Comic books are almost exclusively Big Kids’ material these days, as evidenced by dozens of edgy, hyper-imaginative titles and a slew of comic-based movies like Spider-Man, X-Men, and the upcoming Daredevil. Which means that comic books are also Big Business. Proof? Nicolas Cage (who borrowed part of his name from Powerman alter ego Luke Cage) recently auctioned his entire comics collection for almost $2 million. Holy mature industry, Batman.

If your last comic-book experience involved reading your cousin’s worn issue of Sgt. Rock (and wondering if Sea Monkeys really do look like that), it’s high time you dropped Kierkegaard’s Stages on Life’s Way and discovered where the real spiritual growth is.

Want a story about a distant ancestor of James Bond (Campion Bond) who forms a team of agents made up of literary characters Henry Jekyll, Captain Nemo, Allan Quatermain, and others to battle evil in Victorian-era England? Done: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen ($14.95) is just one of many increasingly popular trade-paperback titles for sale at Kenmore Square’s Comicopia. The well-organized yet eclectic store also sells comic-book-character lunchboxes ($20) and is the official shop for Kaiju Big Battel T-shirts ($18; hooded, $40).

Or how about a French comic in which the author comes to grips with his brother’s epilepsy? You can find Epileptic ($24.95) by David B. and a large selection of other translated foreign titles at Million Year Picnic (ask a geek) in Harvard Square. At 28, it’s the oldest comic-book store in the region. In keeping with the Cambridge milieu, Picnic blurs the line between art and comics with a small, Newbury Street–like space packed full of superhero and independent comics and art books. Darger ($29.95), an anthology of drawings by Chicago-janitor-turned-posthumous-folk-art-hero Henry Darger, is better suited for an IKEA coffee table than for a Trapper Keeper.

Founded two years ago by rabid comic fans Mike Burke, David Lockwood, and Robert Howard, Comicazi in Davis Square buys and sells new, vintage, superhero, and indie titles like My Monkey’s Name Is Jennifer ($2.95), a frenetically drawn black-and-white comic about a pet monkey in drag who frequently and begrudgingly rescues his female owner from danger. How many action figures does Comicazi have? To quote Mr. White in Reservoir Dogs: "A lot." If it could talk, his Reservoir Dogs action figure ($12.95) would agree. Complete with lighter and sunglasses, White is a fitting complement to the 18-inch Leatherface doll ($34.95) that sports a blood-spattered apron and chain saw.

Not good for the kids? Not to worry; Comicopia has a small section of children’s comics, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Scooby-Doo (95 cents–$2.25). Remember them? What a long, strange trip it’s been.

Where to find it:

• Comicazi, 380 Highland Avenue, Somerville, (617) 666-2664.

• Comicopia, 464 Comm Ave, Boston, (617) 266-4266.

• Million Year Picnic, 99 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, (617) 492-6763.