Here are some of the best places for manga, Marvel, graphic novels and more

By Tiffany Thompson

Colorado is a great place for fans of physical media to find the newest addition for their growing collections. Record stores, book shops, and toy stores all have a strong presence, and comic books are no exception when it comes to having storefronts for perusal. Since becoming popular in the 1930s, comic books have continued to permeate American culture.

Indeed, most shops will have something for every taste. Denver area residents should look for their next big adventure at any of these local stores.

I Want More Comics and Games

550 E. Thornton Pkwy., Suite 114, Thornton

Thornton-based comic shop I Want More Comics and Games offers much more than the items mentioned in its name. While this shop has more than enough comics and games to keep patrons occupied for hours, they also have a small, but impressive record collection. Vinyl aficionados can find classics and new releases alike in this section.

Additionally, the shop hosts Magic the Gathering gameplay nights every Friday with free entry. Check out the calendar on their website for more information on their Magic nights as well as other events.

Hero Headquarters

8757 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster

Hero Headquarters is located in the high traffic area of West 88th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, tucked into a strip mall. In another life, the location was a sports card shop, and Hero Headquarters owner Craig Davidson found it fitting that the next iteration of the storefront would continue as a collectibles store, albeit with a different focus.

Davidson has owned and operated Hero Headquarters in its current location for the last 26 years, but has been in the comic book industry for more than three decades, working toy shows and offering mail order service before opening the store in 1999.

His longstanding love of comics and toys has persisted through many different phases of his life. “After a tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps, I started up a collection of toys I had as a child. I had always read comics even while I was in the Marines. The two hobbies soon became a passion that led to the shop and business it is today,” Davidson says.

From there, the venture has grown to include Davidson’s two sons, Tristan and Jon, as well as a team of dedicated employees. For longtime comic lovers and newcomers to the genre alike, this family business in Westminster is worth a stop.

For those looking for a new comic book series to check out, Davidson recommends “One World Under Doom,” a recently released Marvel edition that features the longtime villain of the Fantastic Four, Dr. Doom.

Mile High Comics

4600 Jason St., Denver

Even from a distance, the hulking structure of the Mile High Comics building is hard to miss. The Mile High Comics building, also called the Jason Street Mega Store, is a sprawling warehouse filled with rows upon rows of comic books, rare finds, collectibles and toys. Additionally, as customers browse the massive offerings, they are likely to encounter familiar, life-sized friends: large statues and blowups of Spiderman, Batman, Deadpool, Sully, Mike from Monsters Inc. and more.

According to the website, Mile High Comics was launched by owner Chuck Ronzanski when he started selling comics at a flea market as a teenager. Success was soon to follow, as Ronzanski opened four stores by the age of 21.

These days, Mile High Comics has only one location remaining, the Jason Street Mega Store, but that is more than enough for the region’s comic fans. Whatever kind of adventure readers are searching for, they are sure to find it in the wide expanse of Mile High Comics.

JNJ Comic Books and Games

3929 E. 120th Ave. A, Thornton

Owned by the husband-and-wife dynamic duo of Jamie and James Pierce, JNJ Comic Books and Games has been at their location in Thornton for more than seven years. As 26-year residents of the Denver suburb, they noticed that there was an unexpected hole in the market. “We were surprised there weren’t many comic book stores in the area, especially considering all the homes, schools and libraries,” Jamie says.

JNJ could be described as two separate dreams coming together to form one. While Jamie had long dreamed of becoming a business owner and thought she might one day own a bookstore, James wanted to become a comic store owner who regaled customers about the history and stories of the medium. James has loved comic books since childhood, and his own version of the comic store man was inspired by a shop that he visited as a kid. The couple made their dreams come true in their own way. “My dream came true,” Jamie says, “I just had never seen the word ‘comic’ in front of the word ‘book’ in my dreams.”

Comics aren’t the only thing JNJ offers, either. On top of collectibles and games, JNJ also hosts Dungeons and Dragons games as well. Jamie notes that she has seen the people who get involved with their D&D games go from complete strangers to lifelong friends. “It’s a really special kind of community,” she says.

As for what JNJ recommends for curious browsers, the “Marvel Ultimate” series and the “DC Absolute” series are very well received at the moment. Jamie also notes that her personal favorites are the comics produced by Image.

Newcastle Comics and Games

508 5th Ave., Longmont

For those located in northern Colorado, Newcastle Comics and Games is a great option for customers looking for single comics, graphic novel collections, manga series, plus collectibles and toys.

A selection of local creators' comic books at the Mutiny Information Cafe in Englewood — Mutiny Information Cafe selections | Photo by Steve Graham

Newcastle has been known to carry items and series not often found in other stores. One customer, who chose to remain anonymous, notes that this is his go-to comic store. “I was able to find unusual things there – the “Akira: Art of the Wall Collection,” the “Tank Girl Color Classics” series, plus single comics and new releases of popular titles that I can get for myself and the rest of my family,” he says.

Newcastle is located in downtown Longmont and is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Mutiny Information Cafe

3483 S Broadway, Englewood

A beloved local institution, Mutiny Information Cafe moved due south on Broadway from Denver into Englewood one year ago. It kept all its charm and quirkiness, and has an eclectic and well-curated collection of comic books, graphic novels and more. It is an especially great place to find local zines and comic books.

The selection may not be as vast as Mile High Comics or some of these other alternatives, but the Mutiny collection is really well curated, and there are plenty of other attractions at the store, including pinball machines, a photo booth, coffee shop, records and some text-heavy books alongside the comics.

Mutiny also hosts a range of events, including all-ages concerts, open mic comedy and magic nights, drink and draw events and much more.