Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

Even more Batman movies without Batman – cult movies edition

Posted on October 24, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

I get a huge kick exploring various connections within pop culture, including the thematic and stylistic links between Batman comics and cinema. To be fair, many of the comics are quite open about their influences, to the point that one … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Cold War, espionage, horror, movies, noir | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (21 October 2024)

Posted on October 21, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

This week, a tribute to the classic archetype of the pulpy mystery man!

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Bill Sienkiewicz, Blue Beetle, covers, Dan Jackson, Denys Cowan, Frank Robbins, Green Hornet, Greyshirt, Jack Cole, Jack Kamen, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, John Cassaday, Lou Fine, Midnight, Mr. A, Mystery Men Comics, Nick Derington, Ray Fehrenbach, Rick Veitch, Smash Comics, Steve Ditko, Tatjana Wood, The Escapist, The Question, The Shadow, The Spirit, Todd Klein, Will Eisner | Leave a comment

Just one of those weeks…

Posted on October 17, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

I’m sorry, this is one of those weeks when I’m just not available… MONDAY Batman #110 TUESDAY Detective Comics #320 WEDNESDAY Detective Comics #513 THURSDAY Detective Comics #516 FRIDAY Detective Comics #526 SATURDAY Detective Comics #530 SUNDAY Batman #374

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Tagged Alfred Pennyworth, Vicki Vale | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (14 October 2024)

Posted on October 14, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

As the world drastically falls apart, I suppose there is little consolation left, apart from the fact that comic books can be awesome… In particular, this week’s selection pays tribute to covers that draw on the aesthetics of pulp paperbacks, … Continue reading →

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Absolution, Adam Hughes, Alex Ross, Black Widow, Chrononauts, covers, Deadpool, Fernando Dagnino, Grayson, Immortal Hulk, Jae Lee, Jon Sable, June Chung, Killers, Lee Loughridge, Mike Deodato, Mike Grell, Mikel Janín, Pilote, Scout, Sean Murphy, Timothy Truman | Leave a comment

A couple of offbeat spy novels

Posted on October 10, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

When I’m not compulsively watching spy shows on TV, spy fiction tends to occupy a sizeable portion of my reading time, so I thought I’d share a few impressions on a couple of novels that approach the genre in very … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged 54, Cold War, espionage, G.K. Chesterton, politics, The Man Who Was Thursday, Wu Ming | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (7 October 2024)

Posted on October 7, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

This week, a tribute to awesome comic book covers that beautifully integrate lettering into the overall layout:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged 2000 AD, Adventures of Superman, Alex Ross, American Flagg, Anthony Tollin, Astro City, Bill Wray, Brett Breeding, covers, Dan Jurgens, Hardware, Howard Chaykin, Jason Pearson, Judge Dredd, Justice League of America, Keith Giffen, Kevin O'Neill, Legion of Super-Heroes, Luke McDonnell, Metal Men, Mike McMahon, Noelle Giddings, Prentis Rollins, Robin, Todd Klein | Leave a comment

80’s-style action comics

Posted on October 3, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Predator: Concrete Jungle #2 With its foul-mouthed, sweaty badass men (and women), anti-government attitude, and casualty-heavy set pieces, the 1980s’ wave of outrageous action movies had a specific vibe that has become affectionately known in some circles as ‘absurd macho … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Alien, Chris Chanelor, Chris Warner, Denis Beauvais, Diana Schutz, Evan Dorkin, John Arcudi, Mark A. Nelson, Mark Verheiden, movies, politics, Predator, Randy Stradley, Ron Randall, Sam Kieth, science fiction, Terminator | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (30 September 2024)

Posted on September 30, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Yep, it’s time for another reminder that comic book covers can be awesome.

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Avengers, Beowulf, Bill Everett, covers, D.P. 7, Dan Zolnerowich, Danny Bulanadi, Dick Giordano, George Tuska, Green Hornet, Jerry Robinson, Joe Doolin, John Buscema, Jumbo Comics, Jungle Comics, Michael Golden, Morrie Kuramoto, Mystery Men Comics, Paul Ryan, Roy Thomas, Scott McCloud, Starblazer, Tatjana Wood, US1, Zot | Leave a comment

Explaining super-powers

Posted on September 26, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

One of the main joys in superhero narratives is, once a character’s power set has been established, to see it put to different uses. In a genre that’s often close to speculative sci-fi, there is something particularly gratifying when writers … Continue reading →

Posted in SUPER POWERS | Tagged Chris Moeller, Global Frequency, Irredeemable, Mark Waid, Ruins, science fiction, Stormwatch, Terese Nielsen, Warren Ellis | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (23 September 2024)

Posted on September 23, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

This week’s reminder that comic books can be awesome is a tribute to the meticulous and effective composition in the covers of the series Secret Hearts (1949-1971):

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Bernard Sachs, Bill Draut, covers, Don Heck, Frank Giacoia, Gaspar Saladino, Ira Schnapp, Jay Scott Pike, John Romita, Secret Hearts, Sy Barry, Tony Abruzzo | Leave a comment