King's Comics

From humble beginnings as a mail-order business, Kings Comics now flourishes as the largest comic-book retailer in Australia. And while the popularity of traditional superheroes still prevails here, there’s a lot more on offer than mint-condition first editions. “There’s more unique titles and merchandise than ever before,” confirms manager Jim Papagrigoriou. “The usual perception of a comics shop is somewhere dark and dingy populated only by dedicated collectors. We wanted a bright, spacious shop that doesn’t just stock comics. We aim for variety to attract as many people as possible.” So while the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Girl is $5, you might select the historical/ literary parodies of Kate Beaton in Hark! A Vagrant ($31.95). Then again, perhaps a plastic figurine of Matt Smith as Doctor Who is your thing ($23.95), or some Living Dead Dolls ($44.95), or anime-based Art of Shunya busts ($169.95). Says Papagrigoriou: “It’s not all about capes and tights.”