San Francisco - March 14, 2008

Comic Relief

Neon Monster

Holding out for a hero?

Holy Toledo, Batman! You can find a super one every Wednesday at Neon Monster.

The airy corner store on the border of Noe Valley and the Castro gets in new comic books weekly. The jaw-dropping assortment ranges from blast-from-the-past titles (Superman, The Incredible Hulk) to modern graphic novels (The Plain Janes, Incognegro) and intellectual, reality-based heroine tales (Persepolis, Cancer Vixen).

Floor-to-ceiling wheeled shelves are filled with zines, Japanese designer toys, and used and re-released records. The space can turn lickety-split into a gallery for local art shows.

The friendly staff empowers customers with a hold-slot program for requesting material.

So there’s no need to destroy your sworn mortal enemy for the latest Spidey installment.

Neon Monster, 901 Castro Street, at 22nd Street (415-206-9644).

  Artsy