Forbidden Planet

Down south, in the Big Smoke, people say if you’re tired of London you’re tired of life. Up here, we could say something similar about the Northern Quarter. Despite the obvious shift this neighbourhood has taken over the past two decades — less punk, more ‘town’ — the area remains Manchester’s epicentre of niche things. Like Forbidden Planet. “Your local pop culture shop” claims to stock the widest range of comic books, models, graphic novels, anime and manga bits in the city, and a shedload besides. We can see why. 

Key lines include the iconic Loungefly brand bags — officially licensed move-tie ins, from Marvel to Gremlins, with new collections dropping monthly, and Funko Pop! vinyl figurines, some of which have a habit of accumulating significant value. You’ll also find a regular supply of new and exclusive items, such as ’Sleeping Beauty’ movie poster mini backpacks and limited edition Kuromi coin bags, part of the Japanese entertainment company Sanrio’s vividly cutesy cartoonish universe.

One of the biggest reasons people land at Forbidden Planet is the staff. There’s a prevailing sense of community, and as you would hope from any self-respecting comic book store, the people working behind the counter live and breathe this culture in a definitive sense, and really want to bring likeminded folk together to share the love for Disney and Pixar, Manga, Star Wars, all-things-Gotham City, DC and Halloween. To name but a handful.  Big on events, regular dates for the diary include Free Comic Book Day, specific book signings, and weekend-long collectors club specials. Needless to say, this place is particularly lively when Comicon makes its annual trip to the huge Manchester Central convention centre, 15 minutes or so from here, past Piccadilly Gardens to the other side of St Peter’s Square. You’ll know if that’s happening, with town full of incredible people in incredible costumes.