Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

If you like The Big Lebowski…

Posted on October 12, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these! After the critically acclaimed maturity and sensitivity of Fargo, Joel and Ethan Coen pulled yet another switch by delivering a stoner crime comedy packed with profanity (it was as if … Continue reading →

Posted in HARDBOILED CRIME | Tagged Big Lebowski, Coen brothers, Fred van Lente, Guiu Vilanova, Janwillem van de Wetering, movies, Murder by Remote Control, noir, Paul Kirchner, politics, Stephen Bissette | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (10 October 2022)

Posted on October 10, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

A criminal reminder that comic book covers can be awesome:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Al Tyler, Authentic Police Cases, Ben Oda, Bob Jenney, Carl Pfeufer, Charles Biro, Corporate Crime Comics, covers, Crime Does Not Pay, Criminal, Gangsters Can't Win, Greg Irons, Jacob Phillips, Justice Traps the Guilty, Lee Ames, Marvin Stein, Matt Baker, Murder Incorporated, Murderous Gangsters, Racket Squad in Action, Sean Phillips, Underworld Crime | Leave a comment

Just another busy week in the life of Batman

Posted on October 6, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

MONDAY Robin (v4) #9 TUESDAY Detective Comics #649 WEDNESDAY Batman versus Predator #2 THURSDAY Detective Comics #707 FRIDAY Legends of the Dark Knight #110 SATURDAY Batman ’66 meets Steed and Mrs. Peel #3 SUNDAY Batman #614

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (3 October 2022)

Posted on October 2, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

I’ve highlighted the fantastic cover work of Carmine Infantino in the past, namely his beautiful covers for Silver Age Batman and Flash comics. Yet these heroes weren’t the only ones to benefit from Infantino’s extraordinary talent for cover composition… Along … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Adam Strange, All-Star Western, Bob Wiacek, Bomba the Jungle Boy, Boy Commandos, Carmine Infantino, Chuck Cuidera, covers, Curt Swan, Gaspar Saladino, George Roussos, Ira Schnapp, Jack Adler, Joe Giella, Joe Orlando, John Costanza, Murphy Anderson, Mystery in Space, Star Wars, Strange Adventures, Strange Sports Stories, Sy Barry | Leave a comment

A couple of deservedly acclaimed futuristic novels

Posted on September 28, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Another post about science fiction, but this one looking beyond comic books… Reading old novels set in the future can be fun in different ways. On the one hand, it’s fascinating to see how other eras imagined (accurately or not) … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged books without pictures, espionage, Foundation, Isaac Asimov, Neuromancer, politics, science fiction, Warren Ellis, William Gibson | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (26 September 2022)

Posted on September 26, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

A two-fisted reminder that comic book covers can be awesome:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Al Williamson, covers, Dave Stewart, Dick Giordano, Doug Braithwaite, Geof Darrow, George Tuska, Grimjack, Howling Commandos, Jack Kirby, John Tartaglione, Jonah Hex, Kid Colt Outlaw, Lady Cop, Mike Kaluta, Nate Piekos, Nick Fury, Norm Breyfogle, Punisher, Ross Andru, Sam Rosen, Sgt. Fury, Shaolin Cowboy, Stan Goldberg, Stan Lee, Tatjana Wood, The Shadow, The Spirit, Timothy Truman, Triona Farrell, Whisper, Will Eisner | Leave a comment

Cool trips into the multiverse

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

Movie blockbusters have been moving into an ouroboros-like postmodern entropy for a while, from Ready Player One and the LEGO franchise to Space Jam: A New Legacy and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, not to mention the whole MCU meta-series … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged Casanova, Christian Ward, Cris Peter, Daniel Clowes, Dustin Harvin, Fábio Moon, Felipe Sobreiro, Gabriel Bá, Infinite Vacation, Jeff Powell, Matt Fraction, Motherlands, movies, Nick Spencer, Pete Woods, Rachel Stott, science fiction, Simon Bowland, Simon Spurrier, Stephen Byrne | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (19 September 2022)

Posted on September 19, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Another reminder that comic book covers can be awesome… and another tribute to the art of cool headshots:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Alex Ross, Astro City, Brad Anderson, Brian Bolland, Brian Stelfreeze, covers, Frank Miller, Glenn Fabry, Hitman, Invisibles, Jason Fabok, Joe Rubinstein, John McCrea, John Roshell, Joker, Marie Severin, Patrick Martin, Preacher, Rick Burchett, Terry Austin, Todd Klein, Vampirella, Wolverine | Leave a comment

Gotham Calling’s top Mission: Impossible episodes

Posted on September 15, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Today is Gotham Calling’s eighth anniversary! Since I celebrated the blog’s previous anniversary with a list of my top 50 film noirs, this time around I was going to do a list of my top spy films, but I ended … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Cold War, espionage, Mission Impossible, politics | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (12 September 2022)

Posted on September 12, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Another week, another reminder that comic book covers can be freaking awesome…

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged 2000 AD, Alan Moore, Andrew Robinson, Brat Pack, Brendan McCarthy, Carol Lay, covers, Fever Dreams, From Beyond the Unknown, Good Girls, Jack Adler, Jaime Hernandez, Love and Rockets, Murphy Anderson, Peppy White, Plastic, Real Pulp Comics, Rich Larson, Richard Corben, Rick Veitch, Roger Brand, Rowlf, Sam de la Rosa, Time Twisters, Todd Klein | Leave a comment