A Visit To Fantastic Comics

Fantinuum visits Fantastic Comics—the go-to comic book shop in Berkeley, California.

Comic book shops were a dying breed in the mid to late nineties. But with the current comics renaissance, these literary shrines are now making a comeback. Today, we visit Fantastic Comics—a local comic book shop in Berkeley, California—and speak with Uel Carter, the co-owner and co-founder.

Originally, Uel had worked at Comic Relief—another comic book store that was at this very location. However, the store closed after the owner passed away. Uel, who was “bummed out” because his once source of comics was now gone, saw an opportunity to keep the presence of comics alive in Berkeley.

Soon, he and his brother founded Fantastic Comics. The site now hosts signings and visits by up-and-coming creators, as well as industry icons like Neal Adams. Check out the video for our full interview where Uel also discusses the state of comics and how the store is an integral part of the Berkeley community.

If you’re a newbie to comics and don’t know where to start, Uel also hosts a weekly videocast giving a rundown of the best and most popular comics. So make sure to also head on over to Fantastic Comics’ YouTube channel to see highlights from an expert! And if you’re ever in the neighborhood of Berkeley, make sure to pay a visit to Fantastic Comics, where the friendly staff will help you with all your comic book needs. They have a wide array of selections and titles that range from traditional publishers like DC and Marvel to the more obscure independent and creator-owned ones.

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Fantastic Comics is located at 2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, California. Store hours are: Monday through Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday though Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For the latest information on their upcoming events, visit their website, Facebook, or Twitter.