I can only assume the football match between the Netherlands and Sweden at Bramall Lane this evening is absolutely thronged with fans, judging by how many groups in bright yellow or orange were swarming around Manchester Piccadilly station when I got there this morning. Do you have to go through Manchester to get to Sheffield? I suppose it was the most convenient airport, but it seems like a strange kind of route.
Anyway, I didn't go to Manchester to see a football match forty miles away, I went for a general day out exploring the murky depths of somewhere I haven't been for absolutely ages. And it was a very rewarding visit! The excellent collector's shop which attracted my attention by playing Beatles music at top volume provided a Sparky annual, a Bobby Bear book and a video tape I've sort of hoped to come across for the last ten years!
I'm not in any tearing hurry to actually watch the video, mind you - even judging by the glowing and positive review that first alerted me to its existence, it sounds like abominably bad 1970s soft porn - but this particular edition was released by Take 2 Plus (another name used by the good people of Krypton Force) and illustrated by the ever-wonderful Marc! Just see how he copies faces from still-frames like the one on the back cover, distorting them in his own unique way! I just had to own it, even if it sits a little oddly on my shelves among all the cartoons.
And I'm pleased to report that the Oxfam shop in Manchester is selling VHS tapes as well, just like a couple of the charity shops in Redditch. Videos disappeared entirely from the charity shops a while ago, but they seem to be making a real comeback now! This can only be a good thing - I'm sure there are more people out there with Krypton Force tapes they can give away, and inspire a whole new generation of watchers!
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