Adventures in Ink

Leander comic shop that doubles as a card-game hangout: weekly Friday Night Magic, new comics every Wednesday, plus manga, tabletop games and collectibles.

Comics, cards, games and collectibles share the floor at Adventures in Ink, an owner-run shop in a Ronald Reagan Boulevard retail center on Leander's west side. The space is roomy, parking is easy, and there are restaurants a few doors away, which makes it an easy stop to fold into an errand run or a night out.

For card players, Magic: The Gathering is the anchor. Friday Night Magic runs every week from 5 to 9 PM, and on the third Saturday of each month the shop hosts a "Girls Only" Magic session aimed at making the game more welcoming to newer and underrepresented players. Sealed product and accessories sit alongside the tabletop games, so you can grab sleeves, a deck box or a few packs before you sit down. Pokemon and other trading card games turn up on the shelves too, so it's a good first stop for anyone looking for trading cards in Leander.

The comic side is just as deep. New issues land on Wednesdays, pull-list customers get their books set aside, and the back-issue and manga selection has a reputation for being bigger than people expect from a suburban storefront, including key issues for collectors hunting a specific book. A monthly AdventureCon Comic Swap on the fourth Sunday lets locals trade comics with one another, and a Dungeons & Dragons game day fills the third Sunday.

Hours are Monday through Thursday 10AM-7PM, Friday 10AM-9PM to cover Magic night, Saturday 9AM-7PM and Sunday noon to 6PM. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to browse comics, while Friday evenings are the time to come if you want a game. Check the shop's website for current event dates before you drive over, since special events shift around releases and holidays. And if you're new to Magic, the monthly sessions and the low-key Friday crowd make this a comfortable place to learn.