Phantom of the Attic

A really well organized and well run Comic shop. The floor is incredibly spacious, neat and they have a great selection of titles from all over. When i asked them for any issues they had, they quickly provided, showing how organized and experienced they are.
I bought a number of horror comic issues and some new titles i’ve never seen before. The book case in the backroom also had a wonderful variety of my favorite Manga titles especially Junji Ito and Urasawa’s works which are hidden gems and classics.
I’m not in the Oakland neighborhood often but this was a fantastic visit and a great stop for me when I come around again. My only complaint is i wish their Gaming shop (DND, tabletop) was in the building their comic shop is. It’s so easy to miss both when walking along the street. but Kudos to being above an Art store.

Phantom of the Attic Comics is one of the best places to shop for nerdy trinkets and comic books in the city — not necessarily because of the shopping selection, although that’s awesome too! I actually mostly recommend it because the staff are super nice, extremely helpful and so welcoming to anyone that walks in their store. This friendliness and accessibility makes POTA the perfect shopping spot — not only for longterm comic fans, but also for people who are just getting into a certain comic or series. This ability to welcome newcomers is super important to me, especially when considering just how complicated comic books (which feature reboots, crossovers and retcons galore) can get. Having that helping hand when shopping can make a big difference and is super helpful for people who are just getting familiar with the world of comics. And as others have mentioned in their reviews, the staff here are more than happy to help you, and will even order and hold items just for you. So two thumbs up just for them!
In addition to its wonderful staff, POTA has a pretty reasonable collection of nerdy items for sale (which is further supported by the staff’s willingness to order out for an item you may be looking for). While here you can expect to find a couple POP! figures, a couple shirts, a few DVDs — and LOTS of books. Not just one kind of book, either. Right now the store is admittedly feels like it’s mostly stocked with Marvel comics, which isn’t that surprising — but in addition to these you can find Doctor Who comics, Neil Gaiman comics and novels, a few kid-​friendly comics, manga, a few books devoted to the history of a certain series or book company… and more. I am admittedly not fond of the blatantly labeled woman-​friendly section (who says women won’t like everything else?), but I’ll forgive them for that. I know they don’t mean anything by it.
All in all I am so glad we have this store in our city, and it absolutely must be experienced in person if you enjoy any sort of «nerdy» reading. Note that this shop is in a second level suite, right above the art supply store, so you’ll have to look for a door and walk up some stairs to get into it — it’s worth the slight climb, though! (Oh, and gamers — don’t miss out on their sister store, Phantom Games, just across the street!)

At 30 years old, I just started reading comic books. Phantom of the Attic made it very easy and were incredibly helpful. You can setup a «pull list» which is basically a list of ongoing comics that they set aside just for you and will hold for a month. The folks who work there are all knowledgable and approachable. New comics come every Wednesday. They have a great selection of current comics with something for every age and taste. They have a fair number of back issues, especially of current runs.

If you are a nerd like me, you’ll love this place! My boyfriend and I went in search for some new Magic: The Gathering cards and were very pleased with their selection. They had booster packs and starter packs that were a great deal for the amount of cards you got. The guy working, not sure if he was the owner, manager or just an employee, but he was very friendly and very knowledgeable to help us get the best price for what we were looking for. They also have a ton of comic books and specialty board and card games. I’ll definitely be back!

Phantom of the Attic in Oakland is by far the best comic book store that I’ve been to, and for that reason they have retained my business for the last 7 years. I was around before they moved the comic store across the street and the game store into the old comic shop. The new comic store is nothing short of comic nerd nirvana. Of course, all the new issues are there on Wednesday, but they also have a nice assortment of bargain bin comics, manga, Indy books, trades, graphic novels, comic storage supplies, and novelty comic related items. Everything is aesthetically laid out in custom built racks, cabinets, and drawers which is one reason why Phantom is a cut above the rest. Another reason that Phantom continues to get my business is the staff. They are always happy and more than willing to help you out. They know what’s going on in the comic industry and are more than willing to let you know. I have always been thoroughly impressed by Phantom of the Attic.

Excellent gaming shop, convenient to campus. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is the lack of comfortable playspace. (You’ll have to stand to play).
The prices are pretty average for Pittsburgh, and the clientele can tend to be younger and less experienced than at similar venues, but if you’re a novice looking to get in to a new game, this is a good place to start.

Yesterday, for the first time in nearly 20 decades, I journeyed to Oakland in search of Phantom of the Attic. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, I was a regular patron of their Parkway Center Mall store and only occasionally ventured to the East End where the chain began.
I only vaguely remember their dark, dank shop of old, and after brunching at Crepes Parisiennes, I had trouble finding it, even walking past it several times, unaware that it was hidden plainly, just as it has always been (even back in the days old, I could never recall exactly where it was). Is PotA extradimensional, visible only to those who want and need to see it? It might as well be.
Located on the 2^nd floor of the building it is housed in, once I made my way up the steps, past the posters on the cold, pale grey, brick-​and-​mortar walls, I realized and was reminded of just why Phantom of the Attic was and still is a major player in the Pittsburgh comics scene.
The emporium itself is laid out EXCEPTIONALLY well with entire sections devoted to female-​friendly, independent, and non-​superhero titles, including new comics, hardcovers, and trade paperbacks. Brightly lit, speckless, uncluttered, and colorfully decorated to boot, PotA is probably the city’s most accessible comics outlet for newcomers to the field. If you have a comics fan in your life, this is a friendly place from which to buy a gift for them. You will never feel as if you are in an adult bookstore.
When I entered, I was immediately and warmly greeted by two gentlemen who had ample time to discuss comics with me as well as peruse my purchases and compliment me on my tastes (‘Ahh, a Jack Kirby fan, I see,” said one of the men). Helpful folks that they were, one of the employees even dug up some Hellraiser back issues for me to take home to Kay (she handed me a wantlist before I departed).
While we’re on the subject of back issues, Eide’s undoubtedly still has all other local comics retailers beat when it comes to volume and selection, but PotA is an admirable challenger in that arena. Unlike the vast amount of Golden and Silver Age comics Eide’s keeps under glass, I didn’t see many premium collectibles at PotA. However, what Phantom does have is plenty to satisfy the collector on a budget (I found a hard-​to-​find Near Mint Captain America Treasury Edition from the 70’s for $ 20). The majority of their older comics are kept in stylish drawers that pull out smoothly, and all of them are boarded, in clear bags, and are not packed in too tightly, making it a pleasure to flip through them. The unsealed comics are in longboxes in the back of the shop and were on sale for just 10 cents a piece when I visited (they all looked to be in Fine or better in terms of condition)!
Pay a visit to the hooded spectre upstairs sometime, even if you think comics are not something you’re interested in, and if you are a fan and haven’t done some business here yet, may the Vishanti be merciful to thee.
Eide’s, New Dimension, Phantom: Such is The Steel City’s comic book triumvirate. Any future comics store that plans to compete with any of them in the metro area, let alone all three, is in for a universe-​rattling struggle. Tackling Superman, Thor, and the Savage Dragon at once comes to mind as the most apropos analogy. I.E. Between them, you won’t find a superior comics shop around.
P. S. PotA gets new comics in every Wednesday and has a subscription service (a.k.a. ‘pull-​and-​hold’).
P. P. S. A separate PotA store dedicated solely to gaming is located across the street at 407 South Craig.
P.P.P.S. This PotA also sells t-​shirts, posters, and carries an impressive inventory of action figures.

I’m pretty sure everybody has considered what super power they would want, and whether they would use it for good or evil.
(if you picked invisibility, you are definitely a super perv and should be ashamed of yourself)
I was introduced to comic books at an early age, back in a day when they were called «Giggly Tomes» or something. I am crazy about them, and I want everyone to read them, so we can have the best and nerdiest conversations in the world ALL the time.
This place is one of the best comic book stores in the area, and has been around since I was a kid. They’ve moved a few times, but the «new» place has significantly more room than where they had been previously.
The staff has always been a bunch of sweeties who really know their stuff. If you’re looking for a place to start, or what’s awesome in the independent section, don’t hesitate to ask. When I was a kid, they introduced me to the first US release of Akira, Maus, and later on Sandman and Hellblazer. If that last sentence was a string of noise to you, I apologize.
They have a million trades, silver age, and new comics, as well as one of the best independent comic selections available, not to mention collectibles and nerd shirts. Whatever they don’t have they can get. If you are new to the area and love comics, or are interested in exploring a pretty awesome and informing part of pop culture, then hit this place up and ask for some suggestions. If there is one things comic nerds love more than having super powers, it’s excitedly demanding that you simply MUST read some series or other.
Seriously. Ask my frowning wife.

When I first moved to Pittsburgh I went on the hunt for a place to buy comic books, and so a location in Oakland was very convenient for me. I stopped in at Phantom after being recommended by other locals. They are located on Craig right in an easy place to walk if you are in Oakland; I suspect parking might be a little tricky, but easy for bus riders.
In regards to appearance and selection, this is a nice store. It is spacious and has a great selection, and there are a lot of things to choose from. It is very well-​appointed and nice. Based on selection and appearance, I’d probably give 5 stars.
Ultimately, I did not become a regular customer here because of the customer service. In my first visit to the comic shop, the man behind the counter stared a hole through me as I browsed, never speaking, just leering at me with a stone face. When I said hello or smiled, a terse nod was the only response. On another visit I tried to join a comics conversation between employee and customer, and was basically rebuffed; maybe I should have minded my own business, but I’m used to being able to have chit chat with other fans in a comic shop. I’d give this about 1 star.
Overall, this is a nice store that doesn’t give me the service I expect. If you have a good experience with the employees you’ll probably love it, but that has not been my experience. I decided to shop elsewhere.

I’ve been a regular customer at Phantom for over ten years. When I started going to Phantom, it was in a different location and was the typical cramped comic shop I knew from my youth with a wall of new comics and a myriad of long boxes that occupied most of the space in the shop.
Back in 2010 or so, Phantom moved across the street on South Craig to a bright, new, spacious location and set the bar for what a modern comic book shop should be. Of course, there’s still a huge wall of new comics. What sets it apart from a lower-​tier shop is space and the layout. Any longtime comic book fan who buys new books on a Wednesday knows that things can get weird when there’s a bunch of people on top of each other looking at new books. At Phantom, there is plenty of room to check out the latest books. Even better, they separate the current week’s books from everything else that has come out over the last month. It’s a little thing, but if you’re a weekly customer, it really makes things easier to keep track of.
In addition to having all of the latest comics, Phantom also has a ridiculously expansive selection of trades. They have it all, from The Walking Dead, to Batman, to the Boys. They also have action figures, statues, t-​shirts, and all the usual comic book storage supplies.
Wayne, Jeff, and the rest of the staff are helpful, friendly, never pushy, and usually have some decent music on in the background (it’s always pleasant to browse comics with some Creedence Clearwater Revival on). Sign up for a subscription service, and you will never miss an issue of your favorite book. If your list is large enough, you get a small discount, too.
If you live or work in Oakland and you’re into comics, do yourself a favor and visit Phantom. You’ll never go back to a dim, cramped comics shop again.

Go no further, true believers! Phantom is where its at! Jeff and the guys at Phantom know their stuff no matter how esoteric your appetite is. Comic, manga, toys, movies, everything. Their new location is incredible.
They, almost always, have the comic book you’re looking for even if you go as late as Sunday (for newbies: new Direct Edition comics come out everywhere in the country on Wednesdays). Their back issue collection is good, not great, but their $.25-​$ 1 bins are always catching the eye of new fans to start collecting and reading cheap.
Don’t want to miss the newest Batman? They have subscriptions just for you and will gladly put it together for you before you arrive (don’t be an ass and order like 40 books and only pick up one a week; don’t be that guy).
Jeff the owner is nice, but busy (I worked at a comic shop for almost 10 years. Owning a comic book store is NOT easy). He will never forget to say «hello» or «see ya» if he is on the sales floor. The staff are smart, knowledgeable and will not, I repeat WILL NOT laugh at you for buying anything (unlike other comic shops in Pittsburgh). And hey… they even have female employees who are not just there for ratio and to look good; they know their stuff too (Personal note: Nothing is hotter to me then a girl who knows her comics).
Hours are very good for the all day working to the part time student. Parking can suck on weekends and during the day, but that’s Oakland for you. Check it out.

I am really lucky to have Phantom of the Attic as my LCS (i.e., local comic shop), as it is less than a block from where I work. On my breaks (insert laughter here), I wander into PotA and get lost in the displays. One thing I am really impressed with is the layout and feel of the space. It is modern and clean (unlike even the best comic shops I’ve been to) and the displays are set up really well, making it easy to look at their offerings. You’ll find a wide array of current and back issues as well as omnibus collections, graphic novels, books, posters, movies, some toys, tee shirts, and more. Being the serious Star Wars and Doctor Who fan that I am, I am usually sad to see that there aren’t a lot of figures representing these two franchises, but we can’t all be pleased. However, what is pleasing is the staff of PotA, who are friendly and very willing to help and answer any questions you might have.
Some good things to know in general:
Parking is on the street and depending on the time of day or day of the week, may be hard to come by. Don’t be thwarted from your quarry: look down one of the smaller streets just off of Craig for a spot, but be sure to mind the signs as parking authorities are heavy in the area.

daaaaaaaaaamn this store got big since the last time i set foot inside (some two or three years earlier). they have a fantastic space to wander around in. i’m not much of a comic aficionado, so i can’t make an educated assessment of their stock. but i found a lot of great stuff in their small press and independently published section.