Variant Edition Comics & Culture

Incoming!!! We have new comics coming in this Wednesday. Click through to see some featured covers, and hit the comments for a link to the list of EVERYTHING!

A nearby event happening tomorrow!

Be the trouble you want to see in the world.

Extremely happy to present our retailer exclusive cover for Chelsea Cain's Image Comics series "Man-Eaters" #1, drawn by the talented Beth Sparks!

New consigned back issues! No. 0 and No. 1 of the 1992 Sonic The Hedgehog series. $40 each. #backissues #yegcomics

The new foil covers DC will be putting out in October look awesome! This is just a test image... :)

Time for our weekly “check in” meeting. #order #objection #sustained

Louis Louis! Whoa whoaaaa, yeah, we got L’Amour! Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!
New to us westerns, ALL by Louis L’Amour. Come on down and pick’em up for only a buck. #yegusedbooks #usedbooks #buckaroo

Good morning! Did you all have a relaxing weekend? What hi-jinks did you get up to?Good morning! Did you all have a relaxing weekend? What hi-jinks did you get up to?

Event today!

Looking forward to welcoming Kimberly to the store!

Back in stock, and new to you!!!!

Exciting news!!
The Doctor arrived yesterday... or rather, as she explained to us, last week, and asked us if we could watch her TARDIS for the foreseeable somewhen.
She’s locked off the deep interior, for safety purposes, but you can still go in! So cool!
... #doctorwho #yeg @ Variant Edition Comics & Culture
See More

Met some new pals, we're taking care of a TARDIS for The Doc---um, a friend......Interns met each other. This is honestly the best day.

Oh hello, what’s this now?

A #VEInterns International Summit! Intern Molly and Intern Davenport discuss important matters.

International Intern Davenport is visiting us from Denver! #VEInterns

Please be careful out there today, especially if you have breathing difficulties. We are open 10-8, but take care of yourself first. Happy #NCBD, #yeg!

Hey folks! It is time to check out all the rad things coming out this week. Hit the comment section to find the link to a complete list of comics and graphic novels coming in store, and take a look at these rad covers in the meantime!

Variant Edition is the comic book shop I go to whenever I need something. Brandon and Danica always have the best recommendations for me and know what I’ll be into before I do. They foster a space in their store for everyone to feel comfortable and include so many great diverse and inclusive comics.

Variant Edition is my favourite comic book store in Edmonton for a reason. They are the most inclusive, most friendly, most helpful staff, and every time I visit I find more awesome to read and enjoy. They host some of the most excellent events and sell awesome used books as well, which makes me happy! I have sold books there for credit in the past and have been quite happy with the books I bought with that credit! Variant Edition makes me feel at home and welcome, and I hope that it continues the good work that it does for so many!

Variant Edition is hands down the best comic store I've ever been to. They are literally the only reason my wife and I have started reading comics, and we're thrilled with the guidance Brandon and Danica have given us since we started. We would never have considered having a file, but their care in helping us choose things we would love convinced us. Their customer service is exceptional, and they even mail out our orders, since we live in Red Deer. Truly a community-minded business, driven to create a safe and welcoming environment.

Variant Edition is by far my family's favourite comic book store in the city. We've been frequenting it since it opened and you'd be hard pressed to find two more knowledgeable and friendly owners. The amount of thought and care that's been put into the store is readily apparent, especially when it comes to the special touches such as the TARDIS tent (which my older daughter completely monopolizes as soon as we set foot in the store), the sitting area stocked with tea supplies, and the carefully curated used book section (always worth a look, I've found some gems there). If you're visiting Edmonton and only have time for one comic book stop, make it Variant.

Used books and comics all under one roof? I’d drive across the city for that, but thankfully, this is in my neighbourhood, which is awesome (support your local comic shop!)! Great customer service from people who not only love the business, but love their customers as well! Plus, they are amazing at choosing comics for people just based on a few bits of information. Try it when you go in: “what would you recommend for a teen who has never read comics but likes home decorating, baseball, and true crime?” They’ll have an answer, trust me. And almost every time, it’s spot on.

Two great owners go out of their way to make this store a welcoming place for all. If they don’t have a comic you’re looking for, and can obtain it for you, they will go the extra mile for you.

This store is run by people with both passion for comics and a desire to create a better community. They are incredibly knowledgeable about comics (and now used books!) and can provide great recommendations for all. They also host community events which are a wonderful way to learn, meet fantastic people, and have lots of fun.



Please note - some trolls from nowhere near Edmonton have been leading false 1 star reviews because they disagree with the store's principles. Take those with a grain of salt.

These shop owners are so dedicated to both their patrons and to the comics industry. The kind of comic shop I wish I had growing up, where you feel totally welcome and can really talk to staff about recommendations without feeling condescended to. Brandon and Danica are the best.

The used comic section is a great way for collectors on a budget to add to their libraries! They have the new arrivals which are kept separate, and older used copies which are on the shelf nex to the new editions. This makes it easy to look for a specific title. Thanks for keeping comics accessible for those of us with limited disposable income!

The best place for comics in Edmonton. Brandon and Danica give a superior, curated experience (their batting average on recommendations is flawless) and have consistently gone above and beyond for me--tracking down out of print or harder to find items with an incredible success rate.



But more than anything, Danica and Brandon have created a space with a vision that's welcoming and appealing; you never feel like you're in a store that's trying to push a bunch of stuff you don't need, but rather a casual place where enthusiasm and accessibility are the most important guiding principles.



I moved my file over from a competitor ages ago, and I haven't looked back.

Smart and caring people running a smart and caring space. Their comic knowledge is excellent, and their customer service is personal, friendly and fantastic. A great space that feels as much like a comfortable old bookstore as a comic shop. Come for the comics, stay for the warm and friendly environment!

Just moved to the west end a couple weeks ago.



Popped in with my nine year old son for Free Comic Book Day and was really impressed with the staff and the general vibe of the shop.

I’ve never had a file at a comic shop before, despite visiting many shops around the city with one of my parents from a young age. I mostly knew what I liked, but often felt too shy to ask, or talk about the genres that interested me. After a frustrating mess up ordering comics online, I finally decided to open a file when my partner brought me around. VE has been so welcoming, and share great recommendations. Their selection is great, and I never feel intimated or too shy to ask questions. They also host really great community events!

I love this store. They’re supportive of both creators and consumers who might not otherwise get shelf space and attention at other stores. When I hear about a graphic novel or comic that sounds irresistible (like Gengoroh Tagame’s book My Brother’s Husband), I love buying it from Variant Edition because I know they’ll have thoughts about it already to help me appreciate it more deeply. Also they support the Edmonton podcasting community. Variant Edition kicks ass!

I cannot even begin to put into words how much these two and their community-thinly-veiled-as-but-a-humble-c omic-book-store mean to me (they are totally a comic and prose store, in case that sounded serious). Not only did they win me over as a customer in one visit (and I really do not like change), but they also showed my significant otter that she too could enjoy comic books. And she really, really loves them. That is something I never thought would happen, but it did, and now this 'hobby' of mine isn't a lonely solo venture, but one I share with so many other people that I almost feel like I enjoy socialising.



Without any real input on my part, Brandon and Danica always know exactly what I will enjoy, and their recommendations have never once let me down. And they can and will do this for pretty much everyone. It's an absolutely uncanny ability they share like some sort of alternate reality Power Pack consisting of two humans and two cats.



The shop itself has a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, with a wonderfully huge focus on kid's literature in all forms (comic addiction is best started off at a young age) as well as spotlighting representation and inclusion for all. If you want something and it's available to order, they will get it to you, whether it be by mail, car, or in person.The used book section is also fantastic, and the prices are amazing. There's a shelf literally titled 'Spooky Smooches' that maybe makes me laugh a lot more than other people have? And it's pet-friendly!



Anyway, I love these guys, and I can assure you that they will blow you away with their knowledge, kindness, and acknowledgement of personal bubbles. I didn't say two words to them for months and they were totally cool with it, if that's what you're into.



They won't let you down. :)

I adore VE, and before they were available, I only purchased my comics online. I make an effort now to buy from them, because they are discerning, inclusive, and extremely devoted to stellar customer service. They make excellent and thoughtful reading recommendations based on your interests and previous reads, and are extremely involved in their local community as well. They go out of their way to provide a welcoming space for hobby groups, to diversify the content provided so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy what they want to read, and to host fun community events that everyone can enjoy. They are my first go-to for finding the comics I am interested in purchasing, and when they don’t have something in, they are more than willing to order it for me. I highly recommend giving them a try - they are a fantastic business.

Hands down the best comic book shop in the city. The only place I've ever kept a file! From the first day I wandered in as a nervous newbie, the owners have been friendly, inviting, inclusive, and engaging. They have an incredible selection, including a lot of smaller, local, or indie books I would never have heard of otherwise. And they are amazing at recommendations! Tell them what you like to read, and they will recommend a bunch of new stuff you're guaranteed to love.

Great store! They carry a wide variety of comics and trade paperbacks (not just Marvel and DC). Really great atmosphere and it's very clear they care about making their store, and the comics community in general, open to all. They give great recommendations if you're not sure what to get!

Anyone who stands up against the bullies in this world has my support and will get my business. This world can be dark and ugly but it’s people like Danica that give me hope, saying nope, we can do better, our customers & this world deserve better, and for that I am am grateful.