Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (28 March 2022)

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

Your weekly reminder that comic book covers can be awesome. More Strange Adventures!

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Captain Comet, covers, Gil Kane, Ira Schnapp, Murphy Anderson, science fiction, Sid Greene, Silver Age, Strange Adventures | 1 Comment

A few loose thoughts on Matt Reeves’ The Batman

Posted on March 24, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

So, I finally went to see The Batman… Overall, I thought the movie was a baffling mess, although not entirely without merit. I kept trying to like it, but it kept fighting back. I’m not going to write a cogent … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Batman's personality, Gotham City, movies, noir, Penguin, politics, Riddler | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (21 March 2022)

Posted on March 21, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Just yet another reminder of how awesome comic book covers can be…

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Adventures of the Jaguar, Bob Layton, Challengers of the Unknown, covers, Creeper, Crime Reporter, Fight Comics, Gaspar Saladino, Gil Kane, Hit Comics, Joe Doolin, Joe Kubert, John Rosenberger, Lou Fine, Matt Baker, Nick Cardy, Our Army at War, Rich Buckler, Russ Heath, Star Hunters, Tarzan, Tatjana Wood, Undersea Agent | Leave a comment

If you like Miller’s Crossing…

Posted on March 17, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

I still haven’t seen The Batman, but here is a great crime movie that I can wholeheartedly recommend: For fans of film noir, like me, few experiences can be more delightful than watching – and endlessly rewatching – Miller’s Crossing … Continue reading →

Posted in HARDBOILED CRIME | Tagged Blue Note, Coen brothers, Mathieu Mariolle, Mikaël Bourgouin, movies, noir, politics | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (14 March 2022)

Posted on March 14, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

Between the war and other concerns, I haven’t even managed to watch The Batman movie. It looks boringly grim, but perhaps they’ve pulled it off. In any case, just for contrast, this week’s reminder that comics can be awesome is … Continue reading →

Posted in COVERS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged covers, Curt Swan, Gaspar Saladino, George Roussos, Ira Schnapp, Sheldon Moldoff, Silver Age, Stan Kaye, Win Mortimer | Leave a comment

Spotlight on The Unknown Soldier, 1988-1989 – part 2

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

As I started to discuss last week, 1988-9’s exhilarating The Unknown Soldier limited series is miles apart from Joe Kubert’s original iteration of the character. For one thing, instead of a fully-committed agent of an unquestionably righteous American war effort, … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Bob Haney, Christopher Mooneyham, Christopher Priest, Cold War, David Michelinie, espionage, Ivan Plascencia, James Owsley, Joe Kubert, Phil Gascoine, politics, Unknown Soldier, World War II | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (7 March 2022)

Posted on March 7, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

If, like me, you have been obsessing about the events in Ukraine, it may be healthy to take a small break every once in a while, just to manage the anxiety. For example, here is a reminder that comics can … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Adventures into Darkness, Artie Simek, Astonishing, Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, Chuck Cuidera, covers, horror, House of Secrets, Jack Cole, Jack Davis, Joe Maneely, Journey into Mystery, Marvel Tales, Mike Peppe, Mike Sekowsky, Neal Adams, Sol Brodsky, Stan Goldberg, Strange Tales, Tales from the Crypt, Web of Evil, World of Suspense | Leave a comment

Spotlight on The Unknown Soldier, 1988-1989 – part 1

Posted on March 3, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

At a time when pavlovian pundits and politicians seem keen to revive Cold War rhetoric and imagery, (mis)applying it to the conflict taking place in Ukraine, perhaps it is worth remembering that even during the Cold War itself there were … Continue reading →

Posted in SPYCRAFT & WARFARE | Tagged Carl Gafford, Christopher Priest, Cold War, Denny O'Neil, espionage, James Owsley, John Costanza, Phil Gascoine, politics, Unknown Soldier, Vietnam | Leave a comment

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (28 February 2022)

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

It’s been pretty hard to concentrate on anything other than the war in Ukraine, which hits close to home in many ways (though fortunately not on a literal level), especially now that the nuclear threat is escalating again… Still, I … Continue reading →

Posted in GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST | Tagged Aquaman, covers, Gaspar Saladino, Ira Schnapp, Nick Cardy | Leave a comment

A week in Batman’s first year

Posted on February 24, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

MONDAY Batman #405 TUESDAY Legends of the Dark Knight #2 WEDNESDAY Detective Comics #0 THURSDAY Batman and the Monster Men #1 FRIDAY Shadow of the Bat Annual #3 SATURDAY Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #5 SUNDAY Legends of the … Continue reading →

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Tagged Batman's personality | Leave a comment