Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

Spy comics: black ops

Posted on July 20, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

As you’ve probably noticed by now, this month at Gotham Calling is all about spy fiction. The thing about spy yarns is that the tradecraft can be the real star of the story. Even when the leads aren’t … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Checkmate, Cold War, espionage, Gabriel Morrissette, Greg Rucka, John Byrne, Jordan Gibson, Kyle Latino, Mitch Gerads, Nathan Edmondson, Paul Kupperberg, politics, Steve Erwin, The Activity | Leave a comment

Spy comics: badass thrillers

Posted on July 13, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

As I explained last week, throughout July I’m recommending various spy comics here at the blog, trying to show that stories of espionage can serve both as a way to expose hidden processes taking place around us and … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Andy Diggle, espionage, James Bond, Jason Masters, Jonathan Hickman, Luca Casalanguida, Michael Garland, politics, Ryan Bodenheim, Secret, Warren Ellis | Leave a comment

Spy comics: revisiting the Cold War

Posted on July 6, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

Every once in a while, I like to shift gears and spotlight comics or films set outside Gotham City. Once a year, I take this one step further and devote a whole month to non-Batman comics. This time around, I … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Alex de Campi, Antony Johnston, Blond, Cold War, Ed Brubaker, Elizabeth Breitweiser, espionage, Greg Rucka, Jean-Christophe Thibert, noir, politics, Sam Hart, Steve Epting, Steven Perkins, The Coldest City, Tony Parker, Velvet | Leave a comment

On the beat with Renee Montoya and Harvey Bullock

Posted on June 29, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

Detective Comics #691 Man-Bat (v3) #2 Detective Comics #702 Detective Comics #705 The Joker – Devil’s Advocate Detective Comics #708 GCPD #1 Nightwing #23 Batman #547 Batman vs Predator III #1 NEXT: Spy comics.

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Tagged GCPD, Gotham City, Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya | Leave a comment

Kelley Jones’ horrific Batman

Posted on June 22, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

Kelley Jones is one of the most divisive Batman artists. His Dark Knight has absurdly long ears that look like devilish horns and fingers that look like claws. And it’s not just Batman who feels like a nightmarish hallucination: most … Continue reading →

Posted in ART OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Doug Moench, Greg Wright, horror, John Beatty, Kelley Jones, Michelle Madsen, Pat Brosseau, Steve Niles | 2 Comments

Things you can learn from Barbara Gordon comics

Posted on June 14, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

Besides kicking ass as Batgirl, over the years Barbara Gordon has been a librarian, a member of Congress, and a first-rate hacker who – under the codename Oracle – supplied intelligence to the crime-fighting community of Gotham City. The combination … Continue reading →

Posted in GOTHAM CITIZENS | Tagged Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, Chuck Dixon, politics | Leave a comment

Scars of Vietnam in Gotham City

Posted on June 1, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

As an embodiment of changing fads and obsessions of US pop culture, Batman’s adventures could hardly stay immune to the social impact of the Vietnam War. And while the Caped Crusader’s TV incarnation could initially be seen advertising war bonds, … Continue reading →

Posted in POLITICS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Alan Grant, Cold War, Dave Hornung, Dick Giordano, Elaine Lee, Frank Robbins, Gabriel Morrissette, Garth Ennis, Gotham City, Jim Aparo, Keith Giffen, Mike Friedrich, Mike Vosburg, Mike W. Barr, Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, politics, Robert Loren Fleming, Ron McCain, Vietnam | Leave a comment

Bombastic sci-fi comics

Posted on May 25, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

After the last couple of weeks in the fields of politics and technology, it’s beginning to feel like we’re at the verge of an era when the most farfetched science fiction will become true – not just Children of Men and … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged Alexis Ziritt, Black Science, Brad Simpson, Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers, Chris Burnham, Dean White, Fabian Rangel Jr, Grant Morrison, horror, Hotwire, Jack Kirby, Jim Mahfood, Jim Rugg, Joe Casey, Jonathan Hickman, Matt Hollingsworth, Matteo Scalera, Michel Fiffe, Mike Carey, Nameless, Natham Fairbairn, Nathan Fox, Pax Romana, Rick Remender, science fiction, Scott Snyder, Sean Murphy, Simon Bowland, space opera, Steve Pugh, The Wake, Ulises Farinas, Warren Ellis | 3 Comments

An average week in the life of Robin

Posted on May 18, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

MONDAY Robin (v4) #21 TUESDAY The Joker: Devil’s Advocate WEDNESDAY Robin (v4) #15 THURSDAY Catwoman (v2) #25 FRIDAY Robin Annual #1 SATURDAY Batman vs Predator III #4 SUNDAY Detective Comics #685 NEXT: Science fiction.

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Tagged Robin, Tim Drake | Leave a comment

When Batman comics meet courtroom dramas

Posted on May 4, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

From Jimmy Stewart’s captivating performance in Anatomy of a Murder to the shocking reversals in Witness for the Prosecution, from the noirish colonial atmosphere of 1940’s The Letter to the underdog-getting-his-groove-back formula of 1982’s The Verdict, from the gripping climax … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Batman: The Animated Series, Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Chuck Dixon, George Roussos, Jerry Robinson | 2 Comments