Graphic Novels and Manga

OK, all grown up in the house, you call them comics once more, and ill just have to take up my batman stance and brood about it for the rest of my life. Since that's what the dark knight does most of the times, I will enjoy the brooding from a very very high building's terrace, while you pray that I dont jump off.

Since we've cleared that, lets return to the thoroughly mature and adult aspect of graphic novels. Finding graphic novels, inst very difficult, in fact most book shops seem to have a small collection. Yet two things are difficult to find: back issues and underground comics. Thats where Orbital Comics come in. This store actually has three dedicated shops, with in walking distance from each other, that concentrate on the pillars of graphic culture: Comics, Manga and Designer Toys. Since action figures (hey, grown ups, these toys arent for children, so stop grinning), arent my forte, I didnt make the effort to check this store out. The other two are a must see.

Orbital Comics and Collectibles, as the western comic store is called, is has a tiny store front that is squeezed between a restaurant and a travel agent. If you dont look hard enough you will miss it (and walk past it a couple of times, before some bemused shopkeeper helps you out). The door leads to a basement that is full of the latest comics, back issues and underground publications, that are arranged according to publishers. Although I found this standard classification slightly difficult to comprehend, hey V for vendetta should be in 'V' according to me, the staff are very helpful. In fact, they seem to be walking talking wikipedias on graphic novels and related dark arts!

The manga store is easier to find. Its in a new-ish looking building right next to a shop that sells movie collectibles. This store is all manga, but concentrates more on the newer drawing from the eastern hemisphere. Thats is to say that I did not find any Akira or Ghost in the shell manga, and to be honest that really hurt. Anyway, the staff have introduced me to something called 'Eden', I am now waiting for the first issue to reach the store. While Major Kusunagi cannot be replaced, I hope there I can find some good material in the cyberpunk and postcyberpunk genre. (If you know any, lemme know.)

For the uninitiated, make your way to the graphic side of things at this store!

PS: this store is selling the Watchmen comics for at least 5 pounds less than Forbidden plant.

PPS: these pictures are all from the official site.

The stores are all around Charing Cross Road

their official website is at: http://www.orbitalcomics.com/
For directions look at map below :