Empty your pockets of lint, buttons and cash. It's time to take a part of arguably Australia's most comprehensive bricks and mortar comic book stores home with you.

You don't read a comic shop review the same way you read a restaurant review.

While I've never owned or worked in one of these stores, I do know that even big cities don't have many of them. There just isn't economic room for them. I can imagine the older established ones are going to stick around for a while, unless they do a handful of very frowned upon things;

1. Treat their customers like dirt.

2. Don't keep their shop open at usual, regular hours.

3. Overcharge for their product.

4. Keep a tiny range in stock that just doesn't satisfy the needs of their customers. (This one isn't frowned upon as much as it is bad business practice if you're looking to attract a range of buyers).

This opens up space for a new store to do things right and absorb the customer base.

If you don't like one particular Thai restaurant in town, you just have to walk around the corner and sit down in a different one. Not so with comic shops. You shop in the few you have, you buy online or go without.

Kings Comics are doing a lot right.

You're not going to find much in the way of negativity, here. It's an experiential piece of writing that I hope will persuade you into visiting this space when you're in Sydney. Even if you're not buying anything.

As a consumer, one of the most frustrating things I have to deal with is the sheer number of choices I have. In an exciting, yet overwhelming way, Kings Comics place virtually every popular (and not so popular) title in front of you on shelves that near reach the ceiling. Of course, those best sellers are right at eye level. I often find myself perusing and buying through their online store prior to collecting my purchases. It's become quite a regular thing for me since the beginning of 2018 and I've been enjoying my frequent installments of The Walking Dead, Kill or Be Killed and Dry County. If you're looking for Dry County in their online store, search Dry Country. Bit of an oversight on their part.

The layout is logical and planned.

You'll find the latest Marvel and DC titles on the far right of the store as you walk in. New release trade paperbacks are sometimes placed at the front of the shop or at the ends of the aisles over near the new single issues. Last month, I noticed the Infinity Gauntlet proudly perched shelf-side to accompany the cinematic release. These titles are always dynamic and you'll be tempted the moment you enter the shop.

The rear of the store is dedicated to more trades from Marvel, DC and the independents as well as single bagged and boarded back issues and a crazy number of statues, busts and various other three-dimensional representations of your favourite characters. Actually, statues, Pop! toys, cards and other non-book merch is sort of spread around the shop like tinsel on a Christmas tree.

Do not blow your wad on a bust if you first haven't immersed yourself in a character's history.

Sure, nothing's stopping you, but wouldn't you prefer all those amazing pages of art and story that you can read and reread for years to come? How much actual enjoyment will you get from a three hundred dollar statue?

A guy I once knew had multiple large statues totalling thousands of dollars, yet I doubt he spent double digits on comics. That's a shame.

I'm certainly not denying it would look insane to have Gandalf on your coffee table.

You probably noticed the life-sided statue of Deadpool in the cover photo. I have never noticed a price tag on this bad boy, but I'd say given the right price, it would be yours. I'm assuming only Steemit Whales could afford this kind of collectable, and I can't hear any nearby, so let's just accept it's out of our price range, eh?

Customer Service. What can you expect?

Like I said earlier in the piece, there aren't many comic book shops around, because I suppose it's a niche and there just isn't a lot of money to be made. Despite it being somewhat of a bricks and mortar monopoly, what you get at Kings are a very passionate group of employees who know their customer base - many a social misfit with a penchant for artwork of scantily clad women wielding whips and shields.

It's very easy to spend an hour or more in the shop, as the staff are happy for you to leaf through issues as you please. They're a fairly accommodating bunch. If you get into a discussion about the latest Brubaker and Phillips release, perhaps My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, expect an enthusiastic discussion. For those here that aren't versed in the magnificence of Brubaker's work, you've got to take a peek at my Killed or Be Killed review. If you didn't click the 'Heroes' link, it's not out yet. But it is very much on my want list. Oh man, Sean Phillips is an artistic magician. 'Nuf said for the moment.

What's at Kings Comics for the kiddies?

There's a decent youth section on the left of the counter, which is centrally located in the store. There's everything from Simpsons to My Little Pony. However, these aren't sold at kids prices. Not so long ago, I bought a Spongebob Annual that set me back sixteen bucks.

On your way past the counter, you'll find a swathe of free issues and magazines. I think they're overflow from 'free comic book day' and various other promotional material. They may not all be entirely child-friendly so you might want to leaf through issues to ensure no foul language or rogue breasts are present if you intend on allowing your children to read them.

Photo taken from rear of store. On the left side of the shelf covered in Pop! Vinyls, you'll find many of the kid-friendly titles.

When I realised Regular Show was also a comic, I was snapping up stories be they new or back issues. When it dawned on me that even the comic version of the show was going to be canned, I kept looking for other places to experience the fun and irresponsibility of Mordecai and Rigby. I stumbled upon it online and Skips captured my interest immediately. I didn't want to spoil too much of it so I stopped reading it digitally. Guess what I found in-store?

My latest visit was already a big one, so I made an adult decision and held back on another acquisition.

The Verdict.

It's no surprise that I recommend you visit the store on Pitt Street in Sydney's CBD. If it's your first time visiting a comic shop, ask for advice on where you should browse first, less you whittle away an hour in the blink of an eye mesmerised by all the sensational cover art.

Even if you don't buy anything, you'll remember your experience well into the future.

See you round, travellers.

Wrap yourself up and settle into your favourite graphic reading experience!

I couldn't help but include such a sweet photo of Hayley all snug on the lounge today. She is the one that gives my life so much meaning and I'm indebted to all the happiness she has given me over the last seven years.

Please UPVOTE this post if travel articles inspire you. Your vote keeps me writing my best content.

More travel reading:

The Shack, South Durras, NSW.

Shift Eatery, Surry Hills, NSW.

Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong, NSW.

All the best,

Nick.

All content is original and belongs to @nickmorphew. [30 June 2018]

Disclosure: This article was not a paid promotion and was not self-upvoted. Nor were there any affiliate links.

I’m looking for an artist to cover my work on my fantasy saga, Adventures in Elowyn Glade. Click the link!