The perfect spot for any comic book fan!
Whether you geek out over comics, love to play Dungeons and Dragons, or can't wait to get your hands on a new fantasy novel, this Middletown comic shop has something for you.
Creating the Shop
Retired air traffic controller Christopher Hayth had always dreamed about opening a comic book shop. So when the stars aligned and a space became available in downtown Middletown, Christopher and his wife, Jessica, wasted no time in bringing this dream to fruition.
Crooked Dog Comics, a name that pays tribute to their boxer pup, opened on Free Comic Book Day in 2024. Since then, Christopher and Jessica have enjoyed meeting every customer that has visited their shop. The couple wanted to fill a niche in Middletown while also providing a family-centered space.
The couple visited over 75 comic shops in four different countries before opening their downtown Middletown shop, which features a rare Silver Surfer statue.
Comic Selection
Crooked Dog Comics boasts an impressive selection of comics from Indie and Manga to big selections of DC and Marvel. Outside of comic books, the store carries sci-fi and fantasy novels - many of which you would find on TikTok's #BookTok - as well as merchandise and snacks.
There is also a variety of merchandise like Pokemon Cards, movie memorabilia, and of course— superhero themed dog leashes and collars.
Crooked Dog Comics sells a selection of kid's books and comics, sorted into age categories. Kids can even find an entire rack dedicated to Bluey!
Game Room + Events
With the help of Jessica’s mom, an electrician by trade, part of Crooked Dog Comics has been transformed into a medieval tavern for Dungeons & Dragons adventurers. The immersive experience makes gamers feel like they're playing in a classic pub in Scotland.
The shop even hosts online gamers from across the country who want to meet face-to-face and play DnD together.
"We wanted it to be an immersive experience for people to play games like Dungeons and Dragons," Jessica says.
Comics + Community
Jessica and Christopher pride themselves on fostering community, often partnering with other Middletown businesses for trivia and game nights. As patrons, they frequent Gravel Road Brewing, N.E.W Ales Brewing, The Slice, and many other local businesses. Both are grateful for the support they’ve received and all the friendships they’ve made since opening Crooked Dog Comics.
Visit Crooked Dog Comics
1373 Central Ave | Middletown, Ohio
Open Tuesday through Thursday, 11am – 7pm | Friday & Saturday, 11am – 9pm
