I love bookstores. Wanted to check this one out for awhile now. But while there's a large, good selection, I didnt feel as welcomed as some other bookstores I've been to...almost like you walk in and you've interrupted someone's busy day. There was no offer for help, or if there were any questions etc after browsing for about 30 minutes which could be good and bad depending on why you're there and well...as much as I'd like to love it, I didn't. But to be fair, I didn't hate it either. Just would stick to larger chains (which is NOT something you'll usually hear me saying!) Or online books. Good aspect is that there are books here that you would not find at many of the bigger chains and a decent sized wall of zines. P.S. the sign asking you not to take a photo of stuff unless permission is obtained is well....in this day and age...kinda old, especially when I may want to spread the word about cool stuff they sell there but of course I respect a privately owned business' request. read more

I was in Hampden near Atomic Books tutoring some kid intent on spending her 18th birthday in middle school; She was complaining/explaining that the only reason she couldn't read aloud was because she couldn't identify with the material I'd given her. so we ran over to Atomic Books, by-passed the porno and the surprisingly extensive comic book section and headed straight for literature. She didn't want any stupid artsy fiction book or anything publiched by mcsweeny's. She didn't want any counter culture magazine either. She wanted something she could "relate to." We left with a true crime book about child killers. read more

I'm a quest to find Baltimore themed post cards - but not ones that look like any other touristy kchatchkey you can get in [insert state here]. I wanted something unique to the city that I could send a few friends overseas. A friend recommended Atomic Books to me because of their selection of everything quirky and not-normal, so I swung by yesterday. Blown away. This is such a fun space filled with books, knick-knacks, zines, magazines, post cards and comics - everything your alternative Baltimore self would ever need. It's one of those places you walk into not needing anything, then 30 minutes later you have bags of stuff you just can't live without. Not only did I find the post cards I was looking for (John Waters themed!), but I left with some local zines and the latest edition of Bitch Magazine. Added bonus! (I love added bonuses!) Atomic Books shares a space with Celebrated Summer Records - so take the extra 15 minutes and browse the very back of the store. There are great hardcore, punk and indie records if that's your thing. 5 stars! 5 stars! 5 stars! I'm a very happy girl! read more

All the five stars go to one thing and one thing alone: That framed Christmas card John Waters sent out with a picture of Steve Buscemi made-up and dressed as John Waters. One less star because they won't let me have it. read more

Cool comic book store. Great vibe and knowledgeable staff. Lots of stock and everything is marked and labled in such a way its easy to find tour way around. You can find some cool kitchy stuff for fun! Check out the bar in the back....reminds me of the old speakeasy's ....a bar somewhere totally unexpected. read more

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My friends and I were in Hampden for wonderful brunch at Golden West. One of my friends wanted to check out what I thought to be a comic book store (Atomic), only to find out that there's so much much more there! Tons of neat books on crafts and DIY, and the zine selection, both DIY and commercially pressed is awesome. From obscure Brooklyn literary journals, to all kinds of magazines on design that you'd be hard pressed to find at a B&N or normal bookstore. There's also a record shop in the back, which was not quite my taste, but if you're into punk 45's, this place has tons more than DC's Red Onion and Crooked Beat. There is however, no soul or funk in their collection, which is fine as I was not expecting it anyway. There are gifts and knick knacks too, though mostly what you'll find are books (all new). The staff were super super super super super friendly and definitely serve as testament to how amazing Baltimore can be. read more

Atomic Books is the famous eclectic bookstore in Hampden, and it is a treasure trove of weird books and magazines. They have an unparalleled selection of graphic novels, and the odd assortment of pop culture knickknacks making this the perfect place to do some shopping for gifts for that special oddball in your life. Be sure to ask about their Big Spender card for returning customers. They have a bar in the back, which is a really neat idea but I have never once been there when the bar itself was open. Wish it was open whenever the store was. read more

:This is a great little bookstore in Hampden. It is a cross between a comic book store and an eclectic bookstore - lots of little various toys and comics, anthologies and really interesting books. The space is very deceiving, so beware. You will think you have walked into a sparse ship that you can cover in matter of minutes, and hours later you are still perusing book somewhere in the shop. I also like their selection of magazine, some I haven't every seen before. This store is right in its element in Hampden and is a must-visit. read more

Shop full of toys. Didn't stop you from being nasty to my children who don't have a disrespectful bone in their bodies. Can't wait to shop your Everything Must Go, Closing sale. read more

On our last trip to Baltimore, my boyfriend and I checked out Hampden. I wanted to check out this book store specifically. Being a fan of the great John Waters, it was a must-see destination for me during our jaunt to this neighborhood. It's where he collects his fan mail. After visiting, I can also say that Atomic Books is a great spot. It's not just limited to only books; there are comics, music, toys, art, and other random awesomeness. I'd definitely recommend it if you are in Baltimore. read more

Not sure what reverse world the lone negative Yelp reviewer entered in his visit to Atomic Books, but as a browser and shopper of this establishment for years, I've never had or seen this kind of experience. YEARS. I have always been treated with courtesy, helpfulness, and even when I'm broke and just browsing, polite conversation. This is without a doubt the best independent bookstore in Baltimore. read more

A great locally owned store offering urban vinyl collectibles, plush and other designer toys. A large bookstore is located in the back of the shop, with alternative magazines in the front racks. The staff seemed disinterested in its customers, however, this is typical for these types of shops (Giant Robot, Kid Robot, Super 7, etc). Does it make it right, no, but this is a shop to wander and explore, not to be hounded by clerks. read more

This place is wonderful. I could spend hours in here just browsing through all of their books and comics, their zines and cards and fun knickknack and the small but juicy music and dvd selection. They also have the best magazine selection in the whole area. They have everything you like to read, and some magazines you've never heard of! My favorite time to come here was always on Sunday afternoons, after brunch across the street at the Golden West. The Avenue is such a great place for a great, lazy afternoon with friends. read more

One of my favorite things about Baltimore is that places like Atomic Books (and Soundgarden) can still thrive. There are lots of towns where shops like these couldn't stay in business, but I'm really happy to live in one where they can. You can walk into Atomic books every time and find something that you never knew existed that you absolutely need to have. They have books on DIY craft projects, histories of Norwegian black metal, and everything in between. So not only do I always find new things for myself at Atomic, it's also a perfect place to shop for gifts. It doesn't matter who you're shopping for, you can find something for literally anyone here. As for the service, I'm not sure why some people have complained. I've never felt like I was treated rudely here. I take my book up to the counter and get rung up, I'm not expecting to have a red carpet laid out for me. read more

This is an awesome place to visit in Baltimore - a 'zine shop that carries a wide variety of self-published and small-publisher books and magazines. It's similar to Paco Nathan's late great Fringeware cyberculture/zine shop in Austin. Being a film geek, any place that carries "Cinema Sewer," "Super 8 Today," and "Asian Cult Cinema" is WAY high on my list of places to patronize. And the fact that John Waters is a customer (see his Christmas cards on the wall!) is a major plus in my book. One star removed for the 'tude and unhelpfulness of some of the store's staff. Website and efficient mail order, too. Highly Recommended. read more

Although Atomic is not my usual type of bookstore, I was able to enjoy browsing throughout. Atomic is your underground, indie, alternative neighborhood bookstore. Manga comics are a-plenty here. Japanese toys can be bought or traded here. Plenty of magazines here that you won't see at Barnes & Noble. Heavens, no, we wouldn't want the grandmas fainting from shock, do we? Unusual cards and postcards were interesting. Plenty of books on vampires, sex, "alternative" religions, poetry, music, photography and many more. There's also a music section in the back. Definitely enjoyed people-watching here. read more

They brought it back to the old school, and I'm an old fool, because it's so cool. Yeah, get your geek on. This spot reminds me of the back-in-the-day comic stores, featuring a selection of new and acclaimed graphic novels, manga, and the traditional covers from the big houses like Marvel and DC. Anime selections in print and video are available, as are card games and hard-to-find collectibles. Posters and t-shirts are obligatory. The space is open and well-lit, and the selection is sure to please the range from novice to moderate fanboy. read more

They have zines, good ones. I recently got into buying these little bits of heaven from far away places because I was hung over and bored. I couldn't continue my Law and Order SVU binge because the TV hurt my eyes, so, I got some books during my walk. Zines actually, and they are pretty cool. In order to make this review useful....at all....I will post a list of what they have. They have: A monthly books club. Lots of books. and they are nice and helpful. Oh! and a rewards card deal where if you spend 15 bucks ten times you get 15 bucks to purchase more addictive reading material with. read more

Listen up: this place is the greatest collection of books for fans of alternative and counter-culture entertainment I've ever been to... and I literally hunt for places like this wherever I go. It's nothing short of phenomenal for people like me, so let me try and explain what I look for in a non-used bookstore. The magazines section ranges from the indie parenting magazine Hip Mama to the Godzilla fanzine G-Fan. The DVD rack is dominated by found footage/TV mashup compilations, with some random insane movies and documentaries sprinkled throughout. Toys and local band CDs take up space near the counter, while unique postcards (including some created by Baltimore native John Waters) make for nice gift items. Then we have the books. Whether it's fiction, politics, true crime, comedy, music, movies, conspiracy theories or UFO titles, Atomic filters out all the filler you find at your local Barnes and Noble and leaves you with only the very best stuff. If you can't find it at a chain store, there's a good chance you can find it here, from the hardcover Celtic Frost picture book to the massive love letter to slasher films Nightmare U.S.A. I actually avoided the graphic novel section because it was so huge and looked so tempting. I was already dropping enough money on other kinds of books, no need to get a divorce over some Peter Bagge collections. In the back there's a curious "adult" section, where a number of child-unfriendly items were hidden away in its own section. I'll be honest, I had to run from this store before going broke, so I can't tell you in all certainty that this is the best store in America. But I'm pretty sure it is. read more

I love this bookstore-you'll find many things that you won't find in the chains, including SIGNED John Waters merchandise. I wish that they had a bit more selection, but given the small size of the store, the selection is great. The store has friendly staff and there's a bar in the back that looks like it would be a fun hangout. My only complaint is that there is no customer restroom. How can you have a bar and no restroom? If they had one, I'd go to the bar, but I'm not going to have a couple of drinks and then have to walk a block or so over to find a restroom. read more

Great independent bookstore filled with comics, graphic novels, quirky gifts, CDs and DVDs, anime, erotica, magazines and a huge collection of zines. Helpful but slightly snarky staff members provided the perfect indie bookstore setting, and prices weren't unreasonable. You definitely could spend hours here picking out the perfect gift for all your smart and sarcastic friends. Atomic is a favorite of Jon Waters, and his yearly Christmas cards sent to the store are hanging on one wall for your viewing pleasure. read more

Atomic Books is the former location of Atomic Pop. Atomic Pop used to be a toys and collectibles store, while the original Atomic Books was down the street in a brick building. The two have since merged, and the store now sells toys, vinyl figures, pins, stickers, comics, magazines, some music, books, pornography, and what have you. Comic-wise, you're going to find mostly TPBs, some of which are on sale near the front of the store. It's not a traditional comic store in the sense of stocking back issues of Batman, or being able to trade/sell your own books. But, the pure depth and selection in TPBs puts most (if not all) local shops to shame, and handily defeats Barnes and Noble. My only gripe is their credit card minimum (I believe $10), which is just above the cost of many of their vinyl figures. read more

This store is great! Plenty of fascinating trendy reads, comics, manga, toys, records, local artwork, you name it. It's design-savvy and I always find something interesting to check out and/or buy. Great for gifts! read more

Extreme awesomeness! I confess I do not understand the paint-yourself figures or many of the gift items for media geeks, but there's plenty of book and comics and graphic novel goodness and they always welcome my dog (because he's good). Benn, Rachel and the other staff are really helpful and conscientious and it's a pleasure to do business with them. read more

Great local comic book store with toys/books/zines with a killer record shop in the back room! We primarily stopped in since this was listed on a John Waters site as where he shops and receives his fan mail. Plus I'm a huge fan of comics and zones plus pop-culture books. I was not disappointed! There were vinyl Japanese toys, great books, cool comics both underground and widespread plus all sorts of fun items. If I lived in Baltimore, I would be here once a week for my necessity items! The bonus was when I followed M to the back room and discovered the awesome punk rock record store! The owner had great flyers posted and we had a fun conversation about the olden days of punk rock yore. Great guy!! I love love love Atomic Books!!! read more

If you love independent book stores with hard to find titles, music books, arty magazines/fanzines and cute toys - then come here. Lots of alternative books from horror/punk stuff to philosophy and political stuff. Got here late in the day, so only had 45 mins to browse, but saw they had a CD/record side too. Small, but definately worth driving to if you are in town. Staff very friendly and knew their stuff. One of John Water's recommended stores in Bmore. Can't get better than that! read more

I love this place it's really the only store you can find Burroughs, Kerouac and comic books under the same roof, not to mention super cool toys and Collectibles. read more

This is a great bookstore...I heart the Christmas cards from John Waters they have displayed. They have taken a lot of their comics and graphic novels and stuff to a second storefront down the street. read more

Atomic Books - I heart John W - Comic Books Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Just placed my first mail order. Can't wait to receive it. Haven't read zines in over 30 years. Life and work limited my availability to do so. Back then I read The Dishwasher and The Gate. Anyone recall? read more

Could diversify the selection of books to include more POC authors (was hoping to find Chiamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Americanah' here so they could have my money), but regardless, this is a great bookshop with a great graphic novel section and nice food joint in the back. Absolutely love it and love supporting small business. read more

Sadly, I never got Atomic Books while living in Hampden (well, Wyman Park, which is a borderlands neighborhood b/t Roland, Charles Village, and Hampden). I recognized early on how neat and funky a store it was and how much attention to detail its owner and staff put into all those impressive books, cards, 'zines, and trinkets that fill the small but super-hip space. They have a great sense of primary color and panache, so that's all good. But I always felt too much like an outsider to dive headfirst (or even feetfirst) into this world. Maybe I would have liked it, who knows? But even an outsider can recognize quality, and Atomic has this in spades. read more

Every good trip to Hampden should start at Atomic Books and Celebrated Summer Records. Atomic has an excellently curated selection of books, comics, zines, and art toys. I can't tell you how many new artists I've discovered just from flipping through the graphic novels. Eightbar is a Dan Clowes themed bottle bar in the back, and it's always stocked with great beer and wine selections. Atomic always has interesting events going on, and several different book clubs to choose from. Atomic Books is simply a neighborhood and city institution. read more

Great place to get those off the beaten path books and comics. The selection isn't huge but you are guaranteed to find an interesting read here. Did I mention they have a bar too!!!! The staff is great and the customers are friendly as well. This is one of those quirky neighborhood meet up spots that makes Hampden great! read more

I love this shop. I have made a conscious effort in the past few years to start getting more books from the library instead of buying them for space and financial reasons, but I have never left Atomic empty handed. I always seem to go in with someone else and promise myself that I'll just look and not buy, but I can never do that. They have so much awesome stuff- from books to magazines to comic books and dvds, so much stuff you never knew you needed! read more

Please patronize them early and often, because should this fine and quirky store go out of business Baltimore's only other "independent bookstore" would be "Greetings and Readings". 'Nuff said. read more

Okay so I have been a long time shopper at atomic books. When I go I definitely buy because they have stuff no one else does. That being said they are not a great bookstore. They know they have what no one else does and they are not the best at customer service. Admittedly, you should not do much when selling books other then answering questions but I swear over the years I have been there I rarely see the clerks smile. They seem to just be working at the cool shop because it is the cool shop and you are lucky to breathe their same air. So if that is either what you like or you can deal with it then this is the place for you. I have used this place as kind of an introduction to baltimore for those who have never been to the city before. read more

It's always great dropping by on a quirky bookstore in any city. I knew I had to visit when John Waters mentioned that this is one of his favorite establishments. The place doesn't disappoint. There is an extensive graphic novel section and a large rack of esoteric art magazines. it certainly maintains the weirdness that is Hampden even though it has long shed its artsy and edgy past due to gentrification. read more

It pains me to write this review because I have enjoyed visiting Atomic Books since I was in high school. I'm afraid that it is not the welcoming, progressive place that it claims to be. My mom has been very sick lately and I have been taking care of her around the clock. She wanted me to take a break on Saturday, so my fiancé and I went to eat in Hampden and then visit Atomic Books. While browsing books, I called my mom at the hospital to quickly check in and I was speaking to her quietly on the phone. Keep in mind that they were blasting loud music and there were a bunch of people talking loudly in the bar behind me. The employee who was working at the cash register came over and tapped me on the arm and told me to go outside to talk on the phone. Also please keep in mind that this was this past Saturday when there was crazy strong wind, the wind that the day before was knocking down trees and power lines. It shocked me and I wanted to talk to my mom so I just went outside, but this still hurts me days later. My fiancé, who is not afraid to tell me when I am loud, told me I was talking quietly and he didn't understand why I had to leave. I'm just disappointed and I won't be going back to Atomic Books and I will discourage others from going, too. read more

This is my own personal bat cave, where I can let my inner geek revel in comic books (er, graphic novels, thank you), alternative and indie literature and other fleeting pursuits. Located in the quirky Hampden neighborhood, this is one of Baltimore's mainstays for counterculture. read more

Wide selection of books and magazines, friendly staff, and great bar in the back. Provides a community for those who hold the arts near and dear! read more