Fantom Comics

Since moving to DC about 2yrs ago this has been the primary comics and games store for me. Their events calendar is always full - from MTG Fridays to learning calligraphy or miniatures painting - while having all the great comics and anime constantly moving through the shelves. The management has been pretty solid and seems to be good for the employees as they are always very helpful, even for new folks like travelers just popping in. Location is great and easy to get to from the Dupont Circle Metro Station as another bonus!

Nice shop with a great selection of current comics and graphic novels. Some nice displays and thoughtful art on the walls. Not a back issue store, per se, they had recent issues, and a solar box, but ample to enjoy and find, excellent selection for kids. Friendly staff for sure.

Very cool store, great selection. Really appreciated that there was a good selection for kids specifically both comics, fiction and plenty of Pokémon.

Stopped in while killing time. Staff were great and had good reading suggestions. Wound up getting some Magic and pulling some big hits 😎

A super enjoyable independent comic shop. I was really pleased with the selection of graphic novels and manga. The staff were incredibly kind. I'm really happy we stopped in. I found several great books to purchase.

Not a bad little store. I've never been to any comic book store in the D.C. area but it was a nice little place to search out and buy a few books. Will check it out again when I pass through the area.

great store! sort of hidden unless you are looking for it. good selection of comics, games, books.

Awesome little comic shop. Friendly staff, comfortable environment to look around, read a comic, and explore. If you’re in the area and looking for a space to check out some of the more recent interesting comics, definitely a good spot to check out.

This is our regular comic store. They're so friendly and recognize us when we come in. My son loves their kids comics section. They make you feel at home and have a great selection of comics.

Cool vibe. Love their meet-the-author events. Easy to drop $$ to support this local biz. All their titles are cool. You could pick up any one, and you'll sure to enjoy it.

Great service , friendly staff , always have the books am looking for . Very easy to get to from the metro station

Great place to find your favorite graphic novels! Staff very helpful! Lots of weekly events including meeting the authors!

When I was a kid I'd spend hours fantasizing in this comic Book store, I remember anticipating the publication of Secret origins of Shazam and the x-men!

It's been 2 years since my last review of this spot and it still rocks! Opening @11am is still great, so I get to read up before starting my daily grind.... Even though the pandemic made it a little rocky, they were still able to pull my request and make it a smooth transition. Camille is my email connection(Lol!) and she's awesome sauce! A million thanks for Fantom!

Small shop located above a Subway. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Visited with a nine year old, and the staff was so kind and generous towards him. He got some free candy and took a picture wearing an infinity gauntlet replica. He was having a rough morning and the staff definitely made his day and helped him turn it around.

Best comic book store in DC. Location is on the floor above the Subway just a block from DuPont Circle. Great customer service. The staff is always knowledgeable and can lead you to the right types of books based on your tastes. They have a kids section, an indie comics section, a huge selection of graphic novels, new comics, toys/collectibles, and clothing. My favorite is when they host speakers at the store or have indie comic book writers and artists selling their stuff. They also have book clubs, happy hours, etc. Pretty much anything you need they have. Not a bad community to be a part of! I absolutely love this place if you can't tell.

Fantom Comics has been around since '05 and has one of the most friendliest and the most welcoming staff ever (HEY, ESTHER AND JAKE!)! Whether you've been collecting comic books all your life or if you're a total newbie, this comic bookstore has something for everyone. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for recommendations - the staff here are super laid back and allow you to peruse at your own leisure, but also readily available to assist. I really appreciated the wide range of the different types of comics - manga, graphic novels, series, etc., - there are limited copies of each, but the staff members are more than happy to locate something that you're looking for or to order it for you. On another note, I have to give it up to Fantom in understanding my OCD and anal tendencies in regards to purchasing a 'newly/mint/superb-conditioned' item - I purchased a recently released book, and I noticed that as I was walking out, there were some minor bent pages in the middle (SCREAMS IN TERROR) - I told Esther about it, and she did not even flinch in regards to my craziness and replaced it right away - she even double-checked it herself and confirmed with me if the new copy was to my satisfaction :D There are even accessories, shirts, and toys to add to your collection or give as gifts. Everything is neatly organized and carefully displayed, and there are a few chairs here and there to sit down and check some of the items out. Be sure to be updated on their their in-store events, as they have some great local artists and authors who stop by for book signings and to hold speaking engagements :D You may be pleasantly surprised with what you find at this store and - maybe even uncover a hidden interest that you never thought you had! +great local comic book store +great variety of graphics for a broad range of interests +super friendly and helpful staff :D +ask for Esther and Jake :D +great in-store events - check their site! +limited/restricted 2-hour parking on Hopkins

Love this shop! It's such a friendly local comic book shop. I think my favorite thing is the kids section they have in the front. Came here with a younger family member who's getting into comics. It was nice to know they had a whole section to look out with out being worried it might be too adult for them. The shop is small - but I think still has a really great variety of books. The staff also seemed super friendly. Not local to that area - but it also looks like they do local events (pre-covid). Parking is a pain if your driving, there's some metered street spots nearby, but the metro is only a couple blocks away.

Stumbled upon this shop while waiting for dinner in the neighborhood. The staff is really friendly - provided some helpful recommendations for new authors for me to check out while not feeling pushy at all. I could tell that the woman who helped me was used to both hardcore comics fans as well as newbies which made my shopping experience more enjoyable. Loved that they have various tables with some staff picks with short descriptions on trades which helped me do my own browsing and discovery as well as that they have a huge selection of mainstream and indie comics. Be sure to check out the art they have in the stairs leading up to the shop as well as the shelves in the front which have marked down items.

Great shop in the heart of DuPont Circle. They the are not only extremely queer friendly, they make sure you know it as soon as you walk in. There is even a Pride section right up front. There is a happy and Uber friendly staff and a perfect atmosphere for coming shopping. It is a smallish shop, but space is at a premium around here and they make great use of the space they do have. I am extremely excited about the trades I picked up for my travels. Thanks for the help making sure I'm up for travel distractions!

I was attending a restaurant opening nearby and the whole time I was there, the boy kept tugging at my sleeve since he noticed a new comic book shop across the street and wanted to check it out before it closed down for the night. Before we even walked in, we were immediately impressed. The first person to greet us was Cyclops of X-Men fame, whose optic blast led us all the way up the stairs to the actual shop. Unlike most comic book shops I've been to, this place did not reek of corn chips and instant ramen. It was clean and spacious and even had a well-organized kids section for budding otakus. I don't read a lot of comic books (except Walking Dead) so while the boy perused the well-organized shelves I got to feast my eyes on all of the amazing art they have displayed on the walls. Staff was incredibly, incredibly friendly and helpful and they do a lot of programming to build a sense of camaraderie among the nerd community. Comics and Cocktails for the Gotham premiere? Sign me up! Ladies night? Book clubs? Karaoke night? Totally down. This is just about as local gem as you can get!

Nice location. Welcoming service. Great selection of inclusive comics. We'll be back!

This is the very first comic book store that I have been to and it was GREAT. The staff were friendly and helpful, the area had a place where you could read, all of the comics sorted all (they had everything you could ask for), the $1 pin bucket was worth it, the only thing that was bad was the area for parking but it's normal for Washington DC. I'll definitely come back.

Nice little place with a good selection. The staff was very helpful. It is a little store so don't expect too much, but the seemed very nice and i would return (we bought a few Manga's).

Last spring, I was on the lookout for a copy of a Marvel graphic novel, and I didn't want to wait for Amazon to get it back in stock. I also am always on the hunt for back issues of Spiderman, so having the opportunity to explore a local comic book store is always welcome. I saw that Fantom was in Dupont Circle, and I decided to check it out one evening; I was very pleased with my experience! Not only did they have graphic novel that I was looking for, but I found the staff to be quite helpful and attentive. Fantom also seemed to be a welcoming and queer-friendly comic book shop, which I found refreshing and quite rare when compared to other stores that I've visited. I would definitely visit it again if I were in DC!

It's an OK store. Great selection of new books, but not a lot of $1 books or back issues. Part of the fun of visiting a comic book shop is rummaging through back issues or long boxes, so that's a bummer. Some staffers are also very rude and pretentious. Each time I visited I had to wait at the register while the staff finishes gossiping. But, if you're looking for a spot to buy your new comic books, then I guess it gets the job done.

Bigger, Better, Brighter with shelves upon shelves of (almost) all the sequential art you could ever want and need in life, Fantom Comics returns to a new space in a new neighborhood to fulfill all your comic book needs. What hasn't changed? The friendly staff, management and owners reaching out to the community, engaging ALL of their patrons and standing behind the adage that "Comics Are For Everyone". Make your own comic book magnets and buttons, Ladies' Night, and other events (sign up for their email newsletter and/or 'like' their Facebook page so you can always be in the know). Connecting with local artists, organizations, groups to unite various geekdoms, promote indie works, and generally being very plugged into the local artist community. What has changed? Being able to peruse shelves without saying "Excuse me" every few moments, the gentle breeze of air conditioning to cool you as you get into heated (but respectable and intelligent) debates, the addition of sidewalk comic sales, space to accommodate more hardcore lady types* during ladies' night (and other events), and more space for more merchandise. Ah, but what 'tis a review without a few downsides? If you're looking specifically for manga, this probably isn't your store. Although I'm sure with more space and if more people request it, they'll eventually expand it beyond the one or two shelves it occupies now. The store is on the second level of a building and has no elevator, just stairs. So unfortunately it isn't accessible for the handicapped and those requiring the aid of walking devices. It may be difficult for the previous commuter patrons to make the detour over to this neighborhood since their previous Union Station location was more convenient for their daily journey but hopefully they won't ditch the store and still try to make it out to special events for the community aspect. If you're in Dupont Circle and wish to escape the evil throes of high priced artisan cafes and flocks of dudebros, or just want to talk about the latest Marvel movie while picking up a book or two, come check this store out!

Friendly staff. This shop has a great personality about it that offers up staff recommendations and short descriptions on new comics. They've got a little bit of everything for anyone that walks in. It lacks a tad in back issues but to make up for that their issues are only $1 when it hits that bin. Plus I really like all the art going up the stairwell.

Shoutout to Fantom Comics! My kid and I both love this place and their friendly nerd peeps. It's not easy to find a comic shop that mom & daughter can feel welcomed, chill in and get lost in the stacks together.

I took my 3 boys to the comic shop during my lunch break since the twins needed some goblins for their MTG deck. We all had a blast and I wish I would have visited the shop sooner. I was a little concerned to take 10 year olds and a toddler into a comic shop since I didn't think it was going to be inviting. However, this place is the best. The atmosphere is welcoming to all and the staff is awesome. They have various items besides the standard comic books. The twins got some MTG card packs and deck boxes.... Which was the plan. However, surprisingly I got books for their little brother... 3 Chu books and Super Red Riding Hood and a Wonder Woman umbrella for myself. I wish I had more time to look at the other kid book options since they had quite a few good ones. They have t-shirts, umbrellas, wallets, figurines, plush dolls, etc. All of which I had more time to browse. Plus, they have a little hangout area for the kids to sit and look at the books and just enjoy the shop... I found that to be really great. The owner is super awesome and the workers are great. She took the time out to talk to the boys about MTG, deck colors, etc. and got 10 year old boys to actually participate in a conversation. I really can't say much more besides that it is a GREAT shop, staff is awesome, and the atmosphere rocks. You won't be disappointed. It is also a good spot for that last minute gift for someone. Don't worry if you don't know a thing about comics since the staff can assist. Btw, thanks again for Super Grover 2.0... Myles has not let him out of his sight since he got him. You guys are the best!

I took my students here for a field trip and they loved it. The store had a little intro presentation and activity planned. It was short but my students said they had a great time. It was easy to schedule and the manager, Leah, was very helpful. I recommend it!

This store is the best! It's a cozy almost nook in the corner with the friendliest and most helpful staff, they have events during the week too like trivia etc and as a girl who doesn't know a ton about comics they were super sweet and helpful when I was trying to find something for a gift! Rafael is the best!

Daytime review: Friendly staff, good selection and it's bigger on the inside than it looks. The lady who helped me was knowledgeable and we talked about the upcoming Hellboy movie. They also have a bathroom for customers. They do not have a handicap entrance as you have to go up stairs to get inside. 4 out of 5 I'm a fan.

Truly one of DC's hidden gems. The staff's phenomenal and helpful every time! They hold great events, are politically active and always supporting amazing causes. Also the friendliest shop to play MTG in the DMV so you definitely should check it out.

I stopped in for the first time to browse for early Christmas gifts. Be warned, you need to look for the Subway sandwich store and look for the stairs to find it (although that's not the store's fault). The selection tends to breakdown into three categories: very new releases, graphic novels, and "alt" comics that may be harder to find elsewhere (LGBTQ focused, Hispanic authors, etc.). If you're a comics rookie, the friendly staff can help you navigate their selection. I'll be a visitor when I need a gift because I know it's likely I'll find something for a comics fan.

I bought the BoomBox Mix Tape collection from Fantom Comics on a super windy day last year. About half an hour later, the wind literally tore the comic out of my hand. It disappeared into the night, never to be seen again. I walked back into Fantom, prepared to spend another $10 to re-buy it. Instead, they replaced my copy FOR FREE. FREE, PEOPLE! You literally could not ask for better service.

Whether you're a long time comic reader, looking to start your pull list or just popping in for a visit, this is an outstanding comic shop. They have a great mix of mainstream and indie titles and the staff is super helpful and friendly. It's an inclusive environment open to all types of people. They are happy to offer recommendations if you're not sure what you're looking for. I have been a customer for 2 years since I first moved to DC and have never had a bad experience. My only caveat would be is it is a smaller shop so not a huge selection of collectibles/toys/etc but they carry some of those as well. They also have a lot of events like book clubs, creator visits, workshops and game nights though I can't speak to them as well since I've never been (unless you count the time I came to pick up my books and Ta-Nehisi Coates happened to be doing an event- it was packed!).

This little gem above the subway (sandwiches) is super awesome. The clerks are super helpful and knowledgeable about everything and this location even has events. Learn how to play magic and book clubs, for comics. I think they even carry some local writers. Double awesome! I definitely will return. The only down side is the store itself is small. Once you walk in the door you can pretty much see the entire store. Nothing is very hidden. I would consider this a modern bookstore, I don't remember seeing collectable issues but there was some cool art work. Overall great place.

My favorite comic book shop! The staff are always extremely friendly and give the best recommendations. As a lady, sometimes going into comic book shops is a bit intimidating. I'm not enough of a superfan to know exactly what to ask or look for but that is not an issue at Fantom. Staff are never aloof or condescending and even other customers are really friendly and helpful. It really speaks to the kind of people/community they try to encourage at the shop. They are also super responsive over email having received a reply an hour after I submitted a question about an app error. They constantly have events and when I went to the Free Comic Book Day event it was a good mix of all ages and genders having a good time. Finally shout outs to Esther and Jake who I had a great nerdy conversation with. I asked Jake to recommend a comic for a friend's kid who just moved here from overseas. He suggested Battling Boy which was perfect - a story about a boy who has to leave his home and be a hero on another world. The giftee really related to the book and loved it! TL;DR: Friendly comics shop with great selection and events.

While strolling around Dupont Circle, I stumbled upon Fantom Comic and decided to venture inside -- talk about a great decision! I was greeted immediately by an incredibly friendly staff. Upon mentioning that I was a new transplant, they invited me to multiple events they were hosting as a way to meet new, nerdy people. They also discussed the importance of having a comic shop that was welcoming to women and other individuals, which I thought was very cool and thoughtful. Their comic selection was smaller than I to which I was normally accustomed, but the store was clean and didn't feel cluttered. When I mentioned my fatigue with Marvel/DC, staff recommended branching into the Image series, Saga, which I bought. Great recommendation, as I am now completely hooked! I will definitely be coming back!

Seriously the worst comic book store experience of my life. Cashier was Way more interested in chatting with her friends than taking my business. There were at least 4 employees in there, only 2 people in line in front of me and I Still couldn't get checked out! They just kept talking like no one was waiting! I stood in line for literally 20 minutes before I gave up, put my selections back, and left. And no one seemed to mind! I know it's not easy for a comic book store these days- willfully letting business walk out the door is just asking to go out of business. The worst part is that they had a really good selection and an overall cool store- but that doesn't do me any good if I can't actually buy anything. I've never said this before but the world would be better off without this comic book store.

I went out of my way to find a good comic chop in DC and couldn't be more happy to have found Fantom. It's a gorgeous, spacious place with great decorations and a well-organized selection of comics and related products. They have a kid's section and everything is clearly labeled and easy to find. The staff was really friendly and welcoming. Unlike other places I've been to, it really felt like the staff was on my side. They were helpful and weren't at all judgmental about me or my girlfriend being relatively new to comics. I was there to pick up one of the new issues of Star Wars and one of the employees asked me about the other Star Wars comics. He seemed to share his own excitement rather than try to make a sale. We chatted a bit and he taught me about bagging and boarding comics. The whole time we were there, my girlfriend kept saying how much she liked the place too, which made me a happy guy. So many stores I've been to have been unwelcoming and dismissive to women or newbies. It's as if other shop owners want to hoard their nerdy interests instead of share them. Fantom was great about making us feel welcome and helping us learn more about comics and comic culture. I am super-happy with this place, and it makes me wish I lived in the area so I could frequent it.

My SO and I were out for a date night in Dupont, somewhere we don't normally venture to. We had some time to kill after our dinner, a few restaurants away and we saw the comic shop so we decided to pop in. This seriously blew my mind. We live in Arlington and the comic shop we regularly go to is not female friendly or indie comic friendly at all. So I got tons of perfect comic shop fuzzies when there was an entire table for lady comics and huge displays for non-Marvel/DC comics. AND THERE'S A LADY'S NIGHT???? I am SOLD.

Cute store with a good selection of contemporary comics but what really stood out is the staff. They were not only helpful but also knowledgeable about what is happening in the mainstream comic world and know enough about their selection to find something to match your personal taste. Not great for action figures or collectibles but for up to date comics it's probably the best shop in DC.

Aw man, I was hoping to be the first to review. Such a convenient location - right off of dupont. What really struck me about this shop though was that their staff is exactly the opposite of the stereotypical obnoxious comic book store staff. Everyone in there was SO DAMN NICE and friendly and welcoming and helpful. Seriously, it's like their main goal is to make sure you like comics as much as they do, and they want to make sure that you check out the stuff you're actually interested in. Unfortunately, I mail order a lot of my comics because it's about as expensive for me as it would be to take the bus to any other part of town (i live in an annoying, non-metro accessible neighborhood), but I could see myself going here anyway because they seem to like to get really involved in their community. even though I'm a guy, I think it's awesome how much stuff they do to help get women involved in comics/make women feel more comfortable as comic book fans. All around, they are rad people running a rad store. I strongly recommend this place. ps. also love that they have a clearly marked "kids" section.

Nicest looking comic store I've ever seen. Super organized and well-lit -both novel for a comic shop. Found stuff for myself and the little man to read. The wife liked it too and the bathroom art is super-cool.

ThIs place is awesome!! the guy that works there is really chill and super nice. the place is small which is cool but its walls are lined with endless comics!

Never thought of a comic shop to be more than q comic shop. I started following them on Facebook becausr they had some interesting events. Cocktail hour, book club, showings and even burlesque! So I gave in and went to their first burlesque show. They had beer! They had music! Staff was friendly! Show was great! I never thought id ever rate another comic shop 5 stars. This place is definitely deserving of its high praise. Makes me want to start a subscription so I have an excuse to visit with purpose.

****JOE'S JURY DUTY YELP-A-THON: reviewing every damn thing, because there's nothing else to do when you're hanging out at the DC Courts and they've got great Wifi. In the spirit of truth and justice, all reviews will be mad real**** I want this place to be my local. I want to love them and feel the love back. They seem like wonderful awesome people, their selection is good, they know their stuff and their heart is in the right place. But! Every time I looked into buying something here, the price was basically double what I'd pay online. Not "a bit more." Not "well, that's the reality of brick-and-mortar, that's the price we pay for the feeling of community." Effin' *double*. And we're talking about anthologies and graphic novels, where 'double' can mean an extra 20-60 bucks. When it comes time to get my nerd on in board game form, I buy a lot of my stuff at Labyrinth games+puzzles down by Eastern Market. Sure, it costs more than off Amazon, but a community space is important and that's something we've all gotta invest in if we want it to stick around. But their mark-up is way less than Fantom's, and having a communal space is way more important for board gaming than it is for comics (just being real here, you can read a comic by yourself but you can't play a board game by yourself). Here's what Fantom should do: when I, Joe Schmoe w/ money to spend, walk in that door and ask them if they can order me Graphic Novel XYZ and what it might cost, they should just straight-up look it up on Amazon. Then they should quote me 10-20% above Amazon's price, and just flat out order the book off Amazon and resell it to me. Because that 10-20% premium is what I'd pay to have a cool comics store with friendly and awesome people like them in my neighborhood backyard. But whatever Scrooge McDuck of a supplier they're using right now is just beyond what I can roll with. Again: these guys/girls are great, their shop is great, and I'm saying all this in the spirit of hoping it works out for them.

This was an amazing experience !!! The customer service and help provide here best I've seen in a while!!!! I came in looking to buy a gift I was clueless on what it should be or any ideas and the two ladies there helped me and made me feel so comfortable as I was clearly lost! They made me want to read comics! Thank you for being soooo kind and helpful ladies

Right upstairs from the subway sandwiches, Fantom Comics has a good array of the latest comics, discounted back issues, graphic novels, and other geeky comic merchandise on display. The store is a little small, but easy to browse through. They also hold tabletop gaming meetups every Friday and usually have other events going on monthly. The staff members here are friendly and helpful.

To be upfront: I'm not a comic book person. If anywhere was going to turn me into one it is this shop. They are super welcoming, helpful, have great events and build a great community. Such a gem to have!

Was there Thursday night after a long drive from savannah ga, the staff were amazing, so helpful and friendly! Made my experience a great one and got a bunch of beautiful comics to take home to savannah. Can't thank them enough to be honest and I can't wait to visit them again. God bless guys and keep up the amazing work.

My daughter had stopped here the other day. She was so excited that she dragged us all there for another visit knowing her parents are pushovers and would purchase another book. The store is visually appealing. I love the chalkboard calendar they keep. All the new comics appeared to be present. Lots of graphic novels. There was some manga, which appealed to my daughter. What I did not see, however, were the crates of old comic books that are replete in other comic book stores. This place appears to deal with just the new stuff. The Superman painting behind the counter is awesome!

Oh, Fantom, how I wish you weren't in Dupont! I selfishly would love for you to be much closer to my house. I really, really enjoy this shop - specifically for current issues/variants and books. I was looking once for a variant cover my friend did, and when I didn't see it on the shelves the person working was so helpful - knew exactly where it was and grabbed it for me. While she was ringing me up we chatted about the books I bought, the books I like, and we moved on to talking video games and other such subjects. It is definitely not easy for me to get to the neighborhood, but it's worth it for the environment. I am definitely going to try to make it out to some events, it's clear the community is strong here!

Fantastic! Great for all ages, hard to find titles. Helpful, knowledgeable staff. Separate area for kids.

SO WONDERFUL! I used to live on Capitol Hill years ago and frequent the Fantom at Union Station and loved it. Tonight I was in town and passed this location in Dupont and had to stop in. What I found was delightful - the store was packed and loud and it was all women! Turns out it was ladies night, so maybe not a regular occurrence but it was the most comfortable and welcome I've ever felt in a comic book store. Highly recommend, just like the old location!