Excellent Adventures

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Every time I shop at Excellent Adventures I feel like I’m at a small comic book convention. This is a traditional comic shop that is in touch with the roots of the industry as they carry a wide variety of current comics as well as back issues from not only the Modern Age, but Golden and Silver Age as well (one of the few stores in the Capital District to offer them).

They also have some very obscure items you don’t find at other comic book stores such as vintage lunchboxes, baseball cards and various comic book-related items which are quite obscure. Excellent Adventures might not be the biggest comic shop, but it certainly has a lot of unique products you won’t find in other stores around here.

Upon first walking into Excellent Adventures, one might mistakenly assume it’s a “New School” comic shop just from the way it’s set up. It’s a very modern-looking store which is obvious from the design and style from the back issue separator tabs to the carpeted floors to the walls. But upon closer inspection of the key back issues for sale on the wall, along with all the odd collectible items scattered throughout the store you get the feeling it’s a very “Old School” store in a modern environment.

I like the way the store is set up as a rectangle with all the merchandise located along the outer walls with plenty of space in the middle to walk around. I’d imagine even on a busy day the store wouldn’t seem cramped, which is always a good thing. However, every time I’ve shopped here it’s been slow and quiet.


NEW COMICS: It’s almost redundant to criticize a comic shop’s selection of new comics because almost all stores have a wide variety to chose from and Excellent Adventures is no exception. You’ll find anything published by DC and Marvel for sale on the new issue wall, although indie geeks might be a bit disappointed. Yes they have Dark Horse and other big-name indies but those looking for really obscure comics might not find such titles here.

BACK ISSUES: Excellent Adventures doesn’t have the largest selection, as far as sheer volume, but they certainly encompass a wide variety. Modern Age seems to be their specialty with almost all books of the age available for $5 at the most ($3 seems to be the average from what I could tell). Almost all back issues are bagged and boarded and many are sold for only 25 cents above cover price. What really puts the cherry on top is the fact if you buy in bulk the owners will cut you a good deal. Twice I’ve patronized this store and left with some serious holes in my collection filled at an amazing price.

DISCOUNT: Some comic book stores offer a very stingy discount while others are extremely generous. I’d say Excellent Adventures lies somewhere in between with their discount of 10 – 20% off new issues and off-the-shelf TPBs and GNs for subscribers (discount is based on how many comics you subscribe to). Technically, this discount doesn’t apply to back issues, but as I said before the owners of this store definitely have some wiggle room on prices if you come correct. Not that you can walk in, grab one issue and expect it to be discounted. But if you’re willing to help them move some stock they’ll likely help you out on the price. Few stores are willing to negotiate anymore, let alone be so friendly about it. Thanks, Matt!

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