I want to give this place 5 stars. Last night, my wife and I came in and waited around, checking out comics as the traffic was in it's prime outside. We spent a good hour or so in here and -- absolutely loved it. I didn't catch the associates name but he was an absolute gem. We bought some awesome, amazing merch from the store plus some comics my girlfriend has been wanting for years. He answered all of our questions (we felt bad because we had so many!!!), and was super super appreciative of our business. We live over an hour away but I'll tell ya... I'll come back here for our comic needs for sure. I'll drive the 2-hours round trip. This guy made us feel at home and we loved the shop! So much to see, read and buy! We even grabbed one of their old promo posters of Captain America fighting the Red Skull for $5. It's framed in our bedroom now and we love it! Thanks again for being amazing! read more

You are greeted right when you walk in. The staff is very helpful and if they don't have something will order it. It is super easy to set up a box for reoccurring series you might want. It is also very easy to cancel said subscription. Value is not bad at all for comics. read more

Ultimate Comics - The expanse series my Wes Chatham!!! - Comic Books Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Comic store inside the mall by the food court. Theres a variety of comics and some anime items. In addition theres a big selection of funko POP figurines. I went on a weekday and it was not busy. Staff is helpful with information. Prices are average. read more

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I'm sure that the staff here are all lovely people who love comics, but the books are overpriced and I have only ever had negative experiences in person and online. Save some money and buy your back issues from a non-chain store where you won't be gouged and jerked around. read more

Love this place. Staff is always friendly, and knowledgeable. This is the second location, so if you're looking for more, check out their Cary location read more

Ultimate Comics - Comic Books Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

It seems to be a large and mostly empty space that sells comic books. How do they pay the rent? It is difficult to get to it, but it is near the liquor store so that explains me. (you have to get on the frontage road) read more

Ultimate Comics - This photo is from March 2021 - Comic Books Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Great comic book and action figure selection. The customer service is great and very pleasing to conversant. They were very understanding of my 5yr daughter and her rambunctious nature. Pricing was on par or below average retail on all items. read more

I have only given a 1 star rating because I can not give a 0 star rating. If you are looking to sell your comics I would recommend going elsewhere. While my experience was with Ultimate Comics Cary I am leaving this review with all their stores as all locations share the same proprietors. I was an avid collector and enjoyer of comics prior to grad school, although my collection was not a curated as those of others. However, since graduating grad school last year I have not had as much time to enjoy the hobby as I would like and decided to part with my collection. While I realize I might not upon first glance look like one might expect a comic fan to look, my collection is bagged, boarded, and cataloged with current updated values, including the condition of the comics. I reached out to Ultimate Comics to sell my collection and was directed to the Cary location. I provided a list of my collection prior to my appointment to bring my collection onsite for review and was told that lists were not necessary, they would look at the comics when I arrived. I did certainly expect them to look through my collection to ensure the titles noted and the condition of the comics but was surprised they were not interested in the list. What they told me, after reviewing my comics and picking out a few to price in the back, was that it was their policy to only offer 20% MSRP in cash. After their offer we did not discuss what they would offer in store credit because they offered me $100 for the entire collection, 2 long boxes and 2.5 short boxes. My collection is currently valued at over $4000 retail value, including variant covers, editions, and condition of the comics. While they said they offered me 20% MSRP they, in fact, only offered me 2%. I do not blame the staff. They were pleasant and professional. The only other conclusion left available to me is that this is a policy created by the proprietors and pushed down to the staff who are forced to comply if they wish to keep their situation. Needless to say I will not be doing business with Ultimate Comics, either now or in the future. However, I wish them all the future success that the multiple local locations would lead me to conclude that this pricing policy has secured for them in the past. read more

When I emailed the Durham store manager Matt that 5 books I bought had water stains and asked for a store credit, he forwarded my email to the store owner Alan, who then accused me of spilling water on the books myself, and lying about it and trying to cheat them; and then banned me from their store. I have been a weekly customer for almost two years and averaged $70 in purchases each week, spending thousands of dollars each year in their store. In all that time I had only returned 'one' book that had a tear on the cover; and yet their first reaction to me requesting a credit for books that were water damaged somewhere between Diamond and their racks was to accuse me of lying and cheating. Not a good business model. Alan cited the way pulled books are managed precluded any possibility of water-damaged books being put in customer's boxes. Alan also told me the Durham manager Matt told Alan I was in their store for two hours, breaking the 30 minute store time limit due to covid, even though Matt did not say anything to me while I was in the store. However, the specific books I told Matt were damaged were 'not' on my pull list, I had taken them from the racks, so Alan's explanation did not address the damaged books because they were taken off the racks, not the pull box. Also, I was not in their store for the two hours Matt alleged, as I went to the Post Office after I left their store and have a Post Office receipt time-stamped at 12:15 that is one hour and fifteen minutes after I entered their store when they opened at 11:00. Given the time it took to drive to the post office, wait in line, and complete my transaction, I could not have been in their store longer than 50 or so minutes. I responded to Alan with the correct information of the specific books I took off the racks, and with a copy of my post office receipt, pointing out Alan used incorrect information to call me a liar and a cheat, and to ban me from his store. I replied in a way not to put Alan on the defensive, and I also acknowledged I was in the store more than 30 minutes, but under 1 hour, and apologized for that. My belief was that provided with information he did not have before, Alan would acknowledge what he said was incorrect, accept my apology, and work with me to resolve any concerns he might have going forward, and keep a good customer. Those are my expectations of a professional business owner. But Alan replied back with no acknowledgement of his inaccurate statements toward me; and he expressed no interest in keeping a customer who spends (spent) thousands of dollars in his store each year, and would have continued to do so for years to come. My guess is it was too difficult for him to do so after jumping to conclusions and accusing a customer of being a liar and a cheat. In Alan's last email to me he changed the 2 hour accusation to 1 hour and 15 minutes (without any acknowledgement that he was previously wrong), claiming he had video tape of me in his store for that entire time, which he obviously does not as I have my time-stamped receipt from the United States Postal Service shows that at 1 hour and 15 minutes from the time Ultimate Comics opened at 11:00, I had just completed a post office transaction. A person can't be in two places at once, Alan. Alan made the mistake of reacting to a customer complaining of damaged items by automatically accusing the customer of being a liar and a cheat, without even bothering to ask the customer what happened directly. And when presented with proof that his information was incorrect, instead of simply acknowledging that mistake, Alan dug in deeper on his accusations. read more

You could ask for nothing more out of comic book store. I drive from the next town over for my books. Top notch service!

Always make sure we get in here when we're looking for good reading and collectibles. The staff are always fun and friendly.

I've known Ultimate Comics by name for a while, even before they became the inaugural event sponsor for NC's very own Comic Con; but there is almost no reason for me to trek 50 minutes across Raleigh and Cary, all the way into Chapel Hill just to get a fix for my Spidey addiction. Until December 21st... ah yes! the fated day. It's THE END OF THE WORLD! What else am I gonna do with all this money? I don't think US Dollar is an acceptable currency in Mayan afterlife. So, 21% off the entire store for the sale? To quote Philip J Fry, SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!! I wouldn't exactly call this place a comic book store; somehow it's more than just that. It's more like a hobby shop, for comics geeks and sci-fi geeks and AD&D roleplaying geeks. So long story short, I walked away with more Spider-man comic books than I really need, a new sonic screw driver, and I may or may not have promised to collect the entire set of "New 52" once I can fulfill the layaway P.S. This really is a long haul for me, so normally I just go to Capitol Comics II off Glenwood North. read more

Ultimate Comics - It's the end of the world sale! - Comic Books Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Disclaimer up front - I am not a comic book expert. However, I enjoy my semi-regular trips to Ultimate Comics (Durham location in Homestead Market shopping center - I believe there are one or two other locations) to pick up my Buffy Season 8's. The employees are friendly and helpful, and I never feel like I'm not hip enough to be there. When I was looking for a hard-to-find graphic novel, they helped me quickly locate and order it. For those of you who follow multiple comics, I think you'll find that they have an excellent selection, including graphic novels, magazines, action figures, and other assorted paraphernalia. read more

Ultimate Comics - From the Ultimate Comics Web site - inside the store. - Comic Books Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Would've loved to continue to patronize this store, but due to their strict "no receipt no return" policy I just can't support it. Good luck with that ! read more

I used to be obsessed with essentially all X-Titles when I was in high school. I mean, I remember the Age of Apocalypse like it was just yesterday. And like I was actually there. Yeah. So, my obsession tapered off when I started college and I, sadly, hadn't regularly read comics in many, many years, that is, until Buffy season eight came into my life. Ultimate Comics is where I get my Buffy fix and, thanks to the friendly and helpful staff, my love affair with comic books has been rekindled. And, you know what's great? They don't even make fun of me when I pick up a volume of Jim Henson's Return to Labyrinth Manga. (Yeah, but I bet YOU'RE laughing at me now, aren't you?) This location sells plenty of new issues and back issues, graphic novels, Manga, action figures and other collectibles, posters, and other merchandise. They have good sales pretty regularly. My only criticism is that, because this is a small store, recent issues are often out of stock. There are, however, a few Ultimate Comics locations in the Triangle, and they'll gladly call up another store and ask them to hold the titles for you. But then the drawback is that you have to go to the other store to get it. I don't know if it's an option to transfer issues in to a particular store, but no one has offered that to me yet. There is a 10% discount to local students, so don't forget that ID. Also, visit their website and sign up for their newsletter to get regular updates on their sales and special events. This Ultimate Comics is located in the Homestead Market shopping center near Shiki Sushi and TCBY. read more

Funny story; I actually didn't even realize that this was the sister shop of the Ultimate Comics on NC 54 near Southpoint until just recently. I guess I just never paid attention to the name... This shop seems like it's only a little smaller than the NC 54 location, but its selection doesn't compare. The organization is better here, and it "looks prettier," but somehow the other location just seems to be better-stocked. This location also lacks a little in the comic paraphenalia in comparison. As for the staff, the last time I went in I was chatted up by a staffer who gave me all sorts of advice on books to check out and recommendations. He was very friendly, and very knowledgeable, but I was also in a bit of a hurry and it was completely unsolicited. Had I been in a better situation, it probably would have been greatly appreciated; but at the time it served as more of an annoyance. read more

Walk into this store on most days, and you'll meet Jon. If you're a fan of Marvel's 1985 mini series, you'll think he looks familiar. You'll be right. He was the inspiration of the comic guy in that series. If you're a comic fan, you'll end up loving Jon. He's got an uncanny knack for picking out books you're guaranteed to like if you let him know what kinds of stories are doing it for you at any given moment. He'll be very direct about it, often in a mock-chastising tone asking you "So why aren't you reading ______ yet?" You'll pick it up, and you'll have a new favorite. For this reason, your wallet will hate Jon just as much as your inner geek loves him. I continue to shop at the Homestead location in Durham just to stay out of the poor house, but will occasionally pop my head in the door here. And leave with at least one new book on my pull list. I'm an unapologetic shill for Ultimate Comics. Is that okay? Good, because it's the best comic shop ever. read more

This is my go to place for comics in the triangle. I love ultimate comics. They do tons of stuff for the community, are reasonable, and happily will work out deals with you. They run events all the time with lots of specials and deals. They have a deep selection of merchandise and run heroclix tourneys! They have signings with artists and writers as well so getting their announcements is worthwhile. Keep an eye out for their NC Comic Con in the fall as it's pretty cool and they run all kinds of specials then. read more

There is something to say about a business that values it's customers as much as Ultimate Comics. When my husband and I walk in it's almost like we are the only ones there. The store owner and other employees stop and acknowledge we are there. About 2 years ago I went to the store owner, Alan, and asked if my husband and I could get married in his store. Of course he was excited and even got tuxedo shirts for his staff to wear. Great touch. The wedding was a huge success and I owe a huge thank you to the staff at Ultimate Comics for making our special day fantastic. Not only is Ultimate Comics the best comic shop in the triangle, it's also one of the best businesses. Other stores could take a lesson in the amount of customer service offered at Ultimate Comics. read more

Ultimate Comics - Ultimate Wedding 10-11-12 - Comic Books Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

My local comic store. Great staff. Great selection. I've been going to Ultimate Comics for a long time now. Since they were just one store and not multiple. Back when Alan Gill was pretty much the only person running the store while his kids helped out. This location of Ultimate Comics is great beyond some minor traffic issues the area has. I usually pick up my new book each. If you're used to buying multiple issues each week take advantage of their subscription service. They'll hold new issues for you and you get a discount on top of that. The more books you subscribe to the bigger the discount. What's great about this store and other Ultimate Comics locations is they are always very friendly and will talk comics with you. I don't have a lot of people in my life who like comics, so when I'm able to talk to the shop crew about what's going on currently with DC, Marvel or in the independents its a nice escape. Having a very good staff that isn't preconscious is key for a comic shop to truly ascend to greatness these days. The Ultimate Comics staff has always been welcoming for all types of people and easy to talk to. If you're into comics, action figures or related nerd this don't miss out on Ultimate Comics. read more

It's a decent spot, but I guess they keep all their good stuff at their store in Cary? That's what the guy working yesterday told me at least. Unfortunately, he didn't tell me that they take all those good comics with them to events, so I just wasted an hour+ of my day driving all the way out there and back. Weird. I guess go comic shopping elsewhere. read more

When traveling I always try to check out comic shops. This was the second one I found in the triangle area, but the only one I return to when visiting. Awesome staff, and a great selection of books, new and old. Good prices on items and of course I love the toys and statues. Thanks for a great shopping experience. read more

Was in town from Ohio for a short period of time about 6 weeks ago and thought I'd check out the local comic shop. It's a very nice shop, clean, with a good setup for comics, trades, figures, toys, etc. They had a nice selection of comics. Picked up Twig, Swamp Thing, and Spider-Man 2099 Exodus. I was looking for a specific Spider-Man sticker and the girl at the counter was very helpful. Unfortunately we couldn't find anything similar to what I was looking for. We started talking. I told her I was from Ohio. She asked if I had gone out for free comic book day at my local store. I told her that I had to miss it this year do to a very hectic schedule. Then she went behind the counter and pulled out a big stack of leftover FCBD comics and let me have some! Super cool gesture! If I'm ever back in the area, I will DEFINITELY stop again. If you're in the area and need a nice comic shop, I'd highly recommend this one. Thanks Ultimate Comics! read more

Nice store, but has a cooperate fell to it. You are not going to find any deals in the back issues. Great for regular issues, no or over priced variants. read more

New to the area...Hit all 3 local shops. CHC , Atomic and Ultimate. Atomic is now my Game shop...Chapel Hill Comics was way to hard to park and the lack of discounts and snob appeal did it in for me ( its quite a bit closer for me ) Ultimate Comics was the place...Big , Colorful, filled with comics and lots of cool stuff and super friendly funny people working there read more

Great staff. Great selection of comics, trades, toys, and statues. Great sales often.

This is a comic lovers comic book store! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the store is organized and chock full of goodness! They also have one of the best Free Comic Book Days EVER! It's a very family friendly shop and the guy that runs the show couldn't be more supportive of local creators! It's not one of those shops that frowns on newbys and they're always willing to answer any question. Stop on by and meet the gang!!! read more

This place has proven to be awesome to me. Although their everyday prices seem to be pretty much average, they put on some amazing sales and that the time to shop around for the fun stuff. The staff have always been very kind and helpful, and they keep a good stock of things you won't find everywhere. They do great community events, and I attend their Free Comic Book Day every year with great excitement. read more

Hands down the best comic shop in the Triangle or anywhere else I've lived. Alan and the staff are great. Great selection and great prices. They throw lots of events and the store in general is tons of fun. read more

I just moved to the area and stopped by Ultimate Comics recently to check them out. The guy there was super helpful and got me hooked up to their mailing list, which I normally wouldn't do, but they seem to have some really good sales going on pretty often. I scooped up alot of good stuff at their recent back issue sale. I live in Carrboro, so I'd probably hit Chapel Hill comics up for new issues (since they're so close), but would definitely be by Ultimate for my back issue needs. read more

I was visiting the area and looking for something to read on my flight home, saw Ultimate Comics and checked it out. I'm always put off by comic stores that keep all of their new comics bagged, boarded and sealed, and Ultimate Comics is that kind of store. It reminds me of a comic store during the early 90s comic boom -- just about collecting money from speculators, not encouraging new readers. As far a comic book stores go, it's very clean, well-lit and the employees seemed friendly, but when stores bag and seal new comics it says to me that they only want me in their presence long enough to make a purchase and go. I much preferred my earlier visit to nearby Chapel Hill Comics, which feels browse-friendly. I've read other reviews and it seems like they do good work for the local comic community, but as an outsider I was put off. 90s throwback. read more

Love this place. Lots of well organized back issues, collectibles, games and more. They also have lots of signings and seem to be very involved with the public as well. Highly recommend! read more