Emerald City Comics has been in business almost 20 years, so the shop has weathered its share of economic storms (like the big comic bust of the mid-'90s). Now it's bigger and more colorful than ever, loaded with all the necessities for a properly geeked life: racks and racks of comic-book back-issues, loaded with everything from near-mint, early Amazing Spider-Man to a less well-preserved Ewoks #1; shelves of new comics, graphic novels, D&D books and other role-playing games; war-gaming miniatures and the latest trading card games; and action figures covering every available space.
Emerald's friendly staff will pull your favorite comics every week, suggest titles you may have missed, demo the latest games and remember your name when you hit the counter, all without ever letting their guts spill over their belts. It's a classy joint. (Don't even bring up the Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons.)
Gift this: Watchmen, Absolute Edition, $59.99.
9249 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, 727-398-2665 and 2475 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-797-0664 or emeraldcitycomics.com.
For more stops on the Indie Holiday Shopping Spree, click here.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2008.