Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

A couple of offbeat spy novels

Posted on October 10, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

When I’m not compulsively watching spy shows on TV, spy fiction tends to occupy a sizeable portion of my reading time, so I thought I’d share a few impressions on a couple of novels that approach the genre in very … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged 54, Cold War, espionage, G.K. Chesterton, politics, The Man Who Was Thursday, Wu Ming | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (7 October 2024)

Posted on October 7, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

This week, a tribute to awesome comic book covers that beautifully integrate lettering into the overall layout:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged 2000 AD, Adventures of Superman, Alex Ross, American Flagg, Anthony Tollin, Astro City, Bill Wray, Brett Breeding, covers, Dan Jurgens, Hardware, Howard Chaykin, Jason Pearson, Judge Dredd, Justice League of America, Keith Giffen, Kevin O'Neill, Legion of Super-Heroes, Luke McDonnell, Metal Men, Mike McMahon, Noelle Giddings, Prentis Rollins, Robin, Todd Klein | Leave a comment

80’s-style action comics

Posted on October 3, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Predator: Concrete Jungle #2 With its foul-mouthed, sweaty badass men (and women), anti-government attitude, and casualty-heavy set pieces, the 1980s’ wave of outrageous action movies had a specific vibe that has become affectionately known in some circles as ‘absurd macho … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Alien, Chris Chanelor, Chris Warner, Denis Beauvais, Diana Schutz, Evan Dorkin, John Arcudi, Mark A. Nelson, Mark Verheiden, movies, politics, Predator, Randy Stradley, Ron Randall, Sam Kieth, science fiction, Terminator | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (30 September 2024)

Posted on September 30, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Yep, it’s time for another reminder that comic book covers can be awesome.

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Avengers, Beowulf, Bill Everett, covers, D.P. 7, Dan Zolnerowich, Danny Bulanadi, Dick Giordano, George Tuska, Green Hornet, Jerry Robinson, Joe Doolin, John Buscema, Jumbo Comics, Jungle Comics, Michael Golden, Morrie Kuramoto, Mystery Men Comics, Paul Ryan, Roy Thomas, Scott McCloud, Starblazer, Tatjana Wood, US1, Zot | Leave a comment

Explaining super-powers

Posted on September 26, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

One of the main joys in superhero narratives is, once a character’s power set has been established, to see it put to different uses. In a genre that’s often close to speculative sci-fi, there is something particularly gratifying when writers … Continue reading →

Posted in SUPER POWERS | Tagged Chris Moeller, Global Frequency, Irredeemable, Mark Waid, Ruins, science fiction, Stormwatch, Terese Nielsen, Warren Ellis | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (23 September 2024)

Posted on September 23, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

This week’s reminder that comic books can be awesome is a tribute to the meticulous and effective composition in the covers of the series Secret Hearts (1949-1971):

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Bernard Sachs, Bill Draut, covers, Don Heck, Frank Giacoia, Gaspar Saladino, Ira Schnapp, Jay Scott Pike, John Romita, Secret Hearts, Sy Barry, Tony Abruzzo | Leave a comment

Third Gotham Calling Manifesto

Posted on September 19, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Detective Comics #483 I started this blog a decade ago in the spirit of entertainment – for others as much as for myself. I spent much of my life reading and thinking about Batman comics, so I wanted to share … Continue reading →

Posted in MANIFESTO | Tagged Brendan McCarthy, David Lopez, Erica Henderson, espionage, movies, politics, science fiction, western, Will Pfeifer | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (16 September 2024)

Posted on September 16, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

This Monday’s reminder focuses, once again, on the awesomeness of covers with headshots:

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Andy Park, Bill Sienkiewicz, Bloodwulf, Brendan McCarthy, covers, Daerick Gröss, Gabriel Hardman, Geof Darrow, Jesus Saiz, Jordan Boyd, José Villarrubia, Judge Dredd Megazine, Magnus Robot Fighter, Manhunter, Morbius, Paradax, Simon Davis, Terminator, The Maxx, Tim Sale, Weapon X | Leave a comment

Even more Batman movies without Batman – mainstream action edition!

Posted on September 12, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Every once in a while, I like to spotlight films that, although they don’t feature the Dark Knight himself, share enough of Batman comics’ quirky vibe to be of interest for fans of that sort of stuff. This time, my … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Chuck Dixon, movies, politics | 1 Comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (9 September 2024)

Posted on September 9, 2024 by I.M. Baytor

Another Monday, another reminder that comic book covers can be awesome… This time, with martial arts!

Posted in AWESOME COVERS | Tagged Al Milgrom, Bill Sienkiewicz, Birds of Prey, Black Canary, Brian Stelfreeze, covers, Danny Crespi, Denys Cowan, Don Marquez, Ernie Chan, Gaspar Saladino, Gil Kane, Huntress, Jack Abel, Jim Aparo, John Workman, Karate Kid, Karl Story, Kung Fu Satanist, Master of Kung Fu, Mike Grell, Nightwing, Outsiders, Patrick Martin, Rich Buckler, Richard Dragon, Rick Burchett, Scott McDaniel, The Question, Todd Klein | Leave a comment