2000 AD Online Forum

On saturday, i went to coventry with my lovely wife to be, who went to have her wedding dress sorted.

I, not wanting to see said dress, searched out forbidden planet, with the intention of grabbing a few graphic novels to while away the morning.

I went in, and not finding them (my first time in the FP) I asked the guy behind the counter where the GN's were.
He looked over the rim of his glasses and actually SNEERED at me! with a withering glance and a nasty tone he told me they were in the back 'with the other mainstream stuff'!

Now, i'm used to the disapproving looks in waterstones et al. but in a COMIC SHOP! what is the geek world coming to!

Buy cards and action figures or GET OUT!

You didn't mention Hawk the Slayer, did you?

Ah. Cov Forbidden Planet. What a depressing, manky fuck-hole of a shop. I had to make do with this fucking place and the Star Trek/Buffy-fixated retards who work there the three years I was at Uni. Even now, although I'm only 12 miles from the place, I'd rather go the 20 miles east to Northampton or 30 west to Birmingham to visit a comic shop (although I use the term 'comic shop' very loosely when applied to Nostalgia and FPs in general).

The big comic shop in Belfast used to be called Talisman before it got bought up by Forbidden Planet - and by sheer coincidence, it's main rival got mysteriously firebombed shortly afterwards.  Ahem.
Now?  Fpppp.  The place is a godless shithole.
I saw one of the fellas from the old place behind the counter as I walked in one day, and the look on his face just seemed to reek of a lust for death.  These places seem to have bother getting a hold of comics from independant publishers and small press stuff, too.  If they can't get that, what the fuck is the point of me going in there in the first place?  I can buy Batman from the newsagent at the end of the road.

Well, you first mistake would be Coventry, your second mistake would be Forbidden Planet. Having experienced both I daren't imagine what the combination might be like...

There's one in Liverpool. Been in it once, just browsing, and ended up buying a poster. Horrible, horrible shop though. There's a far better 'geek' shop that sells a crap load of comics, figures and stuff, but for the life of me I can't remember what it's called (World's Apart, maybe?).

It's across the road and round the corner, if you come out of Lime street's side entrance (just incase anyone is ever going to visit by train).

"The big comic shop in Belfast used to be called Talisman before it got bought up by Forbidden Planet - and by sheer coincidence, it's main rival got mysteriously firebombed shortly afterwards. Ahem."

Strangely enough exactly the same thing happened in my part of the world just when a comic shop moved into another's territory, not making any insinuations of course, just a strange coincidence. You don't expect the comics world to be a ruthless cut and thrust world.

ADE

>just incase anyone is ever going to visit by train

Where you can view the delights of the 'Cockneys die!' and 'All Mancs die!' graffiti as you enter the city.

Forbidden Planet in Nottingham has absorbed Worlds Apart like some monstrous ameoba... now the computer games outnumber the gonks (the comics get one corner)

Page 42's even worse mind... no gonks just loathsome staff

"The big comic shop in Belfast used to be called Talisman before it got bought up by Forbidden Planet - and by sheer coincidence, it's main rival got mysteriously firebombed shortly afterwards. Ahem."

Don't think Dark Horizons was ever gonna be much of a competition for Talisman/FP.

I find it more interesting that the place mysteriously burnt down weeks before the builders came in to knock the whole place down to build that new hypermall thing.

The actual site of Dark Horizons is now the new Kitchen Bar, another story there 'caus the original Kitchen bar was also knocked down to make way for this hypermall thing. The original Kitchen Bar was (i think) a listed building and it was only after a lot of protesting and probably a lot of cash changing hands, that the owner gave way to the developers.

Anyway, I digress, as to Dark Horizons, the phrase 'insurance scam' comes to mind.

The phrase "how the fuck did they stay open so long in the first place?" springs to mind, too.

At one pinnacle of a point_I_ had to advise a *mature* member of staff what Alien versus Predator could be found AS!

I was only there for a snoop, anyway!

World's Apart, maybe?

Yeah, Worlds Apart (as Noisy mentioned on another thread IIRC). In there the GN's and albums alone occupy an entire wall up to the ceiling, whereas the FP in Bold St. as you know amounts to a couple of short bookcases, which says a lot.

(Neither are a patch on the long defunct Chapter One. Now there was a proper comic shop. Like something out of Black Books but with comics and porn.)

i have not been to a modern FP
my memories are of the orignal one. at demark street.
that was truly an experience i shall never forget. the first time i stepped in that place.
WOW!!!!!

i like my memories that way,and likely will not bother with FP when i go to the UK.

" The original Kitchen Bar was (i think) a listed building and it was only after a lot of protesting and probably a lot of cash changing hands, that the owner gave way to the developers. "
 
Most amusing Unc!  By astonishing coincidence I was peripherally involved in the Built Heritage aspect of the "planning" stages of this very development (it's a small island) and while fearing libel charges (or is it slander?), this would gel with my own imperfect recollection of events...   Was very sorry to see Dark Horizons go - it was always a staple of my trips to Belfast.  Friendly knowledgeable folk, found some lovely Luther Arkwrights there, IIRC.  

the one shaftsbury avenue seems to be alright. The huge downstairs section is dedicated to print. They've even got the Big Finish Audio Dramas for sale.

However the local comic shop near Putney bridge (don't know what its called) has staffing problems - ie they're stupid, fat fuckers.

Ah, FP  Denmark Street!  For years the Holy Grail of my young imagination, when I finally made it there on a family holiday to London, aged 13-or-so, it did NOT disappoint, wedged in between guitar shops, all narrow and musty.  

My poor father obviously had subtly different memories of this specific part of London, as he seemed so perturbed by my stated destination that he actually gave me money for a taxi (first and still the only time !) on condition that I go straight there and straight back...

Before i came to uni in Canterbury i bought all my comics at FP in Leeds and a most horrible place it was!

Now in Canterbury there is the choice of two shops, my regular one being Whatever Comics. After FP it is such a strange experience to have staff who are not only helpful but that you can actually chat to!!!

My old home town Canterbury had the strange honour, for a small cathedral town, of supporting 3 comics shops at one point. None to 3 in a year. Whatever Comics run by Manny, Incognito Comics run by Dave, and Siegi's Comics run by the minor legend that was Siegi Longman(RIP) It was a golden age of wasted wages, back when i was a young art student.

Coming from Leamington I haven't been tempted to stop of at Coventry, as the saying goes round here 'Fuck that' but always go on to Brum and get my fix at Nostalgia. They're a pleasant enough bunch when you get to be a regular and sure beat the Goth party overspill that is the local FP. If the staff can wrench themselves away from talking about last nights exploits long enough to acknowledge you, let alone serve you, you're a lucky individual.

Ah good old FP Denmark St. I wasted many a trip to London just hanging out in that musty old dump. Still have a souvenir Brian Bolland bag. The new soulless Athen style FP superstore on Shaftsbury Avenue is just awful. Head down Charing Cross Road and go to Comics Showcase - much better.

Nostalgia and Comics used to be fantastic. I'd always work my way to that far left corner last, hoping there'd be some 2000AD-related bargains. Back then, Virgin had its own comic department, that, and all those Readers' World bookshops scattered around, too. Even the bloody flea market had a couple of stalls hidden amongst the clothes and TVs.

And FP in Manhattan is pretty shite, also. 'Please leave your bag at the door, sir.'

Don't think Dark Horizons was ever gonna be much of a competition for Talisman/FP.

I find it more interesting that the place mysteriously burnt down weeks before the builders came in to knock the whole place down to build that new hypermall thing.

There is a small somic shop, and I mean small, about the size of a bathroom, in Corn Market. But it seems to be exclusively populated by young people playing some card game or another.

Where's the one in Corn Market rac?Can't say I've noticed it...

M.

It's just inside the entrance closest to where FP used to be.
Or, go in the main entrance and turn right, it's at the end of that corridor.

"And FP in Manhattan is pretty shite, also. 'Please leave your bag at the door, sir.'"

I was shocked at how poor Manhattans FP was. Mind you Midtown Comics has to be the best I've ever been in.

In Glasgow we have about 6 comic shops to choose from,some good some not.

The thing I hate about FP is that you could swap the staff with a shoe shops and they would be just as knowledgeable, if not more so.

"Now in Canterbury there is the choice of two shops, my regular one being Whatever Comics. After FP it is such a strange experience to have staff who are not only helpful but that you can actually chat to!!!"

Ah, Whatever Comics! Definitely the best comic shop I've been to, in terms of the friendliness of the staff. I forget the ladie's name, but the middle aged woman who used to work there most of the time was really nice, and very helpful, she even sold us replica firearms (for legitimate purposes, I assure you).

That'll be Impulse.  Just look for the big sign above the shop with "Impulse" on it.
It's not just card games, either.  the owner once took his entire pc into work just play one of those 'wander about and slash things a bit' rpg things - Everquest I think.  And don't bother asking about British comics - they don't stock them because the size is all wrong for the little boxes they keep American comics in, so no 2000ad.

"he told me they were in the back 'with the other mainstream stuff'! "

But that comment doesn't even make sense! And this coming as it does from 'Star Trek/Buffy-obsessed retards' ??!

I didn't think you could get more mainstream than Star Trek and Buffy, and I thought that half the snobbery about graphic novels was due to the fact that they're supposed to be quality, thoughtful, literary stuff as opposed to the 'mainstream' superhero shite that most of us fanboys are supposed to drool over.

My nearest comic shop's are in Canterbury. Let's hope that FP doesn't decide to open a branch there, and absorb these two great bastions of comicdom.

"Comics run by the minor legend that was Siegi Longman(RIP)"

Ah, I didn't know he was deceased, though he was obese so I guess there's a lesson there. I didn't go there often but it was always quite painful watching him try to squeeze between the rows of boxes.


What year were you studying at the art College then Swimini? I ask because I was there from 1990-1992.

ADE

There was a letter in Comics international a few months back announcing poor Siegi's passing. He was on the rotund size, but he seemed like a nice bloke and did love his comics. Comic Book Guy is him to a tee, but without the food stains on the T-shirt.

My time at the Art college was around 88-91. Spent a number of years dosing at the Six Form College next door, but using the Bar, and then one fruitless year doing foundation before Brighton Uni said No. Bastards.

Avoid Fanboy Comics in MK at all costs.

I used to love Nostalgia & Comics as a kid.  I went back there last year after a break of many years - what happened to upstairs?  I really wanted to go upstairs!  Not fair!  And as for the comic section of Virgin, I remember that - I recall various things falling off the back of the lorry, as it were, and being given Akira #1 for nothing by a mate there.  No wonder it closed down.

The other thing I think about now and again is all the orignal 2000ad art that used to line the walls of N&C when I was a nipper - shame I could never afford to buy any at the time!

Atomica in Portsmouth is bloody brilliant, and one day i sincerely hope to actually be able to spend some cash there!

fp in liverpool - one decent bloke, the rest of them are uppity fools. if you say anything beyond standard shopping phrases such as "what time do you close" you get looks that combine  disgust, confusion, astonishment and sheer stupidity. i find them a bit cold in worlds apart as well, but as least they have decent graphic novels stock. I use Bounty Hunters on the Wirral -  much better and bigger stock for comics and graphic novels than f.p., with lots of figures and collectors stuff. worlds apart is a bit bigger but totally lacks the charm of bounty hunters. i have met people in there who have travelled for over an hour to get there.  

you can go upstairs at Nostalgia now....but its solely console games! Aieeee!!!!

i remember siegi's comics, in Canterbury. The rumour i heard was that he was put away for selling fraudulent comics! Still, no evidence to back up the rumour- anyone else heard that one.
He can now spend his days stacking shelves in the great comic shop, in the sky.

Seconding tank grrl's comments about Atomica in Portsmouth. It's been there six months now and believe me the sheer joy of hanging out chatting with a store owner who actually reads and enjoys the things.

Magic Labyrinth in Leicester's good (and a thousand times better than the FP there)

The one in Harrow's pretty good too - Calamity Comics I think.

They're both very friendly shops, so it's nice to have a chat when I go into either of them

   Steve

All very interesting, the sub-culture of the comics shop.  

Over here, Dublin's comics shop scene seems to be healthier than it's been in some years.  Aside from the over-priced over-policed but actually not-too-bad-for-range FP, there's the always good Sub-City and the now reorganised Third Place (occupying the same space as the much-missed Flying Pig), and the other back-issue-only one on teh corner of Crow Lane.  

What I like about all our current crop of non-FP shops is the friendliness of the staff/owners,  they're universally chatty but not pushy, and pleasantly knowledgeable about all matters fanboy without being condescending or snide.  It's nice (and unusual) to be able to say that about literally ALL of them.

In fact, this a tradition which goes back to the seminal Dublin comics shop, the 80's "Alchemist's Head" (pre-Dame Street version), which was pokey, musty but always tolerant of over-loud smelly teens (guilty as charged) and full of good advice.  Knowing my 2000AD habit, the towering skinhead we knew only as Des (probably not his name at all) recommended I take a look at 'Swamp Thing' (43, I think?), and changed my Marvel Comics/X-Books reading life completely... Cheers, Des (woever you were)!

I like the staff at my local FP. They're friendly, chatty and not pushy. I'm not looking for recommendations, so it doesn't matter to me if they're knowledgeable or not. I usually just go in and pick up my favourites.

I actually like the staff in London FP as well. And the bloke in Comicana is great.

Actually Ush, I didn't mean to knock the Dublin FP staff by ommission.  They're perfectly pleasant and helpful, and always have been.  Their security guards, on the other hand, come across as gobshites.