I totally rescind my previous review. I was being a super weird asshole. Desert Island is great. I only wish I did this sooner, but I was mortified with embarrassment over such a blatant, completely needless dick move. My sincere apologies to Gabe, a total gentleman who totally didn't deserve this. read more

The owner is so nice, even though I was a bit rough on the books in my excitement (even though I am a librarian!). Got a really cool book by Frank Black and the owner let me know that he liked that one a lot. Go out of your way to visit this place when you're in town. read more

Love the selection and conversation. The owner chatted with me about zine making, encouraging the arts in schools, and how making art has changed with the increase in technology. I came for the zine selection and was not disappointed. For a small space they have really packed in a lot of options, including some children's comic books and graphic novels. One of my new must-go places when I'm visiting the city. read more

Good graphic novel selection. The comic book selection is small but well-chosen. Seems to support local writers/artists.

Great Service - Top store / Gabe was super helpful and really knowledgeable, I was looking for a rare and out of print book (some other stores in the city looked at me like I was crazy and had never heart of the title or the artist) I emailed the store, Gabe got right back to me and kept the book aside for me until i dashed over to Brooklyn. Ace store. Thanks Gabe! read more

I stumbled upon this gem, in hopes of finding reads that were both time-less and brainy. I wasn't prepared to lose myself in Gabe's wondrous and versatile supply, for over an hour. What. A. Treat. I can't wait to come back to bring more brilliant copies home. Every single comic book I bought was special in it's own unique way. I am amazed at the amount of brilliance and cleverness, these artists bring to the table. Thanks Gabe for supporting them, and introducing them to the neighborhood. read more

Love, love, love Desert Island. It's really strange that there are some random negative reviews on here b/c in my experience the owner has always been a total doll. It's also surprising to see race being brought into one of the negative reviews - I've introduced a few friends (of the non-Caucasian variety) to Desert Island and they've always been treated exactly the same way as any other customer. I doubt that the owner is a racist - maybe he just doesn't deal well with stupid customers. I wouldn't either if I were lucky enough to own such a cozy haven. In addition to the awesome selection I love the fact that I can wander around and space out without feeling like I'm being watched by the staff or even expected to purchase anything. The times when I've been unsure of what to look at - the owner has been attentive and thoughtful and truly listens to what I'm asking to see. He steered me toward some children's books tonight after I asked about buying something for my 8 year old cousin - very helpful! I've been in the store at least a dozen times over the past few years and have NEVER left without feeling a little better about my day. Everyone should check it out and enjoy the art and creativity being showcased. I'm very lucky to live near such an original shop! read more

A local gem. They have everything from local zines to big name manga and illustration. We just did a bunch of our holiday shopping here (and a fair bit for ourselves). read more

Desert Island is a treasure. I'm sure there's some sort of metaphor there, but it's too late for me to write one. This treasure has earned our loyalty and support. There is something magical and transcendent for everyone there - young or old - that opens your mind and heart to what really matters most in this life. read more

I give Desert Island two stars instead of one because I truly believe it would be a great place to go if I were into obscure comics. However, the proprietor of the store needs to understand that not everyone that comes in is a huge comic geek specifically seeking out his shop. So the story goes... I was in Brooklyn visiting my friend from Germany. It was her last night in town and we were walking to a friends loft for dinner. She was looking for a birthday gift and memento from New York to bring back to Germany for her friend. We stopped into Dessert Island. She told the proprietor she was looking for a gift but was unable to give a specific type of comic that would appeal to her friend, other than she wanted something light and fun like Calvin and Hobbes. Apparently this was a huge insult for someone owning such an awesome store of obscure comics. How dare anyone enter looking for something so mainstream! Clearly English was not her first language so there was a bit of a communication barrier and he was making the situation very uncomfortable. Thankfully my friend didn't really get the completely negative vibe, because it was SO insulting; I would have suggested leaving but she was determined to buy a comic so I tried to go with the flow. The proprietor finally got off his high horse and recommended a compilation book of American comics. This was perfect. Why couldn't he have recommended this in the beginning and not tried to make us feel like we didn't belong in his shop! I did find a cool looking comic that took place in New York. If the experience had been positive or even indifferent, I would have bought it and probably really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, that was not the case and I wasn't about to give that pompous jerk my money. I won't be back, ever! read more

Love the books in the store but Gabe is literally the rudest most disrespectful man I have encountered in a very long time. I sold a book there and he never even contacted me to tell me it was sold. When I did to ask about it he never responded. I tried again and he finally got back to me and said I could come in and pick up the money. Yesterday, I did so and I wasn't even upset or angry with him I just quietly approached him about my percentage of the profit. He immediately flew into patronizing fit of accusations towards me when I had literally only said a few words to him. As I stood there quiet and extremely uncomfortable he continues by telling me he didn't know why I was being so "nervous" and "bent out of shape" (which I wasn't) and how "$4.75 isn't that big of a deal" (which was completely beside the point) and how it's a "pain in the ass for him" to check if artists work has been sold or not (which is his job and not my problem. Don't offer this service if you can't handle it). Incredibly aggressive and disgusting behavior. I usually love going to that store but I was honestly shocked. read more

A wonderful gem of a store that's highly unique, distinctive and a standout, even by Brooklyn standards. Small, but whimsical space with the most eclectic mix of comics, graphic novels, art, small press and random things of that are sure to capture your imagination. If you're only interested in mainstream comics, this is probably not the place for you, as it has a very limited selection. But if you're interested in comics as art and design or have a broad taste in your sequential art needs, there is no better store in NY. The owner is friendly, knowledgeable and passionate, as is the rest of the staff. And you will always find something interesting and wonderful there. They also publish an awesome tabloid comic anthology, called Smoke Signal, that is free to all visitors. Highest recommendation. read more

I have a very precious day off today and will definitely be spending some of it at Desert Island. What a well done store. The window displays are amazing and the interior is equally lovely. It is a very inviting store full of treasures. The owner's enthusiasm is contagious. He's very helpful and loves to point out new items and favorites. I'm by no means an avid comic or even graphic novel reader, but I love this place! There's something here for you. I swear. I can't walk out of here without a few intriguing bits in my hands whether it's a postcard, chapbook of drawings, zine about dogs, or a (hopefully soon) issue of crap hound. Great place for gifts for adults and kids! Go there now. read more

DESERT ISLAND, HOW DO I HATE THEE? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS: I've gone here a total of two times, the most recent being 2 days ago with a friend who was visiting out of town and wanted to pick up a few comics for her 12 y.o. niece who was going in for surgery in a few days. The last time I was there the owner was VERY RUDE, so I definitely didn't want to give him my or my friends' $$ and encourage that sort of attitude. THIS time, however, we walk in, my friend asks a simple question about the title of a comic (I don't remember the title, but I remember she had asked politely) and he flipped out for a good 3 minutes without any sort of real provocation. I gave this guy ANOTHER chance, but it seems as though he hasn't changed. Still very combative and rude. We left, and my friend was pretty shaken up about it. Anyways, we went to two another lady-friendly comic places where they don't treat customers rudely. My friend got the comics she wanted and it ended up ok, but I felt very bad for even bringing her here, but thankfully it didn't ruin her trip. read more

Lots and lots of comic zines, wish the place was bigger! Very neat and organized for the most part. Wish they inventoried zines so it'd be easier to find specific artists. read more

Super awesome comic shop for old, weird, cool, and well-made things. Chris Ware. Dan Clowes. Records always playing on a record player. The owner's a talented printmaker and they have a bunch of unique (and cheap) prints by amazing artists. The shop prints a free (free!) comics zine called Smoke Signal and they really support makers and readers in Brooklyn. Super A+ place. read more

Great comic shop! Has a lot of hard to find indie comics as well as more popular titles. Also they are very supportive of up and coming artists. Highly recommend! read more

One of my favorite spots in Brooklyn. Gabe is very nice and carries only great stuff.

I'm not a huge comic person, I've read Walking Dead, Y the Last Man, and some graphics, so when I went in to buy a gift for a comic book obsessed friend I was a bit lost. Gabe was very nice and made some great recommendations. About six months later, I bought a gift certificate, and he drew it by hand! I also love the children's books. I have sent a few to my mom's school. read more

I would give this place more stars because its a great shop with lots of cool stuff, but like the others said the owner is consistently rude. read more

be sure to ask about their delicious italian bread. it's delicious and italian. gabe keeps it behind the counter. you have to ask for it. ask for it. read more

What a great experience! This is not your typical super hero nerd den. Wide variety of genres: artsy, indie, mainstream, weird, kid friendly, mini comics, hardcovers, graphic novels. The owner was friendly and engaging. I listened as a young artist asked how he could get his book carried in the store and the owner explained a very simple system they had for displaying works by aspiring artists. I will return! read more

awesome place! all kinds of graphic novels and books the guy running the shop was great I ended up getting a shaolin cowboy book. because zombies. any way he told us where some local art work could be found, broke out the giant madd magazine book and flipped through it with us. And didnt rip my head off when, I accidentally started to set my coffee down on a book. read more

I have always been very curious about this shop, every time I walk by, simply because of the always exciting and creative window displays. A lot of time and care is given to these displays, and they often look as if they were lifted from a Michel Gondry set. The shop is spacious and has a strong selection of underground and indie comics. Friendly, knowledgable and helpful staff. Overall great, little shop! read more

Really lovely place, for big kids (adults) and little kids alike. As a mama, I really appreciate that they carry kid favorites Moomin and Eric Carle, and that there's a large, amazing box of $1 toys to keep little ones fascinated. The selection of books and zines is very well curated. Store is clean, bright, colorful. And they were playing great music! read more

Great, unique selection of books and graphic novels, also a few random knick-knacks. Not so great for kids. They have one small shelf holding books for anyone under 16. Would love to see a larger selection of fun choices for the PG13 set. read more

I stumbled on Desert Island quite by accident: by parking my car across the street. I had a few hours on my hands to kill that day so when I saw the compelling street sign of an old school Italian bakery remixed with "comic booklets," I had to get a better look inside. And boy was the trip across the street worth it! Desert Island is a gem of a store. For sale are some of the most compelling and cutting edge print publications by artists from across the world who make it their business to chart unexplored territories in the wonderful art of hand drawn illustration. Gabe, the owner has curated a veritable treasure trove of everything from mass market illustration by large publishers, to small run zines and mini-comics by artists getting a foothold in the world. There are also prints for sale, as well as t-shirts and the odd trinket here and there, but the focus really is beautiful illustration in its many forms. If you are looking to purchase DC/Marvel/Image titles, Desert Island is NOT for you. Instead you might find work by artists like Chris Ware, Daniel Clowes, and of course Robert Crumb, and perhaps to a lesser extent the Hernandez Brothers. From what I understand it, the store also features regular exhibitions of graphic art. When I last visited on display were about a dozen light boxes with artwork that resembled vintage pinball machines. They gave the store a very nice glow at night. All in all Desert Island is a really cool place to spend some time in, to learn about the world through the lens of a variety of talented artists and to explore the possibilities of an artform that is continually evolving and always engaging. read more

Great place! Today I went to go pick up a book, Gabe is such a nice guy. By the way they are giving free comic newspapers, really entertaining. has to be my favorite comic book store. read more

owner is nice as pie. some shit was mad expensive and rightfully so. theres always a decent stock of cheap zines and comics. if thats your thing. window displays are usually on point read more

I've been going to Desert Island to buy comics & books for so long I can't even remember a time when I didn't. The employees there have always been so helpful and pleasant, and because of this I would go out of my way to make the shop a destination, rather than order the books I wanted at discounted prices from Amazon. Today, Gabe, I will find another book store or just surrender to the plethora of online booksellers out there, because you were so unpleasant and disrespectful. I was left speechless as to how to respond to you as you berated me in the middle of your store. In my humble opinion if you want to be able to pay your bills and have a successful business you should never work the front desk again ... and if the insignificant pocket change I've been discounted as a kind gesture from your staff over the many years I've been coming is really effecting your bottom line, then maybe this isn't the line of work for you. I have told countless people, both friends and strangers, about this amazing bookshop, but am now a repeat customer who will never be going back. read more

this shop is a pleasure to visit. the owner is passionate and knowledgeable about the things he carries, and has excellent taste. you can find really interesting graphic novels and zines that aren't carried anywhere else in the city. also, the design of the store is very fun with great art on the walls. be sure to check out the current window display; they are always awesome ! read more