Carol & John’s Comic Shop

Fantastic comic shop. Always enjoy stopping by with friends who still collect. Staff friendly and large selection. A Cleveland staple.

Awesome customers service the guys are friendly, very welcoming, clean & organize. I been to a few shops and they are cluttered and horrible customer service. I have to say this one is by far the best. Keep up the great work I plan to be a long time customer.

Growing up, I was lucky that I had a comic shop right around the corner from my home, and that shop served my purposes well and supplied me with my comic book fix week after week. However, there was always the mythical holy grail of comic shops, which was simply a little bit too far to get to regularly, and reserved for special trips.
That mythical shop was Carol & Johns, which so far as I’m concerned is the gold standard which all Comic shops should aspire to be. It was always the place that I would ask to be taken after a doctors visit, and when I finally got my drivers license, I delighted in being able to make more regular visits.
Of course, being a teenager, I got to a point where I tried to hide my love of comics, and stopped regularly reading for a few years, until I worked on American Splendor which of course picked the best comic shop in town as a filming location.
After spending a few days with the crew in the store, I returned to making weekly visits.
The place is stocked to the gills with all the regular geek-​fair, but also has plenty of room for all the many different genres of comic books, coupled with an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff who is more than willing to help you find whatever you’re looking for.
Bottom line, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better shop, and if I were to open a comic shop, I’d aspire to be like Carol & Johns.

I don’t need to reiterate everything that has already been said about the selection C&J’s offers and the friendliness of the staff. Everything said before is 100% true. This place is a comic mecca not found anywhere else in Northeast Ohio. It’s totally worth the 40 minute drive from my house.
The thing that I found most refreshing from other stores, is the kid friendliness! They have a wide selection of children’s comics and graphic novels, and a kid-​sized table where they can read or just play with some action figures. Of course, this gives daddy time to shop without worrying about them getting into trouble. I brought my 3 trouble makers with me on my most recent trip and not once did I feel uncomfortable or that they were not welcome. Contrast this to other shops where you will literally be followed around by a staff member until your minions with their grubby little fingers hit the exit. The owner even took the time to introduce the kids to the store mascot/​pet — Winston the cat.
When he (the owner, not the cat) saw my daughter eyeing a Princess Leia book, he engaged her in conversation. He was tuned in enough to figure out this was her first purchase. Obviously she needed Princess Leia #1 to start with, instead of the current issue. It didn’t matter that the old issue was only $ 1 and he’d get less money than if he sold her a current book. That is the kind of stuff that will make all of us customers for a long time.

Honestly, I enjoyed the cat that was there more than the actual comic store. We came looking for Pop’s based on a tip from another comic shop in the area that this would be the best place to find them. Sure, they had them… Just not many of them, and none worth getting excited about. It was the typical overstock you’d find at Toys R’ Us. We didn’t end up buying anything.
With that said, that’s not to say this store is bad in any fashion. It just didn’t have what we were looking for. Had I still been into comics, I could have spent a fair amount of time just scrolling through the back issues — Probably buying a fair amount of them too. There was certainly a healthy selection of them.
Comic shops are few and far between around the area I live in, so it’s always nice to find and step into a physical brick and mortar shop if for no other reason that to just be there surrounded by it all.

This is the place I come to when I am having a lousy day. As of late, I’ve had a lot of lousy days due to my diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. Now, that’s not to say that I’ve been sad or anything, but it is just a tiresome and full-​time job to be ill. The good thing is that I get treated right around the corner at the Moll Pavilion and can stop in for a nice pick-​me-​up after I finish up.
I’ve been shopping and browsing Carol & John’s for several years and they are just wonderful. The selection of new and old comics is phenomenal and the staff is absolutely incredible. The world of comics is not a solitary one and it’s always good to fall in for a chat with the staff and customers alike. It really is a fantastic social experience.
Moreover, CNJ’s is a great community partner in that they participate in so many great causes. This is not an unusual trait of the comicbook contingent, but they do it with such style and enthusiasm. It’s not just the product, but it is about the people and the folks here excel on every level.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!!!

Everything about this place makes me happy, There is nothing more then perfect service and atmosphere. really love this place.

Not only is Carol and John’s Comic Shop a staple in the West Park community, it is a comic shop that reaches all generations near and far. Though I was always a fan of their prior cozy location in Kamm’s Corner I am thrilled that they’ve been able to utilize their more recent space in terms of being able to move around. Their selection is large and varied and people of any age can find something of interest. I must admit, I’m not a huge comic fan; however, this shop is always a place I can stop by while walking around the neighborhood and have an exceptional experience. Their staff is friendly and upbeat and one of my favorite staff members, Winston is the ever-​so-​friendly cat (love his section of recommendations)!
Aside from comics, they have merchandise, graphic novels, and other neat items.
They’ve excelled in reaching out to the community for spectacular events like Free Comic Book Day and they’ve continue to provide a service that is so rare and dear these days.
I cannot express how awesome CNJ’s is.

Simply put: If I could give C&J’s 10 stars, I would.
But if you really want me to go on, I’m more than happy to share why.
Three years after my initial review, this gal is a newbie comic fan. Yes, I’ve taken the plunge and Carol & John’s was there to help me get my feet wet. Something for everyone? That statement has never applied more than it does here.
My guy is a much more seasoned comic book fan than I am and he was so insanely impressed with the not only the organization and service, but the collection C&J boasts. This newb? I was able to dive right in and find the comics I knew without feeling overwhelmed. And if you chat with John (the owner) about it, you’ll see that every inch of the shop, every display table has a purpose and/​or reason for being there. New issues live on a communal table up front to encourage a social, interactive experience. Recent issues get filed in boxes, while graphic novels line the walls in alphabetical order, grouped by Marvel, DC, etc. It just makes sense.
And how about some of the best customer service you can find, anywhere! This doesn’t just mean your in-​store experience, but extra perks like signing up for C&J’s list to set aside your favorite comics as they come in on a monthly basis. And for 10% off, you really can’t beat that service or deal. Questions? Every time I’ve been in shop there are have been other newbies. And the staff doesn’t hesitate to help them get acclimated by handing out freebies like it’s Christmas up in there. I’m not talking about the cheap stuff – they give away items that cost upwards of $ 5, etc. Like books that include multiple first issues to give new readers a taste of traditional, popular and indie comics. It’s a brilliant way to get folks into the scene without overwhelming them.
Yesterday they held all the new Star Wars issues for me to get caught up and I also left with a Harley Quinn graphic novel, the first issue of the NEW 52 Catwoman issue, a Harley Quinn magnet and some books to introduce me to new comics out there, plus one to get me into the classics. It was like my birthday all over again.
I cannot say enough awesome stuff about Carol & John’s, but I’ll end on this: This family-​run shop’s success comes not only from their obvious passion and attention to detail, but also because they make YOU feel like part of their family.

I’ve been going here for as long as I can remember great place.

Awesome place for any comic book need you may have, very friendly Staff and extremely helpful. family friendly with a great kids corner, make sure to say hi to the store cat Winston. The only thing keeping this from 5 stars for me is that once comics get moved to the previous weeks racks they almost always become damaged by customers who don’t know how to handle comics properly. Their Trade and Graphic novel section is second to none.

I’ve been mostly out of comics for a decade or so, but my young son is learning to read and way into comics. We have a weekly father-​son date to go to the comic store and get hot dogs afterward.
Visiting Cleveland for a couple weeks, we needed to find a place to continue our weekly comic fix.
This place was well-​organized and clean. The kids’ content was located in a place where my son could safely browse, and also well-​stocked. My biggest problem was trying to convince my son not to buy everything.
Winston, the store’s cat, was friendly, and the staff were equally happy to talk to a five-​year-​old about the cat, or the young reader comics.
Daddy found a few comics and graphic novels he needed, and got some questions answered.
The staff was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. We were recognized the second time we came into the store a week later.
I will come back the next time I find myself in the Cleveland area.

You can find me there on new comic day. They make it a point to learn your name and make you feel welcome. They come up with awesome and creative launch ideas and fan appreciation events.

There is not a bad thing I can say about this local shop. Being from out of town and away from the shop I normally frequented it was scary to out my comics faith in a new shop. However Carol and John’s does not disappoint. They always have a promotion going on, their staff is always beyond helpful, adding and removing items for your pull is über easy and most of all this shop really cares about the community they serve. Bring your kids boys and girls and experience this awesome shop. If you’re looking to get into comics or get back into comics check this shop out. I can almost guarantee they will become your new favorite shop.

It never ceases to amaze me how far above beyond the staff of Carol & John’s always goes for their customers. Going there feels more like visiting friends than shopping at a store.

I’d been visiting Cleveland from out of town and wanted to show a good friend what a nice comic shop was really like. Of course, she had her reservations. Images of dingy, dusty shops with seedy patrons are kind of hard to break free of, you know? On that note, Carol & John’s is just great. I went in looking for the first few issues of Matt Fraction’s «Hawkeye» and the employee led me right to them, chatted with me for a bit, and even gave me a free tote bag at check out. I probably would’ve paid a good $ 50 for one of the prints they have above the New Release rack, as well.
Places like this really give me hope that comic shops aren’t a dying industry. I know it sounds a little melodramatic, but this place is just great. I can’t recommend it enough – and I’ll be visiting any time I make my wasy through Cleveland.

What can I say about CnJ’s Comics that hasn’t already been said?
Well for starters, I’ve been coming here for years. Not just for the comics alone though. If you’re into the culture, this is a great place to just hang out and shoot the breeze. The staff is super friendly and very helpful when it comes to finding you that right book or collectible, and won’t ever make you feel like an unwelcome guest. The store is always clean and well organized. They even have both a section of books aimed for the younger crowd, and a play area for the kids to play with an assortment of action figures. All around the atmosphere of the place is amazing.
However, this place has so much more to offer than what they sell. Beyond their epic collection, Carol and John’s really sets itself apart from other shops in the area. Free Comic Book Day being one such event where they really prove themselves as a mainstay both within the culture and the community. And when it comes to community, they’re definitely about contributing to it: From raffles with proceeds going to the local food banks, to holiday and midnight release parties in appreciation to the customers; they do it all. For instance, this year for Earth Day 2013, they’re encouraging customers to come in and recycle any of their old and unwanted comics. Those who participate will receive an eco-​friendly shopping bag branded with the shop’s logo, a copy of Massive #1 (an ecological thriller), and will be entered into a raffle for the VIP treatment on Free Comic Book Day (May 4^th); which comes with the guarantee of scoring all of the awesome freebies they have to offer for the day. Speaking of FCBD, Carol and John’s is the only comic shop in the Cleveland area celebrating the 75^th anniversary of Superman by offering an exclusive custom covered comic commemorating his ties to Cleveland!
And did I mention that John Dudas just so happens to also be a firefighter for the City of Cleveland? The people who own and run this shop are all about upholding many of the great values and virtues that you can read about in many of the books they have to offer.
In an age where technology makes it easier to access media in the palm of your hand anywhere in the world, CnJ’s still finds a way to keep me coming back to purchase carbon copies of all of my favorite superhero stories. All in all, Carol and John’s really is a unique place to visit and I hope you dear reader, will also support such a great place.

I am an avid collector or Spiderman memoribilia for well over 20 years! So when I saw that spiderman 16 ounce glass I was all over it!!!
Stock a bit thin but please consider the holidays as tax season is just around the corner and they need to keep stock low for tax purposes…
I bet the shelves will be burgeoning in no time at all!!!
Cheers!!!

Comics and comic shops have come a long way since I used to read them oh so many moons ago. I always remember the poor lighting, and old attic smell from the comic book shops of my youth, but this place is clean, well lit, and packed with everything and anything you could imagine comic book related.
All-​in-​all if you’re a fan of comics and graphic novels you owe yourself a visit.

So, after attending a GREAT party, sponsored by Unilocal and Carol and John’s, I realized that a great travesty of just had taken place… I hadn’t reviewed this wonderful place.
As a perpetually large child, I have always haunted comic book shops. I’ve seen a few, but this place is tops for content, cleanliness and stock…
Their graphic novel collection is MASSIVE, as is their back issues collection. The store is packed with everything. An account there is a must because they’ll get you all the latest titles at your request, and they do special orders as well for all the titles you need for your collections.
On top of that, Carol and John are great folks, and they really know how to make a customer feel special. They’ve held several amazing release parties for new comics, events like Free Comic Book Day and holidays. They also have an area for kids books and younger titles so you can get the kids interested in comics early (and they may even let you do some coloring too:)
This place is tops in my (comic) book, and I know they’ll be tops in yours too:)