly during World War II, after the War Exchange Conservation Act (WECA), on December 2, 1940 classified American comics as "luxury goods" and limited their importation. Generally referred to as the "Canadian Whites" (due to the fact that the comics were black and white, except for the covers). Donated to Ryerson University Library and Archives from a private donor in 2014." (Toronto, Ontario)
The Guardians of the North: The National Superhero in Canadian Comic-Book Art
"Website is based on an archival exhibition of the same title that was originally mounted at the National Archives' Canadian Museum of Caricature in 1992. Curated by Canadian comics scholar and archivist John Bell"
Library and Archives Canada
Great comics resources can be found at Library and Archives Canada! Plenty of publicly accessible electronic resources as well. Read more about the comics collection here at the Library and Archives Canada blog.
Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novel Collection
At University of Manitoba (Mazinbiige is an Anishinabe word meaning beautiful images and writing). "Mazinbiige Indigenous Graphic Novels Collection was developed by the first Indigenous Library Services Librarian, Camille Callison, and is located in the Reserve area at Elizabeth Dafoe Library, will provide students with an unconventional way to explore Indigenous stories and combat stereotypes." List of graphic novels and comic books currently in the collection.
The Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation & Fantasy
Houses over 1400 graphic novels and includes The Osborne Collection of Early Children's Book (Toronto, Ontario)
OCAD Zine Library
"The OCAD U Zine Library is an ever-growing collection of self-published and handmade objects located in the Learning Zone at OCAD University." (Toronto, Ontario)
The Seneca Libraries Zine Collection
"is located in the stacks of Seneca York library. The Zines do not circulate but patrons are free to browse at their leisure and to use the Zines in the Library."
Strong Nations
Strong Nations is a book and gift store, an online retailer, and a publishing house located in Nanaimo, BC, specializing in Indigenous literature and art.
Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library
Comics, book-objects, artist books, and manuscripts— new and rare— available to view by request. (Toronto, Ontario)
Toronto Public Library
Includes a great collection of comics that can be checked out! Browse here — or check out the selection in your local library's online catalogue!
Toronto Zine Library
The Toronto Zine Library is run by a collective of zine readers, zine makers and librarians who are looking to make zines more accessible in Toronto. We believe that zines are still an important medium of communication, and that they should be cherished, protected, and promoted.
Toutoune Gallery/Shop/Studio
(Toronto, Ontario)
Vancouver Public Library
Lots of great comics and programs to be found! Check out and request comics at your local library 🙂
Weird Things
Antique shop, clubhouse, and comics art gallery at 998 Bathurst St, Toronto.
Now Closed.
Western University's Pride Library
"Our mandate is to acquire and provide public access to materials by and about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer community (LGBTQ). Located in the D.B. Weldon Library at the University of Western Ontario, London ON, Canada."
White House Studio Project and Zine Library
The white house studio project is a multi-platform arts collective aimed at producing, presenting, and supporting emerging art and art projects. The zine library is "a very casual in-house library where anyone can come and drop off a zine.
All zines are donated, not sold here, but all are welcome to come visit and sit and read." (Toronto, ON)
Xpace Zine Library
"Xpace’s Library has three sections: the Boogie Woogie Mix-Tape Library, the Curated Library, and the Zine Library. Each is an ongoing accumulation of books, tapes, and various zine projects all housed within an inviting bookshelf and comfortable bench in Xpace’s Library room." (Toronto, ON)
International Collections
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
"houses the world’s largest collection of materials related to cartoons and comics, including original art, books, magazines, journals, comic books, archival materials, and newspaper comic strip pages and clippings." (Columbus, Ohio)
Comic Art Museum Brussels
Library houses what is probably the biggest collection of comic strips in the world. The reading room contains a selection of over 3,000 albums, translated into over 36 languages. (Brussels, Belgium)
Heavy Manners Library
"Heavy Manners is a library that seeks to archive and distribute self and independently published artists books, zines, and media. The library works directly with artists and small publishers, with the goal of making overlooked, out of print, and hard to find media accessible. Formal art education is increasingly becoming more cost prohibitive and inaccessible and the library hopes to be an affordable and alternative resource. Patrons of the library do not need any sort of institutional affiliation and are not limited by physical proximity to the library in order to gain access."
Partners and Son
Art and Comics (gallery and bookstore) | 618 S 6th St Philadelphia, PA 19147
The Schulz Library at the Center for Cartoon Studies
Contains a large selection of contemporary graphic novels, zines, student and faculty work, out-of-print and rare collections of gag cartoons and classic newspaper strips— and much more! (Vermont)
Comics shops
Ontario
The Beguiling
Toronto comics store and art gallery, well stocked with plenty of local comics and zines— and founders of The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF)!
The Canadian Comic Bin
Online back issue comic book store all in Canadian funds! (International shipping)
(Collingwood, Ontario)
Comic Book Addiction
"CBA’s new home is a tribute to everything that’s great about comic books and gaming. We have over 5,000 square feet of the finest (and the rarest) in comic books, Magic and other gaming products, original art, statues, video games and collectibles." (Whitby, Ontario)
Heroes
"Heroes is the largest comic book and collectibles store in South Western Ontario. Our new location at 186 Dundas Street in London, Ontario, houses a vast inventory of pop culture in over 4000 square feet. We specialize in new and old comics, both new and vintage action figures, assorted sports cards and collectable card games, statues and novelty items for everyone. We also carry the latest in Manga, Graphic Novels and Trade Paperbacks."
Hill City Comics
"located in the downtown shopping district of Thunder Bay in NW Ontario, Canada, we have been in business over 29 years (selling online since 1997) and consider ourselves to be a family entertainment store specializing in comic books, graphic novels, manga, action figures, model kits, board games, card games and role-playing games."
Page & Panel
Page & Panel: The TCAF Shop is Toronto’s newest retail destination for comics, art, and book culture. Located inside The Toronto Comic Arts Festival’s primary venue, Toronto Reference Library, the shop provides a permanent home to the very best of the comics medium, as well as the wonderful art and objects that flow from it.
The Sidekick
Comic Book Store and Cafe
"The Sidekick is the perfect place to grab coffee and comics before work, or to spend an afternoon off reading or playing games." (Toronto, ON)
The Silver Snail Toronto
"Founded in 1976, we are a Toronto based comic shop - now with a cafe! Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, we specialize in comic books, graphic novels, statues, action figures, model kits, and board games!"
British Columbia
8th Dimension Comics
"We sell all kinds of comics, new and old.
If you don't see it here, we can order it for you! We also got toys, POPS, and whole lot more!" (Vancouver)
Curious Comics
"Vancouver Island's Premier Comic & Game Stores" (Victoria, Langford and Nanaimo)
Legends Comics and Books
"located in downtown Victoria, BC, has been providing collectors with the finest — and most eclectic — variety of comics and sequential art since 1992. Legends was nominated for the prestigious Will Eisner “Spirit of Retailing” Award in 2009. Legends was awarded Canada’s national “Outstanding Comic Book Retailer” at The Joe Shuster Awards."
Lucky's Books and Comics
"Books, comics, gallery, zines...small shop full of unusual things...est. 1995." (Vancouver, BC)
Tazmanian Comics
"East Vancouver's premier place for comics, anime, manga, sports cards, gaming needs, toys and collectibles"
Yellowjacket Comics
"Located on the 688 block of Broughton Street, Yellowjacket boasts the city's largest collection of Magic: the Gathering Singles. It is also home to the best attended weekly Magic: the Gathering Tournaments" (Victoria, BC)
Alberta
Another Dimension
"Established in 1983, Another Dimension has been serving the comic book community in Alberta for nearly four decades! Winner of the prestigious Harry Kremer Award for outstanding comic retailing in 2016, we strive to offer the best service and selection possible and hope we can fulfill your pop culture needs." (Calgary, Alberta)
Comic Traders
"Specializing in Funko POPs, Silver & Bronze Age (1960-70's) Vintage Comics and Modern Back Issues both CGC/CBCS-Graded and Ungraded, New Comics, Toys, Statues, Original Comic Art & Much More" (Calgary, Alberta)
Variant Edition Comics + Graphic Novels!
"a graphic novel store whose goal is to help people find new stories that they are going to love. Through curating a diverse line of remarkable works, we aim to connect as many new people as possible to the comics medium. We provide a relaxed, introvert friendly environment, where we foster an inclusive community that is also family friendly." (Edmonton, AB)
Wonderharbour Comics
"We have a 4,600 sq/ft store as the greatest club-house for comic & pop culture fans anywhere! The best and largest selection of new comics in Edmonton, back issues, toys, posters, games and more will be in-stock and serviced with the friendly and knowledgeable staff you have come to expect from this award-winning business." (Edmonton, Alberta)
Saskatchewan
Amazing Stories
"Amazing Stories is the winner of the Joe Shuster Award for the Best Comic Store in Canada and is a two time finalist for an Eisner award for Best Store Worldwide. Our staff are true nerds who love pop culture as much as our clients." (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Comic Readers
"ComicReaders is a family of three comic and gaming stores– two in Regina, Saskatchewan, and one in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Each is locally owned and operated. At ComicReaders you can find comics, graphic novels, manga, board games, CCGs (Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc), Warhammer 40K / Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Heroclix, gaming supplies (dice, playmats, paint, paint brushes, etc), RPGs, apparel, toys, statues, and other items related to pop culture."
Manitoba
Galaxy Comics and Collectables
"Galaxy Comics and Collectibles has been around for 22 years serving the Winnipeg community. We specialize in comics, both new and old, trading cards (Magic The Gathering, YuGiOh, Pokemon, and even hockey cards), as well as toys and collectibles. Our inventory is expanding everyday, and both our floors are packed full of back issues, graphic novels, toys, collectibles and much more" (Winnipeg)
Quebec
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly
Independent Bookstore. 176 and 211 Bernard in MTL's Mile End. Owned & operated by Drawn & Quarterly publishing
Nova Scotia
Giant Robot Comics
Comic Book Shops in Dartmouth, NS
New Brunswick
The Comic Hunter
"We deal comics, trade paperbacks, statues, figurines and comic sets." (Moncton, NB)
Strange Adventures
"Canada's oddest and award-winning comic book stores. With locations in Fredericton, Halifax and Dartmouth, Strange Adventures has been bringing you the best in comics since 1992!"
Newfoundland
Downtown Comics
"Since 1997, Downtown Comics has been the friendliest Comic Book Store in St. John's, NL. Pioneered by comics-enthusiast and Spider Man-fan Jason Conway, the business is proud to continue his legacy as the #1 comic book store with a wide range of new and back issue comics, graphic novels, collectible figures, mystery boxes, board games, trading cards, and more!"
Image: advertising Comics Book Club hosted by author/illustrator Georgia Webber.
TimeMasters Comics
"Timemasters Inc. has been supplying comics in St. John’s since 1991. Once located downtown, we moved to our current location over 10 years ago! We specialize in comics, trade paperbacks, hardcover books and manga. We carry a HUGE selection of board games, role-playing games, table top miniatures and collectible card games. And our selection of novelty items, action figures, statues and other collectibles can’t be beat." (St. Johns)
(Select) Outside of Canada
BIPOC Comic Shop Locator (United States)
"Locate your local BIPOC-Owned comic shop by state below!"
Red Planet Comics and Books
"Native Realities, the Albuquerque-based company behind the Indigenous Comic Con, opened their store front to the public June 3rd, 2017. The store feature comics, toys, games, kid’s books and pop art from Native and Indigenous artists, as well as new and used books by Indigenous writers from around the world. Located at 1002 Park Avenue SW, the store will operate as the main headquarters for Native Realities and is the only Native American comic shop in the world."
Small press/comic zine distros (distributors) that may ship internationally
Link to The Beguiling's online zine stock (Comic shop in Toronto, ON)
Broken Pencil Magazine's list of Canadian and international zine distros
Organized by province and city. Many include comics, and a few are zine vending machines!
Outside of Canada
Antiquated Future
"Antiquated Future is an online store, zine distro, pop-up shop, and tape label that began in 2008 out of Olympia, Washington and currently operates out of Portland, Oregon. Over the past decade, we've distributed several thousand different zines, books, tapes, records, and handmade odds and ends by independent artists."
Archive Six
"Archive Six is a small press and zine distributor based in Seattle. It was originally set up to distribute personal work but eventually expanded to include work centered around important topics like art, social justice, feminism, WOC, intersectionality, fat activism, and survival.
The distro is run by Rachelle Abellar, a graphic designer, fat activist, self care advocate, and cat lover. She works at a local newspaper by day and rocks a long reach stapler by night."
Birdcage Bottom Books
"was founded by J.T. Yost in 2008 with the help of a Xeric Grant. Although we do not operate a brick-and-mortar store, we are all over the internet and make regular appearances at indie comic conventions like SPX, MoCCA and CAB. We are both a publishing company and a distro representing over 100 self-publishing artists and small-presses. Our focus is on handmade comics, prints and apparel, often limited editions using customized printing techniques like risograph and screenprinting. Our goal is to help independent artists get their work into more hands." (New York, NY)
Black Indie Comix Distro
"BIC Distro introduces Distribution services for independent POC creators" (Los Angeles, CA)
Brown Recluse Zine Distro
"Brown Recluse Zine Distro was created to support + center zines written by queer and trans people of color; BRZD was born was born in the spirit of visibility + in the spirit of celebrating our cultures. Brown Recluse exists to strengthen our ties + highlight our intersectional, relatable experiences.
Collective members + volunteers read submissions, print zines, run social media, send out orders, write descriptions, table events around the country, answer emails, hustle money, and deal with all the day to day operations.
BRZD has operated out of Coast Salish and Ohlone Lands." (Oakland, CA)
Copacetic Comics Company
"The Copacetic Comics Company was founded in 2000 and opened its doors at its original location at 1505 Asbury Street, Pittsburgh PA 15217, on April Fools Day 2001. It moved to its current location on Memorial Day 2010."
Domino Comics
"Domino Books is a publisher and distributor of artists books, comics, and all types of printed media. Domino Books believes that all people---not only those that call themselves artists---have images and phrases lying in their hearts and minds. We'd much prefer a world where people sit down and try to bring these things to the surface, rather then attaching widgets to gears for someone else's benefit. We publish and distribute artists that remind us that art is worth devoting your life to, even if there are no tangible rewards. It is our sincere hope that readers of our publications will have yet another pressure put upon them to not ignore their innate creativity any longer." ( Brooklyn, NY)
Gatosaurio (Inés Estrada)
"Estrada has been making comics and illustration since she was a teen, setting up her online store Gatosaurio, where she sells her hugely popular stickers and zines, along with the work of other Mexican artists aside her own. Gatosaurio also serves as a distro for comics and collaborative work by Canadian and North American artists. She creates comics for Vice Mexcio, in addition to writing reviews in a weekly column for the magazine."(comicsandcola.com)
Neoglyphic Media
"Neoglyphic Media principally functions as a publishing house, operated solely by me, Cullen Beckhorn. It has grown out of the intersection of my personal aesthetic interests, in the interplay of art, music, comics, and mysticism. Each project is approached individually and grows out of my relationships with the creators who I’ve had the privilege to work with. As an extension to publishing, Neoglyphic Media exists to otherwise champion work that is exciting to me, and to serve as a hub for the extended Neoglyphic family. Beyond the publications I produce, I also distribute books, zines and other specialty items through this website, and use this as a platform for curating multi-media exhibitions and staging performances." (Bellingham, WA)
Nix Comics & Records Mail Order
"Nix specializes in comic books and zines inspired and informed by garage rock, punk zines, B-movies and record store culture." (Columbus, Ohio)
O Panda Gordo
"O Panda Gordo is a small press and distro dedicated to the promotion of contemporary practices of comics and drawing, run by João Sobral and based in Glasgow, Scotland. O Panda Gordo works with international artists in the publication of books and zines featuring comics and drawings, and also stocks a selection of titles published by other artists and independent publishers."
Other Books
"Bookshop and collaborative space organized by Seite Books and Kaya Press. We carry new and used books, comics, and zines. The selection has an emphasis on literature in translation, POC creators in both literature and art, alternative comics, international comics and art books, independent presses, POC history, and the Other in related contexts." (Los Angeles, CA)
Paper Rocket Minicomics
"Paper Rocket Minicomics is the publishing home of Robyn Chapman. We publish distinctive and unique handmade comics in Brooklyn, NY."
pf Mini Mart
"The Mini Mart is an international marketplace for buying and selling mini-comics, zines, fanzines, small press comics and related items. It’s also a community site for fans, readers, publishers and collectors of same.
The site is managed by me, Rick Bradford. I’ve been involved with mini-comics and zines in one way or another since 1985. I published 20 or so issues of the Poopsheet reviewzine, a number of other comics & zines, and have been building the Mini-Comic and Fanzine Database in recent years."
Radiator Comics
"Founded in Chicago in July of 2014, Radiator Comics’ primary focus is distributing minicomics created by excellent comics makers who are passionate about telling sincere stories (both fictional and nonfictional) that speak to our society and humanity. Our secondary focus is publishing comics by up-and-coming comics makers who excite us. Radiator Comics is dedicated to encouraging and expanding a community of unique voices from diverse backgrounds, brought together by a passion for story, art, and self-publishing."
Sonatina Comics
Comics publisher | SF Bay Area | est. 2011
Spit and a Half
Cartoonist John Porcellino's distro. "Since 1989 I’ve drawn and self-published my own zine, King-Cat Comix and Stories. In 1992 I started a zine and comix distro called Spit and a Half. This was before the internet! It was all on paper. People sent me orders through the mail, and I sent comix to them through the mail! In 2000, due to health problems I was having, I quit doing the distro. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. 10 years later, I was feeling a lot better, and was more committed than ever to trying to keep the world of self-published comix and zines thriving. So I brought the distro back to life. I focus on small-press and self-published comics from around the world, ones that might fall through the cracks more easily, and are harder to find."
What Things Do
"alternative comics & prints for sale." (Jordan Crane and Sammy Harkham)
Wig Shop Web Shop
"At Wig Shop, we believe that anyone can be a collector and that passion is far more important than the fickle subjectivity of taste. The items on view in our store are things we are genuinely passionate about and we hope you find them equally exciting." (Denver, CO)
United Dead Artists
"Beyond words, United Dead Artists believes in the emotional power of images. UDA produces books, magazines and objects for adults A large part of the UDA catalog can be ordered directly from Blanquet Merchandise (Payments secured by PayPal!) International orders: if you want to buy one of our books, go to the online shop " Marchandises " (click on the button 'add' to add to cart - don't forget to add " 10 EUR " for the international orders) // If you have any question, please contact us." (Paris, France)
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