FAQ

What can you tell me about Emerald City Comics in 100 words or less?

Emerald City Comics has served the Tampa Bay Area since 1989. Our 7,000+ square-foot store carries comic books, graphic novels, games, toys, and pop-culture merchandise for all ages and interests.

We keep the store clean, organized, and easy to shop, with a friendly Team that knows and enjoys what we sell. We care more about helping Guests find something they will love than chasing trends or speculation.

For many of our Guests, Emerald City has also become a place tied to favorite comics, characters, games, and memories.

 

What is the “secret origin” of Emerald City Comics?

Neil Johnson founded Emerald City Comics in Seminole in 1989. He wanted to create the kind of pop-culture store he wished had existed when he was growing up.

Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, he chose the name “Emerald City” for a place associated with wishes, imagination, and discovery.

A second store opened in northern Clearwater in 1994. In 2013, the two locations combined into our current superstore, centrally located in the Tampa Bay Area!

 

New Comics, Subscriptions & Preorders

When are new comics available?

New comics are usually available when we open every Wednesday.

Games, toys, and other merchandise arrive throughout the week and may be stocked any day.

 

How do I find the comics I want?

  • New comics are arranged alphabetically by title.
  • Superhero comics are filed by character rather than full title. Amazing Spider-Man, for example, is filed under “Spider-Man.”
  • This week’s releases are marked with a “New!” label.

Graphic novels are divided into sections including:

  • Marvel Superheroes
  • Star Wars
  • DC Superheroes / DC Animation / DC Vertigo / DC Black Label
  • Fiction & Literature / Indie & Underground Comics
  • Featured Sections, including cookbooks, how-to, reference, mythology, Wicca, novels, coloring books, and more
  • Art Books
  • Manga
  • Kids

Back issues are filed alphabetically by title, following the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide listing.

 

What do you recommend?

Each week, our Team picks favorite new comics and displays them near the front counter. We also feature staff picks at the register and rotate books through our Featured Books table.

If you tell us what you already enjoy, we are happy to suggest something.

We do not recommend comics based on possible future investment value. We think comics are better bought to read and enjoy.

 

How many copies of a new comic can I buy?

New releases are limited to one copy per Guest, Group, or Family unless extra copies were preordered.

If you need more than one, preorder the quantity you want up to one month before release.

 

Why should I preorder comics and books?

Preordering helps make sure you get the item you want, even if it sells out.

It also helps us order closer to actual demand and gives publishers a better idea of how many copies to print.

To preorder, contact us before the item’s Final Order Cutoff (FOC) by phone, email, text, or in person.

 

Orders, Shipping & Online Purchases

When does my online order ship?

Online orders usually ship on the next business day.

Same-day in-store pickup is also available.

 

Do you ship outside the United States?

Yes, through eBay International Shipping.

Email orders@emeraldcitycomics.com with the items you want, and we can add them to our eBay store for purchase.

 

What if I can’t find the item I want?

Ask us. We can often special order items that appear in distributor catalogs or are not currently in stock.

Special orders totaling $75 or more require a 50% nonrefundable deposit. The deposit is refunded if the manufacturer or distributor cancels the item.

 

Pricing, Payments & Returns

How do you price back issue comics?

We grade back issue comics by condition and use established print and online price references.

Our main print reference is the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. We also check sources such as completed eBay sales, GPA Analysis, and ComicsPriceGuide.

Most newer back issues are priced at cover price plus the cost of a bag and board, currently 64¢.

 

What payment methods do you accept?

In store, we accept:

  • Cash
  • Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express
  • ATM/Debit cards
  • Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
  • Emerald City Gift Certificates
  • Store credit

 

Can I return an item?

Most items may be returned for store credit if:

  • You have the receipt
  • The return is made within 15 days
  • The item and packaging are in original condition

If these conditions are not met, we may be unable to accept the return, but we will always do our best to take care of you.

 

Do you offer layaway?

Yes.

  • $50 minimum
  • 20% down payment before tax
  • Up to two months to pay
  • No partial takeouts from multi-item layaways
  • You may cancel before the final payment
  • Canceled layaways are refunded minus a 20% cancellation fee
  • Sales and discounts do not apply to layaway items

 

Do you sell gift certificates?

Yes. Emerald City Comics Gift Certificates are available in store or online.

They may be redeemed in-store only.

 

Community & Donations

Do you make charitable donations?

Yes. We donate comics to good causes when we can.

Please contact us at least one week in advance so we have time to prepare the donation.