“How do you kill two hours in Andheri without involving a mall, Barista or traffic?”

Enter Leaping Windows Café and Comic Library, a caped crusader saving Versova from boredom, and us from having to make up suitably exciting answers each time we are asked the above question.

Started as an online and doorstep delivery comic book rental in 2010, Leaping Windows has finally opened its own space (they were supposed to launch in December), complete with a graphic novel library, kick-ass reading room and café to match. Marvel indeed!

The Library: Title-ate

With well over 2,000 comic book titles on the shelves, you’ll be spotting more than a bird and a plane here. There are the usual suspects like Tin-Tin, Asterix, Calvin and Hobbes; a bunch of rare Alan Moore (of Watchmen fame) graphic novels; Marvel Comics’ superhero series and an impressive Manga range which gets updated frequently. Co-owner Bidisha’s favourites include her two Mad magazines she found at a Fort second-hand book stall and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics which are now out of print. Bidisha loves them so and she’ll be damned if they leave the library. Flip through these at Leaping Window premises, using the comfortable floor mats and cushioned seats at a pocket-friendly Rs 30 per hour. Now that’s a (comic) relief!

The Café: Milk and Cookies

A few indoor tables, a couple outside, a super sketched wall and Suzette-like dark interiors make this café geek-chic. We love that the owners take your order (not sure how long that will last, though) and the menu consist of classics like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a glass of cold milk served with Oreo cookies. We would like a bedtime story with that, please.

The day’s special was home-made curd rice and chutney but we didn’t have the stomach for it during an early evening visit. So from the pre-made sandwiches we got the hearty non-vegetarian club sandwich stuffed with chicken, bacon, a layer of egg and slabs of cheese served with wafers and yummy coleslaw. The mutton chop was small, but tender. The cinnamon-masala iced chai was a fun flavour but a little too milky for our liking. Other hot tea varieties are white, mint, green and Oolong. Their house blend includes single estate coffee from Coorg.

We ended with a yum lemon cheesecake which was light and creamy; chocolate Oreo cupcake that tasted a little refrigerated; and the Spooky, a delicious mini vanilla and chocolate chip meringue. We recommend you get the little table by the window with the Marvel light bulb hanging above it- perfect for day-dreaming or creative thinking. Also, leech alert: they have free Wi-fi!

Parting Is Such Sweet Borrow

Read the stringent rules and regulations pasted on the library walls and you’ll realise that the owners truly love their massive comic collection. Respect their books and you might even get treated to a Spooky with your coffee. If you harm them, Bidisha and Utsaa will hunt you down to seriously “damage your wallet”. Don’t test these guys. They know every ninja (turtle) move in the book.

Getting there: 3 Corner View, off Yari Road , opposite Bianca Tower, Versova, 9769998972, view the Facebook page here, Rs 300 (lifetime membership) plus Rs 1,500 for a  three monthly library membership, Rs 600 for a meal for two, Rs 55 for a cappuccino.

bpb reviews anonymously and pays for its own meals.