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Mon. 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Tue. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
I first found this place by using yelp in fact, because of the very high ratings, and good lord did this place not disappoint! My first two reactions, upon entering the store, is #1, HOW HUGE it is compared to how it looks on the outside. It's almost like stepping into The Doctor's TARDIS(Doctor Who fans will understand the moment they step foot inside), as you'd see it from outside, and expect a tiny hole in the wall desk with maybe 1 or 2 racks, but when you step inside, you're treated to one of the biggest and most well organized comics shops i've ever seen. That leads to reaction #2 that I had, which is how BRIGHT AND CLEAN everything is! It's really amazing to finally walk into a comic shop and not feel like you're stepping into a dive bar! Everything is so well displayed and organized that you'd have to be functionally retarded to not be able to find what you want.
To top it all off, Anna and Steve are two of the nicest and most helpful comic shop staffers i've ever met, and they're always willing to help you order something or re-order or help you find whatever it is you're looking for. The dog thats there is adorable too, and really adds a nice homey atmosphere to the whole place. All in all, I'm very very satisfied with this new shop, and plan to keep going until i'm dead or broke and homeless. But even then I might collect cans to get my latest issue of The Walking Dead, and it'd be from this store!
ok this place has a huge selection of comics... and tons of awesome backbin issues. this is the only comic book store where could could find some single issues of harley quinn monthly. i give total props to this place and it is only second to blackcat comics. and if i really can't find the comic im looking for at blackcat or here... i go to http://mycomicshop.com. this place is great and i love comics.
I found this place when I recently moved to Santa Clara a couple of months ago. I had to cure that Walking Dead fix I was having. Came in here with my dog, and Anna (the owner I believe) said he is welcome anytime, she has her dog in there also. Very friendly, and always answer for any of my questions. I go out of my way for this place (not that much out of my way). Great selection and very organized!
Fun nice shop - friendly people. Looks like they took over additional lot & expanded - very nice.
Pros
- Reasonable inventory. New comics weekly - look like they sell out pretty fast though.
- Was able to find recent obscure back issues still in stock (ex: Zero-G).
- Very helpful staff - I think it was owner lady. She greeted me nicely as a new customer & got up from her work desk & walked me over to answer questions.
- Parking lot
Cons
- quite a few new titles sold out (5-6) at 1:30pm Wed. makes it hard to call this my weekly spot it I'm going to miss so many - I don't like to subscribe.
Return Visit
- Yes
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?"
Illusive has a fantastic selection and a great staff. The first time I was in there, the owner (Anna), helped me find a magazine that she didn't normally carry when I couldn't even remember the name. She was also willing to point me to another shop to find an item that she didn't have. In both cases, it required a little digging on her part and she got back to me via email. Now that's good service.
It's not the closest shop for me, but I'l still make the trek occasionally because I like them so much.
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 http://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.
Very friendly from the moment you walk in. I got in a conversation with one of the workers, and he was very helpful about recommending which comics/graphic novels I might be into. The staff is very knowledgeable about all their products (this is a rarity in many comic stores now)
They have a large selection of graphic novels and comics. The graphic novel section is amazing, better than Legend's, Comic Conspiracy's or Lee's. Not so much of a selection of toys. There is only one small section of the wall dedicated to figures and busts, so the selection is not great. However, the pricing on the toys and busts are quite low. I do appreciate how they dont stick price tags on figures (its hard to get the sticker off without ruing the box sometimes).
The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, and I would definitely go back. The store is clean and organized. I would definitely come back here because of the warm and welcoming environment.
On free comic day, they had about 5 people dressed up in star wars outfits (storm troopers, jedi...) greeting people. This helped make the store more appealing and welcoming. Every single staff member I talked to was friendly and helpful, none were stuck up like at other comic shops.
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!
As a subscriber, they treat me well with a nice discount on new books. Just don't go there on Halloween unless you're into cross-dressing gone wrong...
place is becoming the guilty affair from my current saver spot in sf (sorry guys!!) i feel so bad going into the shop and saying, with little to no eye-contact, i got these ones already...ahh shucks.
now why have i had a wandering eye and been picking up the goods elsewhere?? just look below and notice nearly all 5 stars around here at illusive! impressive indeed.
shop has a fantastic setup with your currents on the left, new releases and trades in the back and backstock to the right. probably the most choice spot in the bay to pick up variants for a very reasonable price. its like steve says- it all about volume, volume, volume!!!!
like mikey said on anna- she is a fucking awesome owner!!! i was being nosy one day overhearing her talk about one kid that shopped there trying to ask her out but being the dood looked too emo, she said some shit like-- sorry i dont date vampires!
i couldn't help but bust out laughing.
in the same mall area as corner place, 99 chicken and sui tofu!!!! tell me how that isn't fucking genius.
Still great...sadly since my last review I have since stopped buying comics. This place is under new management now, but the lady who owns it is very nice, and she has a dog that is there most days...adds a little something new to the store. Also new since my last review is the fact they took over the building next door and have expanded. The place is MUCH bigger now. The service is still excellent, and the best part, Steve is still there to help you with your purchases and provide witty conversation. Thanks for being awesome!
Great service + Great selection = Loyal customers. Even though I moved to Milpitas I refuse to move… Read more »
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.
I am not into comics. I don't know anything about comics. I have no idea where to start when I go into a comic store. BUT, my husband DOES! So, when we first wandered into Illusive Comics, my hubby was looking all over and I was simply sitting in the front looking lost. Anna, the owner, was very friendly and helped me feel more comfortable. Today, I went back to find a surprise for hubby and Anna helped me with all my questions. She was great. For a newbie, it was so comforting to come in and to feel confident that I would come out with something perfect.
I've been to most of the shops in the South Bay and this is by far the best. Formerly Brian's Books, the new owner Anna has invested time and money to transform the place from a "hole in the wall comic shop" into a massive store that's a fun place to hang out. The store is clean, well lit, has a knowledgeable staff and there's usually more than one comic book related conversation you can join in on.
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!
Fremont, CA
San Jose, CA
Category: Comic Books
Sunnyvale, CA
Category: Comic Books
Milpitas, CA
Category: Comic Books
Palo Alto, CA
Category: Sporting Goods
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