Villainous Lair Comics & Gaming

What a great place to have in the neighborhood! Very friendly staff. On our first visit there were quite a few people playing games in the back. We found the party game we were looking for as part of their giant wall of alphabetized indie games. Nice Darth Vader too.
We’ll be back.
The kids liked that there were almost no electronics games in the place.
Looked like a nice collection comics, but I’ll check that out another time.
…since Unilocal asks, nice bike racks in front.

Really fun neighborhood place to hang out with friends, play games, and maybe bring some food. They have a very wide selection of games you can try out. The staff is very knowledgeable and their prices are comparable to Amazon which is nice.

Loved this place !!! Everybody was so nice and pleasant. They answered our questions. I was super impressed that they had a changing table in the bathroom and a play corner for kids !!!
We need more places like this one. I’m really interested in the Yugioh tournaments that they have on Saturdays at 4pm. I’m definitely going to have to check those out. But I’m definitely going to be back. Thank you !!!

I’m extremely happy I met the Villainous Lair team. Not only were they nice and friendly but they seemed to know a lot about their merchandise and goods. I also had the pleasure to meet the comics at their last Dress for Breast cancer awareness comedy show and they were awesome. I’m glad I drove from LA to scope out the store and comedy show.

Alright, it’s about effing time I write a review. I guess I’ve been procrastinating because Chris and the rest of the villains at the Lair deserve nothing less than a perfect review. «Quit making excuses!» Shut the front door voices in my head! (See how I’m mindful of the kids who might be reading this?)
OK so here’s how I determine they’re a 5.
Overall area rating (i) = rating of area from 0 – 5 (t) x how important that area is from a scale of 1 to 5 (n)
Overall Rating = i total/​n count
–Recent back issues: 5 x 5
If you want to start reading a series a year after its first issue is published, you’re bound to find at least half.
–Overall Pricing: 5 x 5
Discount on your pull, no minimum titles. Pretty good dollar bin and goods!
–Variety of Supplies: 4 x 5
–Pricing on supplies: 5 x 5
On point. Not too inflated, but not a bargain.
–Organization: 5 x 4
It’s easy to find titles.
–Store hours: 5 x 2
They’re open till 10 on New Comic Book Day!
–Genuine staff friendliness: 5 x 4
My radar senses detect good friendly energy.
–Variety: 5 x 5
From Valiant’s Ivar the Timewalker to Marvel…
–Availability of comics much older than you (bronze golden silver age): 0 x 2
–Care of the comics: 5 x 3
Every comic is bagged and boarded (except the free ones).
–How fast they answer the phone: 5 x 1
–Having comics from your pull items bagged and boarded and ready for you on new comic book day: 5 x 5
–Gaming: 5×1. This rating should be a 4 because they don’t have Puerto Rico. Tsk tsk.
–Merchandise: 5 x 1
–Staff knowledge: 5 x 5
Everyone there knows their shiz and they’re humble about it. No pissing match over Hero so and so’s first appearance. Even if there are debates they’re always friendly.
–Variant copies: 2 x 4
–Trades: 5 x 3
–CGC stuff: 3 x 1
–Rewards club and other discounts: 5 x 2
–Air Conditioner: 5 x 5
–Location: 5 x 3
Never had to park more than a block away.
72 = n count
326 = i total
Rating=4.5278, rounding up that’s a 5.
I’ll have to get my humanoid servant to check the math when it comes back from repairs.
But yeah that’s my quantified review. Another way I can express how the Villains are villainously villainous: my bf and I got into 2 new tabletop games cuz of the villains. My bf who like many folks were avid comic collectors/​readers back in the day and then stopped cuz they couldn’t afford it for awhile and then are getting back into it. well my bf walked into the lair for the first time and walked out with a trade. Jump a few months later and we’ve got subscriptions. Chris my man, you reignited my bfs love for comics. my bf stopped collecting when he moved out to California. Now he’s bringing back boxes and boxes gradually from his parents house back east and we’re going through a massive rebagging and boarding project.
Oh frak, went off on a tangent. Need to go back and edit this review. Dammit this is why I don’t write reviews. OK back to the subject at hand. Villainous Lair is the place to go if you’ve never been in a comic book store before like me. The villains will bring you to the villainous side and ignite a passion for this art that you didn’t know existed. Get a new place with an extra room to store all the comics you’ll be buying and be in pain 29 days a month as you painfully wait for your next issue. Bwahahahahahaha! Just kidding.

Alright, it’s about effing time I write a review. I guess I’ve been procrastinating because Chris, Aaron, T and the rest of the villains at the Lair deserve nothing less than a perfect review. «Quit making excuses!» Shut the front door voices in my head! (See how I’m mindful of the kids who might be reading this?)
OK so here’s how I determine they’re a 5.
Overall area rating (i) = rating of area from 0 – 5 (t) x how important that area is from a scale of 1 to 5 (n)
Overall Rating = i total/​n count
–Recent back issues: 5 x 5
If you want to start reading a series a year after its first issue is published, you’re bound to find at least half.
–Overall Pricing: 5 x 5
Discount on your pull, no minimum titles. Pretty good dollar bin and goods!
–Variety of Supplies: 4 x 5
–Pricing on supplies: 5 x 5
On point. Not too inflated, but not a bargain.
–Organization: 5 x 4
It’s easy to find titles.
–Store hours: 5 x 2
They’re open till 10 on New Comic Book Day!
–Genuine staff friendliness: 5 x 4
My radar senses detect good friendly energy.
–Variety: 5 x 5
From Valiant’s Ivar the Timewalker to Marvel…
–Availability of comics much older than you (bronze golden silver age): 0 x 2
–Care of the comics: 5 x 3
Every comic is bagged and boarded (except the free ones).
–How fast they answer the phone: 5 x 1
–Having comics from your pull items bagged and boarded and ready for you on new comic book day: 5 x 5
–Gaming: 5×1. This rating should be a 4 because they don’t have Puerto Rico. Tsk tsk.
–Merchandis

I don’t really do comics, so I can’t comment on that half of the store, but the gaming half is phenomenal. The back of the store is a giant room lined with shelves and shelves of games for sale, surrounded by tables and chairs for everyone to use. They have a giant selection running the gamut from the German classics to TV show tie-​ins to those ones with little hand-​painted figures that I have never dared to try.
The central playing area is basic (plastic tables and folding chairs), but there’s tons of space. Anyone is welcome to come and play, and some Meetup groups have regular evens here. There’s no charge and no pressure to purchase. You can bring your own games, or there’s a corner with open store copies. I don’t know how this makes for a successful business model, but I’m very grateful for it. Thanks so much for always giving us space!
The best thing though is the attitude. Some nerdy enclaves can be very unfriendly for women, but I’ve never had anything but positive experiences here. I always get a cheerful greeting and a smile when I walk in, an occasional offer of help when I’m browsing, and am left alone when I’m playing.
In other words, great customer service.

I’ve been coming here for at least 3 years and it’s hands down the best comic book and gaming shop I have ever been to. They have a huge selection of comics, and all comics that are not the most current issue are 50% off. You can’t beat that! The people that work there are extremely friendly and helpful. I’ve had three people at a time help me find new comics that I might like, with zero pressure to buy anything. And if you haven’t been to their newer and larger location then check it out!

I came in there on a random week night to check them out. I have been thinking about getting into RPG’s in addition to finding someplace closer for some warhammer 40k games/​products. This place did not disappoint! They had tons of codex for 40k along with paint and the miniatures. They also had a large selection of RPG books and campaigns and rule books. They have a big bin of dice that you can just dip a coffee mug into and purchase what comes out. the other dice set selection was great! the staff was dreadful and awesome. They hit that sweet spot of checking I with you just enough to times with out being overbearing and when I needed help they were way more than capable and eager to!

Me and my son will return we were greeted and treated very nice … Wish these had more stuff but we will return

I just wanted to say these guys were awesome! They came to SDCC (Comic Con) and were giving out free gym sack bags filled with goodies as a survival pack outside of Comic Con. There was a water bottle, shades, coupon to their shop, and other things.
All the staff present in handing out had big smiles and positive vibes. I’m very grateful that they provided these bags.
Although I’m not from the area, it definitely gives me reason to check them out every time I am.

I moved to the area back in 2013, and I wish I had discovered this place back then.
I play a few different games, and I have recently (thanks to Villainous Lair) gotten back into comics. The selection of product is amazing, as they have hundreds of issues and I have never had issues with the pull system.
The gaming area is MASSIVE in comparison to nearly every other place I have been. They provide gaming tables for 40k and Warhammer fantasy, as well as special custom made board for Star Trek Attack Wing and X-​Wing. They are very knowledge able about the comics, and if you talk to the right staff members (ask questions about who the best person is), they are very knowledgeable regarding most of the major games. They have a large selection of Demo games available to try before you buy (BIG deal for me).
I have been a regular here for a while, and will continue to be into the future.

I come here every week for my comic «fix», and I gotta say that they take care of customer service better than most. I’ve encountered at least 8 different staff there, and all of them were more than happy to help. They also have extensive knowledge of the comic storylines. If you are looking for a shop that submits books for CGC slabbing, this is a place to do that as well.
They have pull lists so that you can get the comic you want without fear of missing it, plus it gives a discount toward other purchases.

My son & I stopped in here after the zoo recently and were impressed with the size of the store and the friendliness of the staff. They have a small-​ish section of «all ages» comics, a decent selection of new releases (which seemed to be picked over when I was there because they didn’t have any of the titles I was looking for, unfortunately) and they have a HUGE game room with a bazillion different games.
It’s a great setup, it’s a convenient location, and there are a bunch of nice people working there. I’ll definitely stop by next time I’m in town.

I’m just rating the comic section of this store.
The selection off back issues is not as big in this store compared to the other major comic book stores in San Diego; however, the back issues are taken care of much better. All of the new releases are immediately bagged and boarded which is awesome. Even the graphic novels are bagged. As a newbie collector, I think this is an awesome concept since other stores damage some of the new releases by stacking them on some shelf or railing without being bagged and boarded. This place is definitely worth a visit and is reasonably priced compared to the other stores.

Always a treat to come here. Still loving the new location. This visit they were having a good sized Magic event going on. Guys and gals battling it out with their deck (s) of cards. Ended up getting myself some comic books and box of the the Icons Of The Realms– Elemental Evil miniatures. D&D my homies.

I had never stepped foot in a comic store in my life until a couple months ago — and I’m glad I chose to start here!
The employees are all very friendly and knowledgeable, and the selection is great. I set up an account with them so they’ll hold the comics I want — quick and easy.
I don’t know if they do this often, but one time I went in and they gave me 10% off because I answered a trivia question right — that was awesome, thanks guys!
Only downside I’ve noticed so far is they charge more for the limited edition covers than some other places I’ve seen.
Definitely go to support a neighborhood comic shop! Keep up the good work!

This place is ridiculous!!! I love the theme/​ambiance of this place. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I enjoyed the way I felt when I was there, just very relaxed/​comfortable. Lots of tables and a lot of variety of board games, toys, comics etc

Best comic shop ever! Wide variety of toys, busts, and statues! They also have that 5 star reward system which comes in handy if you spend a lot of money at their shop. Customer service is great as well. They really do their best to assist you in your nerdy needs. #NerdLife

Discovered this place while going for a walk. Nice!
The selection of comics is so-​so, not as large as some of the places that I have been. But, they keep it tidy and well-​labeled, so that’s a plus. Once one of the associates taught us how to find comics by publishing company, we were pros. They do have a small kids’ section, but sadly the number of Adventure Time comics was fairly sad. The great thing about this place is that if you buy from any of the boxes on the table, it’s only $ 1.99! Such a great deal!
Board game section is pretty sick with a great selection. There are a few Star Wars games that I’m definitely eyeing for when my girlfriend and I are ready for a new board game.
Associates are always helpful and eager to help. They will even order comics for you if you can’t find it in their store, provided they can still order it from the publisher.
This has definitely become our weekly go-​to place!

I grew up on European comic, specially wit and clever Spanish and Italian, and sometimes the super hero type is simply not for me. I like to dress with comic paraphernalia, super heroine motifs and fun stuff, and all the atmosphere you get in a comic store is just so different! Where I come from you used to find a comic store in each corner, from political topic to erotica. Everything was valid.
I am glad I found this place the other day, I was impressed with the size of the store (the friend who showed me told me that has been transplanted from another smaller location). I saw more people playing games than buying comics, but is part of the business, as indicated is a store for comics and gaming, and they are anyways so interconnected these days.
I like that the comics are sold i plastic sleeves, that is a nice touch. Nice customer service and friendly casual people in the games area. I am not a gamer, but spent quite a nice time watching. I liked the old library cabinets and the old school feel to it.