Explore Comics from across the Ages at MSU!
If you’re on the hunt for a real-life comic treasure trove, look no further than Michigan State University (MSU).
Nestled within the Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections, MSU houses the largest publicly accessible comic book collection in the world—and yes, you can visit it!
What Makes This Collection a Must-Visit?
• 350,000+ titles spanning every continent (except Antarctica), with materials ranging from 1860s proto-comics to modern issues.
• Comics from diverse regions, including North Korea, the largest archive of Israeli comics outside Israel, and more.
• Born from the vision of Professor Russel B. Nye, a pop culture pioneer who began the archive in 1970 with a few thousand donated issues.
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How to Visit and Read Comic Books!
This isn’t just a display—it’s an interactive, hands-on experience where you can experience the thrill of handling rare comics, the nostalgia of vintage storytelling, or simply to explore pop culture’s most tangible history.
1. Register online and request which issues you’d like to see, at least three days before your visit.
2. Arrive at the Special Collections reading room, where staff will provide a special page-turning spatula and handling instructions.
3. Dive into your comics of choice!
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Whether you’re a lifelong comic reader, a teacher, or a future storyteller, MSU’s collection is an epicenter of discovery—full of stories waiting to be read and preserved!