Store Review: BRAINSTORM COMICS- Wicker Park, Chicago

I wrote this review back in April 2013 before I had the blog up. I've updated it at the end.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Store Review: BRAINSTORM COMICS- Wicker Park, Chicago 04.20.13

I took a trip to Wicker Park's BRAINSTORM COMICS this past week. What I found was a pleasant comic buying experience in a solid shop.

It's a nice size, and features the usual racks of current issues. I don't really buy a lot of that stuff, but if that's what you're looking for it's there.

As for the things I like, it goes a little something like this:

They had nice-sized stacks (6-12 issue) of many BRONZE AGE titles, reading copies mostly. The prices were good. I generally expect to pay $2-5 per issue (unless it's something special), and that's about what they had. Picked up CONAN 53, 54, 83, 99- they had at least another 10 issues for sale. Picked up SGT. FURY 110, 126- they had an above average stack of SGT FURY issues, including some early ones.

A big score for me was a beater copy of MONSTERS ON THE PROWL #27 from 1973 (reprinting a Jack Kirby monster story from 1963). I've started collecting a lot of Marvel's Bronze-Age horror and monster comics, which can be hard to find these days.

I'm one step closer to my goal of getting every Marvel NEW UNIVERSE comic,
picking up NIGHTMASK #6.

And finally, and this is huge, I picked up 5 back issues of NATIONAL LAMPOON comedy magazine! Aug 1971, Sep 1971, Dec 1971, Nov 1977, April 1978. $1 each!

I had always heard about this magazine, which was responsible for spawning such comedy classics as ANIMAL HOUSE and VACATION. The comedy is purely demented 70's! There's a sort-of Playboyish overtone to the magazine, but also mixed with some real oddball shit. Too cool! And I true find, as I am beginning to venture into the world of comedy writing myself.

They had some late 90's back issues of 2000AD. A mouth-watering stack of KAMANDI, which I may raid if it's there on a future expedition. Some back issues of DOCTOR WHO magazine that looked good. A pretty cool video section, and they offer rentals.

Anyway, I purchased about a quarter of the stuff I wanted, which is a good, solid ratio. This seems like a place I am definitely gonna hit 2 or 3 times a year. I walked out with a nice stack of things I wanted...all for $17!

Brainstormmcg.Com 
BRAINSTORM MOVIES, COMICS & GAMING

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: BRAINSTORM has moved a few blocks up to the Flat Iron Fine Arts Building 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. They traded their street level location for a third floor suite (#321). The new space seems spacious, light and airy.

The selection remains good. This trip I scored back issue reading copies of KAMANDI (yum!), Don McGregor's KILLRAVEN and SGT FURY, all off the wall for $2-3 bucks an issue.

I just took a quick glance at their DVD rental section, and they have a nice amount of racks. Based upon the rest of the store I'm sure they've got a lot of  good and obscure titles. Their flier boasts of having hundreds and hundreds of horror films.

The counter guy is very amiable and helpful. If you're a real comics head you'll enjoy this store!