Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (1 May 2023)

Posted on May 1, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

In this month’s reminders that comics can be awesome, we’re going back to spotlighting covers. Let’s start with a trio of representative covers from the 1990s which live up to that era’s reputation for violent, ultra-muscled men, highly sexualized women, … Continue reading →

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Chapel, covers, Danny Miki, Deathblow, Donald Skinner, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Spawn, Todd McFarlane | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (24 April 2023)

Posted on April 24, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

A moody reminder that comics can be awesome… Step by Bloody Step #1 The Department of Truth #11 The Goddamned #2

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO AWESOMENESS | Tagged Aditya Bidikar, Department of Truth, Giulia Brusco, James Tynion IV, Jared K. Fletcher, Jason Aaron, Martin Simmonds, Matheus Lopes, Matías Bergara, R.M. Guéra, Step by Bloody Step, The Goddamned | Leave a comment

Taking a break… (April 2023)

Posted on April 20, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

Yes, it’s time for another hiatus. As usual, the Monday reminders of comic-book awesomeness will continue, but the longer Thursday posts will probably only be back in the summer. In the meantime, I leave you with a little time capsule … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Batman TV series | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (17 April 2023)

Posted on April 17, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

A deadly reminder that comics can be awesome! Predator: Big Game Miles to Go #1 God Is Dead #8

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO AWESOMENESS | Tagged Armando Gil, Evan Dorkin, God Is Dead, Juan Frigeri, Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Julia Lacquement, Kurt Hathaway, Mike Costa, Miles to Go, Predator, Sebastian Cabrol, Stephen Molnar, Thomas Mauer | Leave a comment

A couple of grim sci-fi novels

Posted on April 14, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

Gotham Calling is still primarily a blog about comics, but I’m also enjoying posting about other books on my bedside table. They’re genre narratives as well – and many of their themes and concepts overlap with those of the comics … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged books without pictures, Cold War, horror, John Christopher, politics, science fiction, Stanislaw Lem | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (10 April 2023)

Posted on April 10, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

An imposing reminder that comics can be awesome: Superman: War of the Worlds Batman: Tenses #1 The Sensational She-Hulk #5

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO AWESOMENESS | Tagged Bob Wiacek, Cully Hamner, Dexter Vines, Glynis Wein, Jim Novak, John Byrne, Lee Loughridge, Michael Lark, Noelle Giddings, Willie Schubert | Leave a comment

Ornate panel borders by Quique Alcatena

Posted on April 5, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

One of the things I enjoy doing at Gotham Calling is to quickly zoom in on specific skills and quirks of the many awesome artists of Batman comics, from Don Newton and Tim Levins to Graham Nolan and Frank Robbins. … Continue reading →

Posted in ART OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Alan Grant, Chuck Dixon, horror, Noelle Giddings, Quique Alcatena | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (3 April 2023)

Posted on April 2, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

A gloriously excessive reminder that comics can be awesome! Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #138 Grimjack #23 Spawn #6

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO AWESOMENESS | Tagged Grimjack, horror, Jack Kirby, John Costanza, John Ostrander, Linda Lessman, Murphy Anderson, Paul Guinan, Reuben Rude, Spawn, Steve Haynie, Steve Oliff, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, Todd McFarlane, Tom Orzechowski, Tom Sutton, Vince Colletta | 1 Comment

Spotlight on Spirou & Fantasio, 1946-1957

Posted on March 30, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

Since I did a couple of posts about The Adventures of Tintin a while back, I guess it was a matter of time before I got around to writing about Spirou & Fantasio, the other major classic series of Belgian … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged Franquin, Hergé, Jijé, Maurice Rosy, politics, Rob-Vel, Spirou, Tintin | 4 Comments

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (27 March 2023)

Posted on March 27, 2023 by I.M. Baytor

A hyperbolic reminder that comics can be awesome! Black Science #28

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO AWESOMENESS | Tagged Black Science, Matteo Scalera, Moreno Dinisio, Rick Remender, Rus Wooton | Leave a comment