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A Geek’s Guide to the 12 Best Comic Book Stores around Minneapolis St. Paul

best comic book stores twin cities

I spent most of my early years growing up in comic book shops. 

My love of comics, geeky collectibles, and Magic The Gathering meant that I spent many-a-days thumbing through the new release and back-issue shelves. 

Today, I’m sharing all the best comic book shops around the Twin Cities. 

Whether you’re looking for a place to score the newest comic, a rare vintage piece, or even compete in some Friday Night Magic or other table games, this list has you covered! 

Map of Comic Book Shops & Gaming Stores around the Twin Cities

The biggest comic book store: Source Comics & Games (Roseville, MN)

If you’re looking for the biggest comic shop in the Twin Cities, the Source in Roseville is your spot. 

If it’s sold in a comic store, Source probably has it, in some variety. From comics to crafts to trading cards and collectibles, this 10,000 square foot shop has plenty of whatever you’re looking for. 

But in my opinion, the Source is most notable for its hangout area. It features tons of tables for gaming, and their event calendar is one of the busiest in town. They have weekly Friday Night Magic tournaments, plus casual play every night of the week for MTG Commander, Pokemon, Battletech, WarCry, Heroclix, MetaZoo, and tons more. 

  • Address: 2057 Snelling Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
  • Website: Source Comics

Best for vintage comics: Nostalgia Zone (Minneapolis, MN)

Nostalgia Zone is a small little shop located on Lake Street. This is a comic book store through and through; they specialize in vintage comics, and almost the entire inventory is dedicated to floor-to-ceiling racks of books. 

Bonus tip: Complete your blast from the past and head next door to Wizard Wax Records or Time Bomb Vintage (one of the best vintage stores and antique stores in Minneapolis). 

  • Address: 3535 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
  • Website: Nostalgia Zone

Best suburban shop for vintage comics: Comic Book College (Roseville, MN)

Comic Book College used to be part of Nostalgia Zone, but due to development in Uptown, they eventually worked their way to Roseville. The new location stocks over 100,000 back issue comics, plus a wide variety of new comic books and graphic novels that arrive weekly. 

For comic subscriptions and toys: Hot Comics (Multiple Locations)

Hot Comics & Collectibles has three locations in the Twin Cities. They have a really cool setup for comics – you can get a loyalty discount card for 10% off comics, and they even offer a free subscriber option so that you don’t miss a beat on new releases. 

Hot Comics & Collectibles is also one of the better spots in town for collectible toys, figurines, etc. 

  • Address: 4400 Osseo Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55412
  • Website: Hot Comics

Best events calendar: Dreamers Vault (Multiple Locations)

dreamers vault st paul minneapolis

It’s hard to classify Dreamers Vault, except to say that’s its one of the biggest players in the local comic book store scene. They actually have six locations around the Twin Cities, and each one offers a respectable selection of comics, games, toys and more. And between those six locations, you can definitely find an event or activity for whatever geeky interest you’re into. 

Check out their calendar and don’t forget to search by store and game; they host Magic The Gathering, Pokemon, Yi-Gi-Oh!, D&D, board game open play, and even paint clinics at different times all across town. 

The most kid-friendly store: Nerdin Out (Inver Grove Heights, MN)

Nerdin’ Out’s motto is simple. “If it’s nerdy, it’s here!”

They have two locations in Minnesota. If you don’t find yourself in Rochester, then the most relevant spot for Twin Cities locals will be the Inver Grove location. It features over 6,000 square feet of action figures, trading cards, video games, board games, a pinball machine or two, and most importantly for this article… comic books.

Nerdin’ Out also gets bonus points for being one of the more kid-friendly options on this list (they’ll love the pinball) and rocking some reasonable prices overall.

  • Address: 9079 Buchanan Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
  • Website: Nerdin Out

For a variety of games: Level Up Games (Multiple Locations)

Level Up Games has three locations around the Twin Cities – Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Hastings. I’d classify each one as more of a “game store” than a hardcore comic shop, meaning that they have an equal collection of trading cards (mostly Magic), board games, video games, etc. as they do comic books. That said, the staff is always friendly, and each of their locations has a cool community with a weekly events calendar, including Friday Night Magic, Dungeons & Dragons, open play board games, and more. 

  • Address 1: 1425 La Salle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
  • Address 2: 2493 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55116
  • Address 3: 120 2nd St E, Hastings, MN 55033
  • Website: Level Up

Great for back issues: Most Wanted Comics (Bloomington, MN)

If you’re looking for the best collection of back issues in the cities, Most Wanted is probably your best bet.

This tiny little shop packs a serious punch, with nearly all of its real estate dedicated exclusively to comic books.

Friendly owners: Mind’s Eye (Burnsville, MN)

Mind’s Eye Comics is an unassuming spot tucked away in a Burnsville strip mall, but inside this store you’ll find an impressive collection of comics with one of the most passionate owners in town. (When the original owner decided to retire after 20 years, the current owner, who was a long-time regular at the store, decided to buy the store rather than see it close!)

  • Address: 200 E Travelers Trail #105, Burnsville, MN 55337
  • Website: Mind’s Eye

For variety in the suburbs: Issues Needed (Apple Valley, MN)

Issues Need is a well-stocked comic book store located in Apple Valley. They have a wide range of new, used, and back issue comics, plus cards and collectibles. They’re also one of the better spots to play Magic the Gathering in the suburbs. 

  • Address: 15465 Cedar Ave # 160, Apple Valley, MN 55124
  • Website: Issues Needed

Best geeky book collection: Dream Haven (Minneapolis, MN)

Dream Haven’s tagline is “Books, Comics, Stuff.” And one step through the front doors and you’ll immediately realize that tagline’s accuracy. 

True to the tagline, this place is a book store first, followed by comics and then other collectibles. They have an extensive collection of fantasy books, sci fi, and other genres, followed by a smaller collection of comics/graphics novels, and lastly, a few posters, collectibles, and other fun stuff. 

  • Address: 2301 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
  • Website: Dream Haven

Best for games: Heroic Goods & Games (Minneapolis, MN)

While Heroic sells a few comic books, they’re most known as the best place for vintage games. They have lots of nostalgic toys, video games, gaming consoles, board games, and other blasts from the past. They also have quite a few VHS and DVD movies for purchase. 

  • Address: 3458 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
  • Website: Heroic Goods
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About the Author
Discover The Cities

Discover The Cities

DiscoverTheCities exists for one simple goal: to help you discover everything that’s awesome about Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities area. Here’s the ugly truth. Most of Minnesota’s “travel guides” are written by people with East Coast accents sitting New York City cubicles. They wouldn’t know a Jucy Lucy if it shot its molten hot-lava -cheese in their face. The DTC team is different. We're passionate Twin Cities locals writing from personal experience. We actually visit the sights, taste the food, and share the real local’s inside scoop.
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