Costas Barbatsis

Finding Comic Books – Sifnos

Asterix and Cleopatra

During summer vacations instead of a book, I look for a good old comic book.

This summer while having a walk in Apollonia, the chora of the Greek island Sifnos I found a small book store which had several old comics from the Asterix series.

I bought Asterix and Kleopatra the Geeek translated version.

Although I had read it as a kid it always was one of my favourite comics which was missing from my collection.

I am glad that I continue all these years this “tradition” of mine of no matter where I might be I will always try to find comic books!

Finding Comic Books – London

Gosh Comics in London

Comic book day in London!

Whenever I visit London there are three comic book stores that always I like to visit so I can find comic books.

This time I went first to Forbidden Planet. On the ground floor you will find loads of merchandise related to comics, movies and books.

But downstairs is a dream for all comic book fans. It has a huge collection of fresh new comics, back issues and graphic novels in all kinds of formats and from various publishers. I was bedazzled!

I also like that it has a nice collection of books of sci-fi and fantasy genre.

There was so much to choose from that it took me a while but I finally did find a comic, a collected edition of Greek Street!

Next stop Orbit Comics in Covent Garden.

I always love to take my time in this comic book store. It gives me the sense that you can find something different and unique, so I pace myself and check everything in detail.

In the area which almost looks like a room of someones private collection I check out all the indie and alternative comics which are there.

Then I head for the long boxes.

A huge collection of comics in the long boxes from various publishers. I always find something there. This time I found an issue of 2000 AD with Judge Dredd on the cover, so cool.

Last but not least I head for Gosh! Comics on the corner of Berwick and Peter Street in Soho. I really like where its located and you can spot it from a far with its huge display windows, I always spend several minutes checking them out.

It has a very nice style for a comic book store, it gives you a warm, cozy and welcoming feeling.

I went first down stairs looked around at everything new on the shelves and then at everything that is old in the long boxes. It all seems organized with a personal touch.

Then I head upstairs to look through all the graphic novels. It has a good collection of comic books here as well.

Finally I decide to buy volume one of Injection, I am a big fan of Warren Ellis and I just love Declan Shalvey’s art plus this copy was signed from Shalvey!

What a treat!

I’m done for today, luckily right out side of Gosh is the Berwick market. I pick up a falafel to have for lunch while I head for a cozy spot in Soho so I can read my comics.

Finding Comic Books – Cairo

Donald Duck in Cairo

There was so much to see in Cairo that I did not have time to find a comic book store.

But luckily at the hotel I am staying is a small store where you can buy some bits like cigarettes, shampoos, crisps, soft drinks and surprisingly comic books!

I found a Disney comic with Donald Duck on its cover, it was translated in Arabic.

I asked the man behind the till for its price, he told me and reluctantly added that it was a book for children.

I replied that it’s ok I just need to please the the child of comic book fan I am from time to time!

Finding Comic Books – Belgrade

Finding Moebius in Belgrade

It is amazing to travel to another country and finding out that they have a common love for comics. I’m visiting Belgrade in Serbia and just opposite of my hotel was a big bookstore, Vulkan. I found out that it was open for 24 hours and of course it had a comic book section.
It had an amazing collection of hardcovers and trade paper backs and the comics here are called Stripovi!

My eye caught the amazing art on the cover of a hardcover. It was Moebius the Long Tomorrow! It was translated in Serbian and published by Darkwood.

Of course I bought the comic book.

I also visited Darkwood comics!

It was a delight going through the comics at the Darkwood comic book store! The first thing my eye caught was a Zagor comic.

It was an amazing experience which I really enjoyed

Tagging the Walls

I have been following Kulbir’s posts in the House of Flying Scalpels for a while now and I was more than pleased to tell him one of why favourite stories of comics that he would then review.

As a long standing fan of the X-Men and the Dark Phoenix Saga being the reason I was hooked on superheroes I could not suggest anything else, that was the first thing that popped into my head when he asked me.