Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (5 October 2026)

Posted on October 5, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

This is Gotham Calling’s 900th post! I usually like to celebrate these markers with longer and/or quirkier posts, but I don’t have much free time at the moment… so you have to settle for another reminder of the sheer awesomeness … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Bernard Baily, Brave and the Bold, Carmine Infantino, covers, Ira Schnapp, Jack Adler, Joe Kubert, Mike Sekowsky, Murphy Anderson, Viking Prince | Leave a comment

2000s’ Batman comics reading guide – part 4

Posted on October 2, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

Detective Comics #795 The panels above encapsulate the worst of early 2000s’ Batman comics: dour seriousness, macho bullshit that was not absurd enough to be fun, boring villains, uninspired – if generally competent – artwork, and the Dark Knight as … Continue reading →

Posted in BATMAN COMICS FOR BEGINNERS | Tagged A.J. Lieberman, Adrian Sibar, Al Barrionuevo, Alex Sinclair, Allan Heinberg, Andersen Gabrych, Archie Goodwin, Bill Willingham, Bob Schreck, Brad Meltzer, Brian Azzarello, Cameron Stewart, Chuck Austen, Chuck Dixon, Dale Eaglesham, Damion Scott, Dan Didio, David Lapham, Devin Grayson, Dylan Horrocks, Ed Benes, Ed Brubaker, Gail Simone, Geoff Johns, Gilbert Hernandez, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Jason Wright, Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Byrne, Judd Winick, Karl Kesel, Kevin Smith, Kurt Busiek, Matt Idelson, Michael Bair, Michael Wright, Mike Lilly, Patrick Zircher, Paul Gulacy, Pete Woods, Phil Hester, Phil Jiminez, Rags Morales, Scott McDaniel, Walt Simonson, Will Pfeifer | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (28 September 2026)

Posted on September 28, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

The time feels right for a cyberpunk reminder that comic book covers can be awesome…

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE FUTURE | Tagged Art Nichols, Bart Sears, Claude St. Aubin, covers, Greg Luzniak, Hardcase, Jade Moede, Jon Holdredge, Keith Giffen, Lovern Kindzierski, Magnus Robot Fighter, Mark Pennington, Punx, Renee Pulve, Richard Larson, Rogue Trooper, Sam de la Rosa, science fiction, Strontium Dog | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (24 September 2026)

Posted on September 24, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

Later than usual, I know, but check out those eyes…

Posted in HEADSHOTS | Tagged Adam Kubert, Barry Blair, covers, Fantastic Four, Fiona Staples, John Dell, Larry Hama, Mary Wilshire (, Master of Kung Fu, Mike Zeck, Pendragon, Red Sonja, Saga, Walt Simonson | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (14 September 2026)

Posted on September 14, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

Tomorrow is Gotham Calling’s 12th anniversary! It has become a bit of a struggle to keep up with even a biweekly pace of longer posts, although hopefully this hasn’t affected their quality. It isn’t a matter of lack of ideas … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Chuck Cuidera, covers, Fantastic Tales, Gaspar Saladino, Jim Starlin, Joe Kubert, Nick Cardy, Police Comics, Reed Crandall, Secrets of Sinister HOuse, Strange Adventures | 3 Comments

Christopher Nolan comedies – part 2

Posted on September 10, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

If you read the last post, you know what’s going on. Here are a bunch of humorous works to go with each of Christopher Nolan’s serious thrillers: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Batman Returns (1992) Nolan’s conclusion to his Batman … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Christopher Nolan, Cold War, espionage, movies, politics, science fiction, World War II | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (7 September 2026)

Posted on September 7, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

One more brutal reminder that comic book covers can be ridiculously awesome:

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO AWESOMENESS | Tagged Bill Benulis, Cage, Chris Ivy, covers, Dwayne Turner, Gary Kwapisz, Gil Kane, Jack Abel, Keith Burns, Knockout Adventures, Mike Thibodeaux, Richard French, Savage!, Tank Girl, Todd Klein | Leave a comment

Christopher Nolan comedies – part 1

Posted on September 3, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

Christopher Nolan. Many people love his movies, many others despise them. In both cases, at least part of the reason seems related to how seriously he approaches them, meticulously crafting works that can come across as ambitious and stimulating, but … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Christopher Nolan, movies, noir, science fiction | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (31 August 2026)

Posted on August 31, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

A tribute to the classic The Brave and the Bold, one of the greatest pulp adventure comics of all time…

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Brave and the Bold, Carmine Infantino, covers, Ira Schnapp, Irv Novick, Jack Adler, Joe Kubert, Mike Esposito, Murphy Anderson, Nick Cardy, Ross Andru | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (24 August 2026)

Posted on August 24, 2026 by I.M. Baytor

A reminder that the pulpy covers of 1940s-50s’ Jungle Comics could look awesome:

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged covers, Dan Zolnerowich, Iger Shop, Joe Doolin, Jungle Comics | Leave a comment