Friday, November 06, 2009

Well it seems I've missed blogging a bit, since I started a website of film photography, primarily of places and things here in NYC. I guess it's in my blood... Anyway, really been digging the cool comic shops here in New York.

Desert Island in Brooklyn just knocks my socks off and I love the front of it. This is a shot from Fantagraphics Flickr Page.

And of course Rocketship Comics, right down the street from my new favorite whiskey bar is always a fine store to visit.

Have to admit that I've been most impressed with Bergen Street Comics, which is just a 15 minute walk from Rocketship. I love these guys. Their store is not what you normally expect from a comic shop. Inside it's all gorgeous wood and aesthetically pleasing. When Kate and I walked in the first time, she was like, "Wow, this doesn't even feel like a comic shop." She's right. It feels more like a well stocked independent book store that just happens to specialize in comics. And EVERY time I've been there, someone gets up from behind the counter, walks over to me, and politely asks, "Do you need any help finding something?" That's it. Pretty damn simple. I tell them no thanks, and they disappear like a ghost. Back to browsing... That's really nice.

Over here in Manhattan, I haven't found as many new places. The new to me Forbidden Planet in Union Square is jam packed with good stuff and TONS of mini comics. That was a nice surprise. Plus it's really close to The Strand, which means I get loaded down with comic books and book books all on one subway trip.

So, who knows. Maybe I'll get back to cranking this rusty old thing up. It's certainly been nice to get email and questions from people still about mini-comics.

In the meantime, if you are intereseted in photos of the city, check me out over at Still Life.

Hope everyone is enjoying their fall.
Shawn

11 comments:

kenan said...

you probably don't need to be told this, but you should definitely check out jim hanley's, across the street from the empire state building. for a while, before the brooklyn shops opened up and forbidden planet got hip to indies, they were pretty much the only place around to find self-published comics. and they buy them outright (rather than on commission), which is a nice perk for us broke-ass cartoonists.

Shawn said...

Hey Kenan- I love Jim Hanley's! That's the one on the second floor, right?

I used to go there on our annual NYC trips. That place and St. Marks in the East Village were my favorites for comics.

Now it seems like Brooklyn is the place to go for good comics. And great restaurants and bars, I've discovered.

kenan said...

hm. second floor sounds like one of the midtown comics locations?

jim hanley's is on 33rd street, just west of 5th avenue, tucked in among the novelty shops, an art supply store, and a row of strip clubs. it's one of the few institutions that can motivate me to leave king's county, which, as you say, is the place to find the vast majority of the city's small treasures these days.

dylan sparkplug said...

Please more reviews! I've picked up a bunch of stuff thanks to your blog. Thanks Shawn.

Shawn said...

Kenan, you're right I got those two mixed up. Jim Hanley's had all the minis and was in that non-descript strip of stores in the shadow of the ESB.

Sorry, Dylan! I just got too lazy for the scanning and posting. And I couldn't keep up with the constant influx of new minis. Where to put them in a 450 sq ft. minimalist apartment?

dylan sparkplug said...

I build up. I have a shelf that actually has minis to the ceiling.

Tom said...

Rogers Time Machine is also a pretty cool store. It's walking distance Forbidden Planet. Also, check out www.the-master-list.com for store locations all over. A great fan updated resource (I did New York)

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Anonymous said...

We were really happy to see you had a new post up on here. PLEASE start reviewing again. This was always one of our favorite blogs.
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Sean Ford said...

shawn, if you like char no. 4, you should check out the jake walk a few blocks south on smith street. that's my favorite whiskey bar these days.

also, yeah, your mini comics reviews are missed!

Shawn said...

Hey Sean, I love the Jake Walk as well. Took this picture the first time I went!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shawnhoke/3998709163/in/set-72157622521197836/