A Comic Book Lover’s Guide to Chicago

Chicago Comics has the largest collection of comic books in the Midwest
Chicago Comics has the largest collection of comic books in the Midwest | © Sam Howzit / Flickr
Sarah Ashley

In the past decade, comic books have seen a huge boost in popularity. You can definitely thank the Internet, which made comics more accessible to readers in the early 2000s. It doesn’t stop there, though.

Consumers have been buying more hard copy books in recent years too. This might be because big movie studios have put out hoards of comic book-based blockbusters in quick succession, sparking interest in viewers who might never have given Captain America’s backstory a second thought. Whatever the reason, Chicago is a great place to be for comic book lovers who’ve been loyal since the beginning and those who only recently caught up with the most popular heroes and villains.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

C2E2

Every year, Chicago hosts an enormous convention for all things comics, cosplay, and pop culture. Called C2E2, which stands for Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, the event features fan favorites from every corner of the entertainment world, including comics, manga, anime, TV shows, movies, and more. The self-proclaimed “biggest geek party in the Midwest” offers up screenings of films, panel discussions from the biggest names in comic books, autograph signings, and cosplay costume contests (plus a ton more awesome events for fans, such as photo ops and meet-n-greets). This is the comic event of the year in Chicago, so definitely get tickets in advance. C2E2 2019 is slated for March 29–31, so book your hotels, polish your lightsabers, and gear up for a non-stop weekend of stimuli.

A cosplay group at C2E2 in Chicago, 2015

CAKE: Chicago Alternative Comics Expo

For anyone who thinks the current comic climate has gone too mainstream, CAKE, the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, offers a welcome antidote. Chicago has a storied history when it comes to underground operations, and not just in the world of gangsters and moonshine. Comic book authors, illustrators, and publishers have been working independently for many years, creating universes and stories unknown to fair-weather fans or readers only well-versed in popular comic books that have been turned into blockbuster films. Comic devotees can purchase comic books, attend panel discussions, take workshops, and check out tons of original artwork during the long weekend CAKE puts on each year. The ultimate perk? Admission is free both days (June 2–3, 2018).

Zine Fest

This festival is for readers who admire up-and-coming comic book artists—and those interested in creating their own books. To be considered a true zine, publications at this fest have to have a circulation of 5,000 or less. Zines are typically passion projects, run by writers, illustrators, and designers who don’t make a living off the zine but show up to produce the art they love. In fact, most only have a circulation of about 50 readers or so. This year, 2018, will be the ninth year of Zine Fest. It will feature workshops on bookbinding your own comics and comic framing techniques, the latter hosted by CAKE illustrator Jackie Roche. This festival is perfect for comic book lovers ready to take the next step from fandom to production.

Zine Fest is the best place to discover underground comics and up-and-coming artists

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

This exhibition is the place to be to meet real stars from current comic TV series and movies. As one of the largest conventions of its kind in the country, the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con does not disappoint. Guests consistently include top names from TV shows and movies. Several stars from Outlander and Guardians of the Galaxy were added to the most recent roster, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Again, authors and illustrators are available for panel discussions and autographs. Arts and crafts booths featuring work paying homage to your favorite comic book stories, characters, phrases, and designs are strewn throughout the enormous convention center, not to mention the countless bookstores and jewelry vendors present with awesome memorabilia. The best part? Many cities around the country host this event. If you’re in or around Chicago from August 23–26, 2018, make a point to get to the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con.

Heroes and Villains Fan Fest

The Heroes and Villains Fan Fest offers attendees more hands-on opportunities—with a stronger focus on horror and sci-fi than other fests in the Chicagoland area. Aside from meeting celebrities from hit shows, movies, and comics (a given at these events), participants can try their hands at archery (for real) or bungee jumping (also for real) to get a taste of what their favorite heroes and villains get to do on a daily basis. This year the festival celebrates its 6th anniversary and occurs in conjunction with Walker Stalker Con, an event that revolves entirely around The Walking Dead (aka, get your zombie make-up ready).

Heroes and Villains Fan Fest gives attendees a chance to indulge their inner villain

Challengers Comics + Conversation

Voted Best Comics Store in Chicago by the Chicago Reader in 2010, Challengers Comics + Conversation prides itself on its collection and its community. Though the Bucktown shop doesn’t buy personal collections, they do offer an amazing subscription service to readers with specific selections they know they’ll buy every month. Basically, Challengers Comics will pre-order your faves so that they’re ready for you each month. Plus, you get a 10% discount. It’s free to join and a great way to support local bookstores and meet other people just as passionate about comics as you are. Have no fear if you don’t live in Chicago—the shop hosts events around the year to celebrate cosplay, new releases, and the comics community in general.

Challengers Comics + Conversation, 1845 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 278 0155

Chicago Comics

The best store for buying and selling comic books in Chicago is Chicago Comics. Boasting the vastest selection of comic books in the Midwest, this Lakeview shop has just about everything from manga to anime, zines to mainstream publications, and local to international books. Better yet, if you don’t see what you’re looking for, Chicago Comics will special order it for you (that is if it’s not hiding in one of their many filing cabinets in the back, which it very well may be). If you create your own comic books, you can apply to sell your work here too. Since getting its start in 1991, Chicago Comics has become a major player in the city when it comes to comics, indie publications, and all things superhero.

Chicago Comics, 3244 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 528 1983

Chicago Comics has the largest collection of comic books in the Midwest

The Dark Knight filming locations

It’s safe to say that every comic book fan has seen The Dark Knight, the 2008 Batman film for which Heath Ledger won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar after his portrayal of the Joker riveted millions. There are many locations around Chicago that fans of the movie (and Batman in general) should check out. Filming took place in tons of nooks and crannies throughout the Windy City, both inside and outdoors. Part of a Batpod chase sequence was filmed inside the Millennium Park Metra Station; a parking garage on Randolph Street is the location where the Scarecrow, among other ne’er do-wells, is captured. One of the best spots is the Twin Anchors bar in Old Town. During filming, Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart) lost his temper and slammed his fist down onto the bar. You can see the scuff marks and indentations from Eckhart’s strength on the bar for yourself—they’re still there.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article