More than a cape or costume, the ability to fly or see through walls, comic characters need one thing above all. An audience. If it weren't for the millions of people around the world who have followed their exploits, comics would have gone the way of the dodo. And so, these sites are devoted to the most essential element in Batman's utility belt, the fans!

• Comic Book Websites
  A very extensive database and link resource site covering a wide range of topics and categories. Comic fans can locate sites devoted to specific characters, creators, or companies. One of the best sources of info about comics on the web.


• Comic Book Resources
  Another excellent site for finding info on specific comics. I find it invaluable in tandem with the site listed above. If one doesn't have what you're looking for, the other probably does.


• About Comics
  Less a fan site and providing more general knowledge, you can find out information about the collectible side of comics here. It provides info on storing of books, pricing, and proper display and care of the books. It also does provide indexes and links to sites devoted to the characters themselves.


• Comics Community
  A wonderful site for networking with fans and creators. This site provides forums and message boards for talking to professionals, amateurs and fans about the world of comics. It also has contests, an art gallery, and info on upcoming events like book signings, conventions, auctions and creator and character appearances.


• The Fourth Rail
  This site is one of my weekly stopovers as it provides reviews and opinions about upcoming books. A great sneak peek at the next weeks shipment of comics from all the companies. Guest editorials from industry creators is a nice touch also.


• Comics Continuum
  Want your comics related updates on a daily basis? Then Comics Continuum is the site for you. Provides up-to-the-day info on not only comics but any TV, movie, book or merchandising news related to your favorite characters. I never miss it.


• Comic2Film
  This site is all about what the title says. Any news about comic characters being brought to the silver scrren or television is posted here. Many articles have links to the origin sites of news reports. Also, a pretty extensive picture gallery of fan art is located here. Post your own is you want. A fun site.


• SuperheroHype
  What started out originally called SpidermanHype.com, this site has blossomed into a full fledged must-see stopover for fans wanting to know the latest news on movie tie-ins on their favorite characters. Nested sites inside the main page hilight different characters. Another site I check on a daily basis.


• Aint-It-Cool-News
  While this is more of a movie related site, AICN also covers enough comics related topics to warrant mentioning. Plus, now the site has started posting reviews of comics on a regular basis from some of their regular correspondents.

Originally comics were only available on the newsstand and at the corner drugstore. Subscription to the books became a later option. Then came the birth of the comic shop, stores specializing in books, toys, and other comics related merchandise. Northcoast Nostalgia Of all the comic shops I've visited, this is my favorite. It's clean, the people are helpful and friendly, and they cater to their customers' needs. I have probably spent the better part of my comics collecting at this shop. Collectors Warehouse A Cleveland based specialty shop, Collectors Warehouse was the first comic shop I ever frequented. They have been around for over 20 years and have expanded into role playing games, toys and movie memorabilia. Mile High Comics A Denver, Colorado-based store, Mile High is famous for its selection and customer service. Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash Before Kevin Smith (director of "Clerks", "Chasing Amy" and "Dogma") became a film maker, he worked as a clerk in a comic shop. After he hit as a director, he went back and bought the shop he worked in, christening it after two of the characters from his movies. Comics Unlimited A great online buying service. A "wish list" feature is nice, along with a searchable database for all your comic needs. Metropolis Collectibles A wonderful site that not only sells comics and related merchandise, but also buys collections. A free collection appraisal service is provided. If you're thinking of buying OR selling, this is a great site. The Master List Just what it says. A database of comic and card shops that is worldwide in its coverage. Extremely helpful and detailed. The best site of this kind I have found. Zapp Just one of dozens of sites that sell merchandise related to comics characters. Sites like this tend to have online catalog and ordering services and are pretty reputable. The Big Red Toybox This is the best site I've found dealing with action figures. They cover all genres and companies that produce them. It also contains a pretty extensive gallery of pictures. To a collector, pricing and grading your comics is extremely important. That's why there are several guides out there as well as some online sources geared towards helping ascertain the value of your collection. Comic Link A good, online place to start. Most sites that buy or sell comics talk about grading comics but this site is better than most. Comics Guaranty, LLC An organization that specializes in the grading of collectibles. The Overstreet Priceguide Comic Link has listed a way to order the Overstreet Priceguide, the essential book for grading comics. It can be purchased at any bookstore as well. So what about the future of comics? With an ever-growing cyberculture, how can printed material compete with a society wanting it's thrills to come from a computer screen? As video games become more established as the top of the entertainment pyramid, can comics make the transition? Dot Comics Marvel Comics has started an interesting (and best of all, FREE!) online service called dot comics. Now anyone can log on and view on the computer books from the recent past. Pages and panels literally jump at you as you click on them. Even the ads! As computer technology and connection speeds improve, expect the books to become even more interactive. This is only a small sampling of the literally hundreds of sites available on the world of comics. I hope this brief glance gave you a desire to sample some yourself. Just don't ask to borrow mine. I'll be too busy reading them. Return to top Return to main page