Alternate Reality, Inc

The woman who answered the phone was really rude, acted like she was doing me a favor taking time out of her day to answer my questions. Someone needs a tutorial in customer service…

As a new member to this shop, I have to say i’m impressed. I read a few reviews before this and want to give it just 4 stars, but I can’t. This store really is outstanding. I usually pick up comics every third week and just binge away. I do this because they have a $ 10 minimum for cards in their store. Not only is the owner such a cool guy to talk to, but the second person that works there is a really awesome woman as well. They always have multiple copies of most things you’ll want and always have some kind of sale going on. When a brand new #1 of something that isn’t Marvel comes out, the comic is only about $ 2 after tax.

I just visited the store for the first time today on Free comic book day. Friendly people, great costumer service. They have a big selection and good sales. I just recently got back into comics again and this is going to be my go to store.

Chicago’s best comics shop is actually in Mt. Greenwood.
Sure, you can find the latest books here next to their big collection of t-​shirts and gaming supplies. And sure, there’s a gaming room in the back and long-​boxes full of comics. But the thing that impresses me the most about this shop are all the funky little nooks and cranny’s full of graphic novels and books. For a true comics fan there’s nothing better than turning a corner to find a hidden grotto with even MORE books in there for perusal.
The staff is helpful and knowledgeable. The shelves are clearly marked. And this place is jam-​packed full of the best possible merchandise!
I will be back. Most definitely, I WILL be back!

Free Comic book day sale is the best out there. $ 1 new comics on every comic priced $ 4.99 and under. Best store in the city, I cannot wait for the next big sale. Highley Reccomended!

Its an amazing shop, what impressed me the most wasn’t that Comicbookman had everything that I personally look for in the «ultimate» comic book store, but the fact that he had something for almost every demographic of comic and pop culture. Always with an animated movie looping or audio comicbooks on speaker in one part of the store. This is a place where anyone is invited whether you’ve been a comic fan for years, or looking to find your inner geek, Alternate Reality is one of the best Comic Book stores I’ve ever perused.

Come for the comics, stay for the movie posters and the ageless Comic Book Man.
There’s not much for me to say that hasn’t already been said in the previous reviews. In my opinion this is the best comic book store in the greater Chicagoland area. I just wished that I lived closer. There’s so much to love about this place. Tons of comics and collectables for a good price. 15% off all new comics! That’s never changed in the 10+ years that I’ve visited this establishment. This is a place is not only perfect for comic book lovers, but also for movie buffs. They have the best selection of movie posters that I’ve ever seen in a store. They have ultra rare posters from decades past and in amazing condition. Posters range from popular movies like Star Wars to the lesser known cult films such as Foxy Brown.
I highly recommend this place for people who truly love comics. Not recommended anyone who belongs to the new wave of self proclaimed nerds who don’t know all the Robins or what «women in refrigerators» mean. Go down to the Southside and immerse yourself in the sprawling caverns made of ink and paper. Also, that guy hasn’t aged a day in ten years.

I am a Comic nerd. I have been one since I was 10 and I have Nirvana around the corner. Alternate Reality is a Southside shop with a Near North side Cool. The staff is steeped in Comic knowledge. Posters trade paperbacks toys and statues… everything you could want… need. In fact you may show up when one of the regulars in the store are there and you will eavesdrop on The New Avengers… movies…politics.I pick up a coffee and hang out with Tim for hours… Look for me and I like DD coffee…

Now that I have a comic lover for a companion, this is the kind of nerdy stuff I review. Ok, I’m also a nerd, but not quite a comic nerd. This store has a huge selection, particularly of trade paperbacks which are easier for me to understand, and they also have a huge section of back issues.
I was a little disappointed that though they had a sticker on the door claiming to be women friendly, some of the women/​girls selected comics were titles like «Marvel Weddings.» What about Tank Girl?* They did have some interesting Daniel Clowes titles beyond Ghost World, so I won’t be too cranky about it.
For a comic novice like myself, this place is a bit overwhelming, but I now have a good place for gift shopping for a certain someone, or a way to lure him into giving me a ride when I have things I need to do at the Beverly Art Center.
*They do have Tank Girl, just not in this section.

WOW. A whole lot of comics and toys everywhere. The store is so large and packed floor to ceiling with comics, toys, posters, and other things, it was over whelming. My neck hurt after looking at the figures hanging from the ceiling. I did find a few good deals, but I can get some items at other stores for cheaper. I would go back if I’m in the area again, but that’s a 3 hour drive from where I live.

Alternate Reality is the best comic shop in Chicago, and it doesn’t even have a review yet! I attribute this to the fact that it is south of Madison, therefore does not exist to the rest of the world.
Those of us geeks who spent time stomping around the south side however, probably have been in here at some point.
If I didn’t live over an hour away from AR, I would still go there.
Tim, the owner is a really nice guy and will help you find or order whatever you need.
Best selection of comics, books, graphic novels, toys, shirts, collectibles that you can find, and a very decent back issue selection especially for books from the last year or so, which is great if you need to play catch-​up on a certain title. Hundreds, maybe thousands of movie posters to choose from.
Awesome discounts which rotate every day of the week with lots and lots of monthly and yearly sales with deep discounted stuff. New stuff, not just crap that other stores put on sale because they can’t sell.
My only complaint is that last time I was in there, some of the titles were so deep on the rack that they were beginning to lean forward and bend. Made the racks look unprofessional, and put a curve in some of the new books’ spine. Not a big deal if you only buy your comics to read, but I personally like to put my own dents and creases in my books/​comics. And if you use their subscription service, obviously this would never affect your stuff.