New York is where the American comic book was invented. The modern industry took shape in Manhattan in the 1930s and 1940s, and both Marvel and DC got their start in the city. That history is still close to the surface. Midtown, the Flatiron district, and the neighborhoods around them hold some of the most established comic shops in the country, and every fall the Javits Center hosts New York Comic Con, the biggest comics event in North America. Manhattan fits a lot of store into not much square mileage.
The guide below ranks New York's highest-rated comic shops by verified Google review score and covers what each one does best. For the complete, filterable list of every comic store in the city — with addresses, hours, and services — see the New York comic shop directory.
Top-rated comic shops in New York
These are the highest-rated comic book stores in New York, ranked by verified Google review score. Ratings reflect data at the time of writing — tap any shop for current details, hours, and directions.
Bleecker Trading UWS
A flawless 5.0 across 1,007 verified reviews. This shop on West 80th Street buys, sells, and trades collections alongside its new and back issues. See full details »
Anime Claw (Chinatown)
More than 2,124 reviews at a 4.9 rating. The store on Pell Street carries new releases and keeps a back-issue selection on hand. See full details »
Tommy's Figz
95 verified reviews at a 4.9 rating. The store on Turnstyle Underground Market 1000 carries new releases and keeps a back-issue selection on hand. See full details »
Bleecker Trading
More than 1,026 reviews at a 4.8 rating. This location on Christopher Street FRNT A buys, sells, and trades collections alongside its new and back issues. See full details »
Midtown Comics Downtown
More than 1,457 reviews at a 4.7 rating. This shop on Fulton Street carries new releases and keeps a back-issue selection on hand. See full details »
How to choose a comic shop in New York
With 25 shops in New York, it pays to match the store to what you collect. Follow ongoing series? Pick a shop that runs a pull list — a free hold service that sets your weekly titles aside so they never sell out before you arrive.
Hunting back issues and key issues is different. Check a shop's listing for its back-issue depth before you drive over. Some New York stores keep deep long-box inventory. Others lean toward new releases and trading cards. If you want to sell part of a collection, look for the shops tagged for buying and selling.
For grading, you do not have to ship books to CGC yourself. Many shops are authorized CGC drop-off centers, and our comic grading guide covers how submission tiers and turnaround work before you go.
Comic conventions and events near New York
Conventions are where New York collectors find dealers, creators, and key issues all in one room. Browse our directory of upcoming comic cons and collector shows across the US and Canada to plan your next event near New York.
See all 25 shops: this guide covers the highest-rated stores. For the complete, filterable directory of comic book stores in New York — with addresses, hours, and services for every shop — visit the New York comic shop directory.
Frequently asked questions
How many comic book stores are in New York?
New York has 25 verified comic book stores listed in the ComicStoresNearMe directory. This guide highlights the highest-rated. The full list with addresses, hours, and services is on the New York directory page.
What is the best-rated comic shop in New York?
Bleecker Trading UWS is among the highest-rated comic shops in New York, holding a 5.0-star rating across 1,007 verified Google reviews. The other shops in this guide also rank among New York's best by review score — compare them in the list above.
Where can I get comics graded (CGC) in New York?
Many comic shops act as authorized CGC drop-off centers, bundling submissions and handling shipping so you do not need a CGC membership. See our CGC drop-off guide to find participating shops, and our comic grading guide for how the process and service tiers work.
When do comic shops get new comics?
New issues arrive on New Comic Book Day — Wednesday in the United States. Most New York shops put the week's releases out Wednesday morning, and many offer a free pull-list (subscription) service that sets aside your titles each week. Subscribe to our daily feed to follow new releases and comic news, tagged #NewComicBookDay.
Where to play TCG in New York
Plenty of New York comic shops double as trading-card hubs for Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh. For the full local card-shop scene — singles, sealed, and game nights — see our sister guide: Best Card Shops in New York →