Pitstops, Ronins and Kitty Cats – Wednesday Comics

Pitstops, Ronins and Kitty Cats – 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.

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…

Giant-Size Wacky Races #1
Dynamite

By Ivan Cohen, Mariano Benitez Chapo, Nick Caponi and Jeff Eckleberry

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Giant-Size Wacky Races #1 (Link)

Featuring 40 pages of story and art! Thrill to the all-new adventures of Penelope Pitstop!
This Giant-Size one-shot features three thrilling chapters that take us on a high-octane adventure from writer Ivan Cohen and super-star-artist-in-the-making Mariano Benitez-Chapo! Featuring a race-for-the-ages with tough and beautiful Penelope, handsome and mysterious Peter Perfect and of course Dick Dastardly (and a new look at Muttley! All of this action and high-speed adventure under three covers: Joseph Michael Linsner, Egal Galmon and Robert Hack!

Ivan Cohen has written titles starring some of the best-loved and most-well known characters in fiction, ranging from Batman, Spider-Man, and the Teen Titans to Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, and even the Space Jam version of LeBron James. His work includes mainstream comics for all ages; custom projects for clients such as LEGO, Honda, Mars, Incorporated, and Snickers; the award-winning THE BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES, and the teen/adult-focused MULTIVERSITY: TEEN JUSTICE, featuring the breakthrough character Kid Quick.

Wacky Races is an animated TV series, aired in 1968 to 1970 on CBS. The series was possibly inspired by the 1965 slapstick comedy The Great Race, as it consists of eleven drivers racing across North America in order to win the title of “”World’s Wackiest Racer””. The cartoon has a large number of regular characters, with 23 people and animals spread among eleven race cars.

I used to love watching Wacky Races on the Beeb, and even though it only ran for 17 episodes it has carved a place in my mind forever. This one-shot revival at Dynamite looks to be a lot of fun, but with a more modern twist on the story. I’m looking forward to some ridiculously over-the-top racing with some splashy chase sequences, and for Ms Pitstop to be tied to a train track somewhere.

Feral #12
Image Comics

By Tony Fleecs, Tone Rodriguez, Trish Forstner and Brad Simpson

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Feral #12 (Link)

Elsie, Lord, Gigi, and their makeshift pack find new allies as they make their way to the Pet City sanctuary. But can they trust these mysterious new cats? What are they after? What are they hiding? And what kind of cat has its own VICIOUS GUARD DOG!?

I loved Stray Dogs (go read the colection of that one folks) and Feral has been just as spectacular. This new arc got off to a great start and I fully expect my emotions to be put through the grinder in the months ahead.

Void Rivals #18
Image Comics/Skybound

By Robert Kirkman, Lorenzo De Felici, Patricio Delpeche and Rus Wooton

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Void Rivals #18 (Link)

At long last… Zerta! 

Void Rivals continues to be a delight. Kirkman is doing an magnificent job interweaving the events of this book with Cybertronian Lore, and things really do feel like they are coming together in a big way. If you’ve not ventured beyond the G.I.Joe and Transformers part of the Energon Universe yet, then now is the time to get better aquainted with Solila and Darak.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution #5
IDW Publishing

By Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, Ben Bishop, Esau Escorza, Isaac Escorza, Luis Antonio Delgado and Shawn Lee

Buy from Forbidden Planet – TMNT: The Last Ronin II – Re-Evolution #5 (Link)

The second installment in the legendary Last Ronin saga comes to a fiery and climactic conclusion. The streets of New York have erupted in an all-out war and no one is safe. Casey, April, Odyn, Yi, Moja, and Uno are all in the crosshairs. Will everyone make it out alive? Their fate is in the hands of legendary writers Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz as curtains close on this chapter of The Last Ronin! 

Not quite as groundbreakingly epic as the original Last Ronin, but this series has certainly been a fun ride. The new Turtles have definitely evolved over the course of the series and it will be interesting to see where they go next.

Fully Loaded #1
Scratch Comics

By Jimmy Broxton

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Fully Loaded #1 (Link)

It’s 2065, Carson Blake is 100 years old and tired of asking nicely. A former special forces operative turned gun for hire is lured out of retirement to save the family of the man who saved his life. To do this he must confront the legacy of his own past as he does battle with the criminal underworld, a place he once called home. Fully Loaded is a super stylish, ultra violent and sexually charged cyber-noir thriller.

This has been out for a few weeks in the UK, but should be hitting stores in the US today. I really love the expressive black and white art, which suits the subject matter perfectly. This feels like the first fifteen minutes of your next favourite gritty nior movie, and when it fades out on the last page, you’ll be left wanting more.

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

Precious Metal TP
Image Comics

By Darcy Van Poelgeest, Ian Bertram, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Matt Hollingsworth

Buy from Forbidden Planet – Precious Metal TP (Link)

An unforgettable companion to the award-winning dystopian, coming-of-age journey, Little Bird.

Thirty-five years before the events of LITTLE BIRD, VOL. 1: THE FIGHT FOR ELDER’S HOPE, disillusioned mod-tracker Max Weaver’s routine hunt for a modified child takes a grisly and unexpected turn. Now, saddled with an unpredictable mod who may be the key to unlocking his missing memories, Max will soon find that he isn’t the only one interested in the child’s unique abilities – and if he wants to know more, it’ll cost him everything. In fact, the future may well depend on it.

Eisner Award-winning creative team DARCY VAN POELGEEST and IAN BERTRAM reunite for their gripping return to the dystopian American Empire.

Collects PRECIOUS METAL #1-6.

I really enjoyed Little Bird, so picking up this collection of the prequel series was a no brainer. This is a visual feast and if you like your sci-fi fantasy with a strong dose of psychedelics then this is the book for you.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2025

This Saturday, May 3rd, is Free Comic Book Day. Are you new to comics – or already an avid reader and looking for something new? Then Free Comic Book Day is your chance to sample a huge range of books that might just become your new favourite comic.

Free Comic Book Day is perfect for fans and newcomers alike – it allows you to get a taste of the massive range of comics available. Check to see if your local comic shop is taking part, of course here in Birmingham we will be heading down to Worlds Apart, and discover comics for the first time or return to the fold to see what you’ve been missing. Even if your local isn’t able to host FCBD, pop along and talk to the staff and ask them to recommend some new comics for you.

Age Appropriate

To make it easy for you to decide if a comic is appropriate for your intended reader, all books feature a colour coded banner.

The Comics

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is the biggest event in the comic book industry—a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops! Founded on the belief that for every person out there, there’s a comic book they’ll love, the annual event offers a huge selection of free titles designed to appeal to a broad range of age levels and their tastes.

Every year, on the first Saturday in May, the industry comes together to give away free comics and encourage both curious, first-time comic book readers and seasoned comic book fans to flock to the best place in the comic book community: local comic shops. Each one is unique in its community, with a style and personality all its own, and each one carries a full line of comics, graphic novels, toys and related products. Local comic shops are the hubs of our community, where fans can come together to discover new comics, make lifelong friends, and find a sense of commonality.

Silver and Gold

Major publishers such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, and Image Comics, along with a slew of independent publishers, will publish free comics for fans to enjoy at the more than 2,300 local comic shops that participate in Free Comic Book Day. The diverse range of titles available each year proves that there’s truly a book for everyone: from superheroes, to popular film and television shows, to beloved video games, and all-ages tales. Please remember that even if the comics are free to you, the comic shop has had to buy them in, so please spend some money on other stuff while you’re there.

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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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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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