Forbidden Planet

I absolutely love «Forbidden Planet». I visit the store on Shaftesbury Avenue at least once a week and there’s always something new to discover and see. It’s probably the best place in London when it comes to comic books, movie memorabilia and everything that’s geeky.

If ever there was a shrine to fandom in London, this is it. But I show my age sometimes, as I still think of this as the new location — I still remember the cramped hot place up on New Oxford Street.
This is a much better store — despite the crowds, you can generally get around with the exception of a couple of pinch points on the ground floor. Upstairs is for all the merchandise, including the glass wall of statues that I’ll always want, but never need or own. Then downstairs are the comics, graphic novels and books.
My one little treat is that you can sometimes just find signed copies of books sitting on the shelves, leftover from when they had a signing. I nearly bought a David Weber book I’d already read on my Kindle because of that. Heck, I’m still thinking I should go back and get it since they don’t charge extra for the signed copies and it was in paperback.
I love FP, and I don’t have any real criticism. I think old age and cynicism is stopping me from adding the fifth star!

huge comic book section but very overcrowded on the weekend. you will find everything you are looking for — they also offer good deals and you are able to find some rare book collections. staff is friendly and always happy to help or look up graphic novels in their system.
a must-​go-​to for comic nerds and wannabes (;

Geek heaven. And me being a closet geek I really like this place. Give me any Star Wars or X Files merch and you’re a friend for life. :)

woot got my nerd on while in london… if you are a nerd you know about this place in london. its got an awesome selection of everything a nerd is into…

¿Dónde puedes encontrar a los chicos de la serie The Big Bang Theory? Pues en una tienda como ésta, donde los cómics y el merchandising asociado abunda en sus estanterías y donde un gran Spiderman te recibe en la entrada.
La tienda está organizada por series, películas o juegos, lo que te facilita localizar el artículo que buscas. Tiene dos plantas: en la inferior encontrarás libros y películas, así que supongo que te quedarás como nosotros, en la planta baja, donde se encontraba lo que buscábamos.
Las cajas situadas en la entrada tienen cintas para organizar a la gente y, los que te cobran, no pueden pasar desapercibidos por sus coloridos peinados o exóticas vestimentas. Si duda, vale la pena entrar y comprobar los artículos y sus precios. ¡Lo que hace el merchandising!

I had the occasion to visit this shop three years ago and it’s one of the main reason why I desperately want to go back and visit London again. The customer service is off the charts and the place itself is heaven for any fan of comic books culture !

This place is pretty cool! One of the comics I buy released while we were visiting from the US. Needing my fix, this was recommended to me by other fans of the series. Talk about overwhelmed when I walked in! Kind of like a museum of awesome and then a whole basement full of paperback goodness. Staff wasn’t as helpful as I would like and told me they didn’t have the comic I was looking for, even after searching in the computer. I found it (at least 8 issues of it) on my own later on a second go around of the store so I had to question whether they actually looked it up or not. They lost a star for that since the store is so big you need knowledgeable staff who are willing to help.

The stock is great, albeit over-​priced. Spotted a few things I liked the look of in there (namely the books Hyrule Historia and the Majora’s Mask manga) then went home and ordered them for a fraction of the price online.
Customer service could be better, but not bad considering it’s Central London =). Better than the Leceister Sq branch of KFC that’s for sure haha (mind you, pretty much everywhere is!)

Si vous êtes amateur de goodies, de séries, films ou geekeries en tout genre, je pense que ce lieu est vraiment un incontournable.
On y trouve de tout, cela va des gadgets inutiles (donc indispensables) aux objets de collections, des mangas, des livres à effigie de toutes les figures connues et reconnues …
Typiquement le genre de boutique ou l’on peut y passer des heures pour y trouver LA perle rare, ou le cadeau qui fera mouche à tous les coups, même s’il faudra y mettre le prix.
Tellement dur d’en repartir les mains vides… La prochaine fois, je ferai de la place dans ma valise !

This place is AMAZING! I’ve been to the Forbidden Planet in Dublin and NYC and this one is far more impressive than both. First off, the place is huge. It has two floors– the ground floor is dedicated to nerdy/​pop-​culture merchandise like apparel, figures, statues, and other accessories to show off your geek pride. The lower level is all comics, graphic novels, and books. They have a very large selection of graphic novels, you can pretty much find anything in their shelves.

This shop is a great treasure trove for geeks of all colours, as long as your fandom is somewhat mainstream.
From collectibles and action figures over toys and fashion to stickers and lunch boxes, they have a huge variety of choices.
The downstairs level is filled to the brim with books and comics and more books and comics! It’s a delight to roam around and look at all the awesomeness!
Some items seems a bit over priced and it’s always packed in the shop, still definitely worth a visit though.

Imigine your favorite (mainstreamish) geek trope… ok? They sell something from it, from Marvel to Adventure Time, Zelda to Doctor who, they sell almost everything from almost every show!

El paraíso del comic lover. Forbidden Planet es conocido por sus sucursales en New York y otras ciudades. En Londres el local es genial y tiene las cosas más geek que vi en mi vida.
Con dos pisos, uno dedicado enteramente a juguetes (cof, ACTION FIgURES Y COLECCIONABLES) y el sótano dedicado a un océanos a comics y libros de todo tipo.
Podés encontrar cualquier cosa. Con secciones enteras dedicadas a Star Wars, Avengers, Doctor Who y mucho más. Aparte tienen vidrieras enormes mostrando lo mejor de las estatuillas de Hot Toys y Sideshow Collectibles para babearse de todo lo que no podes traer en la valija.
Es parada obligada. Andá con la tarjeta bien holgada y comprate otra valija, posta.

As comic book stores go, it’s pretty big and there is quite a range of comics /​books /​things and a few games.
The staff is usually helpful and some of them very knowledgeable.
There also have artists regularly for some book /​art signing sessions.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this shop but i couldn’t give it 5 stars due to what it compares to; i used to go to Nostalgia comics in Brum which is my ideal comic book shop. It’s much smaller and has more of a friendly/​family feeling

there are so many merchandises! I haven’t seen so many before, it’s awesome! There are shirts, comic books, stuff animals, figurines and so much so! love this place!

The best stocked comic shop in London, but a bit on the pricey side. They probably have every single new issue you are looking for but unfortunately the staff (if you can find one) doesn’t always know where to look for so you could end up spending a lot of time finding what you want.
The upper floor is full of collectibles and fun stuff, while downstairs you will find the graphic novels, books, comics and dvd’s. An amazing experience to satisfy your inner geek :)

I have been to the Forbidden Planet in NYC before but it’s been many years. I’m actually not a comic book fan, but I do like that there are so many vinyl pop dolls here, and that there are video game and film references here (and not just comic books).
There are SO many of those blind box dolls here. If you are a collector, this is definitely the place for you.
The prices for the most part seem on par with what you can get in the States, maybe slightly expensive (example: a Mass Effect Miranda hoodie is 50 pounds, while in the States it is $ 50 USD)
You can apply for VAT refund here as long as you spend over 30 pounds.

El hipermercado de los cómics. Es como pasar de la frutería de tu barrio al carrefour de los cómics. Dos plantas enorme repletas de material.
La primera con todo el merchandising de cómic y series o películas frikis que te puedas imaginar y todavía más. Entre otras cosas es posible comprar algún detallito o chorrada como recuerdo a buen precio, y la colección de camisetas es muy completa.
La planta de abajo es la parte importante: cómics, novelas y películas. Además de poder encontrar casi de todo de tus héroes o autores favoritos, tiene una estantería con ofertas donde te puedes dar un capricho a mejor precio.
Y a pesar del tamaño de la tienda, todas las personas que trabajan ahí saben de este mundillo.
Sigo prefiriendo tiendas más pequeñas y personalizadas, pero Forbidden es siempre una visita obligada en Londres para ponerme al día con alguna de mis colecciones.

Amazing, really good for everything.
It has comics, graphic novels, action figures, pop figures and much more!

El Forbidden Planet de Londres es uno de los lugares en los que uno siempre soñó estar. Para todos los nerds y fans de comics, cine y series de TV, este lugar es lo mejor que les puede pasar en la vida.
El local es bastante grande, tiene dos pisos, el principal está lleno de juguetes, remeras y todo el merchandising que uno se pueda imaginar sobre todas esas cosas lindas de la cultura pop que nos gustan. Después hay un subsuelo mayormente dedicado a los comics y libros en general, dónde se pueden encontrar maravillosas gemas, ya sean actuales o de clásicos.
Es de esos lugares en dónde los fanáticos de todo esto nos quedamos horas revolviendo a ver que cosa copada podemos encontrar. La verdad es que es un sitio increíble, de esos que te dan ganas de comprarte todo. Un buen dato es que hacen descuento a estudiantes, o sea que con una credencial válida podes tener tu juguete o comic favorito a un precio promocional. Todo un lujo. Gracias por existir, Forbidden Planet.

As a fan of Dr. Who I had no idea there have been 11 of them, since there were not enough Dr. Who fans to keep him traveling in my part of the world. Every Dr. Who is represented here in every size except hot air balloon.
I have a brother-​in-​law who is a Star Wars freak. He’d have a panic attack or cardiac arrest if he landed here.
You can buy a two pound Tardis on the impulse-​buy path to the till, or you can spend 2,000+ on large prop-​looking space ships and figurines.
A week later, my head is still spinning from the galaxy of film, game and comic merch inundating my senses in that very crowded store. Nieces and nephews would be very familiar with the cartoon and game items sold here.
I ended up here on my rather random journey through life, finding myself battling the forces trying to suck the life from my budget-​sized billfold.

Probably the best stocked comic shop in London, but also on the expensive side. If you’re looking for a particular trade or an obscure new issue, they probably have it. However the staff don’t always know where to look, and if I’m honest, you don’t normally see them downstairs, only upstairs. I don’t think I’ve seen the downstairs till manned in ages.
Still they’re a good source for newly issued novels for SF fans if you can’t wait for Amazon to deliver and if you want that ultimate geeky toy for a gift (or yourself), you’ll find it here.

Last time I was here I was for some reason a bit disappointed. I expected dools and gadgets from a wider range of films. I can still miss a few classics like The Addams Family and Pirates of The Carribbeans, but I understand movies get out of date I do.
Dr Who is still the main feature together with Marvels superheroes.
When I come to stores like these I wish I was hooked on something so I could get carried away and buy a lot of cool stuff!

Vous trouverez votre bonheur si vous cherchez des goodies/​DVDs/​BDs de SF et Fantasy. J’aurais juste aimé plus de choses sur Game Of Thrones!

Pirei aqui. Juro. A franquia é famosa na cidade e bastante conhecida entre os colecionadores também, por isso a loja estava na minha lista de «preciso-​ir-​isso-​não-​é-​negociável». Me diverti vendo tudo, acendendo e apagando as luzes, admirando a Entreprise gigante em cima da escada de acesso para o andar inferior, recheado com lançamentos e não-​lançamentos de HQs.
É possível encontrar bons negócios aqui, especialmente se comparado com o preço a que os produtos podem chegar aqui por conta dos impostos. Para entender a alegria, só indo lá mesmo! O amor final? Balinhas de morango no formato do PacMan. Old but gold!

Cet boutique est un véritable bonheur ! Séries télé, films, jeux vidéos etc. trouvez les goodies, livres, DVD parfaits ! Doctor Who étant une véritable institution en Angleterre les whovians francais y trouverons enfin leur bonheur ! Bref passage obligatoire dans cette boutique pour les geek: P

How, in the name of Thor’s Hammer, have I not reviewed Forbidden Planet yet? That’s as awful as an American playing the Doctor… it should not ever happen.
So I correct my mistake and leave this review here in the time capsule of Unilocal,so future nerds may find it and know what they have missed (once the robot wars occur and London is enslaved by our own toasters. Did I mention these future nerds are robot nerds? Because they are. And welcome to Unilocal,robot nerd overlords!)
Forbidden Planet is one of the greatest spots in London, maybe even the world? Why? Because it makes you smile. I don’t even care who you are, there’s a little geek in all of us and there’s something for everyone here. You love Star Wars? Doctor Who? Legos? Lord of the Rings? Adventure Time? Simon’s Cat? Superheroes? Comics? Funny Hats? Action Figures? Manga? None of those things? Well then there’s miscellaneous stuff that’s just clever, like an ice tray in the shape of dinosaur bones or a graphic novel called The Beard That Was Evil.
Whatever you’re into or even mildly enjoy, they have. And tons of it. Go in and just smile.
There’s two floors to this Forbidden Planet and neither are two be missed. The upstairs are all your toys and collectibles and fun stuff like that. Downstairs are books and comics and anything to be read. See both, enjoy both.
Ah, nerd mecca. FP, you are fantastic. In the future you may be full of robot versions of all out favourite shows (I’m very much looking forward to the robot version of the I.T. Crowd, where they try to fix humans to hilarious results) but even then, this store will still be filled to the brim with geek wonder. And it will be loved.

Le temple du merchandising pour les amateurs de science fiction et de fantastique.
Deux sections bien distinctes:
le rez de chaussé principalement constitué de figurines et autres accessoires plus originaux et loufoques les uns que les autres.
A l’étage inférieur, plus axé sur la papeterie, bandes dessinés et comics, parfois des collectors sont exposés en vitrines.
Qui dit magasin spécialisé implique des prix plus ou moins importants selon l’importance et/​rareté d’un objet, pas pour tout les budgets.

Le lieu incontournable pour tous les amateurs de SF, fantasy et fantastique ! Sur deux niveaux, on y trouve bien évidement livres, BD, comics, DVD et tous supports possibles, mais aussi une foison de gadgets et de produits dérivés à rendre complètement fou ! J’avoue que c’est surtout cette partie là que j’adore visiter: on y trouve des objets divers et variés de licence de films, séries, dessins animés et même jeux vidéos… Et vraiment de tout !
Si vous allez à Londres, que vous aimez ce genre de choses, ce serait vraiment inimaginable de né pas passer au moins une fois dans ce magasin incroyable.

On pourrait surnommer l’endroit «Le paradis du geek». Imaginez un peu deux niveaux consacrés à la science-​fiction, fantasy et à tous les genres dérivés sous toutes les formes imaginables.
Au rez-​de-​chaussée, ce sont les figurines, badges, gadgets, produits dérivés et autres curiosités qui se partagent l’espace dans un joyeux bric-​à-​brac organisé. Vous rêvez d’un moule à glaçons Star Wars pour épater vos amis et faire enrager votre belle-​mère? Voici votre antre de perdition !
Au sous-​sol vous trouverez romans, comics et films classés par genre ou par ordre alphabétique, c’est selon… J’y ai trouvé quelques titres que d’autres librairies londoniennes moins spécialisées proposaient de me commander.
Bref que ce soit pour flâner dans les rayons ou trouver une perle rare n’hésitez pas découvrir ce lieu assez exceptionnel.