Als Comics Collectible Cards & Toys

With Rory Root gone Al is the most colorful and vital comic seller in the Bay Area. Walking into his store is like crawling into a cave, but instead of bats the walls are covered with books. If Al yells at someone it's because they deserve it. Al's is the only comic shop I ever go to in San Francisco. There are plenty of clean-scrubbed, brightly lit, well indexed, clearly marked shops in other parts of town where you can find freshly printed manga. I hate manga. I only like old stuff and Al has it, and he's always there with a smile for me whenever I come in. In fact I value Al's ""crazy"" act, since it keeps out the yuppies. Pros: So many good comics Cons: I am always broke more

I went into Al's Comics looking for the latest Teen Titian comic, as I had fallen behind on my reading, and asked Al a simple question at where the most current issue was. I expressed confusion as to what he had on the shelves, I thought, incorrectly, that the issue he pointed out was the one from the month before. Instead of gently telling me I was wrong he started to verbally insult me, telling me that I needed to come in with the correct info (uh, I thought that was what he was there for), telling me that my assuming was not ""helping this conversation"" and that all he could offer me was the facts. I was shocked. This is how an owner of a store treats his customers? I still can't believe how rude he was. I will never go back to that comic book store. Pros: Nothing, the experience was awful. Cons: Al, Al, Al, he was the rudest. more

Al, propriotor of ""Al's Comics"", personally delivered the absolute worst experience I've ever had in any store. At first (when he first started getting in my face and yelling) I was kind of thinking it was a joke, playing on the stereotype of the ""comic book guy"". No, he was serious. I love going into a store to ask a simple question and within a minute being verbally attacked unlike anything else I've ever experienced. more

Though not very big, this place is packed with stuff - new issues near the front, back issues in the rear, and graphic novels on shelves throughout. Carries both mainstream and indie comics. If you're looking for something specific, just ask Al - he's more than helpful and will usually know off the top of his head if what you're looking for is in. Also does custom orders. A nice neighborhood place, Al's feels like family. If you ask Al questions, he's got a boatload of info, and is very personable. Good deal. Pros: Great customer servic, Browsable merhcandise more