Tag Archives: Walt Simonson

On Batman’s title (and logo) pages

Posted on April 30, 2020 by I.M. Baytor

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been spotlighting one of the trademarks of The Spirit, namely the way Will Eisner and later creators kept adjusting that series’ logo to fit the title pages, ingeniously inserting new designs into each … Continue reading →

Posted in ART OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Ben Oda, Bob Brown, Bob Kane, Ernie Chua, Irv Novick, J.H. Williams III, John Costanza, Julius Schwartz, Kelley Jones, Ken Lopez, Norm Breyfogle, Pat Brosseau, Todd Klein, Walt Simonson | 1 Comment

Trashy, thrilling sci-fi war comics

Posted on February 13, 2020 by I.M. Baytor

Last month, I wrote about the remarkable ending of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but that was not the only cool sci-fi/fantasy series to wrap up in 2019. Rick Remender’s and Matteo Scalera’s Black Science finished its blustery, dreamlike barrage … Continue reading →

Posted in FANTASTIC ADVENTURES | Tagged 2000 AD, Alan Grant, Alfonso Azpiri, Annie Parkhouse, Ant Wars, Black Science, Bloody Mary, Brian K. Vaughan, Carlos Ezquerra, Cliff Chiang, Cold War, Dean White, Dee Cunniffe, Frank Miller, Garth Ennis, Gerry Finley-Day, horror, James Robinson, John Workman, José Luis Ferrer, Lozano, Luis Bermejo, Matt Wagner, Matt Wilson, Matteo Scalera, Moreno Dinisio, Paper Girls, Peña, politics, Rachelle Menashe, Rick Remender, Robocop, science fiction, Steve Oliff, Terminator, Walt Simonson | Leave a comment

On the periphery of Batman’s rogues’ gallery

Posted on January 23, 2020 by I.M. Baytor

This is Gotham Calling’s 300th post! I usually take these occasions to celebrate the richness and weirdness of Batman’s extensive rogues’ gallery, which includes all sorts of odd criminals, ranging from iconic characters like the Joker and the Penguin all … Continue reading →

Posted in GOTHAM CITIZENS | Tagged Adrienne Roy, Alan Grant, Batman's personality, Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Calendar Man, Chuck Dixon, Crazy-Quilt, Doug Moench, France Herron, Gene Colan, George Roussos, Grant Morrison, Jack Kirby, Jerry Robinson, Jim Mooney, Joe Giella, Kevin Smith, Len Wein, Mike Deodato, Mikel Janín, Pat Broderick, Paul Dini, Rick Hoberg, Robert Kanigher, Ryan Benjamin, Scott Snyder, Sheldon Moldoff, Silver Age, Tim Sale, Tom King, Tony Daniel, villains, Walt Simonson | 2 Comments

Essential Batman stories every fan should read – part 1

Posted on September 20, 2018 by I.M. Baytor

A while ago, reader Dave Shevlin wrote to me about his latest project of picking somewhere around 30 or so of his favorite Bat-centric tales for an imaginary deluxe volume and challenged me to do the same. The idea would … Continue reading →

Posted in BATMAN COMICS FOR BEGINNERS | Tagged Al Milgrom, Ben Oda, Bill Finger, Bob Brown, Bob Kane, Charles Paris, Denny O'Neil, Dick Giordano, Frank Miller, Glynis Wein, Ira Schnapp, Irv Novick, Jean Izzo, Jerry Serpe, John Costanza, John Workman, Klaus Janson, Lynn Varley, Marshall Rogers, Milt Snappin, Neal Adams, Ray Holloway, Sheldon Moldoff, Stan Kaye, Stan Starkman, Steve Englehart, Terry Austin, Walt Simonson | Leave a comment

Collections of Batman stories – part 1

Posted on September 1, 2016 by I.M. Baytor

Among the countless Batman books out there – old and new, classic or disposable – there is a whole subsection that strikes me as an ideal gateway for those who have heard of this Bruce Wayne fella but are still … Continue reading →

Posted in BATMAN COMICS FOR BEGINNERS | Tagged Alan Brennert, Andrew Helfer, Archie Goodwin, Batman: The Animated Series, Batman's personality, Bill Finger, Brad Rader, Brian Bolland, Bruce Timm, Chris Sprouse, Chuck Dixon, Gardner Fox, Grant Morrison, Greg Wright, horror, Jeph Loeb, Kelley Puckett, Kevin Nowlan, Lee Bermejo, Martin Pasko, Matt Wagner, Mike Parobeck, Neil Gaiman, noir, Rick Burchett, Rick Taylor, Ted McKeever, Teddy Kristiansen, Tim Harkins, Tim Sale, Todd Klein, Ty Templeton, Walt Simonson | Leave a comment

Bronze Age Splashes

Posted on March 1, 2016 by I.M. Baytor

Even though Archie Goodwin was an amazing writer (not to mention a legendary editor), I’m not as big a fan of his 1970s’ run on Detective Comics as others are. I gladly admit, though, that in terms of art, those … Continue reading →

Posted in ART OF BATMAN COMICS | Tagged Alex Toth, Archie Goodwin, Howard Chaykin, Jim Aparo, Sal Amendola, Walt Simonson, Will Eisner | Leave a comment

Top 20 Batman: Black & White stories

Posted on August 27, 2015 by I.M. Baytor

It’s no secret that many of the greatest Batman short stories are black-and-white. There’s something about the mood, between art house and classic Hollywood (serials aside), the urgent page count, and the overall sense of bare-bones minimalism that seems to … Continue reading →

Posted in BATMAN COMICS FOR BEGINNERS | Tagged Alan Davis, Alex Ross, Archie Goodwin, Blair Butler, Brian Bolland, Bruce Timm, Chris Samnee, Chris Weston, Dave Gibbons, Dustin Nguyen, Gene Ha, Harlan Ellison, Hilary Barta, Howard Mackie, Jim Lee, John Arcudi, José Muñoz, Mike Carey, Mike W. Barr, Neil Gaiman, noir, Paul Dini, Paul Levitz, Paul Rivoche, Rafael Grampá, Rian Hughes, Ronnie del Carmen, Simon Bisley, Steve Mannion, Ted McKeever, Tony Salmons, Walt Simonson, Warren Ellis | 1 Comment

Nods to the 1960s’ Batman TV show

Posted on May 19, 2015 by I.M. Baytor

It’s not exactly a secret that one of the most fun Batman comics currently coming out is Batman ‘66, based on the sexy pop art TV series which originally aired from 1966 to 1968, starring Adam West as … Continue reading →

Posted in WEBS OF FICTION | Tagged Al Milgrom, Alan Davis, Andy Kubert, Batman TV series, Chuck Dixon, David Baron, Denny O'Neil, Jeff Parker, Jerry Serpe, John Cassaday, Jonathan Case, Mike Allred, Mike W. Barr, Neil Gaiman, Sholly Fisch, Steve Englehart, Tom Peyer, Walt Simonson, Warren Ellis | Leave a comment