Dealers keep dealing.

There are currently five locations in Cardiff that I get my comiccrack from (used to be six but “Journey into Mystery” in Cardiff Market closed, a nation mourns).

First up is Forbidden Planet, yes I know, big, evil chain/should support local comic shop, yadda yadda yadda. But for a small store, they’ve got a great range of TPBs, get in a lot of the indie titles and have a good merchandise/greeting card section, so while I’m there I can pick up cards+prezzies for anybody’s birthday/wedding/anniversary/funeral I may have forgotten. Also the staff are very friendly and happy to suggest new titles if you’re a regular (that’s how I got hooked on The Walking Dead) and as a bonus the shop does not stink of Body Odour, unlike-

Comic Guru – The indie store in Cardiff, honestly I would hop hear, if the guy who owns it didn’t model himself so religiously on the Simpsons’ Comic Clerk. Overweight, stinky, snarky, unhelpful, wow I really want to shop at your overpriced, understocked store!

Troutmark Books – Actually a really bitchin’ 2nd hand book shop, with an amazing horror/sci-fi/western section. The top floor is dedicated to comics/magazines etc. Amazing prices, the people who run it aren’t huge comic fans, so they price the comics depending on the age of the comic, so if the comic looks old it’ll be more expensive, which has lead me to pick up Miracleman issues 22, 23 for 50p each. Great selection which seems to replenish itself every time I go there. But the best part is outside the store in the 7 books/comics for £1. The comics themselves are in good nick, obviously put out there to clear some room for new stock. I’ve picked up some absolute gems out there including early Swamp Thing, Marvel Comics Presents and Image titles. Also introduced to the joys of Rick Veitch’s Maximortal, where I picked up 4 issues! God bless you Troutmark!

The Works- Ah book remainders shops, you have saved me much money when it comes to buying presents for people I don’t like very much! Now you also supply me with comics from 1993, 1996 or 2003. 99 pence for 3 of them! You are too kind. Although much of your selection is rubbish. (There was a Mission Impossible movie spin-off comic from Marvel Comics with art by Rob Liefeld???) Loads of Zero Hour-era DC, and stuff from just before I started collecting comics again. Educational! If not very good.

Jacob’s Antiques – Tucked away behing the train station and a burnt-down hotel, Jacob’s Antiques is a huge 4-storey antique/bric-a-brac shop with its own little comics shop, more expensive than Troutmark but less smelly than Comic Guru, good selection of videos tho’.