Specialist comic shop Forbidden Planet will be playing host to Doctor Who artist Dan McDaid this Saturday as it celebrates one of its biggest days of the year.
The popular Newcastle store is preparing for the usual long queues on Free Comic Book Day and this year's visit from McDaid is set to prove an added big attraction for its customers.
The comic writer and artist, who made his debut in Doctor Who Magazine - the official publication of the BBC sci-fi series - and whose CV also includes the likes of Judge Dredd, will be stopping off at the Grainger Street store at 1pm on May 4 for an hour-long signing of American space western adventure Firefly and the criminal mastermind The Fearsome Doctor Fang.
Forbidden Planet will also have a new exhibition of McDaid's original artwork on display during the event which sees crowds turn out for the trademark giveaways.
And this year's freebies include Doctor Who - a Forbidden Planet exclusive front cover by Jessica Martin.
Staff are gearing up to hand out them out at the annual treat, which always takes place on the first Saturday in May and is a huge success.
It was described as a major event last year by its assistant manager Peter Frain who had then been at the business around 18 years and said: “It’s like record store day but better.”
The store attracts a range of ages, and Free Comic Book Day tends to attract newcomers in addition to its hordes of regular buyers.
It moved into its bigger premises - a former NatWest building - in 2017, from a building just up the road and the location made it the second biggest Forbidden Planet outside London - and the only one to boast an exhibition gallery.
Comics are the backbone of the business, and science fiction fantasy is its speciality.
But - spread over two floors - it also sells a huge range of games; books; posters; merchandise; exclusive company T-shirts; and Pop! Vinyl figures on top of its colourful A-Z array of graphic novels of all genres.
Among the big sellers last year was Avengers: Infinity War, with the store ahead of the game with releases of any new Marvel blockbuster, which are marked with the re-issue of all vintage classic editions too.
And it also likes to go one better for customers, with such offers as the then-new Hans Solo prequel book, Last Shot, specially signed by the author.
Forbidden Planet takes delivery of a new batch of comics every Wednesday - the same day as they arrive at shops in America - so fans tend to be regular visitors at the store to see the latest publications.
Whenever there’s a film or a TV series, there will be a comic, said Peter.
Customers can find merchandise otherwise hard to get and related to everything from Anime and Pokemon to James Bond and Game of Thrones; and from the likes of an Avengers Infinity War gauntlet to a Harry Potter love potion pendant.
There are big discounts to be had and prices can range from cheap, to expensive for the most sophisticated action figures which feature remarkable facial detail.
Star Wars and Harry Potter items are always popular, such as the likes of a high-tech Star Wars’ light sabre and a Darth Vader helmet which incorporates a voice changer; as well as Harry Potter wands and quidditch sets.
Peter said: “There’s a ton of stuff - something for everybody: little kids upwards.”
The stores hosts regular author and illustrator events besides exhibitions in its downstairs gallery space.
On Saturday, Forbidden Planet will open at 9.30am until 6pm but goody bags with a range of free comics will be available only until stocks run out.
During the event there also will be special offer buys.
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