Silver Snail

This place has become somewhere I go semi-regularly. Whether it's a search for comics for myself or family and friends, the staff here are PRIME! Very helpful and very welcoming. Also, they host bi-weekly Magic the Gathering gatherings. For free! I highly recommend this spot to many collectors, from books to figures!

I've been coming to Silver Snail for about almost a year now, after stepping foot into the store for the first time, buying my first ever solo issue comics. I go to school right next Silver Snail, so it's very convenient, especially for times like New Comic Book Day (NCBD), where I can just stop by to buy comics in the morning before going to school. Additionally, Eaton Centre and other places are nearby, so it's in a pretty good location, other than the fact that Yonge Street can get pretty busy.I've mainly had a good experience every time I've gone to the store since my first time going, but there definitely are some downsides to the store. However, I will say that I do like that they do U.S. cover price for NCBD, past NCBD books, trade paperbacks (TPBs), hardcover books, and omnibuses. Alongside the occasional sales, it's one of the better stores I've been to, in terms of prices. I've spent a lot of money here, but nothing too crazy.Now for the downsides. There definitely are back issues that tend to be overpriced, despite the condition that they are in. Additionally, it's unfortunate that sometimes they don't have what you're trying to find. If you ask for a specific book, and whether or not they have, they'll just tell you to check the bins. Sometimes it's also unfortunate that when I walk in to the store, I don't get greeted by the staff, with the exception of a few times, but in general, once I get up the stairs and I'm in view of the cash register, they don't bother to take a glance at me. One guy who works there, who's a little bit older than the rest of the staff, gives me bad vibes.Overall, this is a good store, and I'll still keep going here, but hopefully some improvements can be made.Edit: I recently visited the store's new location back in June, as they moved from Yonge & Dundas, and now reside near Queen & Bathurst (added a couple of images from my trip back in June; the older images are from their old location at Yonge & Dundas). The new location is definitely an improvement compared as it's more spacious compared to the Yonge & Dundas location. However, at the time I visited, they were just getting settled in, so there wasn't much books that I caught my eye that I wanted to buy other than this one book I ended up getting. The new location does come with downsides, as it requires a little bit more of a commute to get to, compared to before; the old location Yonge & Dundas location was within walking distance of a subway station, whereas the new location at Queen & Bathurst has no bus service, so my trip back in June required me to take a bus and walk the rest of the way to the store. The new location seems to be an improvement compared to the old one, but I don't think I'll be frequenting this place anymore due to the commute it requires to get here. But, this place definitely is the place to go if you want books at a good price, since they still offer books at U.S. cover price.

I shopped at Silver Snail for just a brief period over 30 years ago (1987/88). They had the standard titles and standard pricing, but what drove me away was their ridiculous habit of putting their stamp on the cover of all the latest issues (see photos). Sometimes in multiple places. Why would they do that?!?!?! It baffles me that they paid an employee to vandalize comics!!! I dig through my collection and still come across some of their defaced work today.I moved a lot of my buying to Mile High Comics and found their service good. They ship comics in mailers that do a good job of protecting the comics.And I bought many comics at the local gas (Husky) station. I know collectors hesitate to buy comics off a comic spinner rack because they worry about other people leafing through the comics, wire depressions on the bottoms, creasing pages, bending corners, etc. But if you buy over a long term, you know when new comics arrive each week and can get them first, sometimes even before the comics are put on the spinner rack. Just chat with the employees and you get to know them and they know you.In any case, you get what you get. Sometimes you miss a blemish or ink smudge here or there. But to deliberately deface books by stamping their covers seems to me the height of stupidity. I have never known any other place to do anything similar.Some of the best-quality comics in my collection are from the gas station--instead of a store that claims to be in the business of comics and collectables.Silver Snail, you missed out on a LOT of business from me over the years

Great comic shop, staff was helpful in setting up a pull bin for me during the pandemic, would highly recommend them to anyone!Edit: November 2021. Shop cancelled my pull bin without getting in touch with me, staff always seem in a foul mood when I go. Doesn't make me want to go back!

The store is quite large which means there’s a LOT of selection, anything they don’t have they’ll order in for you. The staff are always helpful and willing to suggest new series to try based on what you like.

I haven’t been to Silver Snail in quite some time, and was disappointed when I went today. The way the books and comics were organized was confusing, and the two staff members didn’t offer any help at all. The selection was lacking. Definitely miss the old location and vibe.Edit: The reply on another review is very off-putting. Silver Snail has been around since the late 70s. Sadly, will not be returning.

An amazing place which is a must visit for any tourist, I had a superb time.

Silver Snail was once an okay location in the heart of Toronto right by the Eaton Centre with comics galore and a decent staff. They have now downgraded size, downgraded in stock and downgraded in the quality of employees. While I was there a gentleman came in to see if they wanted to purchase some of his books. When he had asked if they knew anything about Marvels Runaways" they replied "there's a show about it." Not even pretending to be interested and having very little knowledge. He then wanted to make sure they had put everything back before he left and once he had they laughed about "he thinks we need his books?" Neither of these women should have been working there. They clearly had no interest in comics and spoke to no one either to greet or offer help. The 2 rating I give it is for what the store used to be. For what it is now I will not be returning."

I want to congratulate the Silver Snail for their new location. I'm sorry, but I wasn't a fan of the narrow 2nd location on Dundas.This new location is definitely an upgrade. I visited for the 1st time on Free Comic Book Day. I really like the layout, and the selection is still diverse, a lovely mix of new, recent releases, and older, hard to find items.I get that it's still a work in progress. The amount of available merchandise is not what it was, especially with regards to collectibles.It's OK, though. This is a great comic shop and will continue to be a Toronto staple for years to come.