A Few Thoughts
It is a fact that Bristol is one of the largest citys in the UK. It has a huge student population and one of the best mixes of ‘ethnic’ populations you can find.
Indian,Bangladeshi,Pakistanese,Bhutanese,Malayan,Sri Lankan,Korean,Chinese,Japanese,Russian,Italian,Czech, French,Turkish,Polish -and the list goes on.
There is a large enough population of 16-50 year olds which is targetted by businesses. This age group encompasses the core of comic book buyers.
In the 1970s-1980s Bristol had Quicksilver Comics,three Forever People stores and a couple of Independent stores.
Going back about 3 years we had Forbidden Planet,Area 51,Kathy’s Comics and Travelling Man.
Comic prices were evening out.
All stores were in great locations but Kathy’s Comics closed despite being in the prime City business location of The Galleries. It seemed almost impossible to believe that a store in such a location could fail. The problem seemed bad management and,like other stores,Standing Orders meant little [you might/might not get your order] and it seemed getting enough copies of new titles was a problem.
The same is true of Travelling Man. great staff but Standing Orders were hit or miss and at one point it was in a far better geographical location than Forbidden Planet. Most of us know the problems but the result was closure.
Area 51 has a huge chunk of the city to itself,however,it is primarily interested in gaming and comics seems an add-on. Now that is how the owner wants it and,therefore,cannot be criticised for not running a comic shop.
So,we are left with Forbidden Planet which is not my favourite any more. Standing Orders? I’ve missed so many issues and heard excuses that I just don’t care any more. From a good store with a competent man keeping an eye on stock and orders it’s sunk low.
So why is it that no one comes along with a long term plan to set up a store and make it work? It isn’t that difficult and,to be honest,if I had the money I’d set one up myself.
The monopoly of Forbidden Planet is rather like the monopoly Diamond Distributors have in the UK,it makes things very stale and it’s a case of “take this deal or **** off!” The loser is the comic fan/buyer.
I’ve noted how,like others,I’ve been told “We can’t get hold of Dr Master” or how it’s “Difficult to get Cinebook or Classical Comics” -sheer and utter bull! I think that,having seen the Turnaround Catalogue,offering Manhua,Cinebook and more,that there is a deliberate stranglehold on what we as customers are being allowed to see/buy.
Look at what Cinebook have published -and yet,in Bristol,you’ll only find 3-4 titles tucked away on a dark shelf because “there is no interest”. No interest probably because no one can see them -Cinebook did very well at the Comic Expo and I noted a lot of those going to the table were from Bristol!
What is needed is a well positioned store which does not just pander to Marvel or DC [though you cannot ignore them] but that also stocks a range of up-to-date Independent Comics,Undergrounds,Cinebook,Classical Comics and even Small Press titles.
Will it ever happen?
I can dream. We just seem to have lost the common sense to understand that customers read all sorts of books and if you supply and promote you can’t really lose.
Now,where’s my copy of Northern Lightz?


















Comic Bits Online is the web version of the Comic Bits magazine Edited and run by Terry Hooper. Currently Interviews Editor at Manga Life,Terry has over thirty years experience in the comic industry as script writer,artist,freelance Editor,publisher and much more. But if you want the facts:
Curriculum vitae Name:Terry HooperDob:6th June 1957 [50 yrs]Currently living Ashton Vale,Bristol,United Kingdom ...