Maximum Distractions

Portage Park comic and card shop on Milwaukee Ave packed wall to wall with comics, MTG singles to dig through, used board games and D&D books.

Maximum Distractions is the kind of Northwest Side shop where you should budget extra time. Reviewers describe comics running wall to wall, stacks of used and new board games, and trading cards tucked among everything else on Milwaukee Avenue. Comic retail locator Comloc lists it among Chicago's active comic shops, and it's a neighborhood fixture for collectors who like to dig.

For card players, Magic: The Gathering is the main draw. One recent group came in specifically hunting Magic cards and wasn't disappointed. Staffer Grant let them sit at a table on a rainy afternoon to sort through cards and play a few games. That relaxed approach sums up the store: browsing is encouraged, and nobody rushes you.

The comics side covers Marvel and DC back issues and new releases, and the shelves also hold D&D books and tabletop gaming supplies. Customers who visit for a single comic often leave with something from the card or game shelves. That's how the shop became a favorite for Jefferson Park and Portage Park regulars.

The owner gets praise too. One longtime customer called him cool and very knowledgeable, and the comic selection mixes fresh releases with old-school finds. Tabletop players who stop in for D&D books often plan to return for new releases, and the shop's mix of comics, cards and games means every visit turns up something different on the shelves.

Hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 6PM, Friday noon to 8PM, and Saturday and Sunday noon to 6PM. The shop is closed Monday. Friday evenings offer the longest window for browsing after work.

The storefront is on Milwaukee Avenue at Montrose, on the edge of Portage Park and Jefferson Park. Street parking is usually available on nearby blocks. Grant comes up by name in reviews, so ask him for help if you're hunting specific cards.