Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

Alan Grant’s in-yer-face Batman

Posted on September 21, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

I suppose it is possible to do subtlety in Batman comics. To do it well, even: from Greg Rucka’s nuanced characterization to Grant Morrison’s elliptic narratives; from Dan Slott’s skill at disguising plot points to Ed Brubaker’s occasional flirts with … Continue reading →

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Another year, another 50 kicks

Posted on September 15, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

Today is the third anniversary of Gotham Calling. As usual, I’m celebrating by posting fifty images of Batman kicking people and monsters in the head, accompanied by evocative sound effects as well as the occasional thoughtful, witty remark. Have fun! … Continue reading →

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Len Wein (1948-2017)

Posted on September 11, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

In the same year, we lost Bernie Wrightson and Len Wein, the two creators of Swamp Thing. May you rest in peace and do not come back as a tragic vegetable creature or a patchwork Frankensteinian monster reanimated by Anton Arcane. … Continue reading →

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Elseworlds tales of sword & sorcery

Posted on September 5, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

After another season of Game of Thrones, my mind has been on sword and sorcery. I still think the series’ most engaging contributions to this genre take place on the edges of the adventure stuff, as the characters count the … Continue reading →

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Taking a break… (August 2017)

Posted on August 10, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

Solo #7

Posted in GOTHAM INTERLUDES | Tagged | 2 Comments

Kelley Jones’ technological Batman

Posted on August 3, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

When I did a post on Kelley Jones’ eccentric Batman art a couple of months ago, I talked about Jones’ flair for the grotesque, the gothic horror influences, the exaggerated capes and shadows, the neat chapter headings and preview blurbs. … Continue reading →

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Spy comics: revisiting World War I

Posted on July 28, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

If you read the last posts, you know that this month I’ve been discussing cool spy comics.   Historically associated with imperial rivalry and pointless carnage in the public imagination, World War I doesn’t seem to have inspired nearly as … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Spy comics: badass thrillers

Posted on July 13, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

          As I explained last week, throughout July I’m recommending various spy comics here at the blog, trying to show that stories of espionage can serve both as a way to expose hidden processes taking place around us and … Continue reading →

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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 →

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