equality, and acceptance for all. We’re proud to shop there. Best Comic Book Shop ASH AVENUE COMICS 806 South Ash Avenue, Tempe 480-858-9447 ashavecomics.com A hop and a skip away from Cartel Coffee Lab and Buffalo Exchange near Arizona State University, Ash Avenue Comics is the third point on a triangle of Tempe culture — places where hipsters and nerds and old heads alike converge to give each other the gift of fab and find their new favorite thing. Ash Avenue carries single issues and graphic novels, offering a broad assortment of mainstream Marvel/DC titles along with FantaGraphic collections of old comic strips, Love & Rockets, obscure creator- owned titles, zines, and other ephemera. The Ash Avenue staff are friendly and well-versed in all things comics, so they’re more than happy to be your Virgil as you navigate the netherworld of illus- trated storytelling. The store also buys comics if you’ve got some sweet collect- ibles or complete runs of in-demand titles you’re looking to trade in. It’s a cozy, neatly organized place where you can go to marinate in all things weird and nerdy without fear of judgment or getting put on the spot by someone demanding to prove your comic book nerd bona fides. Best Game Shop IMPERIAL OUTPOST 4920 West Thunderbird Road, #121, Glendale 602-978-0467 imperialoutpostgames.com There are several reasons why, among other great shops, Imperial Outpost is the tip of the spear for gaming culture around Phoenix. They have a massive inventory of board, card, and tabletop games, from om the big faves (such as Magic) to obscure titles (ever heard of Blood Bowl?) And what better way to try out that newly- purchased game than by playing it right there at the shop? Then, when it comes time to bolster your deck or expand your gameplay, the Outpost has supplies and add-ons galore. But all of that only hints at the store’s true importance: the human element. Whether you’re an old pro or a bright-eyed rookie, the store welcomes players with a passion for great gaming. And it rewards commitment by fostering a community that’s as much about robust competition as celebrating the simple pleasures of socialization. It’s a place where life can be enjoyed because people want you there, and they provide all the necessities — whether that’s D20 dice or friendly faces — to make gaming so much more. So, you could shop elsewhere. But it’s Imperial Outpost that’s home to the pure nerd magic that’s essential to any city. Best Video Game Store THE GAMING ZONE 425 West Guadalupe Road, #118, Gilbert 480-590-0706 930 West Broadway Road, #5, Tempe 480-245-6357 thegamingzone.bigcartel.com You don’t have to be the Mother Brain to figure out why The Gaming Zone is the best place in the Valley to buy and sell video games. The employees at either location are friendlier (read: less snarky) than other local stores, the trade rates are better, and the sheer depth of the selection is staggering. Besides a voluminous amount of titles, consoles, controllers, and accessories for sale from throughout gaming history — from the Atari 2600 to newer must-haves like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X — The Gaming Zone also offers numerous rarities in its collection. That includes a number of unique “repro” (or reproduction) cartridges of unreleased, custom-made, and homebrew games for such old-school systems as the Sega Genesis, Game Boy 137 SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2022.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2022