Counter Media

This store carries all the stuff you can't find at Powells Books(conveniently located right across the street) For some reason it seems to me as if the Powell people have become more and more "mainstream" over the last decade or so and this store(as well a the internet) fills that gap nicely.Yes, the staff are a bit rude...but are you going to look at books or to attend a personal growth seminar??

Have you ever sought out art books by Trevor Brown? If so, you've doubtless met with frustration. Not so at Counter Media, where the amusingly stand-offish owner will direct you to The Brown Collection -- all of the books far more reasonably priced than elsewhere, many signed by the artist himself.

But that's only the beginning. Signed painting collections by Robert Williams, imports from Japan's most imaginative and lavish graphic novelists, copies of sculptures by Giger and more await. (There is of course the naughty memorabilia room, which is fun if you bring your partner, but much of that can be gotten elsewhere and doesn't interest me -- though you might feel differently.)

Is the "older man" owner mentioned in another review rude? Only if you're painfully sensitive. Most who have a bit more experience with Church of the Sub-Genius, Survival Research, bands like Factrix and other such veteran alterna-orgs will recognize the attitude for what it is: vintage punk with a bemused sense of restraint. If you've ever met Mark Pauline or Ivan Stang, they behave in much the same way but prove to be friendly enough.

This is the store I tell New Yorkers about when extolling the virtues of Portland. What Bridgepoint Brewery is to beer, Counter Media is to fringe art and the graphic novel.

I'm a big fan of specialty media, especially publications. I was visiting a buddy of mine in Portland and we were strolling though the city when we came across what looked like a very cool store. after browsing for a few minutes we had found something of interest and went to ask a question to the counter person. He was rude and brushed us off as if to say "we don't like your kind here". I turned to another staff member and got similar treatment. I was very disappointed, we ended up not purchasing a thing due to the rudeness of the staff. he was an older man behind the counter and was very curt with us. I would recommend doing your shopping on line rather than supporting this store

I admit, I usually stop in just to pet the owner's dog. It makes me feel good. But while I am in the store I usually find some thing that I just need to buy. The front part of the store is dedicated to unusual and odd books you might have a hard time finding elsewhere. The back part of the store is dedicated to "dirty" books and magazines you might have a hard time finding elsewhere. But when I say back of the store, don't be confused, it is a large light and airy room, separated only by a ramp (there is nothing "backroom about this store). Thay also carry an assortment of figurines.

PROS: friendly staff, nice selection
CONS: 18 and older only. Need a baysitter to go

Counter Media is exactly what it's name suggests. Conservative and the general stodgey sort should stay away from this place.
Otherwise enter and find comics (new + old - bondage fairies!), books and magazines of the alternative/adult nature. Small and located just a few steps from Powell's City of Books.