Tag Archives: David Vern

COMICS CAN BE AWESOME (11 July 2022)

Posted on July 11, 2022 by I.M. Baytor

In the turn toward the 1970s, Batman comics grew moodier, with more realistic designs and a less campy feel than the stuff coming out in the previous decades. Creators like Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, and Frank Robbins clearly sought distance … Continue reading →

Posted in COVERS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Anthony Tollin, covers, David V. Reed, David Vern, Dick Giordano, Ernie Chan, Gaspar Saladino, Jim Aparo, John Workman, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Neal Adams, Tatjana Wood, Tom Mandrake | Leave a comment

On Batman’s sexuality

Posted on September 2, 2021 by I.M. Baytor

The announcement, last month, that Robin (or at least one of several Robins, Tim Drake) is bisexual predictably revived old discussions about the Dynamic Duo’s sexuality, so I figured I’d put together a few loose thoughts to add … Continue reading →

Posted in POLITICS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Alfred Pennyworth, Batman's personality, Chuck Dixon, David V. Reed, David Vern, Grant Morrison, James Bond, Julius Schwartz, politics, Robin, Will Pfeifer | Leave a comment

Batman vs robot dinosaurs

Posted on August 6, 2018 by I.M. Baytor

Gotham Knights #32 With Jurassic World having become one of the highest grossing movie franchises of recent years, I kept waiting for the inevitable article pointing out that, if you’re into this sort of material, there is a much more satisfying … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged 2000AD, Bill Finger, Bob Wiacek, Burnley, Charles Paris, David V. Reed, David Vern, dinosaurs, Graham Nolan, Jerry Serpe, Julie Schwartz, Julius Schwartz, Mike Grell, Pat Mills, Paul Cooper, Sheldon Moldoff, Silver Age | Leave a comment

Anatomy of Batman #285

Posted on December 20, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

When it comes to twisted-yet-amusing Christmas tales, forget Gremlins and Rare Exports or even Krampus. I cannot think of many examples that are as fascinating as ‘The Mystery of Christmas Lost!’ (Batman #285, cover-dated March 1977, but, according to Mike’s … Continue reading →

Posted in POLITICS OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Christmas, David V. Reed, David Vern, Frank Springer, Gotham City, Julius Schwartz, politics, Romeo Tanghal | Leave a comment

3 Scarecrow-induced hallucinations

Posted on October 30, 2017 by I.M. Baytor

One of the reasons the core of Batman’s rogues gallery has proven so lasting is the fact that many of his foes are super-functional storytelling devices. The Joker is a clown, so he always looks scary. The Riddler has a … Continue reading →

Posted in ART OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Albert de Guzman, Bjarne Hansen, Brandon Kruse, David V. Reed, David Vern, Duncan Fegredo, horror, Jerry Serpe, Linda Medley, Milt Snapinn, Peter Milligan, Rick Burchett, Sal Amendola, Scarecrow, Tim Harkins, Ty Templeton | 2 Comments

6 villains you definitely won’t find in Batman v Superman

Posted on January 19, 2016 by I.M. Baytor

This is Gotham Calling’s 100th post, so I’m celebrating by focusing on one of my favorite aspects of Batman lore, namely the unbelievable amount of obscure, silly villains the Caped Crusader has faced over the years. In Gotham City, it … Continue reading →

Posted in GOTHAM CITIZENS | Tagged Bill Finger, Carmine Infantino, Charles Paris, David Vern, Denny O'Neil, Dick Giordano, Eric Jones, Gardner Fox, Joe Giella, Landry Q. Walker, Michael Gilbert, Neal Adams, Sheldon Moldoff, villains | Leave a comment

Batman, the urban legend?

Posted on December 1, 2015 by I.M. Baytor

There have been many wrongheaded decisions in the history of Batman comics (often involving the use of guns). A particularly puzzling one was the notion, in vogue in the late 1990s and early 2000s, that the Dark Knight is perceived … Continue reading →

Posted in GOTHAM CITIZENS | Tagged Batman's personality, Charles Paris, David Vern, Dick Sprang, Ed Brubaker, Gotham City | 2 Comments