Ultimate Comics

Ann H. is right — there’s no such thing as a bad comic book store.
But this space doesn’t look like a comic book store… yet. It just seems like an open space with wood floors and somebody lined the walls with comic books for sale. As they are newly opened, I’m giving them time to fix the ambiance. I’ve been to their Chapel Hill location a dozen times and that spot is literally bleeding with the comic book shop feel, so I know the new store will deliver given time.
UC does cool things to involve geeks in the culture. For instance, back in March 2015, they started a «March Madness» fantasy showdown at their website and it looks fun. Here’s a breakdown: «…we’ve pitted characters from across the super-​villain spectrum against one another in mortal combat! We know you THINK you know who would win in a fight. Stop by Ultimate Comics to fill out your bracket and WIN BIG: the prize is a $ 100 Ultimate Comics gift certificate!»
I had to catch up on the new Secret Wars storyline because it’s gonna completely flip Marvel upside down. So, I dropped in here a few weeks ago after visiting Grand Asia Market, but they were still setting up and asked me to come back another time. That’s exactly what I did, and bought me some comic books.
The guy in charge was helpful, understood what was going on in various books, and had great suggestions on what I should pick up. Needless to say, this is my new stop for comic books because going out to Chapel Hill all the time is pretty annoying.

Can there really be a bad comic book store? They’re like bookstores in that regard. It’s the excitement of a tangible item, the anticipation of a new story, a new book, or an old one re-​discovered.
The same Ultimate Comics in Chapel Hill/​Durham opened a store in Raleigh taking over another store of collectibles. I’m happy there’s a location near the Cary/​Raleigh border for those days where I can’t find the time to make the trek to the not-​so-​distant Chapel Hill/​Durham store. [Yup. Life is hard once you’re spoiled by having everything nearby, n’est-ce pas?]
This location has everything: recent releases in the front room, the back issues in the (of course) back room, a separate game room, and a hallway lined with some signed original prints. There’s a separate children’s section in the front lobby area. Oh, and there are employees (and customers) who must have every storyline of every major superhero memorized. Naturally, there are also collectibles and box toys to round out personal collections.
When I walked in, I was given a mini-​tour of the new store to orient me. As I perused the back room collection, finding several older issues I’ve been seeking, I was given some hints on how not to spend all my money in one trip, or at least how to make it worth my while on an impulse buy.
There’s something about a comic book store that brings out the kid in me that nearly consumes the practical adult who has other bills to pay. Ultimate Comics is a dangerous store, but for comic book fan, it’s worth the temptation.