Formerly located in Uptown, the Powderhorn shop boasts a great selection of science fiction and fantasy novels as well as comics. It has a relatively high percentage of female customers -- good news for women who fear the inevitable record scratch that occurs when they cross the threshold of a comic book store.

Though the staff can be intimidating, they are incredibly knowledgeable and committed to helping customers find what they're looking for, even if it means going out of their way to place special orders. Though comic books are displayed spine out, a frustrating practice, it creates space for an impressively large selection.

Purists will appreciate the similarities between this shop and the comic book store in "The Simpsons" (though CBC boasts a far friendlier staff). The store's selection is far more expansive than its size suggests, but it's easy to navigate.

This haven of back issues, which shares the building with Comic Book College, is a gold mine for the savvy collector. But the volume of material is extraordinary and probably overwhelming for a novice.

This St. Paul-area emporium is the mother ship of Twin Cities nerdery. Comics, manga, role-playing games, anime, science fiction, fantasy -- you can find just about anything here. (Also recommended: The Source's little-sister store, Uncle Sven's Comic Shoppe, located at 1838 St. Clair Av. in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood.)