Last weekend I had to drive my sister to the Departure Bay ferry and figured, hey, why not check out a couple of comic shops in North Van while I’m passing through? I never go to North Van, so I looked into their store situation and found that there are two of ‘em and they’re about two blocks apart on Lonsdale Avenue. First stop: Big Pete’s Comics and Collectibles …
Now, I’m not gonna lie. With a store name like Big Pete’s I was a little concerned that this would be the hokier of the two shops and possibly a waste of time, but holy sweet Jesus, was I wrong. Big Pete’s shop is my new Mecca. A mythical place that every local fanboy should make a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. What am I talking about here? I’m talking about a great big store with tons of space, tons of stock and comfortable places to sit. I’m talking about a back-to-back corridor of back-issues in such immaculate order and condition that it brings a tear to your eye.
Let’s get into it. This is THE place to pick up your funnybooks in North Van. I happen to have rolled in on a Wednesday afternoon and not only was it NOT a scene of mayhem (like a lot of shops are on New Comic Book Day) but very neat, organized and well stocked. All of the new comics were in their section, properly displayed, with a separate display for the preceding last couple of issues. That means that if you ever miss a title, chances are you’ll find it the next time you’re in. There are any number of shops that’ll sell you your books like any other store transaction, but then there are the shops that embody the spirit of Fanboyism. Big Pete’s is a shop of the people, by the people, for the people.
You want toys? They’ve got toys and toys and toys. Action figures and statuettes and Star Wars as far as the eye can see. New stuff, old stuff, everything. Damn you Nuv, I even saw a Friar Tuck action figure from the Robin Hood movie. And not the new one with Russell Crowe either. The 1991 Bryan Adams / Rod Stewart / Sting soundtracked Kevin Costner epic masterpiece(?) ‘PRINCE OF THIEVES.‘
I spent 45 minutes wandering around in a stunned stupor, desperately trying to think of back-issues or anything else I could buy as tangible proof that it wasn’t all just a beautiful, wonderful dream. And throughout my stay the fine staff (including Big Pete himself!) were very helpful, answered all of my questions, and generally made everyone in the place feel welcome. Even my little sister, who has little-to-zero tolerance for geek culture in any form, thought the place was pretty awesome.
You can check out Big Pete’s Comics and Collectibles on their website, which is updated regularly, by clicking anywhere in this sentence. But you’d do well to take a small road-trip and check ‘em out in person at 149 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver.
Put one in the air…
– Ian
P.S. My second stop was called Comics Scene and it was an abject failure. Want to know why there are no pictures on their website? Because they’re tiny, messy to the point of absurd futility, and utterly un-navigatable. Why stay in business if you obviously don’t give a shit?
The Comics Scene has a sister store in Surrey. It is a closet. Not only that, but it is a giant fire hazard of a closet. Drop a match in the front of the store, and the back will be a raging inferno in about five seconds flat. I can’t go in with my four year old because he can’t move without touching something (which would be fine in an ordinary store) and if you move a comic or toy the wrong way the entire store might come down on you. The guy who runs the place is an ass too. I do my best to never set foot in there anymore.
I’m looking forward to checking out Big Pete’s though!
Yeah, I checked out Comics Scene’s Surrey location a couple of months ago. After that it was my go-to contribution to any conversation about shit comic stores. Then I saw their North Van location…