Tag Archives: Cold War

Spotlight on Jack Kirby’s and Stan Lee’s Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Posted on July 10, 2018 by I.M. Baytor

Last week, I wrote about a 21st century comic that followed the footsteps of novelists like John le Carré and Len Deighton, depicting the world of espionage with downbeat realism and literary sophistication. This week, we’ll look at a very … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Cold War, espionage, Jack Kirby, John Severin, Nick Fury, S.H.I.E.L.D., science fiction, Stan Lee | Leave a comment

Spotlight on Queen & Country

Posted on July 6, 2018 by I.M. Baytor

July is the month of spy comics here at Gotham Calling. Let’s kick things off with what is unquestionably one of the all-time greatest spy series in the medium: Queen & Country. Originally published between 2001 and 2007 by Oni … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Antony Johnston, Brian Hurtt, Carla Speed McNeil, Chris Samnee, Christopher Mitten, Cold War, espionage, Greg Rucka, Jason Alexander, Joe Sacco, Leandro Frenandez, Mike Hawthorne, politics, Queen & Country, Rick Burchett, Steve Lieber, Steve Rolston | Leave a comment

When Batman comics meet the boxing world

Posted on June 12, 2018 by I.M. Baytor

While I don’t particularly care for boxing in real life, I’m a huge sucker for boxing in fiction. I’m a fan of Brian De Palma’s Snake Eyes and Raoul Walsh’s Gentleman Jim. Hell, Robert Wise’s The Set-Up is up there … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Beau Smith, Bob Haney, boxing, Chuck Dixon, Cold War, Dave Gibbons, Gotham City, Irv Novick, Jim Aparo, Mike Esposito, movies, Sergio Cariello, Tom Palmer | Leave a comment

More minor but cool sci-fi comics

Posted on April 26, 2018 by I.M. Baytor

I did one of these last month, after watching Annihilation. Now, to celebrate the return of Westworld, I’m spotlighting another half-dozen underrated sci-fi comics: OCEAN It’s a testament to Warren Ellis’ creative mind and writing skills that Ocean is … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged 2000 AD, Al Feldstein, Bill Gaines, Brett Weldede, Carlos Trigo, Chris Sprouse, Cold War, Dan Abnett, Dylan Teague, Hernry Flint, Jack Kamen, Jack Oleck, Jack Potter, Jean Léturgie, Karl Story, Montero, Ocean, Pat Mills, Patrick Goddard, politics, Polstar, Ray Bradbury, Richard Elson, Robert Venditti, science fiction, Simon Léturgie, The Surrogates, Visible Man, Wardog, Warren Ellis, Zero Hour | Leave a comment

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: 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

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

Doug Moench’s literary Batman

Posted on December 15, 2016 by I.M. Baytor

Doug Moench is up there as one of the most prolific writers of Batman comics ever. From an unforgettable 1983 tale about tentacle sex until the 2009 mini-series Unseen – in which the Dark Knight battles the Invisible Man – … Continue reading →

Posted in WRITERS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Adrienne Roy, Alan Moore, Alfredo Alcala, Bob Smith, Cold War, Don Newton, Doug Moench, Gene Colan, Gerry Conway, Joey Cavalieri, Mike W. Barr, Paul Kupperberg, politics, Tom Mandrake | 4 Comments

5 R-rated superhero comics

Posted on September 22, 2016 by I.M. Baytor

So yeah, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. There is something puzzling in almost every scene of this film. Why did Bruce’s employees wait for his phone call before evacuating a building that was obviously about to be crushed? Why … Continue reading →

Posted in SUPER POWERS | Tagged Alan Moore, Alias, Brian Michael Bendis, Carrie Strachan, Cold War, Colin Wilson, David Mack, Davide Gianfelice, Ed Brubaker, espionage, Francesco Mortarino, Frank Miller, Frank Quitely, Jessica Jones, Juan Jose Ryp, Jupiter's Legacy, Jupiter’s Circle, Mark Bagley, Mark Millar, Michael Gaydos, Michah Ian Wright, movies, No Hero, noir, politics, science fiction, Sean Phillips, Sleeper, Stormwatch Team Achilles, Tony Avina, Warren Ellis, Wilfredo Torres, Zack Snyder | Leave a comment

Spotlight on The Shadow

Posted on July 7, 2016 by I.M. Baytor

Every once in a while, I like to shift gears and spotlight comics or films set outside Gotham City that Batman fans should nevertheless enjoy because they are close to the mood of the world of the Dark Knight. Once … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged Alex Wald, Andy Helfer, Bill Sienkiewicz, Cold War, Denny O'Neil, E.R. Cruz, Frank Robbins, Howard Chaykin, Joe Orlando, Kyle Baker, Marshall Rogers, Mike Carlin, Mike Kaluta, The Shadow | Leave a comment