Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (1 August 2022)

Posted on August 1, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Another Monday, another reminder that comics can be awesome. This week, I’ve tried to spotlight covers that show the power of layouts and composition in bringing out the appeal of different genres, from the dynamism produced by lines pointing in … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Black Fury, Boy Comics, Boy Loves Girl, Charles Biro, Cheyenne Kid, covers, Crime Does Not Pay, Dick Giordano, Fred Kida, Ghost Manor, GI in Battle, House of Secrets, Jack Davis, Mike Kaluta, Ogden Whitney, Pat Boyette, Rocke Mastroserio, Spy-Hunters, Tales from the Crypt | 3 Comments

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (25 July 2022)

Posted on July 25, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

A reminder that comic book covers can be awesome, Silver Age The Flash edition:

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Carmine Infantino, covers, Flash, Gaspar Saladino, Ira Schnapp, Jack Adler, Joe Giella, Mike Esposito, Murphy Anderson, Rodin Rodriguez, Ross Andru, Silver Age | Leave a comment

Alan Grant (1949-2022)

Posted on July 23, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Of the many amazing comic-book creators that have died in the past few months, Alan Grant deserves a special mention in this blog. As I’ve written before, his energetic, darkly comedic surrealism is as close as it gets to my … Continue reading →

Posted in WRITERS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Alan Grant | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (18 July 2022)

Posted on July 18, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

This week’s reminder that comic book covers can be awesome is a tribute to sci-fi thrillers. While not all of these can be classified as cyberpunk (especially the ones made way before this subgenre even gained shape), they share a … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE FUTURE | Tagged Artie Simek, Brett Ewins, Clyde Caldwell, covers, Dark Horse Presents, Descender, Doom Patrol, Dustin Nguyen, Gene Fawcette, Geof Darrow, Heavy Metal, Horror Tales, Johnny Bruck, Johnny Nemo, Juan Jose Ryp, Nathan Eyring, Paul Guinan, Robocop, science fiction, Simon Bisley, Stan Goldberg, Steve Ditko, Strange Days, Strange Planets, Tales of Suspense, Transmetropolitan | 2 Comments

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (11 July 2022)

Posted on July 11, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

In the turn toward the 1970s, Batman comics grew moodier, with more realistic designs and a less campy feel than the stuff coming out in the previous decades. Creators like Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Frank Robbins clearly sought distance … Continue reading →

Posted in COVERS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Anthony Tollin, covers, David V. Reed, David Vern, Dick Giordano, Ernie Chan, Gaspar Saladino, Jim Aparo, John Workman, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Neal Adams, Tatjana Wood, Tom Mandrake | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (4 July 2022)

Posted on July 3, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

A reminder that (violent) comic book covers can be awesome…

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Authentic Police Cases, Ben Oda, Bernard Baily, Bill Elder, Black Cat, Charles Biro, covers, Crime Does Not Pay, Foxhole, Frontline Combat, Gaspar Saladino, Jack Davis, Jack Kirby, Joe Kubert, John Severin, Johnny Craig, Lee Elias, Marie Severin, Matt Baker, Mister Mystery, Murder Incorporated, Tales from the Crypt, Tomahawk, Vault of Horror | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (27 June 2022)

Posted on June 27, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

This week’s reminder that comics can be awesome is a tribute to Alex Ross’ stunning painted covers – and extraordinary character designs – for Astro City, which beautifully project the series’ magical blend of mundane life and superheroics:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Alex Ross, Astro City, covers, John Roshell | Leave a comment

Taking a break… (June 2022)

Posted on June 22, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

It’s not just Commissioner Gordon who hates Wednesdays… Life outside Gotham Calling has been extremely hectic and something has got to give, so the blog is going on yet another hiatus. I have a bunch of semi-drafted posts lined up … Continue reading →

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Tagged Adrienne Roy, Batman's personality, Doug Moench, Jim Aparo | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (20 June 2022)

Posted on June 20, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

This week’s reminder that comics can be awesome is a tribute to packed, wonderfully busy covers:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Al Hartley, Alan Davis, Alex Schomburg, Alex Toth, All Select Comics, Black Hood, Boy Comics, Charles Biro, covers, Dan Zolnerowich, Ever Meulen, Excalibur, Fight Comics, Frank Miller, Gray Morrow, Jack Kirby, JLA, Joe Simon, Justice League of America, Kevin Maguire, Lone Wolf and Cub, Lynn Varley, Paul Neary, Raw, Rich Buckler, Spy Cases, Stan Goldberg, Strange World of Your Dreams | Leave a comment

Tim Sale (1956-2022)

Posted on June 17, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

First Neal Adams, now Tim Sale. I’ve been meaning to write about Tim Sale’s muscular, stylized artwork for quite a while, but I haven’t gotten around to it and today won’t be the day… But I will say that I … Continue reading →

Posted in ART OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged covers, Tim Sale | Leave a comment