Forbidden Planet

Now its been around two decades since I was last seriously buying comics (ah those days of being free, single and actually having disposable income!) Bristolian comic fans mostly had to mail order or plan a day trip somewhere (I usually went to London to make a day of it)
I remember when FP arrived in Bristol. Hooray, no need to go to Bath or London or wait for one of the quarterly comic fairs at Jury’s Hotel. And the original shop was next to C&A (kids ask your parents what that was!) so I could get some cheap slightly tacky clothes at the same time as my subscription.
Babylon 5 was my thing and I became such a regular that I was even allowed to buy a G’kar bust on installments. Its hiding in storage somewhere at the moment along with action figures (mint in box of course!) comics and loads of other «collectables» all waiting for the values to rise above what I paid for them!
Anyway, after a while I rejoined the human race, got married and started a family which naturally meant all my hobbies went out the window!
The new store in Clifton Heights is actually a lot closer to me than the old store, and its a lot brighter and less seedy than before even if there are still plenty of Goths and nerds still shopping there. Even the Enterprise-​D made it over to the new store and held pride of place in the window for years. It’s even possible for me to occasionally sneak away for an hour to pop in, have a nose around and pick up the latest Harry Turtledove doorstop (man he can be really verbose)
To sum up, for me this is a little slice of geeky paradise I sometimes visit to remind me of a distant time. And it should be on the to do list of any self respecting sci-​fi, fantasy, horror, animé, comic or indeed fan of any kind of fiction or art.
Rant over, pass my pills please.

This shop is OK for some of the western items, however for a Japanese visual arts enthusiast it is lacking in the latest releases and the prices are expensive. The only use I can think of it in this context is to introduce someone slowly into the otaku culture. For me personally, it is not worth the trek out from Cabot Circus and the surrounding shopping area of Broadmead.

Best shop ever for comics!!! Staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about all comics!!! I go there on a weekly basis and found what I want!!! Love it!

Woo Hoo, I love this shop. It made me so gleeful when I saw the huge Munny in the store front window. Yes, this is a heaven for those who know what a Munny is, or those who are fans of graphic books and other wonderful colourful vinyl toys.
I could spend hours in here, going from row to row, squealing at the things I would love to buy for myself in here. There are tonnes of comic books and they keep themselves well stocked but also have many books relating to design. I’m particularly a big fan of vinyl toys, and only if I had the funds to buy a load more, I would clear out their entire stock.

Forbidden Planet is a Mecca for geeks, greasers, nerds and collectors, but is also well worth a peruse even if you are none of these. It’s the kind of place you see on the TV, but not the kind of place you think would actually exist.
Fighting for space the windows (probably in an array of sci-​fi fictitious languages) there is an impressive array of Daleks, Predators, Captain Americas, Wolverines, Hulks and Watchmen. But this is only the beginning. Being more of a figurine collector, I usually skip on over to the right hand section of the shop to play with Transformers and to make Stormtrooper helmets speak. There is a vast collection of film spin-​off toys, pop culture references and Japanese oddities that would keep any bored shopper entertained for hours. Take a peek behind the glass cabinet by the entrance, there’s a bafflingly expensive collection of bits and bobs that are so revered in the land of the geek that you are not even allowed to think about getting your grubby little paws on them.
The left side of the shop is home to stock that is for the die-​hards, like t-​shirts and rows of comics and graphic novels. Not being hardcore enough to wear a tenuous reference on my chest and not being a comic book reader I’m often a little lost by this part. But the collection is expansive and according to anecdotes from geekier friends, well worth a look.
The staff are as to be expected, loving toe surrounded by all of this and united in their enthusiasm. I’ve always been a little worried about asking any questions, as these guys are likely to play hardball over facts now that they have found their brethren and their home turf. FP is well worth a visit if you’re in town, and although this is part of a chain, it’s one of the biggest branches you’re likely to come across in the UK.

The ultimate geek haven! Run by geeks, who are more than happy to talk about everything from Star Wars to Batman, depending on their personal interests. The shop stocks a wide range of comics, carefully displayed in plastic covers to protect them, as well as books such as Star Trek novels and a huge range of manga, which has been translated into English but left with the characteristic Japanese sound effects and back-​to-​front page order. There is a range of cards and games available, including Magic: The Gathering cards (the only shop I’ve found in central Bristol that sells these). The shop also stocks memorabilia from almost every cult series of movies, books, comics or tv shows in the last thirty years, though some of it requires you to have extremely deep pockets. A replica lightsaber will cost you over £100, a price which is scary when you consider that they don’t even work! This is a dangerous shop for anyone who likes such cult items, as you could very easily lose half a day, and the contents of your bank account.

Being a bit of a Batman fan (I say ‘a bit’ when really it’s more of an obsession that started when I was 8) I tend to read about 5 comics a week; all supplied by Forbidden Planet. They have my weekly subscription, which I dutifully collect every Thursday when I have about an hour to spare. You see I expect to spend no less time chatting with their amazing staff about, well… Batman mostly.
They obviously have a fantastic hiring policy because it’s always been this way. This store has been my comic store (something every comic fan needs) for almost four years and they have always taken the time to indulge me in chit chat about my obsession, something my friends would never do.
They even keep comics aside for me that they think I might like, and don’t patronise or talk down to me when there is things I haven’t heard of. Hobbies like this can often be quite elitist, and there are tonnes of writers, artist, characters etc. that I am not aware of but don’t feel ashamed to tell them this.
They even remember the names of all the regulars, including mine, and there are a lot of people who read comic books in Bristol (must be something in the water).
They also sell a lot of ‘collectables’ and toys but I tend to make a beeline for the comic books and whichever poor staff member has to listen to me talk about the last weeks Batman issues, which they never seem to mind.

Comic book nerds and geeks (or those that think Sci Fi is so square that it’s hip) from all around will love forbidden planet. It’s not the easiest place to find — it’s on the less visited part of triangle, so a little away from the main shopping drag on Park Street, but definitely worth making the effort for.
If you’re not into comics too much yourself, this is definitely a brilliant place to grab an original gift for someone who is — there’s endless amounts of memorabilia. The stuff here is pretty expensive though.

A warning to all you ladies out there: if, after dragging your doting boyfriend around the retro shops of Park Street, you loving ask, ‘is there anywhere you want to go?’ you may just end up at Forbidden Planet. This comic book and sci-​fi mega store is every boys dream and every girl’s nightmare. Be prepared to lose several very important shopping hours here.
Having said that, it’s easy to admire the scale of the store and the quality of the goods they have to offer. Even I, a sci-​fi phobic, enjoyed flicking through the comic books and eyeing up the DVDs. It’s a great place to shop for presents for boyfriends, friends and little brothers. And, luckily for me, the shop assistants are so helpful so even the clueless can pick the perfect stocking filler.

Hidden away underneath Clifton Heights (a posh name for what is actually just a big office block) it took me a little while to realise Forbidden Planet was here. I think this must be a problem for a lot of people, because it was completely dead when I went in here. The rock music playing and action figures on display contributed to the emptiness to make for a slightly eerie experience when I did go in. So don’t be surprised if you go to Forbidden Planet and it’s a bit weird.
Don’t let that put you off though. They’ve got comics in spades here. Must be every graphic novel currently published on the shelves, a paradise for anyone into that sort of thing. DVDs, video games, even vinyl, get a look in. They do call themselves a megastore for a reason, I suppose. Forbidden Planet offers a plethora of comic and gaming related things of offer and its a shame they suffer so much for their location.

Forbidden Planet has a mostly deserved reputation for being a shop for sci-​fi geeks. However thanks to the recent resurgence in popular sci-​fi movies and successful sci-​fi TV shows like Doctor Who and Heroes, you no longer have to hide your face when walking in and out of Forbidden Planet as if you were ashamed of being there.
This is a pretty large store which caters for a lot of different stock. As well as the ‘dedicated geek’ element, such as the serialised comics, there are quite a few novelty items that you might enjoy even if you’re not a huge anorak of that particular show– in particular the Doctor Who and Star Wars merchandise, some of which is pretty funny. Some of it is awful, yes, but some of it’s pretty funny.
If you’re looking for a Christmas present for a friend who likes sci-​fi, then Forbidden Planet is where you need to go. However, if you’re on a budget, then go to Forbidden Planet to choose a present– then leave the shop empty-​handed and order it online. Forbidden Planet seem to sell at the recommended retail price, which means that if you’re buying a toy, a book, a CD, then Amazon is almost invariably going to be cheaper. Forbidden Planet is a great place to browse.
The place is staffed by geeks, naturally, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many of them have adequate social skills and are willing to help out people who don’t know what they’re talking about. There are only a couple of them that will grunt like apes and try to get you kicked out of the store because you can’t name all of Star Trek’s aliens in alphabetical order

I used to go to the old location where the new Cabot Circus is located, but it always seemed so cramped and dingy.
The new location is the opposite. It has loads of shelf space, but you don’t feel cramped, probably due to the huge windows along one wall. The shop has a huge selection of books, comics, magazines, toys, DVDs, cards and just about anything one could want if you are into the sci-​fi, horror or fantasy genres.
One nice thing this location has is the separate door and counter in the back section to allow for queues when a signing event is being held. I only wish they had as many as the London branch has every month!
I always enter wishing I had an unlimited pocketbook. There are so many interesting things to buy! Visiting friends from the US were stunned at the amount of Doctor Who/​Torchwood items that were available, and hurt their credit cards a bit.
I have found the staff to be helpful, especially if you don’t look like a comic geek. It’s one of my top places to shop, though I do wish there were more sales!

Forbidden Planet has been in Bristol for a very long time, and its relocation only meant more comic related goodies for fanboys alike to drool over. Overall, the whole shop is fantastic and well stocked, with plenty of books available and the option to order in anything they might not have in stock.
The two negative comments I have regard the cost and the staff.
Forbidden Planet only sell at the RRP, having a sale only very occaisonally. The sale normally consists of obscure Japanese Manga and the odd Marvel comic book that three people on earth bought when it was released, so its difficult to find a bargain or justify buying anything at the shop rather than online. This turns the shop into more of a library-that-isn’t and you cant help but wish you could have a shopping spree, if only everything didn’t cost so much.
My second complaint is that I’ve had a couple of situations with the staff where I seem to face some sort of comic — snobbery due to the comics I choose to read. When I asked about amazing spiderman I was literally scoffed at, and when I asked for a comic book regarding a superhero from the 70’s that my dad used to like, I was told flat out that he did. not. exist. Now, it’s ok not to be sure, but telling me I must be wrong just seems a little strange. The dude exists. After finding a comic in store that actually included him, I attempted to laugh at ‘our’ mistake. He just kept a straight face, and established himself as an inspiration for birth control.
Besides this, go and look at all the cool stuff. It’s a cool place to poke around and its always got a great shop display. If you’re a fan of all things alternative, then check it out. And if you meet a bearded, anti social 30 something at the till, be sure ask how he escaped the mothership.