Comic shops in London? [Archive] - Comic Book Resources Forums

View Full Version : Comic shops in London?

ProfessorTen

01-18-2006, 04:04 AM

Mods, wasn't sure which forum to post this in, sorry if this is the wrong one!

Hi all,
I recently moved to London for temporary assignment for work (will be here til mid-February) and am looking for shops that carry the latest comics. I went to a few newstores and the like (WH Smith) but they didn't have the newest X-Men.

How does it work here - do the comics listed on diamondcomics.com every Wed also go on sale here? Does it take longer (weeks, months)? And most importantly, which shops should I go to (I'm located fairly central - can take Central Line or get to Oxford Circus very easy). If anyone can help, would appreciate it.

Cheers!

Sentinel K

01-18-2006, 04:10 AM

I know you can get them from Forbidden Planet which is in New Oxford Street (which is next to Oxford Street!). Nearest tube station is Tottenham Court Road, which (i think) is the next one on from Oxford Circus. Although its in walking distance from both.

In the UK we get we get new issues on Thursdays.

Hope that helps.

The Fury

01-18-2006, 04:10 AM

Few questions first: So you moved from the US to London? and what part of London are you in?

If you goto. www.yell.com and type 'comic shops' in the main search bit and then London in the location you'll get most Comic shops in London.

But also keep in mind that we get comics a day later then the US Or usually Thursday. but Yes, the main big comic shops get every comic that the US does.

The Sword Is Drawn

01-18-2006, 04:11 AM

Okay, sadly I'll have to break this to you.

In the UK american comic books are not sold in the vast majority of newsagents or similar shops... :( Apart from reprints anywa.

You'll have to find a specific sci-fi, collectables or comic shop, such as Forbidden Planet. They get the full US catalogue shipped weekly.

They also have a website if you want them delivered to your door:

http://www.forbidden-planet.co.uk/acatalog/index.html

The Fury

01-18-2006, 04:12 AM

Brits Rule! :D

ProfessorTen

01-18-2006, 04:17 AM

Hey fellas, thanks for the quick responses.

Fury, I moved here temporarily for work (doing consulting across Europe). Our company has office here near Buckingham Palace! They got a flat for me near Farringdon (I think that's the name of the area?). I'm near to the St. Paul's stop on Central line...

I can get to Forbidden Planet pretty easy - I'll try going there this weekend - they don't sell out on new comics quickly do they?? :mad:

The Fury

01-18-2006, 04:20 AM

I can get to Forbidden Planet pretty easy - I'll try going there this weekend - they don't sell out on new comics quickly do they?? :mad:
Forbidden Planet? I doubt it. But then I'm unsure. the major comics probably not, the lesser ones might though. FB is one of the only chain comic stores in the UK so they get a lot of stock.

roguespirit

01-18-2006, 04:30 AM

Hey Prof there are about 4 other comic shops within 5-10 minutes walking distance of Fordidden Planet.

If you google GOSH comics, Comicicana, Orbital addresses should come up. There is another one in Leicester sq which I can't remeber the name of.

Have yourself a little tour.

If you can get down on a week day. I'll show you around as I work in Tottenham Ct Rd. Let me know.

Porcelain

01-18-2006, 07:06 AM

roguespirit

01-18-2006, 07:17 AM

Semi-related to the thread though not Londonish.

What's the cheapest way to get a subscription in the UK? Is it worth going straight to Marvel and paying the shipping or is there something cheaper here (for X stuff). I am ashamed to say I no longer know if my local comic shop exists, been a looooong time and hardly have the time to go down to that town anymore. I wind up getting stuff from retailers on ebay but I'm sure I'm doing it the stupid way.

There are a number of UK based online comic shops that do subscriptions, none of whuch come to my mind at the moment, but Forbidden Planet do have a mail order service which is discounted apparently

ocelotrevs

01-18-2006, 07:19 AM

Alright.
Yeah, well if you're on the Central Line. Come off at Tottenham Court Road Station, and most of the comic shops are near there.
If you walk down Charing Cross Road, across the road from the Astoria, there's Orbital comics. They're kinda hard to find as they're in a basement. But on the door, there's an Avengers poster, and the sign has Spider-Man on it, if I remember corrcetly.

If you get of at the New Oxford Street exit, walk past the Jessops until you see an Umbrella shop, and next door to that is Comicana. It's another smaller shop but you can't really miss it.

Now on Shaftsbury Avenue, there's Forbidden Planet. I think that's the biggest comic shop in England (not sure though).

We get them on the Thursday, and on Fridays when there's a Bank Holiday.
Looking in WHSmith's for comics is not good. They only have the Panini stuff, and some Ultimate titles.

Porcelain

01-18-2006, 07:23 AM

There are a number of UK based online comic shops that do subscriptions, none of whuch come to my mind at the moment, but Forbidden Planet do have a mail order service which is discounted apparently
Thank you.

Can anyone recommend one? I also saw an American site that you could pay a subscription for a number of titles but choose which books you actually wanted to recieve each month (so you could swap and change). Anyone know of something similar?

The Sword Is Drawn

01-18-2006, 08:05 AM

I use Forbidden Planet's online shop to acquire issues each week. They arrive by Fri/Saturday, and cost me a few quid more for postage, but at least I get everything I'm after, and it's cheaper than shipping from the States directly.

ProfessorTen

01-18-2006, 09:41 AM

Thanks again all! I have printed this page for when I am ready to go! I can get to Tottenham Court Road Station fine and roam around.

Roguesprit, thanks for the offer - thats very cool of you. Wouldnt want to impose but if I want a shopping buddy, I'll let ya know ! :D

roguespirit

01-18-2006, 10:24 AM

ocelotrevs

01-18-2006, 10:27 AM

It could be like a little London meet up.

roguespirit

01-18-2006, 10:28 AM

Thank you.

Can anyone recommend one? I also saw an American site that you could pay a subscription for a number of titles but choose which books you actually wanted to recieve each month (so you could swap and change). Anyone know of something similar?

Have a look at these I've ordered from both of them in the past but not a subscription. Anyway see what you think

Incognito Comics (http://www.incognitocomics.co.uk/) and Silveracre (http://www.silveracre.com/)

The Fury

01-18-2006, 10:32 AM

Incognito Comics (http://www.incognitocomics.co.uk/)
Rock on to one of my locals.

Well, actually, my locals rival. But same city. :D

Incognito has a good back issue collection.

Flight

01-18-2006, 12:37 PM

About Forbidden Planet selling out:
I would say definitely not, not for at least 6 months (6 past issues).
I go to the one in Glasgow and they are great for getting titles that have been released recently.

The only ones that sell out quickly are MAJOR issues like House of M #8, New Avengers #1, stuff like that. But the one I go to always reorder so they pop up again eventually.

Flight

01-18-2006, 12:40 PM

Silveracre (http://www.silveracre.com/) Silveracre comics is FANTASTIC for back issues!
They have nearly every comic available on their online store, fairly cheap, do great deals (once I bought over £20 worth of stuff and they sent me 5 free issues, a few I was gonna purchase anyway), send straight away with great packaging and send you a yearly guide book that lists their stock and prices.

The Fury

01-18-2006, 12:47 PM

send you a yearly guide book that lists their stock and prices.
Incognito has one of those as well.

But as I've never had to order from them being only a few miles away. I don;t know if they do any great stuff like Silveracre do.