Illusive Comics & Games
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Wed 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
8 Reviews for Illusive Comics & Games
Home of the infamous, "Soup or Stew," heated battle between then-owner Andy and Steve. This place values loyalty and makes sure the regulars keep coming back. Steve is a colorful character who is extremely knowledgeable, whether it comes to comics, sports, or even life. They'll rent out a box for you so can customize what comics you want each week to secure a copy before it sells out. There is a huge selection of new releases, back issues, mangas, and collectibles. It's unfortunate that they stopped selling sports cards. They have recently expanded with a new owner. It is much easier to navigate around. My best friend loves to drop by each Wednesday to listen and view the live Pod-Casts because he says they are exciting and worth calling off work for. I disagree...
Oh yeah. Ask Steve the following question: "Is it a soup or stew?"
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I buy comics very rarely these days. I tend to buy Comic Book Reference books. The only place I buy them is Illusive comics, the follow-on to FanbotPlanet.Comics and before that, Brian's Books, where I bought my first comics back in 1980 or so.
Illusive has a great staff. They're friendly, funny, and know everything you'll ever need to know. I've never been steered wrong by any of them.
Of course, the prices ain't bad either, which is a big deal for me.
I've done Podcasts there with FanboyPlanet.com over the last couple of years and the crew that hangs around is top-notch. It also helps that the selection of comics is just about the best in the South Bay. I don't keep a box anywhere, but if I did, It'd be here.
If Illusive Comics was a person it would be a Pirate, because Pirates are roughly 12 times cooler than Ninjas.
Their stock is impressive and their staff is friendly, attentive, and, more importantly, fun.
If you don't buy your comics here, your not just a square, your a rectangle!!
Deal with THAT!
This has been my shop (in one shape/form/locale/name or another) for the better part of 15 years (I just dated myself, didn't I?).
GREAT service and comraderie through and through. And with the recent remodeling and expansion, I'm hoping to come here fatihfully for years and years to come... and should all things go to plan and we (Iron Umbrella Media and Studio Jofximus) eventually make it big in the industry, this'll be the shop that I give thanks to and call home...
Steve, the store manager has always been very accomodating and friendly, putting in special orders on artbooks and whatnot. And Anna, the new proprietor is simply awesome and is genuinely interested in learning what her customers might like to see.
Its going to be an awesome shop again!
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The store has been recently and dramatically expanded, it now holds nearly double what it used to. Their shelves are stocked with an extremely broad and wide variety of material, from the standard spandex super heroes, pulp horror/science fiction, extremely dark or rare independent material, and even some more esoteric stuff. Every time I cannot find what I am looking for, Andy or Steve has offered to find it for me. Even months later, they will sometimes surprise me with something I long gave up looking for.
Often if you cannot find issues of a particular comic, they will either order trade paperbacks or barter with other stores to find the exact issue you want. They also give excellent recommendations, as many of my current favorite reads originated from conversations with all of the staff. The store also sells a variety of games, and has weekly gaming afternoons within on Saturdays.
I've been going to this store for over fourteen years, and they have never once disappointed me. I first went to it when it was Brian's books, and I bought a variety of comics. When I went back after college, I met Andy and Steve and it was called Fan Boy Comics. Four more years later, it's now Illusive comics but the same great store remains.
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Great service + Great selection = Loyal customers. Even though I moved to Milpitas I refuse to move my pull box to a closer location. These guys know me, they recommend titles they think I might be interested in, and if I don't like them they don't make me pay for them. Steve is great, he looks out for me when I'm missing a few back issues. These guys were understanding when I had to drastically reduce the amount of books they pulled for me. The only problem is that this spot is so popular that if you don't have a pull list or are looking for a popular book that is not on your list you will be hard pressed to find it after about 3:00pm on Wednesday. Steve also takes requests via email, which is extremely helpful for me.
Andy is such a great guy he took time out of his day to help me with my school project of starting my own comic book store. I learned more in one day about the industry than all the Wizard comics could teach.
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Brian's books then Fan Boy Planet and now Illusive.... This store changes it's name as often as their mind (maybe there underwear as well) I have shopped on and off in the store for over ten years... I say on and off because they are my closest store but never seem to have much in stock so I go elsewhere. The last owner Andy made the store a closet sized store and lost ALL selection.....(and my business). This new owner has expanded but the parking is still terrible, the selection is sub par and I only swing in on new release day to see what they managed to get right before starting my trek to another store to get the rest of my books. If they weren't walking distance of my work I would have changed stores along time ago. So if you have to drive to get there don't bother, its not worth your time. BTW I have a suggestion for the next new business sign... "Out of Business"
knowledgable owner. Every comic he sells he places in the protective bag. Nice dog too
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