Tag Archives: Chuck Dixon

On Harvey Bullock – part 2

The Batman Adventures #33 Picking up from where I left off last month, let’s have a further look at the evolution of Gotham City’s gruffiest, scruffiest police detective, Harvey Bullock. In the 1990s, Bullock gained prominence as a memorable supporting … Continue reading

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On Harvey Bullock – part 1

Harvey Bullock is one of the most beloved supporting characters in Batman’s cast, probably because he is such a fun counterpoint to the Caped Crusader: a cigar-chomping, donut-munchin’, overweight, unkempt police detective with a penchant for flashy ties and massive … Continue reading

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Even more Batman movies without Batman – mainstream action edition!

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

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Political thrillers in Gotham City

Detective Comics #801 Political thrillers are one of my favorite genres. I crave witty, cunning characters and intricate plots that combine micro and macro scales while turning the political process into thrilling suspense and clever maneuvers, both because it’s a … Continue reading

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COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (12 June 2023)

Just in case you needed another reminder that Batman comics can be awesome… Batman: Earth One Gotham After Midnight #2 Joker: Last Laugh #2

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Ornate panel borders by Quique Alcatena

One of the things I enjoy doing at Gotham Calling is to quickly zoom in on specific skills and quirks of the many awesome artists of Batman comics, from Don Newton and Tim Levins to Graham Nolan and Frank Robbins. … Continue reading

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On Santa Prisca

I’ve long been obsessed with the DCU’s fictitious geography and the way it condenses, combines, and caricatures cultural stereotypes – just like Gotham does for New York and other urban centers of the USA (over time, the city has become … Continue reading

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On Blackgate Penitentiary

Prison stories are basically their own genre, what with the dangerous, claustrophobic environment, the parallel rules of life in a world of outlaws, full of both comradery and suspicion, and the occasional trope of elaborate escape plots (which are kind … Continue reading

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Gotham crime graphic novels

The trailer for the upcoming The Batman movie looks pretty darn awful, once again doubling down on the gloom without any hint of what makes the source material so much fun in the first place. That said, I suppose the … Continue reading

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COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (27 December 2021)

It turned out Spider-Man: No Way Home was the final positive surprise of 2021. After the disappointment of the tired, hacky Black Widow and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, we’re finally back on track with a … Continue reading

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