Desert Island

I care about this bookstore more than I can say. Gabe, and this wonderful store has been my home away from home in the comic-​department.

It’s always a good thing to have a zine and comic shop around, and this one is wonderful. Nice selection, friendly staff, and (mostly) good music.

The owner is so nice, even though I was a bit rough on the books in my excitement (even though I am a librarian!). Got a really cool book by Frank Black and the owner let me know that he liked that one a lot. Go out of your way to visit this place when you’re in town.

The loose toy box for a buck each is the thing to check here, just try to ignore the silent staffer with no initiative, unusual for comic store.

I was shocked to see the few less then 5 star reviews and felt compelled to chime in. An important cultural Brooklyn goldmine! Curated with so much love, care and knowledge I find myself overwhelmed and fascinated every visit. Though I’m not well-​versed in contemporary comics, I always experience great informative service without any «judgement». Gabe’s magazine «Smoke Signals» is worth the visit alone.

Love the books in the store but Gabe is literally the rudest most disrespectful man I have encountered in a very long time. I sold a book there and he never even contacted me to tell me it was sold. When I did to ask about it he never responded. I tried again and he finally got back to me and said I could come in and pick up the money. Yesterday, I did so and I wasn’t even upset or angry with him I just quietly approached him about my percentage of the profit. He immediately flew into patronizing fit of accusations towards me when I had literally only said a few words to him. As I stood there quiet and extremely uncomfortable he continues by telling me he didn’t know why I was being so «nervous» and «bent out of shape» (which I wasn’t) and how «$ 4.75 isn’t that big of a deal» (which was completely beside the point) and how it’s a «pain in the ass for him» to check if artists work has been sold or not (which is his job and not my problem. Don’t offer this service if you can’t handle it). Incredibly aggressive and disgusting behavior. I usually love going to that store but I was honestly shocked.

awesome place! all kinds of graphic novels and books the guy running the shop was great I ended up getting a shaolin cowboy book. because zombies. any way he told us where some local art work could be found, broke out the giant madd magazine book and flipped through it with us. And didnt rip my head off when, I accidentally started to set my coffee down on a book.

Yes it’s pricey, but they have some super weird stuff in there in addition to a fair selection of best-​sellers. What left the greatest impression on me was the very chill atmosphere of the place. The guy at the counter was very welcoming, and kept the store open past closing even when I was the only person in there. Eventually he very politely kicked me out, as was his right to do. See you next time, Desert Island.

Great Service — Top store /​Gabe was super helpful and really knowledgeable, I was looking for a rare and out of print book (some other stores in the city looked at me like I was crazy and had never heart of the title or the artist) I emailed the store, Gabe got right back to me and kept the book aside for me until i dashed over to Brooklyn. Ace store. Thanks Gabe!

Went in here a few months back. I’m new to comics so was a little overwhelmed with all the choices, I was really excited but wasn’t sure where I should start. I haven’t read a lot of graphic novels yet and wanted to get into a few books but was looking for some good recommendations. The store clerk was busy talking with a girl for most of the time I was there. I wanted to wait for them to finish their conversion but they went on and on. In the end I went somewhere else. I don’t think the employee was ignoring me, but was just caught up in a conversation about a book which is totally understandable, but I really needed some help. Seems like this isn’t the place to go if you’re a casual reader or new to comics. Might give it another shot some time.

A local gem. They have everything from local zines to big name manga and illustration. We just did a bunch of our holiday shopping here (and a fair bit for ourselves).

One time I came in and the owner or proprietor refused to buy my zine about the female anchors of Fox News in order of how much I beat off to them. Then he started screeching at me like a big bird and chased me around his store, again like a big bird. As I left the store I noticed that the sign said «ostrich sanctuary.» Which is a strange way to spell «comic books» but a lot of the comics were European. I bought some cool and informative ornithology zines.

Good graphic novel selection. The comic book selection is small but well-​chosen. Seems to support local writers/​artists.

This is a cute little comic book store nestled in Williamsburg, well worth checking out at least once. In addition to some classic and new comics, it also has a selection of interesting novelty books and magazines. Much smaller than comparable stores, e.g. Galaxy, Mid-​Town, among others, but the coziness does add something to its overall ambience.
If you’re a comics aficionado and live in Brooklyn, you might want to drop by and see what’s happening.

I was going through my old reviews and I didn’t see that Gabe (as I see he is called) wrote 2 messages to me explaining/​apologizing for our last interaction. Even though I still feel a bit salty about the whole brief interaction that took place I can appreciate a store owner who takes the time out address a customer because he doesn’t have to do it especially when he has so many good reviews. I will check out his store again «with out my bike this time» and redo my review.

The best.
Of all the «Cool Stores» I’ve been to, (Aquarius Records, I’m looking at you) this one is the only one who has a proprietor and clerk who’s worth a damn.
That said, the collection of Comic Booklets (he needs the old sign back) is superb. I can never leave here without buying something.
Check out the zines!

Desert Island has been a favorite destination of mine for quite some time. Although I am not in the comic arts scene, I thoroughly enjoy the variety and quality of the comics in this store. The store is constantly changing and adding new items, and I have spent many hours flipping through books here. Once I had visited a couple times, the owner also became very skilled at pinpointing my taste and recommending artists and authors to me that I genuinely appreciated and enjoyed.
Anyone who has negative remarks to make about Desert Island or the owner must be totally out to lunch– the owner does a remarkable job of keeping a humble and tastefully curated shop thriving in a quickly gentrified neighborhood, while still being an active community member in the arts scene. This is an essential place for the arts in Brooklyn.

Desert Island is one of my favorite comic shops in the city. They consistently have great comics/​graphic novels and I’m always able to find something new. You should go there. Now.
I’m obsessed with the french comics that they have on the back shelf silk screened in vivid neon colors. I believe most of them come from a french publisher called Le Dernier Cri:
So mesmerizing, and really reminiscent of fort thunder comics out of Providence, RI (Brian Chippendale, Mat Brinkman, CF, etc.). The guy behind the counter is also very nice and knows his shit.

I’m not into this scene — I don’t know much about comics, zines, graphic novels, etc. But, even if I don’t speak the language, I can appreciate and enjoy the occasional traipse to Desert Island. My boyfriend brought us here a couple of times and I would say I actually enjoyed browsing their well-​stocked selection of random art/​comic books. It’s a small store but it is so well-​organized, and very nicely adorned. You can tell the owner (s) truly care about their store and the image that it projects, an inviting space, open to young and old. Here, we scored this awesome collection for the bf (
). Not that I know a drop about the artist, but hey, it was approved by JJ Abrams (uhh hello fans:
)!
Seriously, this is the mecca for comic arts nerds. And, I mean that in the best way possible.

I really want hours and hours and maybe a bag of snacks with me while I explore this comic book store. It’s not as big as say, Midtown Comics, but it packs a punch in character. Indie comics, zines, and art prints galore! Books, graphic novels and the guy who works here is super chill.
jhgbnklvm must return!