This store isn't just a haven for 19-year-old comic-book nerds who've never kissed a girl; it has an impressive gallery for rotating artists.

Meltdown does carry mainstream comic titles, but focuses on offering small-press and European titles for fans who favor obscure versus designer comic books. Plus, the store carries all the coordinating accessories: collectibles. Among the treasure trove is vintage Japanese robots, Kotobukiya Star Wars model kits, Transformers and exclusive Chicken Little vinyl toys. But boys don't have all the fun. The "Baby Melt" section of the store carries Cheburashka merchandise, Hello Kitty by Doe, and so many cute baby clothes that ladies won't mind shopping next to the scruffy-faced basement-dweller who has emerged to buy an sci-fi film action figure. The store even has a gallery, which showcases artists like Steven Weissman (responsible for the Bazaar Bizzare logos) and Johnny Ryan, creator, writer/illustrator of Angry Youth Comix. To top if off, Ghost World creator Daniel Clowes drew Meltdown's cartoon logo. How's that for cred?