Comic store set for special event
A SPECIALIST comic shop in Newcastle is gearing up for one of its biggest days of the year.
This morning will see huge queues form outside Forbidden Planet, which will be marking Free Comic Book Day with giveaways.
Staff at the Grainger Street store have been busy preparing for the annual treat, which always takes place on the first Saturday in May, and will be handing out freebies to customers.
“It’s major for us,” said assistant manager Peter Frain. “It’s like record store day but better.”
As well as free comics there will be goody bags while stocks last, as well as special deals on offer, including a mix of eight comics for just £2.
And there will be an exclusive Doctor Who comic available which marks the first appearance of the new female doctor.
The store is hugely popular with all ages and today is expected to attract newcomers in addition to its hordes of regular buyers.
Having moved a year ago into bigger premises – a former NatWest building, just down the road from its previous location – the Newcastle store is now the second biggest Forbidden Planet outside London – and the only one to boast an exhibition gallery.
Comics are the backbone of the business, and science fiction fantasy is its speciality. But, spread over two floors, it also sells a huge range of games; books; posters; merchandise; exclusive company T-shirts; and Pop! Vinyl figures, on top of its colourful A-Z array of graphic novels of all genres.
Among the current big sellers is Avengers: Infinity War. Ahead of releases of any new Marvel blockbuster, which are marked with the re-issue of all vintage classic editions too, the store is ahead of the game.
And it also likes to go one better for customers, with such offers as the latest new Hans Solo prequel book, Last Shot, specially signed by the author.
Forbidden Planet takes delivery of a new batch of comics every Wednesday – the same day as they arrive at shops in America – so fans tend to be regular visitors at the store to see the latest publications.
Whenever there’s a film or a TV series, there will be a comic, said Peter.
Customers can find merchandise which is otherwise hard to get, and related to everything from anime and Pokemon to James Bond..
Paradiso author Ram V will attending the store in person on May 19 for a 1pm-2pm signing.