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| - 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 2nd 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.
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