Founded in 1987, The Beguiling has set a new standard in Canada for comics and graphic novel retail. Showcasing the largest selection of alternative, underground and avant-garde graphic story telling in the country, The Beguiling has a worldwide reputation for excellence. Among the many accolades afforded the store, the most prestigious was the first-ever Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award for excellence in retailing.

In its long history The Beguiling sponsored many book launches, author signings, readings, and other comics events with legendary creators including Robert Crumb, Harlan Ellison, Jamie Hernandez, Neil Gaiman, Joann Sfar, and literally hundreds more. In 2003 several members of The Beguiling staff founded the not-for-profit Toronto Comic Arts Festival, bringing alternative and independent comics creators from around the world to Toronto to celebrate the best of comic art. Held every year, the show continues to thrive, growing in size with each iteration.

The Beguiling is proud to act as the official art representative for dozens of talented comics artists, cartoonists, and illustrators. We sell original artwork from these cartoonists on a consignment basis, to ensure the majority of the proceeds go directly to them. Please visit our online art store at http://store.beguilingoriginalart.com/index.php.

The store regularly buys old comics published from the 1930’s up to the present day. New comic books come in every Wednesday. New graphic novels arrive regularly, and thanks to our attention to detail and commitment to diversity, we receive many books before any other retail outlet. If you can’t find it anywhere else, The Beguiling probably has it, or can get it for you.

As of January 3rd, 2017, The Beguiling is located at 319 College Street, having been located on Markham Street for nearly 20 years, and Harbord Street before that.  Since moving to College, the store has expanded to be more than double the size of the previous location. Our sister store Little Island Comics, the world’s first comics shop exclusively for younger readers, relocated next door to 323 College Street as of February 2018.

319 College Street Photos (March 2018):

 

601 Markham Street Photos (Previous location, November 2016):