Where to get comic books in the suburbs

Thanks to the success of TV shows such as "Arrow," "Doctor Who" and "Gotham," and movie franchises starring Batman, Iron Man and Captain America, geekdom has become mainstream.

That's a good thing for comic book shops in the Chicago suburbs.

If you're looking for the latest adventures of the X-Men, the Avengers, the Flash, Supergirl, or countless other heroes and heroines, check out one of these shops.

To find stores elsewhere in the suburbs or around the nation, visit comicshoplocator.com.

Comix Revolution

The stereotypical comic book shop is a dark, dank hole of a store staffed by socially awkward misanthropes. That's certainly not the case for Mount Prospect's Comix Revolution, 115 West Central Road. With large picture windows letting in a ton of natural light, the store - which turns 20 this year - is a bright and welcoming place to get comics and related merchandise, such as T-shirts, statuettes and posters.

Comix Revolution also has a knowledgeable staff willing to order books and other items they may not have on hand.

A sister store operates in Evanston.

For more, visit online-revolution.com. You can also call the Mount Prospect store at (847) 506-0800 or the Evanston store at (847) 866-8659.

Dreamland Comics

A favorite destination for Lake County comic book collectors, Dreamland operates at 105 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. It offers the newest comics and graphic novels and a large collection of back issues if you've missed one.

Dreamland also caters to people who play collectible card games, especially Magic: The Gathering. Gamers often can be found competing at a folding table at the back of the store.

For more, visit dreamland-comics.com or call (847) 680-0727.

Aw Yeah Comics

Co-founded by award-winning comic book creator and Streamwood resident Art Baltazar, Aw Yeah is one of the more kid-friendly comic shops in the Chicago area. Brightly painted, the store at 4933 Oakton St., Skokie, features a large selection of all-ages comics as well as comfy chairs and couches for reading time.

Baltazar and store co-founder - and fellow comic book creator - Franco Aureliani regularly appear at the store's events, as do other writers and artists from the Chicago area and across the country.

For more, visit awyeahcomics.com/skokie or call (847) 423-2916.

Graham Crackers

One of the nation's largest chains of comic book stores, Graham Crackers has 10 outlets in Chicago, the suburbs and Wisconsin. The suburban stores are in Naperville, Downers Grove, St. Charles and Wheaton.

Graham Crackers doesn't just sell comics and related merchandise. It's also a place for people who make comics - amateurs and pros - to gather and trade tips. Every Wednesday night, artists gather at the Wheaton store for a sketch night.

For more, visit grahamcrackers.com. You can also call the Naperville store at (630) 355-4310, the Downers Grove shop at (630) 852-1810, the St. Charles store at (630) 584-0610 or the Wheaton store at (630) 668-1350.