About Us

What is Alternate Worlds?

Alternate Worlds is Australian longest running comics based business, originally established in 1977 as Images-Images. Alternate Worlds was begun by Joseph Italiano, who has a long history in the industry. He was involved with and took over TACC (The Australian Comic Collector) fan magazine. He was also involved with and ran the first Comic conventions is Australia, beginning in 1976. These conventions evolved to include the first Role Playing gaming conventions in Australia which eventually became the first multimedia conventions in Australia.

Alternate Worlds has moved to the Eastern Suburbs. Our first location is our new showroom/warehouse located at Unit 11 / 13 Malvern Street, Bayswater 3153. Our opening hours will be Sunday - Wednesday BY APPOINTMENT, that is, give us a call on our new number (03-9738-2662) and if we are working, we are more than happy to welcome you.  Thursday - Saturday we will be open from 12.00am till 6.00pm Thursday, 12.00am till 7.00pm Friday, and 11.00am till 4.00pm Saturday. 

We are working to get the showroom operational, but at this point, only the new releases are available to purchase as the setup of the rest of the range will take some small amount of time. Please bear with us during this transition period. 

We understand that moving so far away is an inconvenience to many of our loyal Windsor customers. To alleviate this burden, we are passing on our saving to you. Standing orders are given a 10% discount, while prepaid mail orders get a minimum of 15% off and up to 25% off our RRP. In addition, we will mail out subscription orders anywhere in Metropolitan Melbourne area for a flat rate of $5.00. If you wish to be kept up to date with all the newest information on the move, please give our staff your email contact details.

By popular demand, Alternate Worlds is currently working on an updated online store, which will finally feature a point and click shopping cart system, listing the vast range of products. Although this is taking longer than we expected, it should be up and running soon.

Both Joe and Peter thank you for all your loyal patronage over the 23 years in Windsor (34 years in the business), and look forward to seeing you at our new Bayswater showroom and retail location.

We have a new and Improved Alternate Worlds Advance Order and Standing Order Systems.

An Alternate Worlds Advance Order and Standing Order System (AOSO) is the most simple and convenient way for you to collect your comics and collectibles! With either system, you are guaranteed not to miss out on any item you have requested. Whether you pick up your products in-store or get them sent out by mail, your collectibles will be put aside weekly when our air-freighted shipments arrive. You never need to worry about hearing those dreaded words, "Sold Out", ever again.

A Standing Order is a list of products that you want to purchase. Whenever these products are released (usually monthly), they will be put aside for you. You receive a 10% discount on all standing order items you purchase. Standing Order my be picked up during our normal trading hours or by appointment. If you prefer, Standing Order can be mailed out once per month. Non-Melbourne Metropolitan customers need to provide a credit card (that will be charged fortnightly or monthly based on order size) or arrange to provide payment in another way, on a fortnightly/monthly basis. You can have your products mailed fortnightly.

An Advance Order is a similar system. Alternate Worlds produces a monthly catalogue which lists all products being released each month. (The Advance Order list, lists products scheduled to be released two months in Advance). (This listing is a parallel to the Previews catalogue). Each month, you check off which items you want to buy. You can change your order each month, but each months order you lodge, is on a firm sale basis. You can pick and choose which items you want. Advance Orders, unlike Standing Orders must be pre-paid. Discounts are based on your monthly order total. For orders;

* up to $250.00 per month, you get 15% off

* $250.01-$450.00 per/m you get 20% off

* over $450.01 per month you get 25% off

The Advance order form is available as either a printed list or on-line (text file) from our web site and will soon be available as an online ordering list from our web site.

1. Alternate Worlds offers massive discounts on your orders, based on your monthly volume purchases, up to 25% off RRP, for Advance Orders and for Standing Order gives a 10% discount off RRP.

2. You can change your Advance Order (each month) or Standing Order product listing whenever you wish. You are not obliged to buy the "next few issues", for either service.

3. For local customers (Metropolitan Melbourne) we offer a flat $5.00 P&H mailing fee for each shipment.

4. You do not need to fill in various Ordering condition forms or contracts, although placing an order with Alternate Worlds means you agree to our standard terms and conditions.

5. You can pay via credit card, direct deposit, money order, cheque or any other mutually acceptable system that suits you.

6. There is no minimum order level required.

Previews is the primary catalogue that list all of the comic books being released in any given month. Previews is a direct market specialty catalogue that provides illustrated details of all comics and collectibles being released, including: anime, manga, role playing games, collectable card games, DVD’s, posters, action figures, statues, novels, magazines, trading cards, art books, T-shirt’s and numerous other merchandise. Previews is available for purchase from us.

Alternate Worlds currently has over 65,000 product lines for on hand, and will soon have these available through our web site via an online shopping cart.