I've become obsessed with finding Knightmare deaths. This is the funniest I've seen so far. Silly Welsh feckers.
The two little links to Knightmare parodies which appear at the end of this vid are also worth a look (the second is particularly funny).
Knightmare
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Thursday, 7 June 2007
West End comic shops, living and dead
Ladies and gentlemen, because you demanded it, here's the LLC guide to the comic shops of London's magical West End.
Bright lights, big city, old comics baby!
The West End stores have traditionally occupied a very small area. I've numbered all the existing shops, as well as some of the ones that have disappeared...
I've warbled on plenty about this place. What more can I say? OK it's a bit grubby, but forget the decor, this is a great comic shop.
It doesn't have as many trades as Forbidden Planet but there are still plenty to choose from and they are usually cheaper than FP. It stocks all the mainstream monthly books, a fine selection of indie comics, a BIG run of DC and Marvel back issues and the best 50p bargain buckets in the capital.
The knowledgeable and friendly staff help give it a real old school comic shop vibe. No wonder it's always packed.
2. GOSH!
Still in its original premises opposite the British Museum. The layout has changed since the '80s, but it remains an excellent comic shop.
Boasts a wide selection of trades (currently offering 3 essentials or showcases for the price of 2) all the usual monthlies and an impressive comics history and graphic design section.
The back issue section isn't as as good as Orbital's, but it is worth checking out for the bulk deals that seem to be a speciality - I've picked up big runs of Alpha Flight, The Nam and Captain America for bargain prices.
The staff are very friendly (especially the Aussie guy*, who is always happy to recommend titles he thinks are worth reading).
London's geek mecca. Forbidden Planet stocks a huge range of DVDs, toys, statues, t-shirts, games, books and yes, comics.
Don't expect to find many back issues though, FP no longer sells anything more than a month or two old. You will be able to find all your mainstream monthlies and a comprehensive amount of trades here.
Like all megastores it's a bit impersonal, but if it's new Marvel and DC comics or trades you're after this is the place for you.
4. Comicana
I'm not sure how Comicana survives. It's the pokiest of all the West End shops and the cramped conditions make shopping there an uncomfortable experience. It does have a huge selection of old comics, but they are pricey and it's difficult to understand why anyone would pay over the odds when they could get their back issues cheaper at Orbital, Gosh or E-Bay.
5. Comic Showcase (Old 1980s site)
The original site of Comic Showcase, just across the road from Forbidden Planet's new shop. I used to shop here quite a lot in the '80s. When I was 13 I inherited a small amount of money from my uncle and wanted to use it to buy an original Watchmen page which they had for sale. It featured Rorschach and would no doubt be worth a fortune now. They said I was too young to appreciate it and refused to sell it to me. Tossers.
6. Comics Showcase (Charing Cross Road site recently closed)
Orbital's original premises on Old Compton Street. At least I think that's where the shop was. I went in there quite a few times, but can't be exactly sure that this is where they were - let's say I'm 95% certain. Anyway much like the new place this was a basement, a lot smaller and smellier though. The new place is a lot better.
Now an internet cafe, FP was here until a few years ago. They even sold back issues in this place although the toy and film section was a lot smaller than it is now.
The original Forbidden Planet site, now a music shop as are most of the shops on this famous old road. I have a lot of fond memories of this place, it's where I bought most of my comics once I discovered they were available in places other than my newsagent.
Just a few doors along from the original FP site is this little alley which used to house the pokiest little comic shop known to man. Seriously it was little more than a hole in the wall. I can't remember for sure, but I think it was called Paradise comics, which is ironic given the fact that it was so shabby.
It didn't sell any new comics, just old ones. You had to give your bag to a dirty little man behind the counter when you went in, he'd give you a playing card in exchange and you got your bag back when you left. No idea why he did this, the place was so small that it would have been impossible to nick anything without him noticing.
Currently empty, the sign on the door is just directing people to a bar in Denmark Street.
The plague started here you know (threw that one in for Ben).
Just around the corner is the site of the old Forbidden Planet Two shop. The original FP store stocked nothing but comics. If you wanted film and TV memorabilia or cult videos this was the place to go. I bought some Twilight Zone videos in there as I recall.
Happy days.
Bright lights, big city, old comics baby!
The West End stores have traditionally occupied a very small area. I've numbered all the existing shops, as well as some of the ones that have disappeared...
1. ORBITAL (current premises)
I've warbled on plenty about this place. What more can I say? OK it's a bit grubby, but forget the decor, this is a great comic shop.It doesn't have as many trades as Forbidden Planet but there are still plenty to choose from and they are usually cheaper than FP. It stocks all the mainstream monthly books, a fine selection of indie comics, a BIG run of DC and Marvel back issues and the best 50p bargain buckets in the capital.
The knowledgeable and friendly staff help give it a real old school comic shop vibe. No wonder it's always packed.
EDIT: This basement has now joined the ranks of London's comic shop dead! My thoughts on Orbital's new shop can be found HERE
2. GOSH!
Still in its original premises opposite the British Museum. The layout has changed since the '80s, but it remains an excellent comic shop.Boasts a wide selection of trades (currently offering 3 essentials or showcases for the price of 2) all the usual monthlies and an impressive comics history and graphic design section.
The back issue section isn't as as good as Orbital's, but it is worth checking out for the bulk deals that seem to be a speciality - I've picked up big runs of Alpha Flight, The Nam and Captain America for bargain prices.
The staff are very friendly (especially the Aussie guy*, who is always happy to recommend titles he thinks are worth reading).
*EDIT: I now know that he's from New Zealand and called Andrew.
3. Forbidden Planet (current premises)
London's geek mecca. Forbidden Planet stocks a huge range of DVDs, toys, statues, t-shirts, games, books and yes, comics.Don't expect to find many back issues though, FP no longer sells anything more than a month or two old. You will be able to find all your mainstream monthlies and a comprehensive amount of trades here.
Like all megastores it's a bit impersonal, but if it's new Marvel and DC comics or trades you're after this is the place for you.
I'm not sure how Comicana survives. It's the pokiest of all the West End shops and the cramped conditions make shopping there an uncomfortable experience. It does have a huge selection of old comics, but they are pricey and it's difficult to understand why anyone would pay over the odds when they could get their back issues cheaper at Orbital, Gosh or E-Bay.
The original site of Comic Showcase, just across the road from Forbidden Planet's new shop. I used to shop here quite a lot in the '80s. When I was 13 I inherited a small amount of money from my uncle and wanted to use it to buy an original Watchmen page which they had for sale. It featured Rorschach and would no doubt be worth a fortune now. They said I was too young to appreciate it and refused to sell it to me. Tossers.
Showcase moved to Charing Cross Road in the '90s (I think). The shop was OK, sold a lot of indie stuff and the usual monthlies, but was obviously struggling and closed last year. That'll teach them not to sell me original art.
7. Orbital (original site, I think. Old Compton Street)
Orbital's original premises on Old Compton Street. At least I think that's where the shop was. I went in there quite a few times, but can't be exactly sure that this is where they were - let's say I'm 95% certain. Anyway much like the new place this was a basement, a lot smaller and smellier though. The new place is a lot better.8. Forbidden Planet (Second site. New Oxford Street)
Now an internet cafe, FP was here until a few years ago. They even sold back issues in this place although the toy and film section was a lot smaller than it is now.9. Forbidden Planet (original site, Denmark Street)
The original Forbidden Planet site, now a music shop as are most of the shops on this famous old road. I have a lot of fond memories of this place, it's where I bought most of my comics once I discovered they were available in places other than my newsagent.10. Alley to Ben's favourite shop (I think it was called Paradise comics)
Just a few doors along from the original FP site is this little alley which used to house the pokiest little comic shop known to man. Seriously it was little more than a hole in the wall. I can't remember for sure, but I think it was called Paradise comics, which is ironic given the fact that it was so shabby.It didn't sell any new comics, just old ones. You had to give your bag to a dirty little man behind the counter when you went in, he'd give you a playing card in exchange and you got your bag back when you left. No idea why he did this, the place was so small that it would have been impossible to nick anything without him noticing.
Currently empty, the sign on the door is just directing people to a bar in Denmark Street.
original site of Paradise (?) comics
The plague started here you know (threw that one in for Ben).Original site of Forbidden Planet Two
Just around the corner is the site of the old Forbidden Planet Two shop. The original FP store stocked nothing but comics. If you wanted film and TV memorabilia or cult videos this was the place to go. I bought some Twilight Zone videos in there as I recall.Happy days.
dvd shopping
Well now let's see, what's to say today? I bought myself a couple of DVD box sets in HMV. Now that's something I haven't done for a while. Obviously like most people out there I don't buy many dvds anymore - not when my friend Mr Bittorrent can supply me with most of the things I want to watch.
When I do cough up for dvds I certainly don't buy them from bricks and mortar shops. I think these are the first dvds I've bought from a high street store in about two years.
Anyway I thought the box set of the Back to the Future trilogy and the complete Christopher Reeve Superman box set were quite cheap all things considered. I've been wanting to watch the Donner cut of Superman II for a while, so I thought I might as well buy the lot given they were in one of HMV's now permanent dvd sales.
I actually quite like Superman III, or at least I have fond memories of watching it as a kid. Never seen the fourth one. I'm sure it's as bad as everyone says.
Big Back to the Future fan - well of the first two films. I haven't watched the third one since it came out, I remember HATING it at the time. Perhaps it will look better now that I'm an adult.
Almost bought a third box set. The Die Hard trilogy for £10! That is a bargain, but it's new comic day tomorrow so I have to keep some spending money aside.
Of course with a baby on the way, all this disposable income malarkey is going down the tubes come October.
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Is the fellow in the blue suit underneath this post trying to steal that desk?
When I do cough up for dvds I certainly don't buy them from bricks and mortar shops. I think these are the first dvds I've bought from a high street store in about two years.
Anyway I thought the box set of the Back to the Future trilogy and the complete Christopher Reeve Superman box set were quite cheap all things considered. I've been wanting to watch the Donner cut of Superman II for a while, so I thought I might as well buy the lot given they were in one of HMV's now permanent dvd sales.
I actually quite like Superman III, or at least I have fond memories of watching it as a kid. Never seen the fourth one. I'm sure it's as bad as everyone says.
Big Back to the Future fan - well of the first two films. I haven't watched the third one since it came out, I remember HATING it at the time. Perhaps it will look better now that I'm an adult.
Almost bought a third box set. The Die Hard trilogy for £10! That is a bargain, but it's new comic day tomorrow so I have to keep some spending money aside.
Of course with a baby on the way, all this disposable income malarkey is going down the tubes come October.
************************************************************************************
Is the fellow in the blue suit underneath this post trying to steal that desk?
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
The EC way
No-nonsense Venusian monstrosity control...
Yay! Good idea. Just make sure you get nice and close to the mushroom cloud so you can check that the alien horror is actually dead.
God bless you EC.
Yay! Good idea. Just make sure you get nice and close to the mushroom cloud so you can check that the alien horror is actually dead.
God bless you EC.
Monday, 4 June 2007
The Weekly Shop #13
A light week for me.
No Ultimate Fantastic Four because Silver Surfer or no Silver Surfer I'm just not enjoying it. So it's dropped. Hard, because I've been reading it since issue #1, but I've decided that the "I've been reading this book since it started, therefore I must continue reading it for all eternity" argument is irrational.
So that left me with just three American comics on my shopping list this week...
The Boys #7
Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! No really. HA-HA-HA-HA! I thought DC dropped The Boys because of the hamster up the arse business in issue #6. Not so. They probably considered dropping it after that, but I'm guessing it was the draft of issue #7 that left their jaws on the floor and The Boys in the bin.
It's tasteless, plastered with profanities and entirely unsuitable for anyone under the age of 35. Yes The Boys is a filthy fucker of a funny book. Get it! Get it! Get it!
Get it and laugh yourself silly at the idea of a troubled superhero who can't stop fucking things.
Get it and marvel at panels like this where said superhero visits a psychiatrist to discuss the time he fucked his sister's dog.
Get it and imagine the shit that would have hit the fan if DC had published a book which describes superheroes variously as " Poofs, dykes and kiddie fuckers" and suggests that The Flash didn't die saving the world in Crisis on Infinite Earths but instead "choked on cum".
Bwahahahahaa! Just get it! Get it and thank the comic gods that Dynamite had the balls to take it off DC's hands. It's sick and wrong but it's good sick and wrong. You need that.
Amazons Attack #2
I haven't a clue what this book is all about. It's peppered with those little boxes that used to litter comics saying things like "See Wonder Woman #9. Ed" and "To understand what the fuck is going on here you need to buy Countdown #49. Ed".
Well I have no intention of buying either of those comics so doubtless this book will continue to leave me scratching my head. But no matter, when anyone asks...
...I will say "who cares? They're cool!"
Because they are, especially when they do stuff like taking down fighter pilots with bows and arrows...
Yay! "GGKK!" to you too soldier.
Gutsville #1
As recommended by the fine folks at Around Comics. This is a strange offering about a society living in the belly of a huge sea beast. For some reason it reminds me of Fungus the bogeyman. I'm not sure why, something to do with the colours (damp and mouldy looking) or the subterranean atmosphere of the whole thing. Whatever, it's a good read and I'll be picking up issue #2 when it comes out.
Message ends.
No Ultimate Fantastic Four because Silver Surfer or no Silver Surfer I'm just not enjoying it. So it's dropped. Hard, because I've been reading it since issue #1, but I've decided that the "I've been reading this book since it started, therefore I must continue reading it for all eternity" argument is irrational.
So that left me with just three American comics on my shopping list this week...
The Boys #7
Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! No really. HA-HA-HA-HA! I thought DC dropped The Boys because of the hamster up the arse business in issue #6. Not so. They probably considered dropping it after that, but I'm guessing it was the draft of issue #7 that left their jaws on the floor and The Boys in the bin.
It's tasteless, plastered with profanities and entirely unsuitable for anyone under the age of 35. Yes The Boys is a filthy fucker of a funny book. Get it! Get it! Get it!
Get it and laugh yourself silly at the idea of a troubled superhero who can't stop fucking things.
Get it and marvel at panels like this where said superhero visits a psychiatrist to discuss the time he fucked his sister's dog.
Get it and imagine the shit that would have hit the fan if DC had published a book which describes superheroes variously as " Poofs, dykes and kiddie fuckers" and suggests that The Flash didn't die saving the world in Crisis on Infinite Earths but instead "choked on cum".
Bwahahahahaa! Just get it! Get it and thank the comic gods that Dynamite had the balls to take it off DC's hands. It's sick and wrong but it's good sick and wrong. You need that.
Amazons Attack #2
I haven't a clue what this book is all about. It's peppered with those little boxes that used to litter comics saying things like "See Wonder Woman #9. Ed" and "To understand what the fuck is going on here you need to buy Countdown #49. Ed".
Well I have no intention of buying either of those comics so doubtless this book will continue to leave me scratching my head. But no matter, when anyone asks...
...I will say "who cares? They're cool!"
Because they are, especially when they do stuff like taking down fighter pilots with bows and arrows...
Yay! "GGKK!" to you too soldier.
Gutsville #1
As recommended by the fine folks at Around Comics. This is a strange offering about a society living in the belly of a huge sea beast. For some reason it reminds me of Fungus the bogeyman. I'm not sure why, something to do with the colours (damp and mouldy looking) or the subterranean atmosphere of the whole thing. Whatever, it's a good read and I'll be picking up issue #2 when it comes out.
Message ends.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Saturday shorts
Four things I am trying to resist
1. Heroclix. There's an excited little voice in the back of my mind that keeps on telling me it would be really cool to buy some heroclix. I say no! First off I don't need to bring more stuff into my house, it's full of dusty piles of old tat as it is. Secondly I have no-one to play heroclix with. Thirdly playing with little clicky figures on graph paper maps at 35 is sad. And yet...
2. X-Box 360. I have a Playstation Two. I've played precisely two games on it in three years: Grand Theft Auto and Medal of Honour. I have other games, but I hate them all. I only want an X-Box to play Gears of War and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Nothing else appeals to me. I am not spending £250 for two games that I will be bored of in a week.
3. E-Bay. I have to stop looking on E-bay, it leads to disasters like this. Honestly E-bay is evil, it can convince me that I really need to buy that full run of Nightforce because at £10 it would be stupid not to. At one stage last year I was getting daily deliveries of E-bay wins. It pissed my girlfriend off and left me with a lot of comics I didn't really want. The Eagle disaster was my last significant e-bay aberration. I swear.
4. Planet Hulk. I did end up reading Civil War, but I borrowed a friend's copy of the trade to do it. I am reading 52, but again I've borrowed the issues. I might want to read Planet Hulk but I'm not going to because if I do I'll just end up buying all the damn crossover titles and I am determined not to be a sucker.
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In the shops this week....
Silver Surfer Requiem
Ultimate Fantastic Four
(featuring the Silver Surfer)
1. Heroclix. There's an excited little voice in the back of my mind that keeps on telling me it would be really cool to buy some heroclix. I say no! First off I don't need to bring more stuff into my house, it's full of dusty piles of old tat as it is. Secondly I have no-one to play heroclix with. Thirdly playing with little clicky figures on graph paper maps at 35 is sad. And yet...
2. X-Box 360. I have a Playstation Two. I've played precisely two games on it in three years: Grand Theft Auto and Medal of Honour. I have other games, but I hate them all. I only want an X-Box to play Gears of War and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Nothing else appeals to me. I am not spending £250 for two games that I will be bored of in a week.
3. E-Bay. I have to stop looking on E-bay, it leads to disasters like this. Honestly E-bay is evil, it can convince me that I really need to buy that full run of Nightforce because at £10 it would be stupid not to. At one stage last year I was getting daily deliveries of E-bay wins. It pissed my girlfriend off and left me with a lot of comics I didn't really want. The Eagle disaster was my last significant e-bay aberration. I swear.
4. Planet Hulk. I did end up reading Civil War, but I borrowed a friend's copy of the trade to do it. I am reading 52, but again I've borrowed the issues. I might want to read Planet Hulk but I'm not going to because if I do I'll just end up buying all the damn crossover titles and I am determined not to be a sucker.
************************************************************************************
In the shops this week....
Silver Surfer Requiem
Ultimate Fantastic Four(featuring the Silver Surfer)
both hard on the heels of last week's...
Fantastic Four #526
and the latest Marvel Omnibus...
Who'd ever know that the Silver Surfer was about to make his big screen debut? Norrin Radd would have been depressed (well even more depressed than normal).
I dropped Ultimate Fantastic Four this week by the way. Leaving me with just one Ultimate title (Spider-Man) on my buy list.
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I'm well into my comic podcasts at the moment. There are shitloads out there. These are the four I subscribe to...
1 Around Comics Three blokes in a comic shop talking about comics. Insightful, informative, usually very funny. My favourite.
2 Pipeline Comic Book podcast Worth a listen before you pick up your weekly stash. The host Augie De Blieck also writes an excellent weekly column which you can find here
3 Comic Geek Speak This is the first comic podcast I listened to. They seem to put out a new episode every couple of minutes. Some are brilliant, some you can skip. Basically it's a bunch of geeks talking about comics. They get some great guests and have a regular slot with comic book writer Sal Abbinanti (uncle Sal as they call him) which is ALWAYS hilarious.
4 Word Balloon John Siuntres interviews the top creators in comics. Essential stuff.
Fantastic Four #526and the latest Marvel Omnibus...
Who'd ever know that the Silver Surfer was about to make his big screen debut? Norrin Radd would have been depressed (well even more depressed than normal).
I dropped Ultimate Fantastic Four this week by the way. Leaving me with just one Ultimate title (Spider-Man) on my buy list.
************************************************************************************
I'm well into my comic podcasts at the moment. There are shitloads out there. These are the four I subscribe to...
1 Around Comics Three blokes in a comic shop talking about comics. Insightful, informative, usually very funny. My favourite.
2 Pipeline Comic Book podcast Worth a listen before you pick up your weekly stash. The host Augie De Blieck also writes an excellent weekly column which you can find here
3 Comic Geek Speak This is the first comic podcast I listened to. They seem to put out a new episode every couple of minutes. Some are brilliant, some you can skip. Basically it's a bunch of geeks talking about comics. They get some great guests and have a regular slot with comic book writer Sal Abbinanti (uncle Sal as they call him) which is ALWAYS hilarious.
4 Word Balloon John Siuntres interviews the top creators in comics. Essential stuff.
Friday, 1 June 2007
Did you know?
Wally Wood freaking out readers of Tower of Shadows #7 with his Rod Serling impersonation.As reprinted in Steve Sparger and J. David Spurlock's biography of Wood: Wally's World.
From the same book, here's Wally doing Clint Eastwood...
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