Mission: Comics and Art
Like a lot of things in San Francisco, Mission: Comics and Art is a somewhat unlikely combination of products, people and activities that simply work very well together and have for many years. Located near the corner of Mission and 20th Street in the Mission District, this unique business calls itself “the junction point for the worlds of fine art, comic books and popular culture.”
Comic book lovers of all ages love this shop because they can find mainstream graphic novels, edgy independent comix, comic books from all over the world and small press publications from Bay Area comic artists that can be difficult to find anywhere else. They can also find patches, posters, collections and a wealth of other comic books and paraphernalia in one place. Unlike some comic book shops that serve liberal helpings of attitude with each sale, Mission: Comics and Art is a place where casual and fanatical comic collectors feel equally welcome. As an added bonus, the store provides a “pull list” service, which allows customers to select titles that are pulled once a week and placed in their pull box, ensuring that they get the titles they want and saving them time as well.
Art lovers are comfortable here as well, as the back of the store is a gallery, which features a rotating series of artworks created by some of the world’s most accomplished graphic novel artists. Some of the pieces are particularly striking pages from select graphic novels; others show the layered process of how this type of art is created. Still others are expressions of artists that have little or nothing to do with graphic novels, comic books or this type of artistic expression. Ars gratia artis.
If you’re a fan of graphic novels, it’s likely that you’ve already heard about this unique San Francisco business and plan to spend some time here during your visit. If you find yourself strolling through the Mission District and find yourself near 3520 20th St. Suite B, this place will mostly likely pique your interest and is definitely worth investigating. The hours of operation generally run from late morning until mid-to-early evening, depending on the day of the week. To view the schedule, current shows and workshops and other useful information, visit the store’s official site at http://www.missioncomicsandart.com/.