Like its predecessors, the new shop sells everything a geek would want: comic books, trading cards, and legions of Funko Pop figures. Pokemon trading cards are some of its best-selling products.
While the shop's name references Metropolis, the city DC Comics superhero Superman calls home, the name is meant to evoke the feeling that shoppers are walking into an expansive space for collectors. Overseen by Metropolis Comics owner Jose Duran, the first location opened in Homestead in 2020, and the second location opened in the Falls in July 2024.
Duran and employee Alfonso Treto knew each other from their interactions at Geeks Closet, another Homestead comic-book shop that moved to Tallahassee in 2023. When the shop moved upstate, Metropolis became the only Homestead-based comic book store. (Sadly, Geeks' owners have announced the business will close for good this week.)
Treto credits the South Florida community for Metropolis' success over the past few years. In a time where online shopping dominates retail, brick and mortars face pressure to deliver great service and carry products the average consumer can't find anywhere else.
The customers are what makes the business," says Treto. "We're not perfect, but we want to get as [close] as we can to perfect."
That same community support brought one of Duran's ideas to life this past fall when Metropolis organized the first Homestead Comic Con. Hosted at South Dade Senior High, the event featured appearances by voice actors Patricia Azán (South Park) and Yenni Ann (Villainous).
Metropolis Comics store manager Pedro Yambo (left) with employee Alfonso Treto (right)
Photo by Valenti Govantes
Metropolis Comics Arrives at Miami International Mall
The Miami International Mall location opened on Tuesday, December 17. Duran and his team had initially planned a November 29 launch to capitalize on Black Friday, but permit procedures pushed the opening back. Despite the delay, the shop honored daily discounts for the official grand opening weekend: 30 percent off on Friday, 20 percent off on Saturday, and 10 percent off on Sunday. Freelance voice actor Pedro Yambo manages the new Miami International Mall location. After completing voice acting work for Marvel months before, Yambo applied for the position and met with Duran.
"When I got here [for] the interview," says Yambo, "the one thing they told me was that this is a family-owned business, so we want you to feel like you're family. On the third day, it already felt like Jose was my big brother."
Customers' Initial Reactions and Metropolis' Future
Customers are already taking to the new space at Miami International Mall. Little Havana resident Alice Mendoza visited the store to look for gifts for her nephew and father. She says she'll return soon to browse the shop's selection of comic books and Funko Pop figures. Doral resident Gabriel Vallone says he likes that the shop is more accessible to him than the other South Florida locations.
Treto thinks there may be opportunities for the business to expand further in the future.
"We look forward to the growth," he says. "And you never know, we might move a little north."
Metropolis International. 1455 NW 107th Ave., #906, Doral; metropoliscomicsmiami.com.
