Author Archives: I.M. Baytor

On the beat with Renee Montoya and Harvey Bullock

Detective Comics #691 Man-Bat (v3) #2 Detective Comics #702 Detective Comics #705 The Joker – Devil’s Advocate Detective Comics #708 GCPD #1 Nightwing #23 Batman #547 Batman vs Predator III #1   NEXT: Spy comics.

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Kelley Jones’ horrific Batman

Kelley Jones is one of the most divisive Batman artists. His Dark Knight has absurdly long ears that look like devilish horns and fingers that look like claws. And it’s not just Batman who feels like a nightmarish hallucination: most … Continue reading

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Things you can learn from Barbara Gordon comics

Besides kicking ass as Batgirl, over the years Barbara Gordon has been a librarian, a member of Congress, and a first-rate hacker who – under the codename Oracle – supplied intelligence to the crime-fighting community of Gotham City. The combination … Continue reading

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Scars of Vietnam in Gotham City

As an embodiment of changing fads and obsessions of US pop culture, Batman’s adventures could hardly stay immune to the social impact of the Vietnam War. And while the Caped Crusader’s TV incarnation could initially be seen advertising war bonds, … Continue reading

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Bombastic sci-fi comics

After the last couple of weeks in the fields of politics and technology, it’s beginning to feel like we’re at the verge of an era when the most farfetched science fiction will become true – not just Children of Men and … Continue reading

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An average week in the life of Robin

MONDAY Robin (v4) #21 TUESDAY The Joker: Devil’s Advocate WEDNESDAY Robin (v4) #15 THURSDAY Catwoman (v2) #25 FRIDAY Robin Annual #1 SATURDAY Batman vs Predator III #4 SUNDAY Detective Comics #685   NEXT: Science fiction.

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When Batman comics meet courtroom dramas

From Jimmy Stewart’s captivating performance in Anatomy of a Murder to the shocking reversals in Witness for the Prosecution, from the noirish colonial atmosphere of 1940’s The Letter to the underdog-getting-his-groove-back formula of 1982’s The Verdict, from the gripping climax … Continue reading

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10 covers with minimalistic symbolism

As much as I enjoy psychedelic, surreal covers, sometimes a realistic image can be just as powerful in its own way. With this in mind, this week I present to you a selection (although not any kind of close analysis) … Continue reading

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I can’t get enough of adventure comics

It has been a year since ABC cancelled its witty adventure show Agent Carter and I’m still looking for something with the same jazzy panache and the ability to conjure that old-school type of silly, joyful escapades. Don’t get me … Continue reading

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Jim Aparo’s schlocky Batman

Batman #415 For some, it may sound odd to describe Jim Aparo’s Batman comics as ‘schlocky,’ given that not too long ago Aparo came in second at CBR’s poll of greatest Batman artists, right after the immensely talented Neal Adams. … Continue reading

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