Blue Moon Comics

Defiantly not what I was expecting base upon the reviews. Very little graphic novel selection here. Like, I could go to Barnes and Noble and get more from there. The store is very neat and parking was not hard to find at all. They have a pretty good Dc Showcase/​Marvel Essential Graphic Novels. I was able to get a copy of Essential Sub Mariner (which is not so easy to find). Other than that, I will not be back to this particular store anytime soon. A solid 2 stars.

Sam, the owner is an awesome guy. He’s definitely passionate about the books he sells and collects. A breath of fresh air! I’ve already bought two books from him and he has already given me a really nice discount. I’m a long time comic book collector and I only buy older key books and his store has already given me some stuff I had been looking for. If you’re looking for back issues, check this place out.

I visited Blue Moon Comics with my kids (ages 9 and 6). The owner was so great with them. He showed them comics that were appropriate for their age and was so patient. He answered all of their questions and ultimately helped them find something their were each interested in.

So after watching all those Marvel/​DC tv shows and movies, I decided that I wanted to get it into comics. I had no idea where to begin so I walked into the store and told the guy that basically I wanted to read comics but I had no idea where to start. So he spent maybe 15 minutes with me suggesting comics, asking me questions, telling me why I might like this one or that one, etc. I had three in my hand, skimmed through them, and ended up selecting SAGA. Came back the same day to get Vol 2. Really appreciated his help and patience. Will be going back a lot more!

I love this place and am proud to say I am a regular. Sam, Steve and Ryan are very approachable and extremely kid-​friendly. They took the time to help my kids when they were learning «Magic» and, I’m happy to say, insisted that the kids understand the properties of each card (rather than just like the picture or level) before they could buy the card! They won’t push unnecessary things on the kids or me just to make a buck. They have a large selection of comics. They are able to inform me about new comics coming out that I might like — and they’ve been right each time. Highly recommend them — the shop is incredibly welcome to kids, adults, men and women!

I Blue Moon Comics! There is no such thing as a stupid question, and the guys all really know their stuff.

The best, and now I’m sure, the only comic shop in Marin. The owner is incredibly passionate about what he does and you can absolutely tell. He always has great recommendations on good reads. Try asking him if you’ve run out of things to read next time!

Need to work on service. I went in to by a large bundle of comics for my kids and dude behind the counter actually yelled at my kids for haveing more than 1 comic book in their hands. I was going to buy them all and much more but not with an attitude like that towards your customers. No wonder there was no one else in the store.

Sam and Steve both rock! This store is awesome and they have regular events with bands in the evenings. The coolest comic shop I’ve ever visited!

I found this place a few years back when I was getting into comics. And I have enjoyed going in every wednesday for to pick up my weekly stash ever since.
Ryan Sam and Steve are a blast to be able to unwind around and talk to. Much different from past experiences where store owners/​employees would pretty much dismiss everyone as an annoyance.
Can not wait to be able to start going to magic nights again!

So happy that Marin has a comic shop to go to! Much improved from their days in the backwater of Novato, the new 4^th street location has much more space, much better light, and more inventory.
My big complaint typically with comic shops is that they’re small, disorganized, and hard to find anythoing in. Thankfully, Blue Moon has things well set up, organized, a place in the front window to actually sit and chill out for a bit, and even alphabetized on top of all that.
Nice selection of trades, my preferred reading matter these days, and hardcovers, as well as single issues (which i pay less attention but i konw that some people still do)
In addition, they bring in music as well! Been to two of the events and had a great time, wish that more people could figure it out. Excelling bands, funk and rock on different occasions, and the set up of the shop makes the music sound really good, unlike some bars that i’ve heard bands at.
Sam and Steve are super and knowing the goods on upcoming comics, and even have signings there. Hope that locals keep coming in to support they only comic shop in Marin!

Sam is rad as hell!
Love this store!
Im a fan of the single magic cards and being able to sit in the window and kill some time.
I always look forward to seeing Sam. Its rare to not have the elitist stench in the air of a comic book shop, but everyone is chatty and friendly. Love love love!

Nice staff. Sweet and very knowledgeable.
Great layout of the NEW THIS WEEK stuff. Display mixes marvel, dc, and image/​indie publishers all in one. BEAUTIFUL.
Good collection of graphic novels.
Kid, dog, and girlfriend friendly. Wall décor is not too obsessive/​compulsive DC/​MARVEL over the top. the t-​shirts are the wall décor, which is pretty smart if i might ad.
might need quarters for metered parking, its 25 cents for 15minutes about.
They sell Magic cards, too.
$ 10 MINIMUM FOR CREDIT CARD PURCHASES FYI

This comic book shop is awesome! I really like how the back issues are separated out by DC and Marvel. Speaking of back issues, there is quite a selection available that is full of variety. I was also impressed with the comprehensive list of current issues in stock whether it was the DC new 52 series or the Marvel selections not to mention the indi brands as well.
While I was there I bought some bags and boards as well as a new cardboard comic box. It’s great that the shop had these necessary items in stock.
Finally, I want to say that I enjoyed talking with Sam the guy who runs the place. He is friendly, helpful, and full of useful information. I will definitely make the trip back there from the City more often now that I discovered just how cool it is.

This might be one of the best comic shops in the bay area, and it’s certainly the best in the north bay. I wouldn’t say it’s huge, but it’s a pretty decent size. They have graphic novels and lots of new comics. And they also have magic cards if you’re into that crap.
For me what makes this place really great is the back issues. Yes, this is one of the few comic shops left that still has back issues. They have silver and bronze age books at pretty reasonable prices. I’m not going to go into it too much, but I will say they beat the pants off of pretty much any store in SF, the north bay, and the east bay price wise. They also do ok against the south bay shops, it seems like there’s still some competition left in the back issues market down there though.
The owner Sam knows his comics, and he’s just a super super nice guy. If you can’t get along with Sam then you are a serious dick. He used to work at the legendary (at least in my mind) comic shop ancient dragon that used to be over on Lincoln (for those who don’t remember it occupied the building where spider Murphys tattoos is and had a killer dragon painted on the window), and the sorely missed (by me at least) maximum music record shop on 4^th. The guy has a lot of integrity. Something that seems rare these days when small businesses have to fight tooth and nail to get by. I traded in a few silver age books and was surprised about how transparent the process was, and was very happy with what I got (now this was trade and these were desirable books in decent condition. Don’t run down there with your comics before talking to them first.). Another time I was in there Sam declined to sell a comic that was rated mature to a kid without a parent being there. The kid left empty handed. I suspect another store would not of had a problem taking the kids money, or might not have even noticed it was rated mature.
If I’m forced to make a criticism, I guess maybe they could have more graphic novels. But not if that means taking out any back issues. Also it would be pretty cool if they had a window painting like ancient dragon did.
We really are lucky to have a place like this around. So get down there and support it.

It was daddy daughter day and I suggested a few things
1) house of air
2) indoor rock climbing
3) bike ride
4) comic book shop
to my surprise my 9 year old picked comics and we were off to BLUE Moon Comics on 4^th Street in San Rafael. I had been in the old shop in Novato, this place is a major upgrade!
now for the test, we wanted two specific things:
Adventure Time and Amulet, they had several issues of both, and an adventure time t-​shirt for my wife’s Xmas present!
Blue Moon Comics Rocks!!!

Sam, Steven, and Ryan are great. They know their comics and are always helpful.
Store has great prices on back issues. Going there is like seeing friends who share a passion for comics.

I’ve been a customer of Blue Moon Comics for about 5 years. The owner, Sam, is usually there — friendly, honest and passionate about comics. I am a lifelong collector of comics but I still find myself learning things from him during my visits. Not only will you find a solid selection of current comic releases, he has quite a range of TPBs and back issues to select from. Also a good place to get supplies (boxes, bags and backing boards.)
If you want to introduce a friend or family member to comics, Blue Moon Comics is a great place to go — lots of low cost comics to select from.
The décor is old school — lots of original art on the walls. Personally, I prefer that to a post-​modern ultra clean shopping mall style experience. Another nice bonus is that Sam regularly arranges for local comic book artists, writers and other creative talent to show up and sign comics (for free!).
Highly recommended.
UPDATE: Blue Moon Comics moved from Novato to San Rafael since I wrote this review. The new location is really cool and everything is well organized.

Nice guys here but the store itself needs help and it would seem the owner (s) really don’t seem too savvy from a business perspective.
The store is poorly kept. It feels like they just moved in a few days ago. Their comic racks look like they were made by the 5^th grade woodshop class. Alot of just crap or random stuff laying around, almost like some kid’s bedroom. The paintings/​drawing hung on the wall are not put up with much care.
They commonly run out of the more popular titles, thus if you don’t make it in by THUR don’t expect to find what you are looking for — which makes me less likely to visit. Their selection is not too vast outside of DC or Marvel (and this is coming from a guy who typically buys DC or Marvel so that tells you something) As well, the owner (s) don’t publicize well. They also run out of bags and boards often too. Their Trades and back issue selection is sparse
The one thing that they certainly do not quite comprehend is the notion of keeping what they, the owner (s), do not like to themselves. Often I will be looking for something and the owner (s) are talking to other folks and telling them how much that issue sucked — so now I have to walk up to you with the issue that you think sucks. Not exactly an inviting environment or business savvy.
They are pretty much the only game in town until you hit SF.
$ 15 minimum for credit card purchases.
In the end, Blue Moon is a couple of nice guys who sell new comic issues and that is pretty much it. With more business sense and pride in store presentation Blue Moon could be so much more.

After giving up keeping up with comics for years after the store in San Rafael closed down, it took one of my favorite authors (damn you, Jonathan Lethem) penning a take on an obscure Marvel book («Omega the Unknown,» or as I like to refer to it as «Omega the Whatthefuck?») to seek out Blue Moon in Novato. I’m glad I did.
Sam is the coolest guy and I like to stop in and shoot the shit regardless of what’s out any given week. If you’re into comics, comic-​related paraphernalia, or (God help you) fusion jazz, you should make the scene.