Science Ninjas, Action and Lila Cheney – Wednesday Comics

Science Ninjas, Action and Lila Cheney – 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…

Gatchaman #5
Mad Cave Studios

By Cullen Bunn, Chris Batista, Carlos Lopez and Buddy Beaudoin

Buy digitally – Gatchaman #5 (Link)

A rogue commander disregards orders from Berg Katse and charges forward with a powerful Mecha creation. Can the Science Ninja Team defeat it and rescue the missing scientists? With the Beta Team in the wild, will they rise to the occasion or fall to Galactor’s forces? Find out in the exciting conclusion to the first arc of Gatchaman!

This series has been a huge amount of fun, hitting those nostalgia buttons right in the feels. Everything about this work works and I’m looking forward to what the next story arc will bring. If you have any memory of the 70s animated TV series you find lots to love here.

Gatchman: Galactor #4
Mad Cave Studios

By Steve Orlando, Pasquale Qualano, Rebecca Nalty and Frank Cvetkovic

Buy digitally – Gatchman: Galactor #4 (Link)

The thrilling mini-series conclusion! Alarms scream and red emergency lights blink as Skywolf fights for her life against a massive battalion of Galactor Troops! Meanwhile, Berg Katse closes in on the remaining Lupo family line. Bullet fly, bodies fall, and an organization is on the rise. GLORY TO GALACTOR!

Much like the parent title, this has been a delight to read. Seeing things from Katse’s point of view add a lot to the story and compliments the flagship book brilliantly.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
IDW Publishing

By Jason Aaron, Chris Burnham, Brian Reber and Shawn Lee

Buy digitally – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (Link)

Chris Burnham returns to art duties this issue as we finally learn the fate of Donatello! Trapped in a mutant zoo and forced to fight rich men looking for a thrill, his mind is still broken since last we saw him. As mysterious forces gather against him, can Donnie gather himself to defeat these enemies and set himself free? Superstar writer Jason Aaron continues his exploration of the individual Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, setting the stage for their reunion.

Wow, Aaron has really hit the ground running. We now get to find out what has been happening with the final brother and the reunion of the Turtles is looking to be something special. I’m really excited to see where this book goes next.

Void Rivals #14
Image Comics

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

Buy digitally – Void Rivals #14 (Link)

Darak isn’t back in Agorria for ONE DAY before they send him back out into space to get shot at. Darak’s loyalty to Agorria is put to the test as he’s forced to prove himself. 

Another really fun series. I think this book doesn’t get as much attention as some of the other books in the Energon Universe line, but this is a fantastic addition to the energon world and really is a great pulp sci-fi romp in its own right.

The Uncanny X-Men #6
Marvel Comics

By Gail Simone, Javier Garrón, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles

Buy digitally – The Uncanny X-Men #6 (Link)

It’s BACK TO SCHOOL for four young mutants… But is a rural school in Louisiana READY for this crew? Bullies, terrible lunches and classroom flirting abound… but IS one of the student body the prophesied ENDLING, who will be the last member of mutantkind? Plus — Jubilee undertakes a fateful solo mission!

LEGACY #706

Definitely my favourite of the From the Ashes X-Men books. Simone has utterly captured all the things we love about these characters and has introduced new ones who feel interesting and exciting, adding a much need breath of fresh air and energy to the book. If you only read one mutant book, make it this one.

Dazzler #3
Marvel Comics

By Jason Loo, Rafael Loureiro, Javier Tartaglia and Ariana Maher

Buy digitally – Dazzler #3 (Link)

Where mutant rock star LILA CHENEY goes… trouble follows! DAZZLER and Lila duet in Japan while Dazzler’s mysterious nemesis continues to create havoc – and some majorly bad publicity. When Lila and Dazzler blow off some steam in the streets Tokyo, disaster strikes. Will this be the last stop for the world tour – and their lives?!

Lila Cheney! Ever since her first appearance in The New Mutants, I been a huge fan of this mutant rockstar. Although it looks like this will be a one-off guest spot, I couldn’t miss a chance to see what Lila is up to.

Feral #8
Image Comics

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

Buy digitally – Feral #8 (Link)

MORE ANIMAL HORROR FROM THE MASTERS OF PETSPLOITATION!

Elsie is reunited with an old friend in the creepy shack deep in the rabies-infested forest. Is this place a sanctuary at long last? Or a house of dark secrets? And what exactly are the cats living here hiding from Elsie?

Pray she never finds out!

Who would have thought a horror book featuring cats as the leads would be one of the best books on the market. This book looks amazing, has a story that utterly grips you and leaves you shaken and anticipating the next issue. Give this one a try and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Battle Action #4
2000AD/Rebellion

By Garth Ennis, Rob Williams, Keith Burns and Henry Flint

Buy from the 2000AD Webstore – Battle Action #4 (Link)

In the fourth part of the final Johnny Red story, A Couple of Heroes, air ace Nina Petrova has been captured and is being interrogated about her association with Johnny Red, but her future looks bleak, and she holds on to her memories of the adventures she had with Johnny during the war. Garth Ennis and Keith Burns create this flashback story, looking at what happened to the infamous pilot as World War II comes to an end. This issue also contains a stand-alone western adventure, The General, featuring a Civil War-era bounty hunter on the trail of a double agent whose loyalty cannot even be assumed to belong to either army, in this action-packed thriller from Rob Williams and Henry Flint.

The 2023 run of Battle Action was a fantastic read and the 2024 sequence has been as equally brilliant. This issue features two stories with Burns providing amazing art on the Johnny Red tale, I’m also looking forward to the backup story from Williams and Flint.

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

2000AD 2025 Annual
2000AD/Rebellion

By Chris Condon, Simon Spurrier, Alex Paknadel, Dan Abnett, Maura McHugh, Rory McConville, John Wagner, Gerry Finley-Day, Alan Grant, Fernando Blanco, Hayden Sherman, Jake Lynch, Phil Winslade, Emma Vieceli, Staz Johnson, Mike McMahon, Dave Gibbons, Ian Gibson, Edward Teach, David Agnew, Dylan Teague, Barbara Nosenzo, Charlie Kirchoff, Jonathan Stevenson, Ellie de Ville, Simon Bowland, Gordon Robson and Steve Potter

Buy from the 2000AD Webstore – 2000AD 2025 Annual (Link)

TFrom 1977 to 1990 the 2000 AD Annual was a staple of Christmas stockings across the length and breadth of the UK. And now… IT’S BACK!

This landmark annual contains all-new stories featuring Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Rogue Trooper and more. It also brings back into print selected strips from 2000 AD’s extensive archive.

Includes brand new stories from an amazing line-up of some of the brightest stars of the comics world including Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Si Spurrier (The Dreaming), Alex Paknadel (All Against All), Dan Abnett (Aquaman), Fernando Blanco (w0rldtr33), Jake Lynch (Sinister Dexter), Hayden Sherman (Dark Spaces) and Phil Winslade (Bodies).

Not your usual Trade paperback, although this does feature stories that have previously appeared in the weekly Prog, but I couldn’t resist including the return of the 2000AD Annual. If you lived in Britain in the 60s,70s or 80s, the tradition of receiving a comic related annual at this time of year was an absolute treat. It’s been over 30 years since the last 2000AD one, and with some fantastic looking new stories alongside the classic strips, this deserves a place in everyones Christmas stocking. Look out for the Webstore exclusive cover by Brian Bolland, which looks just like a annual from your childhood.

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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

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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