The comic book and cult entertainment retail chain, Forbidden Planet has detailed the launch of its own ‘epic online event’ to celebrate its 42nd birthday this year, featuring a cast of famous faces and special guest stars that have found a home within the legacy of the renowned brand.

On Saturday, August 29th ForbiddenPlanet.com will play host to a range of celebrity interviews, as alumni from the worlds of science fiction, comics, and popular culture gather to help the store celebrate 42 years of pop culture fandom.

The star-studded event will feature exclusive interviews with the likes of William Shatner, DMC, Neil Gaiman, Alice Cooper, Jonathan Ross, Gerard Way, Garth Ennis, Kevin Smith, Michael Moorcock, Simon Pegg, Mark Millar, Dan Slott, V.E. Schwab, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Dirk Maggs, Chris Claremont, and Ben Aaronovich. The interviews will be hosted by Forbidden Planet’s own Andrew Sumner.

The online event will also host a tribute to Forbidden Planet’s old friend, the late Douglas Adams – author of The Hitchhijer’s Guide to the Galaxy – in the shape of a rare, never-before-heard interview (recently discovered in the Forbidden Planet vaults) conducted by Neil Gaiman.

Vivian Cheung and Nick Landau, owners of Forbidden Planet, said: “Forbidden Planet 42 is an auspicious tip of the hat to our old friend Douglas Adams, the genius behind The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, for whom the number 42 was the answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

“Douglas was one of the first authors to ever sign at the store, and he returned for every new book he wrote. We are joined by a galaxy of stars from comics, music, science fiction, film and TV – friends of Forbidden Planet who have signed at the store over the last four decades. This celebration is dedicated to every creator who has appeared at FP and every staff member who has worked with us over the years – but most importantly, to all our customers and to every pop culture fan who shares this passion with us.”

Over the 42 years, Forbidden Planet has become a name synonymous with the culture, and has garnered a following that spans some of the genre’s most famous faces.

Kevin Smith of Clerks fame, said: “Before I ever visited London, Forbidden Planet was whispered about in New Jersey, you’d read about it in the letter columns of comic books, it actually appeared in the comics themselves. The first time I went over to the UK, one of the most important things to me about London was: We have to go to Forbidden Planet.”

Presenter and comic book fan, Jonathan Ross, added: “I went to university in London because I wanted to stay and enjoy things like Forbidden Planet. That’s when the whole new wave of more adult, progressive comics began. It was such an exciting time – there was a lot of new books and new publishers coming out – and the only place you could find them was at Forbidden Planet.”

The 42nd anniversary festivities will continue with special offerings and promotions in-store at Forbidden Planet branches throughout the UK.

Check out the trailer below:

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