Shells, Ships and Swords – Wednesday Comics

Shells, Ships and Swords – 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. As we head into Easter it’s a fairly quiet week, so no excuses to miss any of these great comics.

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: Only One Earth #3
Mad Cave Studios

By Tommy Lee Edwards, Nuno Plati, Giada Marchisio and John Workman

Buy digitally – Gatchaman: Only One Earth #3 (Link)

In the depths of an ancient temple, Ken, Joe, and the princess uncover a fusion of forgotten teachings and cutting-edge science–a power that could save or destroy the world. As tensions rise between Ken and Joe, Galactor strikes back with devastating force, unleashing a psychic-controlled mech from their high-tech command ship. The ultimate test of trust and ingenuity looms as their love-hate dynamic is pushed to its limits during a battle for Atrena’s survival!

Mad Cave have been killing it with its Gatchaman line of comics. This spin-off book is probably even better than the flagship title. It nails the characters and the world of Science Team Ninja perfectly. Tommy Lee Edwards is crafting a fantastic story and Nuno Plati is bringing it to life with some spectacular visuals. If you have any love for the team, when make sure you pick up this excellent book.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8
IDW Publishing

By Jason Aaron, Juan Ferreyra and Shawn Lee

Buy digitally – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #8 (Link)

Donnie’s on the edge! Once the most reliable and risk averse of the TMNT, Donatello’s mind is spinning out of control following his violent stay in captivity. Fortunately his brothers are there to protect him from the army of Foot Clan ninjas bent on destroying them all, but how can the Ninja Turtles save Donatello from the “voice” of their dead master Splinter that Donnie insists he’s hearing in his head!? 

To be honest I was a little wary when Jason Aaron took over the IDW Turtles book. But in just eight issues he has proved he can infuse the boys with a vital new energy. After putting the Turtles through the wringer in the earlier issues, we are still feeling the repercussions of their experiences. Donny is my favourite turtle and Aaron is taking him in some very interesting directions.

Flash Gordon #8
Mad Cave Studios

By Jeremy Adams, Will Conrad and Taylor Esposito

Buy digitally – Flash Gordon #8 (Link)

The fearless Flash Gordon must join forces with the fiery Princess Aura — despite their tangled past — to find a way into the Empress’s castle. With Prince Barin and the rest of the ragtag group in tow, the motley crew comes face to face with a long-lost ally — but are they friend or foe? The past keeps catching up with Flash’s present!

Another Mad Cave release, and another that nails the source material. Since watching Buster Crabb rocket to Mongo on BBC2 back in the laste 70s/early 80s I’ve been a fan of the saviour of the Universe. This run has updated the character whilst retaining the pulp fiction vitality, we know and love. The art complements the story perfectly and I’m having lots of fun with this book.

Star Trek: Defiant #26
IDW Publishing

By Christopher Cantwell, Davide Tinto, Lee Loughridge and Clayton Cowles

Buy digitally – Star Trek: Defiant #26 (Link)

On one side of the war, Worf, Shaxs, Alexander, and others who once valued honor above all have now been designed by the malevolent android Lore to uphold his dictatorial rule; on the other side, a rebel Maquis fleet, Kahless II, Beverly, Sisko, and all those who know the truth behind their current reality endeavor to tear it down with what little resources they have. But not everything is as hopeless as it seems: There are allies hidden in the unlikeliest of places and assets — like the famous U.S.S. Phoenix — that escape even the all-seeing positronic eye of Lore.

Lore Wars crosses over in to the regular titles this week, after the one-shot that kicked off this years epic crossover. This is some of the best Star Trek we have had in years and this looks to be even better than last years Day of Blood saga.

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

Babs TP Vol. 1
Ahoy Comics

By Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows, Andy Troy, Rob Steen, Joe Orsak and Lee Loughridge

Buy digitally – Babs TP Vol. 1 (Link)

A savage sword-and-sorcery parody from the co-creators of Preacher, The Boys, and Marvel’s Get Fury! Meet Babs, a barbarian thief, and Barry, the world’s worst enchanted sword. Together they travel a fantastic landscape of wizards, dragons, demons, and castles, looking to steal treasure. Their plans are interrupted by the arrival of a band of very white knights who exploit and divide the townsfolk. Babs wasn’t looking for a fight… but she’s never found a bad situation she couldn’t make 100 times worse!

Ennis. Swords. Sorcery. What more do you need to hear. This title was recommend to me by the lovely Lauren at Worlds Apart Birmingham, and its a tremendous amount of fun. It’s not subtle, which is what you should expect from a writer with Ennis’ pedigree, but if you are looking for a foul-mouthed perversion of fantasy tropes, then that’s exactly what you’re gonna get.

---

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

---

On YouTube

---

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.

 

---

Follow @GeekyGoingsOn On Twitter

Follow @GeekyBrummie On Twitter

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Support us on Ko-fi