Backspace (115 NW 5th) This place kicks so much ass it's not even funny. They've got LANed PCs for your multiplayer games, plus an Xbox room with a ton of games, rotating art--and good art, at that--plus coffee to get you all caffeined up.

Excalibur Comics (2444 SE Hawthorne) The best comics shop in Portland features a ton of comics, plus a few DVDs and figures to boot. From their extensive graphic novel section to plenty of local and indie talent, their kind and helpful staff is also a boon in navigating the over 500,000 back issues.

Things From Another World (4133 NE Sandy) Sure, it says it's a comic shop, but TFAW's really in the geek paraphernalia business. It's got a ton of action figures, posters, t-shirts, collectible card games, and whatever other geek supplies you could possibly imagine. Need a Hellboy Zippo? A Ghostbusters action figure? How about a plush stuffed Predator to cuddle with at night?

Just Be Video (107 NW 5th) Thanks to easily transportable DVD, Asian cinema's more accessible than ever before. Grab your region-free DVD player and check out Just Be's astonishing selection of the coolest (and weirdest) goddamn stuff from our cinema-loving Eastern brethren, from John Woo's canon to obscure anime. Plus, you'll find all sorts of weird figurines, busts, clothes, and bizarre imported collectables. EH