Archive for the ‘figurines’ Category

h1

The Magic Lantern – a cache of curiousities on Brunswick St, Fitzroy

February 25, 2011

One of the most remarkable new establishments I’ve had the pleasure of setting both feet inside, the marvels of Melbourne’s Wunderkammer not withstanding, is The Magic Lantern.

Wall to wall oddities related to tricks and treats of an older age:  magic, optical illusions, cardboard theatres, puppets – imagine a time before TV, before DVDs, before gaming, where amusement was only to be found in the head, on paper and in actions… these are the imaginative tools used to build a sense of the surreal, the infinite, the stuff of dreams. A magic lantern was itself a pre-20th century optical trick, the first projector, perhaps it could be said, so that pretty much infers the interest and scope of this store.

The Magic Lantern is replete with such weapons against a rainy day and a drab room, so grab some candle-lamps, don a frilly frock and take your imagination away with fairies, gypsies, devils, conjurers and the wonders of the play….

Details:

155 Brunswick St

FitzroyMelbourneAustralia

Open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

http://www.magiclanternstudio.com

Posted in Art, artisans, Books, curios, ephemera, figurines, magic, Melbourne, tarot | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

h1

Brickvention: Lego Exhibition 2010 January Long Weekend

January 19, 2010

 

 

Brickvention is Australia’s premier LEGO® convention

Brickvention is an Australian based convention for LEGO® fans. It’s a two-day event that brings together LEGO® fans from all over Australia to view original and unusual creations. The next Brickvention will be held over the weekend of 23rd- 24th January 2010.

Saturday 23rd January 2010 is devoted to Adult Fans of LEGO® and features competitions, games and activities involving LEGO®. Sunday 24th January is the Public Open Day part of Brickvention where anyone can come along and view the amazing creations made out of LEGO®.

LEGO® fans of all ages are welcome on the Sunday from 11am – 4pm. Entry is $5 for adults, $2.50 for kids, $15 for a family with 2 adults and up to 4 children.

If you love LEGO®, why not join us on the Public Open Day at Level 12, Victoria University Building, 300 Flinders Street, Melbourne.

For more information, please contact us.

Posted in artisans, Collectables, curios, figurines, lego, nerd, pop-culture | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

h1

Comics in the city

January 22, 2009

 

We’ve covered Minotaur – so just a short note about the wee city establishments who have less hustle and haste and more solicitous suggestions for the avid comic shopper.  They may lack size but they concentrate on the ink and word rather than talking keyrings and novelty clocks.  And that’s not a bad thing. 

Comics R Us:  upstairs in Bourke St at no. 220 near Target – it’s a small doorway a little difficult to spot but well worth your effort.  They have a reputation for their friendly and helpful service and from my own interactions with them it’s well deserved: friendly and helpful without being pushy, false or seemingly desperate for conversation, there’s no Comic Book Guy syndrome here.   Indies and established comics all get decent coverage and a small smattering of cased collectibles. Back issues a plenty and are also orderable.

The only criticism I’ve heard of this place is that a comic-collecting comrade from the US who visited said it was annoying that they didnt’ have a ‘new release’ section, instead sectioning the room by publisher.  I tend to agree a little – a section highlighting ‘what’s new’ would be really useful to the dedicated comic fan looking to browse beyond their (unfortunately named) “pull list”.

Details:

Level 1, 220 Bourke St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9663 8666

They also have outlets in Ringwood and Chapel St, Prahran.

  • Ringwood

112 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood VIC
Ph: (03) 9870 3841

  • Windsor

114 Chapel Street, Windsor VIC 3100
Ph: (03) 9510 1584

Classic Comics – just off Bourke St between Bourke and Lt Bourke near Spring Street, although their official street address is 50 Bourke St don’t look for them on the main drag as you won’t find them.  This place is small. And I mean SMALL.  However it is packed totally full of trade paperbacks and new release comics plus a small amount of figurines.  The staff seem super busy often, processing and cataloguing all the titles they have in the store, but are always happy to make suggestions or discuss your issues/questions.  A little bit more Comic Book Guy in their own passionate opinions on favourite characters and comics but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy obsession.  These guys care.

Details:

Shop 4, 50 Bourke Street
Melbourne, Australia 3000
+61 (0)3 9663 7210

 

There’s quite a comprehensive guide to greater Melbourne’s comic stores available at http://www.mas.org.au/shops.php which is the website for the Melbourne Anime Society… did you know we had one of those? Well now you do. Check ‘em out!

Posted in anime, Books, Bookshops, Collectables, comics, figurines, pop-culture | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

h1

Minotaur – comics, books, figurines and a plethora of ephemera

January 22, 2009

If you haven’t heard of Minotaur yet, well, I’m afraid you’re missing what is arguably  Melbourne’s most voluminous slice of geek/collector culture.  Downstairs on Elizabeth St, between Collins and Lt Collins, Minotaur is a heftily sized L shaped emporium of pop-culture.  From the latest comics and graphic novels from Marvel, DC, Wildstorm, Vertigo and a swag of other publishers to Manga and Hentai, novels, biograhies plus art books and erotica, any fan of the popular written word will have a home here at Minotaur.  For the true fan, of course, there are also figurines a plenty of your favourite comic book, film or novel hero – from A Nightmare Before Christmas to Lord of the Rings, Hellboy to Dexter. 

There is really not enough room for me to try to list the gamut of Minotaur’s stock, and they have even more online in their webstore!!!

The main plusses of Minotaur are that it goes further than almost any other store I’ve seen in Australia to cover the entire world of pop culture and its’ ephemera.  Nothing is too silly, too gimmicky, too obscure for Minotaur: from Emily breathmints to Deathnote shoulderbags, Simpsons toothbrushes and Dexter bobbleheads. At the same time they have a huge back catalogue of trade comics and art books for those who are more serious/completist about their fandom.

The main doubts I have about Minotaur is that they are too large and busy to have any care or attention to their customers:  or perhaps they’re just wary of the passion fans have and they know they’ll get stuck for hours on some obscure point about Batman’s costume if they’re not careful.  However, the smaller comic stores do seem to have more of a personal touch than Minotaur.  But if you want to collect not only your favourite TV show, but the resulting comic, or film, or poster, or patch, or novelty gimcrack, or figurine, or spinoff series, or flavoured gum: Minotaur is the place for you.  Most insane at Christmas, on shipment days and sometimes on the weekend.

Details:

   Minotaur Entertainment     Phone: +61 3 9670  5414 
    121 Elizabeth Street   Comics: +61 3 9670  5415   
    Melbourne 3000   Fax: +61 3 9670  7670
   
   

Email: shop@minotaur.com.au

Shop Opening Hours:
Mon – Wed: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday:  9:00am – 7:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Posted in anime, Arthouse, Collectables, comics, Dvds, emporium, ephemera, figurines, films, gothic, photography, pop-culture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »