Superhero Hive

I love getting my comics at Superhero Hive, not leastly because I can mosey over whenever I want from my apartment a couple blocks away. I have to limit myself to stopping in every other week or so, or else I might not have any money left!
Reasons for everyone else to love Superhero Hive:
1) The staff. They are lovely people, knew me by name by my second visit (not difficult, they said, since I’m a lady, but I’m counting it anyway!), and know their comics! I’ll often come in to ask about a single title I’ve heard about and walk out with two or three trades I didn’t even know I needed but that are generally amazing.
2) The stuff. There are tons of comics, of course, but also collectibles like the adorable Pop! Vinyls and other, more expensive figurines behind glass that are fun to look at. They’ve also got t-​shirts and a few board games, and it’s always neat just to see what they have in stock on a given day.
A fair warning on point #1, though, is that the staff aren’t going to come tell you everything you want to know without you asking first! If you’re new to the store or to comics in general, you’re going to want to go up to the counter and say hi. It’s totally worth it, shy people like me!

Let me say that this is a nice looking shop. It’s clean and if you like new comics I’m sure it’s great for you. I’ve wanted to come here for a while now as it’s well received here on Unilocal.I made a special drive of thirty minutes to come up here and it wasn’t close to worth it.
I wanted back issues but they hardly had any. I wanted to be greeted… nothing. No «can I help you find anything?» No «what brings you in?» I went up and asked for what I was looking for and they just brushed it off. No offer to help me find it (it’s the least you can do to at least offer) and the attitude in there just wasn’t very relaxed. Also, the cost of some of those books was downright offensive, $ 8 for a non-​noteworthy Uncanny X-​Men issue from the 80’s is a joke! I’m happy I made the trek finally, but I’m not coming back.

I really love coming here!
Very friendly and have all the comics I’m looking for.
I visit weekly

Black Hive is one of the better comic shops in the area and unlike many geektopias, these guys actually do a really good job of making you feel comfortable when you’re there. I’ve only visited this location but they informed me that they just opened a new franchise near the beach so I’ll have to check that one out to see how it is.
Overall, the selection here is pretty similar to what you’ll find in most modern shops. They have a good selection of newer books and a small but nice selection of back-​issues. They serious lack in any good vintage or collectors comics but perhaps they don’t have much demand for that in this area. I also would like to see them carry some more art and posters or other less common comic book paraphernalia.
It’s not a huge store but I enjoy going here and it will probably be my regular shop since I work a block away now.

I’m not a comic reader, but my son is into them and we are always happy to check local places out. Happy they had a selection for younger readers and the vintage toys were pretty cool too. Service was efficient and the store was clean and well kept.

This place is fantastic. When we relocated to JAX this summer I walked in with an extensive pull list and I was picking up comics by the next week. From the very beginning, the staff was friendly and helpful.
Their trade paperback selection and other genre items (Dr. Who and so on) is pretty extensive. Nothing like walking it and seeing a coffee mug I can no longer live without that I didn’t even know existed!
Never really noticed the gender ratio of men vs. women but since I’m female, I rarely pay attention to other women :) But I did notice the wide variety of people there… there were some who were stopping in after their office jobs and then people who look like more «traditional» comic fans. What also impressed me was the selection they have for kids. All too often comic stores have a token kid section flooded with Archie comics that no one wants to read. My boys often find cool new books to pick up (much to the chagrin of my wallet!) while browsing the kid area.

Love the atmosphere and the great selection of comics and collectibles. They have a huge selection of back issues to search through. The staff is friendly and always helpful. As soon as you walk in it you have the feeling that this is how a comic book store should be. Love going there searching through comics and picking up my pull. Then there is great dining within walking distance. Perfect way to spend your or your families afternoon.

These guys are awesome, very friendly and always a pleasure to chat with.

I was traveling through the Jacksonville area and decided to stop by this shop. Though they didn’t have what I was looking for, the staff was friendly and gave me some good recommendations. I was shocked to see more female customers than males! They cater to all sorts of comic readers and have a fairly large selection of new books. Definitely worth the trip and highly recommended.

Black Hive is now my official local comic book shop; pull list and all; and I drive all the way from Orange Park to get there. Friendly staff, great variety of back issues, and just a great atmosphere. I highly recommend this to anyone collecting comics, figures, or statues.

This staple of the Park & King district changed hands over the winter from Universe of Superheroes (who kept their name for online sales) to Black Hive Comics. Yes, those same folks who own Black Hive Tattoo. I was finally able to swing down here last week. I was bringing a friend of mine from class who was looking for a place in Jax to start a pull list. As I hadn’t been in since the switch, it was the perfect opportunity.
First, I must say that I was astonished to see so many trade paperbacks, hardcovers, and graphic novels. I was informed that they had all been stashed in the back, and frankly, no one knows for how long. I’m glad to see all this merchandise pulled to the front as I usually buy trade paperbacks/​hardcovers because they are easier on the wallet. It’s rather sad to know that a number of books that I would have bought on the spot were just sitting in the back store room.
The next thing that I noticed was how much more room there seemed to be, especially as you walk towards the back of the store. It didn’t feel as claustrophobic as the store usually felt during prior visits. The employees and owner are still trying to figure out a way to make the store as accessible and organized as possible, rather than sticking with the old layout. I’ll be curious to see what they come up with.
The other big thing that I’m glad to see is the addition of items that would fall more into the sci-​fi genre than comic books. Black Hive has started to sell different items from Doctor Who (like action figures, bathrobes, etc). I can only hope that they keep striving forward on this part as not many stores in the area (other than Hot Topic and I can’t stand going to the mall anymore) carry sci-​fi genre items.
I’m already happy to see the changes that Black Hive has made, and look forward to what else they will be bringing forth.

They sell comics. They are good at selling comics. It’s a pretty simple thing to do. They order comics and you buy them. Go buy their comics.

This is a great comic store, stuffed to the walls with lots of cool stuff. Its fun to just stand around and look at everything because you’ll never see it all. LOL If they don’t have it, ask and see if they can order it for you.

I AM a fan of comic books and an avid reader of them. I have gone to Universe for years. In fact one of the worst things about living at the Beach is that I am too far away to frequent this wonderful shop. So what sets Universe apart from other comic book shops, you ask? The management. Comic Book stores tend to be inhabited by gooberish (yeah I made that word up), awkward people who are socially inept. Not here. The owner is hip and informed. When in his shop you never feel like you are at a geek fest (even though, let’s face it, we are geeks). If you «pull» your comics from Universe they throw in a discout that carries over to other products as well. 10% off of a statue is a nice deal. Now if I can only get him to open another shop in my neck of the woods.

Its funny reading all the reviews of this place because I have to say the same thing – I’m not a comics fan, but I love going into Universe. I never miss an opportunity when passing by, and I’ve even taken friends from out of town to check it out.
If you can look past the rows and rows and rows and rows [okay maybe not that many rows] of comic books, you will notice that this place has more to offer than just comics. I love all the artwork and things on the wall, and am continually amazed by the wide range of choices in the comic book market. There’s really something for everyone here it would seem. Even I have found myself fingering the pages of various comic books [like fashion comic books, I kid you not]. They also have a cool selection of shirts and music, small but obviously chosen with love.
If you’re into comics or even just looking for a new entertainment vice, you’ve got to check out Universe. It’s a blast.

Okay, I admit I’m not a comics fan. However I am a big Kevin Smith fan. Universe of Super-​Heroes was one of the only places to find Bluntman and Chronic comics back in the day. Even though I’m not a comic book aficionado, it was very easy to recognize that this store is a mecca for fans in Jacksonville. The staff is quite knowledgeable and helpful also.

Universe is straight up THE destination for comics in Jacksonville.
You know comics right? They’re those little works of hand-​drawn art with stories in them that get turned into movies. If you think they’re not cool then go fuck yourself because every literate person should find at least one that knocks their socks off.
UOS has a huge selection of all the newest titles from mainstream to indie as well as plenty of back issues, paperbacks, graphic novels and a healthy selection of various sculptures, toys, games and other collectibles. If they don’t have it, they will try to get it for you. They also have old-​school arcade games to play in the back. The owner of this Riverside institution, James, is a cool guy and a righteous metalhead!