10 Aug 2026
Chaos City Comics in Heritage Close will be the exclusive UK stockist of the limited edition box set of multi-media creation The Toymaker’s Key, containing the graphic novel, posters, an original key jewellery piece and more, available in store only.
A trailer for the release was filmed in and around St Albans, including in the shop and outside the Cathedral, thanks to the enthusiasm of owner Marina De Sclavis.
The Toymaker’s Key creator Andy Turner explained: “I’ve been boring Marina about the project for years, but she’s always been 100 per cent supportive. Over the last three years I’ve kept going back to her saying we’re nearly there, and she just said, ‘When you’re ready…’
“I wanted to create a trailer that incorporates the arrival of The Toymaker’s Key graphic novel and the key on our planet, starting with its first point of entry at St Albans. I reached out to Chaos City Comics to ask if we could use their facilities, and Marina was incredibly supportive – there was no hesitation in offering us time on a Sunday.
“We shot the commercial in just two and a half hours, with me and Drew working and directing as fast as possible. After the edit was complete, Drew crafted the visual effects, while I worked alongside Des to orchestrate the soundtrack.
“The result is a powerful 80 seconds VT with constant momentum – something happens every five seconds – designed to keep viewers engaged until the very end. We’re super excited to release it to the public and to celebrate the beautiful venue at Chaos City Comics, the fantastic acting from Rhys (son of Des Lambert), and the high-end production of filming, visual effects, and music – all coming together in one polished commercial.”
Marina added: “Andy came in as a customer first and talked so genuinely passionately about the project and showed us all the progress as it was being made so we couldn’t help but be hooked, everything about it ticked the right boxes to interest us.
“The world he has built is so unique and so boldly colourful, it has a really heartfelt story to tell and a creative way of telling it. It’s hard to compare it to other graphic novels because it has its own really distinct style.
“When Andy asked if we were okay with him filming in the shop, it felt like a great way to showcase local comic shops and put ourselves out there. We were there for the shoot and it was extremely interesting to see how it all worked and the different changes between takes.
“Without independent creators like Andy there is no comics industry, everybody has to start somewhere and there has to be unique graphic novels and comics so that the industry can keep growing and evolving.
“Supporting independent creators is the most important thing we can do as a comics retailer.
“We will be holding a launch event in October, which will definitely involve having Andy here for a signing and to talk to customers about the book and the process making it alongside all the other interesting parts of The Toymaker’s Key like the specially created music and the jewellery line.”
See the trailer at https://thetoymakerskey.com
