Pan, Kids and Pals – Wednesday Comics

Pan, Kids and Pals – Wednesday Comics. Welcome to Wednesday Comics. Each week, we will highlight our Comic of the Week, along with other notable releases, classic favourites, and industry news.

It’s been awhile since the last Wednesday Comics and plenty has changed in the industry in only a few short months. Tune in to the next Geeky Brummie podcast (Year 9 – Issue 2) to hear more about my thoughts on the current state of the comics industry, but until that drops, all I’m gonna say is that I am very disappointed in the continued mistreatment of creatives by the major comics publishers, the monopolisation of distribution and some of the biggest names in comics turning out to be the monsters they seemed to be warning us against in their work.

Reports in the news this week have flagged up, once again, just how poorly the big two treat their creatives. Whilst the films and TV shows make major money from the corporations, that doesn’t necessarily trickle down to the people who originally wrote, drew, coloured and lettered the pages from which those characters sprung. Many artists, struggle in their later years, with only things like the Hero Initiave to support them. With distribtion, tariffs and the cost of living going up, it becoomes more difficult to sustain a career in comics, especially one that can make you a living.

I ❤️ Comics

So, where does that leave Wednesday Comics? Well, mostly it means I will focus on books outside Marvel and DC, and bring you those comics that treat creators well and publishers who are doing good things. This might mean you have to work a little harder to get these comics, especailly in the UK, as our comic shops are up against it financially too, so they may not stock every title. But if a book does catch your eye, your local comic shop with no doubt try and get hold of it for you.

I have loved comics almost my entire life, and I appreciate the incredible amount of work that has gone in to creating these incredible tales. So, as readers, we have to do what we can you show our support. Try a book from a smaller publisher, buy a creator owned series and write letters telling them just how much you enjoy their work.

If you want to send any comics or details of any comic related events we should feature, feel free to reach out to me at keith@geekybrummie.com or comics@geekybrummie.com

Now on with the comics…

The Last Boy #1
BOOM! Studios

By Dan Panosian, Alessio Avallone and Valentina Pinto

Buy digitally – The Last Boy #1 (Link)

Years after Peter Pan’s adventures with Wendy Darling, the boy who wouldn’t grow up is now the last one in Neverland still clinging to his adventurous youth.

Meanwhile in London, Wendy also yearns for childhood and its freedom from responsibility as she rails against the transition to adulthood and her family’s expectations. 

As their desires create a mirror of fantasy and reality, a disastrous encounter with the aging Captain Hook becomes the catalyst for Peter’s realization that Neverland is growing up without him. 

But will the two of them find each other once again to carry on their age-old adventures… or is this truly the final threshold of their adolescence in this modern take on a classic tale from legendary writer Dan Panosian (Alice Never After, Canary), and rising star artist Alessio Avallone!

I’ve always been a sucker for a story based around the boy who never grew up, and this new series from BOOM! Studio, who are also celebrating their 20th Anniversary, looks to be an interesting new take on the classic tale.

Saga #72
Image Comics

By Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Buy digitally – Saga #72 (Link)

It’s the shocking conclusion to another season of SAGA… but the smash-hit series is far from over!

Just look at the cover, how can you resist Ghüs. The schedule for this book seems to be all over the place, but it’s always worth the wait, although a lot of people, myself included, are more than a little worries about what lies in store for Ghüs this issue.

The Deviant #9 
Image Comics

By James Tynion IV, Josh Hixson and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Buy digitally – The Deviant #9  (Link)

Fifty years ago, circumstantial evidence was enough to convict the man locked behind bars as the original Deviant Killer. Now, as history threatens to repeat itself, Derek will stop at nothing to clear his boyfriend’s name. Because Derek knows the truth behind the new Deviant Killer… and the new Deviant Killer knows that Derek knows.

This book has long been delayed, I believe it was originally scheduled for last November, but I’m hoping this final issue of the series will have been worth the wait.

What’s the Furthest Place From Here? #22
Image Comics

By Matthew Rosenberg, Tyler Boss and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Buy digitally – What’s the Furthest Place From Here? #22 (Link)

Even the best plans sometimes fail. And this wasn’t the best plan. But at least they won’t have to deal with the Piggies… Right?

Another Image book that appears to run to the same schedule as my local bus service, but this book continues to be a hidden gem that not enough people are reading. I’ve still no real idea what is going on, but the book is weird and cool and totally worth your time.

Adventureman: Family Tree #1
Image Comics

By Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson

Buy digitally – Adventureman: Family Tree #1 (Link)

As the Connell family reels from the shattering events of Adventureman: Ghost Lights, they’ll need to tap into the roots of the Adventureman family tree of heroes to make the world right again, starting with a luchador dynasty, savage savate kick-fighting, and the star-crossed teenage romance that brought Adventureman and Mme. Chagall the Superscientist together!

Adventureman returms for this three issue story. The artwork by the Dodson’s is always phenomenal and Fraction can write a decent pulp story.

Who Are the Power Pals? #1
Dark Horse Comics

By Duane Murray, Ahmed Raafat and Rob Jones

Buy digitally – Who Are the Power Pals? #1 (Link)

Washed-up actors Derek and Alex have been best friends ever since playing teen superheroes “Swallow” and “Buzzard” in the ’90s TV show Power Pals. Wait, you’ve never heard of it? Don’t worry, you’re not alone; it was canceled after three episodes. But that small taste of fame left them hungry for more, and they’ve been trying to get back on the Hollywood train ever since. After being fired from their studio security jobs and dropped by their agent, the middle-aged pair decide to don their old costumes, and thrust themselves back into the public eye, walking the Hollywood Boulevard alongside the popular cosplayers. When a video of the duo defending tourists from being badgered by a pair of rip-off characters goes viral, the attention inspires them to fight more crime. But when their low-level crime-fighting inadvertently disrupts the plans of a crazed crime boss, their friendship will undergo the ultimate test, and it, or they, may not survive long enough to enjoy their new found fame.

I don’t really know that much about this book, but the premise and art look right up my street. Could be silly, could be serious, could be a mix of that and more, but I’m always willing to give an interesting book a try.

Kids & Monsters #1
Massive Publishing

By Adam Lawson, Maxi Dall’o and Mike Spicer

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Kids & Monsters #1 (Link)

STRANGER THINGS meets POKÉMON in Adam Lawson’s KIDS & MONSTERS. The co-writer of Massive’s hit series Wesley Snipes’ The Exiled, and the director of Wil Wheaton’s TableTop, Spellslingers, Sagas of Sundry and Escape the Night, delivers something for younger readers in this all-new teen horror-adventure.

Three troubled teenagers from the crumbling town of Lovelock get sucked into an ancient war after finding monsters in their backpacks. With cracks forming around their town seeming to mirror their parents’ looming divorce, a path has opened to the realm of Beasts and Monsters.

The trio tries to navigate the war at home while they fight to survive the one raging between the World Within and the World We Know. With the help of the Monsters in their backpacks, will they be able to stop the Red Beasts and save their family?

Another book and publisher I know nothing about, and one that will probably be hard to track down initially, but this looks like it could be a lot of fun and the art looks great. It’s great to see a book that is trying to hook in new readers to the medium.

Each week we’ll be selecting one unmissable trade paperback, that absolutely must be in your collection.

Minor Arcana Vol. 1 TP
BOOM! Studios

By Jeff Lemire, Steve Wands and Patricio Delpeche

Buy digitally – Minor Arcana Vol. 1 TP (Link)

New York Times bestselling and award-winning cartoonist Jeff Lemire brings his first solo longform project since Sweet Tooth to BOOM! Studios, bringing with him an iconic protagonist rooted in the Tarot!

Theresa’s mother has fallen ill, and as a young bitter misanthrope, returning to her hometown to take care of her phony psychic of a mom is the last thing on Theresa’s bucket list.

But when Theresa finds out that she may have psychic powers of her own, it will be up to her to reconcile with her ailing mother, confront the failures of her past, and help the townsfolk she’d spent her life running from not so long ago…

Iconic storyteller Jeff Lemire (Descender, Black Hammer) debuts his first project at BOOM! Studios with this heart-gripping supernatural story about life, family, community, grief, mortality, and the power of human connection.

Collects Minor Arcana #1-5.

A chance for those of you who missed out on the original run to get onboard this awesome series. Filled with great dialogue and intriging characters, Lemire really does know how to do comics.

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Your Local Comics Shops

Britain has some of the best comics shops in the world. This updated lists features just a few of the shops you can pop in to for your geek fix. Check out you own local shops and if they don’t appear on this list let me know and we can add them.

WORLDS APART BIRMINGHAM (part of FPI)

Birmingham’s premier comic book store and Pokestop.

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday, Friday: 09:30 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00

14-16 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4EN Tel: 0121 643 0143

Website: Forbidden Planet International and Twitter: @WorldsApart_Bir

FORBIDDEN PLANET (BIRMINGHAM)

Graphic novel/comic store with merchandise & T-shirts, plus character figures & toys.

Monday to Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00

74 Bull St, Birmingham B4 6AD Tel: 0121 236 3026

Website: Forbidden Planet and Twitter: @ForbiddenPlanet

GOSH! COMICS (LONDON)

A mean little comics shop in the heart of London.

Open Daily: 10:30 – 19.00

1 Berwick St, London W1F 0DR Tel: 0207 437 0187

Website: Gosh! Comics and Twitter: @GoshComics

OK COMICS (LEEDS)

Twenty Year Old, Eisner Award Nominated Comic Book Shop in the beating heart of Leeds City Centre, UK.

Open Monday to Saturday: 11.00 – 17.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 15.00

19 Thornton’s Arcade, Briggate, Leeds LS1 6LQ Tel: 0113 246 9366

Website: OK Comics and Twitter: @OKComics

PAGE 45 (NOTTINGHAM)

UK Comic Shop created & curated since 1994 by Stephen Holland, Comics Laureate 2021-23.

Open Monday to Saturday: 09.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 16.00
Closed on Bank Holiday Mondays, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

9 Market St, Nottingham NG1 6HY Tel: (0115) 9508045

Website: Page 45 and Twitter: @PageFortyFive

TRAVELLING MAN (VARIOUS)

Travelling Man Is The UK’s Friendliest Comic & Games Shop Since 1991. Shop Online Now! Explore The Rich Genres & Worlds That Games, Comics & Independent Press Have To Offer. Since 1991.

Open Monday to Saturday: 10.00 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 -17.00

LEEDS
32 Central Road, Leeds LS1 6DE Tel: 0113 245 0822

YORK
74 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF Tel: 01904628787

NEWCASTLE
43 Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5JE Tel: 0191 261 4993

MANCHESTER
4 Dale Street, Manchester M1 1JW Tel: 0161 237 1877

Website: Travelling Man and Twitter: @TravellingManUK

MEGA CITY COMICS (LONDON)

Mega City Comics, was established in 1981, initially as a mail-order business, supplying comics, graphic novels, and collecting supplies. After 6 years of mail-order and trading through the comic marts, we opened our shop in Camden Town in 1987.

Open Monday to Friday: 11.00 -18.00
Saturday: 10.30 – 18.00
Sunday: 11.00 – 18.00

18 Inverness Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7HJ Tel: 020 7485 9320

Website: Mega City Comics and Twitter: @MegaCityComics

MEGA CITY COMICS LIVES

Mega City Comics was aquired by Forbidden Planet in February 2025 and will now continue to be one of the best comic shops in the UK.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS (VARIOUS)

A trio of comic shops in Bedford, Northampton and Peterborough.

BEDFORD
20 Allhallows, Bedford MK40 1LJ Tel: 01234 270777

Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 17.30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

NORTHAMPTON
29 Abington Square, Northampton NN1 4AE Tel: 01604 602311

Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:30
Wednesday: 10:00 – 19.00
Thursday to Friday: 10:00 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

PETERBOROUGH
25 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 1SQ Tel: 01733 892827

Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday: 10:30 – 17:30
Wednesday: 10:30 – 18:00
Thursday to Friday : 10:30 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 17:30
Sunday: CLOSED

Website: Close Encounters and Twitter: @CEncountersUK

THAT COMIC SHOP (PRESTON)

Retailers of new Comics weekly, Magic the Gathering Card Games, Board Games, Toys, T-Shirts plus loads more.

Monday: CLOSED
Open Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Sunday: CLOSED

116 Friargate, Preston PR1 2EE Tel: 01772 204287

Website: That Comic Shop and Twitter: @ThatComicShop

PARADOX COMICS (DORSET)

Comic book shop in Dorset, dealing in graphic novels, statues, action figures, card games, limited edition comics and more

Monday: Closed
Open Tuesday to Friday: 10:30 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

19 High Street, Poole, Dorset BH15 1AB Tel: 01202 661346

Website: Paradox Comics and Twitter: @ParadoxComicsUK

WAKEFIELD COMICS 616 (WAKEFIELD)

Comic Book Shop in the centre of Wakefield. Stocking the latest comics direct from the US.

Open Monday: 9:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 9:00 – 16:30
Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
Sunday: CLOSED

3 The Springs, Wakefield West Yorkshire WF1 1PU Tel:  01924 375234

Website: Wakefield Comics 616 and Twitter: @wakeycomics616

COMIC BOOK GUYS (BELFAST)

Comic Book Guys – Northern Ireland’s newest independent comic book store also stocking movie memorabilia, toys & other collectibles… excelsior!

Open Monday to Saturday: 10.00 to 17.00
Sunday: CLOSED

130 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BG Tel: 02890 080169

Website: Comic Book Guys and Twitter: @comicbookguysni

RAYGUN COMICS (RICHMOND)

A welcoming and friendly comic book shop. Comics, toys, books, games and merchandise for all ages.

Open Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00 

26 Red Lion Street, Richmond TW9 1RW Tel: 0208 948 8476

Website: Raygun Comics and Twitter: @Raygun_comics

DAVE’S COMCIS (BRIGHTON)

Dave’s Comics, The Graphic Novel Shop.

Open Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 11.00 – 17:00

5 Sydney St, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4EN Tel: 01273 691012

Website: Dave’s Comics and Twitter: @DavesComics

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On YouTube

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Visit Worlds Apart Birmingham for all your comic and geeky collectable needs.

Keep a track of all your upcoming comics, trade and creators using the League of Comic Geeks website and app.

 

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