Unless you’ve been living under a rock or don’t read comic books — hence an uncultured swine — you should know that there are three big comic book stores in Norman. Some might think this is a little too much for this small college town, but they each have a little something different to offer to their clientele’s different needs.

Wizard's Asylum

Located on Jenkins Avenue and right across from the Sarkeys Energy Center, Wizard’s Asylum is the closest comic book store on campus. Not only does Wizard’s carry a wide variety of comic books and graphic novels, it also has various role-playing games sets, cards and pieces and family board games.

Wizard’s also host numerous gaming events a few times a week. On Friday evenings, it hosts Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic The Gathering tournaments. On Sundays, it has a Heroclix tournament and Tuesday and Fridays are for the Warhammer 40,000 games. If you’re into gaming and comics, you probably already knew about this store, and I’ve run into you a couple of times.

The store’s hours are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The store is discounting graphic novels by 10 percent the rest of the semester.

Atomic Pop!

This store — the most colorful shop on the list — carries everything to meet a Japanese-cultural enthusiast needs: Anime soundtracks, albums by Japanese artists, manga, Sanrio merchandise, Lolita clothing, plush dolls, action figures, scrolls, posters and the list goes on.

Don’t be deceived by the name of the shop; it also has a very large selection of American comics, from the indie titles —“Love and Rockets” — to the more mainstream — “Captain America.”

Another great thing about the store is published comic writer Rob Vollmar works there and is always happy to offer suggestions and talk about the industry to customers.

The store is at 918 W. Main St. and right now it has a buy-four-manga-get-the-fifth-free sale. It is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Speeding Bullet Comics

Last, but not in any way the least, is Speeding Bullet, which is entirely a comic book shop and carries anything a fanboy would need.

Located at 614 N. Porter Ave., the store boasts the largest trade and hardback comic collection in Oklahoma and it doesn’t stop there. Speeding Bullet sells clothing, DVDs posters, action figures and books written by comic book writers.

The store’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

And in case you’re in Norman during the summer, OU grad and comic writer Sterling Gates will be there to sign your books June 12.