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The Beguiling
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Comic Books Bookstores, Comic Books [Edit]
601 Markham StreetToronto, ON M6G 2L7
Neighbourhood: Palmerston
(416) 533-9168
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu, Sat 11 am - 7 pm
Wed, Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
16 reviews for The Beguiling
Review Highlights
"Comics and graphic novels aside, this place is awesome."
(in 8 reviews)
"...are stuffed with limited edition and indie literature."
(in 8 reviews)
"This is a great feature of Mirvish Village."
(in 3 reviews)
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16 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew O.
Toronto, ON
1/22/2012
Simply put, the best comic book store in the city, and to my knowledge the country. Indeed, I've never been to a better comics store anywhere - London, New York, you name it.
I've been shopping here on and off since they opened in their original location on Harbord just east of Bathurst in the late 80s. When I lived outside the city, I would always make a point to come back on visits home and browse and fill the holes in my collection. Their specialty has always been indie stuff, counter-culture, and historical material, although they keep a small but thoughtfully selected range of more mainstream titles on the second floor. The racks on the ground floor, which often hold local zines and comix, are always worth combing through.
While the owner (who usually works the downstairs till) may seem aloof and standoffish, even a little intimidating especially for non-collectors/experts, his knowledge of the field is extraordinary and he can help you find *anything*. He also knows comics history like nobody's business and is, despite appearances, very willing to share his knowledge.
This is a real gem in this city: a true institution, internationally recognized among comix aficionados, dedicated to promoting material from off the beaten track, and to reviving the medium's lost treasures. -
Review from Paul H.
Burlington, ON
9/21/2011
I just saw this on the front page and just had to put in my two cents.
Love this store.
It actually reminds me of a lot of stores in Japan in the way that you can judge from the outside but when you walk through the unsuspecting doors you are greeted with the wonderment of a place bursting at the seams with art books, comics, graphic novels and indie comics! You can tell that this place is stocked not by a top 40 but by people who really love books and go out of their way to find the most interesting things to put on their shelves no matter how big or small the artist.
That last part i think is what really puts this store over the top for me is their support for local talent and the community. i mean hell they put on "TCAF". A FREE 3 day comic book convention!!! -
Review from Matthew M.
East York, ON
1/23/2012
The Beguiling has provided an amazing selection of independent and mainstream comics, graphic novels, and books for as long as I can remember. The staff are very knowledgable and are usually very helpful.
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Review from Lulu l.
North York, ON
1/9/2012
After reading numerous 5 star reviews on this place, I decided to visit this store to see the what's the deal with this place. This place is like a comic book lover's heaven. Even if you are not into comics, they sell drawings by local artists and art books. I guess most of time there I look at the art books. My friend found this ancient book on drawing 1980's spaceship thingy and we thought we will find better price on amazon nope beguiling had it cheaper by 20 dollars. I also found the workers of the place really pleasant and they seem really passionate about comic books.( You don't find that at Chapters lol) . So yeah overall it was great .
I took one star off cause... the place is hard to navigate and browse its kinda crowded but still I wasn't too bothered by it -
Review from Lola L.
Toronto, ON
3/14/2011
I could easily spend hours just browsing in here and the staff are friendly enough that they'd let you. Also, unlike many comic book shops, there's actually room for you to do just that. They really have the best selection, too. They carry all of the more well-known works but they also have indie and local books and proudly display artwork for sale around their walls and staircases. They've even got zines and small-run editions. The second floor is where you'll find the superhero and manga books.
They also support the community by sponsoring exhibitions, selling tickets for them, and doing signings and launches.
Much as I love this place, I have to be really careful about how often I'm there, otherwise I run the risk of spending too much dough! -
Review from Nicole H.
Toronto, ON
7/21/2010
In the shadow of the looming giant that is Honest Ed's, the Beguiling quietly flourishes in its homey little space. But like Honest Ed's, when you head into the Beguiling, you're faced with so much stuff it's almost hard to know where to go first.
The Beguiling, despite its small square footage, pretty much has it all. Single issue comics, superhero comics, graphic novels, manga, specialised art books, zines, tshirts & other small merch, original art and even some DVDs. It can be a dangerous place to browse because it's just so hard to leave all those tasty options on the shelf!
Prices are reasonable, considering the range of stuff from commercial/big company books down to indie works. They've got a great online catalogue, too. Although it can seem chaotic, everything's organised pretty well - you can tend to find a lot of comics by particular authors upstairs also (Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon, etc.) - and if you're stuck, the staff know that place like the back of their hand and can help you find what you're after.
If you find yourself on Markham Street and want to treat your senses to an overload of fantastic stuff, The Beguiling is the place you want to be. Don't get lost in there!Listed in: Books & Reading - Toronto
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Review from May B.
Vancouver, BC
9/1/2010
I went to the Beguiling for one thing and one thing only - comics by Jason. He's a somewhat indie artist published by Fantagraphic Books and previously, I was only able to find one or two of his graphic novellas here and there. And when I did find his books, they would usually be the same titles found elsewhere and at a ridiculously high Canadian price. But oh was I pleased when I discovered that the Beguiling carried almost all of the books in his library AND at US cover price. I was torn as I could only afford to pick up 4 books. But another plus one for The Beguiling, as their website carries original art by Jason himself.
Also an exciting point for me was the discovery that they carried Bear comics by Jamie Smart - again, something that I have been looking for but have not easily encountered.
So anyways, I didn't really check out the 2nd floor or much else of the first after I found my Jason comics - I was too excited to get out and read them. When I`m back in TO, this is definitely on my list of places to go. -
Review from Dani L.
Toronto, ON
4/18/2010
I want to own everything in the Beguiling.
This could be my favourite place in the city, with racks upon racks of diligently categorized graphic novels and indie (as well as mainstream) comic rags. Totally devoid of pretension, it's the old-timey comic shop for cool kids, nerdos, fanboys/girls, pervs and weirdos... you know, people like us.
I always find my new fave author/artist when I go to the Beguiling and explore. -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
11/6/2008
I've been to quite a few comic shops in Toronto - maybe a dozen or so - and The Beguiling is certainly my favourite one. They have an unmatched offering of "non-mainstream" comics and comic-related literature which covers the first floor. I've had non comic book loving friends come into the shop with me and tell me they liked it because it felt like a book store, instead of an exclusive environment.
The second floor of the shop is where superhero comics and manga live. They have as good a selection of these things as they do of indie comics on their first floor.
The staff itself are always friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have. They may seem like the "too cool for you" type, but trust me, that's not true. -
Review from jonathan f.
Brampton, ON
10/8/2009
For fans of the graphic novel and comic genre this place is Mecca. The beguiling has the most comprehensive selection of graphic novels, comics and zines in the city. Instead of action figures and stuffed animals the shelves are stuffed with limited edition and indie literature.
Apart from the superb content it's the staff that makes this place a five star. They are knowledgeable and super friendly. Even if your not into this genre i recommend everyone to check out the beguiling at least once when passing through Mirvish Village. -
Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
9/8/2008 1 photo
The Beguiling, tucked away in Mirvish Village just off of Honest Ed's, is probably the classiest comic shop in the city. They specialize in the more independent and art-range books, but still carry the superhero stuff too (because even the superhero stuff can be done exceptionally well). The quality-to-floor space ratio is unmatched.
What's also impressive is how well connected The Beguiling is to the comics scene. For a small shop, they have a lot of signings by great talents; for instance, they brokered a charity auction of a Simon Bisley painting on eBay for tsunami relief a few years back. And no, I didn't come close to winning, alas. -
Review from Plank D.
Scarborough, ON
4/19/2009
If you are, or were, ever into comic books or graphic novels, then you will probably automatically have an affinity with this place.
The comic selection and the featured graphic novels are quite the treat in this place.
Comics and graphic novels aside, this place is awesome...
They have some of the craziest books that you will never find or bear witness to were it not for this store.
This is a great feature of Mirvish Village. Stop in at Victory Café and have a pint while you read through your finds from The Beguiling. -
Review from Jimi S.
ON
12/3/2008 4 photos
so heres an opinion from a newbie.
ROCK ON DEUTERONOMIES!!! (or duderonemies if you prefer.)
the first floor of this place is essentially devoted to graphic novels. their collection is so vast that you dont know where to start. i suppose if youve been a die hard fan all your life, youd know but i comfortably went to the front and asked a guy who looked mildly like my dad for some suggestions.
this gave me some comfort, for the reason that, as i expected, he directed me towards novels that focused on great writers, in addition to great comic book artists. more specifically, i was interested in things other than superhero comics (not damning those by any means, just different preference from the start). He was very humble, helpful and i felt like i was getting a peak at stuff that he really loved.
this was the first of many times that i will return. thank you beguiling. -
Review from Julianna B.
Toronto, ON
4/24/2009
The Beguiling has the best selection of Canadian and indie comics I've seen, and an excellent stock of spandex books upstairs. They focus on comics and graphic novels entirely, and don't seem to get into games or 'limited edition busts'. This place is serious.
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Review from Jackie C.
Toronto, ON
7/3/2010
A dream place for anyone who loves comics. It hold so much charm in it's creaky stairs and disheveled books. Carries lesser known, rarer comics, graphic novels from local artists as well as the ones you'd see anywhere else. Lovely.
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Review from Wayne S.
Toronto, ON
1/2/2011
i've only been once in five years living in toronto, and the rude guy upstairs is probably the reason i've never been back.
great selection, but customer service is about par for most comic stores, unfortunately.
