Melbourne has a handful of quality brick-and-mortar comic book shops run by a wonderful and weird collection of chatty, knowledgeable pop-culture enthusiasts. As well as your monthly Batman and manga comics, the shops in this list present a range of merchandise options; from TV and movie merch, to toys, figurines and pop-culture nostalgia.
All Star Comics leads the way locally. They offer a kids section, single issues, secondhand racks and a massive trade section complete with with toys and figurines from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Owners Troy and Mitch have built a real community at All Star, hosting regular comic-related events that feature Cos-play and local and international writers and artists. The store is welcoming and inclusive, with an emphasis on customer service (note the prestigious Eisner award gong for world's best comic store in 2014).
Level 1, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne.
The goofy Minotaur statue greeting visitors has long introduced pop-culture fans to this granddaddy of Melbourne comic shops. The new split-level store in Little Collins Street packs in sci-fi and fantasy novels, movie, TV and Rock and Roll books, figurines and DVDs and a wide range of Manga, European and American-style comic books and trades. Minotaur tends to be a touch more expensive than its rivals and has more of a supermarket than a local store vibe, but the chances are if you are looking for something specific, this is where you will find it.
264 Little Collins Street, Melbourne