Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (11 April 2022)

Because old crime series are also cool, this week’s reminder that comics can be awesome is a tribute to the amusing covers of 1940s’ and 1950s’ Real Clue Crime Stories:  

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catching up with crime comics – part 1

In the past decade, the small screen has excelled in engrossingly dramatizing capitalism, from the inner workings of corporations in Mad Men, Succession, and Halt and Catch Fire to the parallels – and connections – to organized crime in Better … Continue reading

Posted in HARDBOILED CRIME | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (4 April 2022)

A dazzling reminder that comic book covers can be awesome.

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Tunnels

When I chose The Department of Truth as Gotham Calling’s 2021 Book of the Year, I made a point of stressing that I still hadn’t managed to read Rutu Modan’s Tunnels, which was bound to be one of my favorite … Continue reading

Posted in BOOKS OF THE YEAR | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (28 March 2022)

Your weekly reminder that comic book covers can be awesome. More Strange Adventures!

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A few loose thoughts on Matt Reeves’ The Batman

So, I finally went to see The Batman… Overall, I thought the movie was a baffling mess, although not entirely without merit. I kept trying to like it, but it kept fighting back. I’m not going to write a cogent … Continue reading

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (21 March 2022)

Just yet another reminder of how awesome comic book covers can be…

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If you like Miller’s Crossing…

I still haven’t seen The Batman, but here is a great crime movie that I can wholeheartedly recommend: For fans of film noir, like me, few experiences can be more delightful than watching – and endlessly rewatching – Miller’s Crossing … Continue reading

Posted in IF YOU LIKE THE COEN BROTHERS... | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (14 March 2022)

Between the war and other concerns, I haven’t even managed to watch The Batman movie. It looks boringly grim, but perhaps they’ve pulled it off. In any case, just for contrast, this week’s reminder that comics can be awesome is … Continue reading

Posted in COVERS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spotlight on The Unknown Soldier, 1988-1989 – part 2

As I started to discuss last week, 1988-9’s exhilarating The Unknown Soldier limited series is miles apart from Joe Kubert’s original iteration of the character. For one thing, instead of a fully-committed agent of an unquestionably righteous American war effort, … Continue reading

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment