The Best Comic Book Stores in Denver and Beyond

Comic shops haven't been around all that long. They only really started in the 1970s, and even then, it took a while to catch on. It was a distribution issue, primarily. But once the comics industry (which at the time mostly comprised just Marvel and DC) embraced direct-market sales, it needed stores to carry its products.

The ’80s saw the first boom in comic collecting — a craving that these new stores served eagerly, filling rooms with back issues available at ever-increasing prices. Books that had been considered "used" and formerly worth maybe a dime or quarter were all of a sudden being sold for big money. Or rather, big money back then: DC  comics bragged in 1974 that a copy of Action Comics #1 had just sold for $1,800. Recently, a copy around the same grade sold for $6 million.

That's not to say that everyone's comic collections from the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s are worth bank. Comics, like all collectible markets, has seen its peaks and valleys, and there's never a guarantee that the book you're buying today will appreciate in value. "You have to buy what you love," advises Wayne Winsett of Time Warp Comics in Boulder. "Does the book make you happy? That's the question, not how much it'll be worth someday."

And that's key to collecting comics: happiness. I first got into comic books when I was six and my grandfather passed away unexpectedly. My uncle, a longtime fan of all things Donald Duck, brought me a cardboard box full of old comics — a kind gesture to distract a kid from the family sorrow surrounding him. It worked. I pored over those comics, and wanted more. This was 1975, and comics were a quarter apiece. For my weekly allowance of $1, I could get four comics — or, more often, three comics and some candy. Those memories are, in part, what I'm still buying today when I put down $5 for a comic book, or sometimes $20 or more for a nice copy of those same books I saw on the rack when I was six.

So where can Denverites find that joy? Lots of places, it turns out. Here's a list of the ten best in town:
All C’s Collectibles
1250 South Abilene, Aurora
All C's Collectibles has been around since1987 in Aurora, originally at South Chambers Road and East Iliff Avenue. It’s now a local chain with several locations for comics and games spread across the south Denver metro area, plus an online store. In April 2018, the store began a semi-annual tradition of hosting a small gathering for fans and vendors, and the All C's Fan Expo was born. It's a way for the owners to give back to the fan community, says co-owner Trish Farnsworth.
All in a Dream Comics
3115 East Colfax Avenue
In 2021, this longtime Colfax comic spot moved a bit down the street to the east. It might be a slightly less sunny location, but heck, sun is terrible for comics — they start to fade all too quickly. Despite the move, All in a Dream is still going strong after more than forty years, with new and old comics alike. Colfax Avenue should always have a comic shop; it just makes sense. Just ask Westword's own Karl Christian Krumpholz, who's a fan. 
Hall of Justice Comics and Collectibles
10136 Parkglenn Way, #109, Parker
Hall of Justice won in the comics shop category for 2022’s Best of Denver for a reason: It’s fan owned and fan run, which has translated to it being a favorite stop for nerdalicious delicacies. It just celebrated its ninth anniversary, in fact, growing prodigiously over the last near-decade of serving the needs and wants of comic book aficionados across Denver. It's like the store's slogan says: Yay Comics! Hero Headquarters
8757 Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster
This store in Westminster has a little something for every collector — in other words: a pretty huge inventory. From comics to graphic novels and hardcover collections, from small toys up to huge statues selling in the hundreds of dollars, there's a great find for any fan and every budget.
I Want More Comics
550 East Thornton Parkway, Thornton
Strangely enough, I Want More Comics doesn't refer to itself as a comic shop, per se. Instead, it prefers the name "Pop Culture Center," though its website admits that its main love is comics. And I Want More Comics proves that, both in the store and especially in its online "stream sales," which take place every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
JNJ Comic Books and Games
3929-A East 120th Avenue, Thornton
JNJ is the quintessential mom-and-pop comic store. It's owned and run by James and Jamie Pierce, who started the store because James realized he had over 80,000 comic books in his collection. Those comics became the initial stock for the family-friendly store, which also carries gaming stuff new and old, paints for those who do the miniatures thing, and even a Dungeons & Dragons pinball machine, just one of those things nerd dreams are made of.
Mile High Comics
4600 Jason Street
By far the biggest store in Denver — both in national reputation and sheer square footage — Mile High Comics, Chuck Rozanski’s mothership of comic book craziness, is housed in a converted warehouse. The store just celebrated its golden anniversary in grand style, and rightly so. It's a nationally recognized spot, having advertised heavily in Marvel comics throughout the ’80s. Want proof? Kevin Smith makes it a regular stop when he's in town. Now that's some powerful pedigree.
Mutiny Comics & Coffee
3483 South Broadway, Englewood
The comics side of Mutiny is roaring loudly in the store's new Englewood location. Everything you loved about the old Mutiny is still here: the cereal bar, the used vinyl, the coffee and cookies and comics — plus a lower-level performance space that puts the old one to shame. There's a reason Mutiny is so loved: Head down South Broadway to find out why.
Time Warp Comics and Games
3105 28th Avenue, Boulder
Boulder isn't officially Denver metro, but it's close enough for many Denverites to make the drive out west on Highway 36 to enjoy some of the best deals and best customer service around. Time Warp is in it as much for the love of comics as for the lucre, and it shows in everything it does — including one of the best online stream sales, usually every other Tuesday at 4 p.m. on its Facebook page.
Vision Comics & Oddities
3958 South Federal Boulevard, Englewood
Vision Comics and Oddities not only carries a wide variety of comics and comic-related stuff, it also does a lot to support local creators. The store hosts signings from local comics artists and writers, and even puts out its own comic book to employ some of the local talent. Artist Joe Rollman, who recently had his own show in Ink Comics Art Gallery, is one of those whose work has been featured on recent issue covers. It's a labor of love for the local talent and the medium itself. Glorious.