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Terms & Reference

A reference guide for the tags, badges, amenities, and specialties used throughout the Local Comic Shop directory.

Tags

Tags categorise a store's primary focus areas and are used for filtering in the discovery view.

  • Apparel & Merch

    T-shirts, hats and other branded merchandise.

  • Appraisals & Grading

    Values collections and prepares books for professional grading.

  • Back Issues

    Vintage and collectible comic books.

  • Board Games

    Board and card games for the table.

  • Buys Collections

    Purchases comic and game collections from customers.

  • CCG & TCG

    Collectible and trading card games, singles and sealed.

  • Collectibles

    Action figures, statues, and memorabilia.

  • Comics

    Wide selection of comic books.

  • Consignment

    Sells customer-owned items on their behalf for a share of the sale.

  • Dollar Bins

    Discount boxes of inexpensive back issues to dig through.

  • Event Space

    Room set aside for signings, launches and community events.

  • Games

    Tabletop games and gaming accessories.

  • Grading Submission

    Assistance with third-party grading submissions.

  • Imports

    Comics and collectibles imported from outside the local market.

  • Kids Section

    A shelf or corner stocked with all-ages comics for younger readers.

  • Magazines

    Magazines stocked alongside the comics.

  • Manga

    Japanese comics and graphic novels.

  • New Releases

    This week's new comics on the shelf.

  • Online & Mail Order

    Sells online and ships orders as well as trading in store.

  • Original Art

    Original pages and artwork by comic creators.

  • Posters & Prints

    Posters, art prints and wall art.

  • Pull & Hold Service

    Recurring comic reservation service for customers.

  • RPGs

    Tabletop role-playing games and accessories.

  • Sanctioned Play

    Officially sanctioned organised play and tournaments.

  • Slabs

    Graded and certified comics available.

  • Statues & Figures

    Statues, busts and action figures.

  • Subscriptions

    Standing subscription orders for ongoing series.

  • Supplies

    Bags, boards, boxes and other collection supplies.

  • Trades & Graphic Novels

    Collected editions and graphic novels.

  • Trading Cards

    Sports and entertainment trading cards.

  • Used Games

    Pre-owned games bought and resold.

  • Variants

    Variant and alternative covers.

  • Vintage

    Older comics from earlier decades.

Badges

Badges are what reviewers vote a store is known for.

  • All are Welcome

    Reviewers say everyone gets a warm welcome here, whoever they are.

  • Ask the Staff

    Reviewers say the staff know their stuff and are glad to help you find it.

  • Back Issue Destination

    Reviewers say the back issue boxes are the reason to come.

  • Community Hub

    Reviewers say this is where the local comics community gathers.

  • Digger's Delight

    Reviewers say the bins reward a good long dig.

  • Events & Atmosphere

    Reviewers say the events, and the room they happen in, are the draw.

  • Great for New Readers

    Reviewers say this is an easy first comic shop to walk into.

  • Hidden Gem

    Reviewers say this shop deserves to be better known than it is.

  • Indie Friendly

    Reviewers say the indie and small-press shelves get real attention here.

  • Local Spotlight

    Reviewers say this shop puts local creators and local work front and centre.

  • Pull List Paradise

    Reviewers say the pull and hold service is run well.

  • Staff Picks That Slap

    Reviewers say the staff recommendations are consistently worth taking.

  • Variant Hunter

    Reviewers say this is the shop to find variant covers.

  • Worth the Drive

    Reviewers say this shop is worth going out of your way for.

Amenities

Amenities describe the physical features and conveniences a store offers to customers.

  • Accessible Entrance

    Step-free entrance into the shop.

  • Accessible Parking

    Parking spaces designated for guests with accessibility needs.

  • Accessible Restroom

    A customer restroom with accessible fittings.

  • Accessible Seating

    Seating usable by customers with mobility needs.

  • ATM / Cash Machine

    A cash machine on site or immediately outside.

  • Bike Parking

    On-site bike rack available for customer use.

  • Card Payment Accepted

    Major credit and debit cards accepted at checkout.

  • Coffee

    Complimentary or for-purchase coffee offered in store.

  • Drinks & Snacks

    Snacks and beverages available for purchase on site.

  • Food

    Hot food or a kitchen on site.

  • Free WiFi

    Free wireless internet access provided for guests.

  • Gaming Tables

    Shared tables open for casual or organised play.

  • Kid-Friendly Space

    A space set up with younger visitors in mind.

  • Lot Parking

    Dedicated parking lot or private garage for customers.

  • Mobile Payment Accepted

    Digital wallet and tap-to-pay options accepted at checkout.

  • Pet-Friendly

    Well-behaved pets are welcome in the shop.

  • Public Restroom

    A restroom customers can use.

  • Public Transit Nearby

    Convenient access to nearby bus, train, or transit stops.

  • Reading Area

    Somewhere to sit and read before you buy.

  • Seating

    Chairs or benches for customers to sit.

  • Street Parking

    Customer parking available in nearby street spaces.

  • Vending Machines

    Vending machines for drinks or snacks on site.

Specialties

Specialties describe what a store is known for stocking or doing especially well.

  • Back Issues

    Deep back issue boxes covering earlier runs and single issues.

  • Buy & Trade

    Buys collections and accepts trade-ins for cash or store credit.

  • Dollar Bins & Bargains

    Discount bins and bargain boxes worth digging through.

  • Events & Signings

    In-store appearances and signings by creators.

  • Graded & Slabbed

    Graded, slabbed and certified books for collectors.

  • Graphic Novels & Trades

    Collected editions and graphic novels across the shelves.

  • Indie & Small Press

    Strong selection of independent and small press comics.

  • Kids & All-Ages

    All-ages comics chosen with younger readers in mind.

  • LGBTQ+ Focused

    Queer creators and stories given shelf space and attention.

  • Manga & Global Comics

    Manga and comics translated from around the world.

  • Original Comic Art

    Original pages and artwork by comic creators, for sale.

  • Pull & Hold Service

    A pull list run well enough to be the reason regulars stay.

  • Toys, Statues & Collectibles

    A serious range of toys, statues and collectibles, not a single shelf.

  • Underground & Alternative

    Underground, alternative and countercultural comics.

  • Vintage & Key Issues

    Vintage books and key issues for collectors.