Tomopop Visits: A and M Comics in Miami, FL

10:00 AM on 07.18.2009   |   Pedro Cortes

Miami is not a place of variety. When you've lived here for a certain amount of time, you learn that if you aren't into the club scene or like the night life, there is surprisingly little to do. You have to go out of your way to find neat places to hang out or go shop in. Nerdy places like anime shops and comic book stores tend to suffer the most, their life span typically determined by how close to a school or university they are.

However, there's a shop that has survived for over 30 years in the middle of Miami, which is kind of like surviving 30 years in the desert with a bottle of water and a Kit-Kat. A combination of a passionate owner and a dedicated fan base has kept A & M Comics open all these years.

Follow me after the jump for more info.

The first indication of awesome is seeing this while driving east on SW 40th St.

You could completely miss the paintings on the side of the building if you weren't looking for it, which is part of the charm of the place. It feels like a hidden slice of nerd heaven that you could easily pass over unless you were on a pilgrimage.

If you manage to find parking in front of the strip mall (which is always in high demand due to the higher-end thrift shop next door) you would see a small store front that looks a bit like this:

Other photos in the gallery will give more details about what exactly are on the chaotic shelves, but it's clear that if you're looking for something, you're bound to find at least a hint of it in this shop.

When you enter the shop, you're greeted with a literal mountain of toys. Everything from vinyl to PVC to classic action figures are here; all you have to do is find it.

... Which is the hard part. I am not kidding when I say that the store is stacked from floor to ceiling with comics, books, toys, anime, statues and just about anything you could possibly collect. It's overwhelming at first, especially if you're claustrophobic (like me). However, if you can take the packed walkways, the dusty shelves and the floating incense, you're likely to find a gem or three. This is due to current owner Jorge Perez's dedication in making sure there is something for everybody in the store.

"I look at all the figures for artistic quality. I pick out the stuff that someone might like," Perez says. "If it looks cool, I'll order it."

Perez started going to A&M in 1984, when the store was already 10 years old. He remained a loyal patron until a day in 1990, when he was presented with an interesting situation by the original owner.

"The original owner found out he had a terminal illness, so he asked if I wanted to run the shop. It's funny, because I was going there that day to cancel my subscriptions."

Looking at the selection on the shelves, in the boxes and stacked on the floor, this writer says that Perez has done a damn good job in keeping A & M a staple in Miami's nerd life.

If you're ever in the Miami area, you can visit A & M Comics at 6650 Bird Road, Miami, FL 33155.