Scare Mongering
An Illustrated History of Ghosts Adam Allsuch Boardman, published by NoBrow There are no shortage of ghosts and ghost stories where I live. Edinburgh has more haints and apparitions than it has festival visitors. Well, nearly. Indeed a whole cottage industry has sprung up around the subject, offering ghost tours complete with someone ready to jump out and shout boo. You can also tour famously … Continue reading Scare Mongering
Sharp Fragments
Sleeping While Standing by Taki Soma Published by Avery Hill In his introduction to this book, Brian Michael Bendis compares the stories of Taki Soma to his favourite short, loud, angry hardcore punk songs “you know those songs that are only, like, a minute ten. A short burst of rrrrrrage energy aaaaaand done.”. Well I can tell you that reading Sleeping While Standing took me … Continue reading Sharp Fragments
Artistic License
Blat issue 2 by Mat Greaves You know how it goes. You are a deep and culturally attuned person. You love visual art, and comics is the pinnacle of that art. You follow a bunch of artists on their ‘socials’ and you find the same personality clashes, obsessions and weirdness (and flashes of genius) that you find in, well pretty much any other topic. The … Continue reading Artistic License
Drowning in the River of Dreams
In Our Dreams Awake Co-creators John McGuire and Egg Embry Artists Edgar Salazar and Rolands Kalniņš. Letters and book design are by Alexander Lugo In Our Dreams Awake is an imaginative and often original book that brings the reader into strange worlds, worlds seemingly visited in dreams. Just what, if anything, is real and what belongs to the dreamworld is left open. This is the … Continue reading Drowning in the River of Dreams
Back to Nature
Woodland Creatures volume 2: Wild Souls Cristina Roswell, Fali Ruiz-Dávila, Tomás Aira I reviewed the first volume of Woodland Creatures back in February 2020, when the world was different. The urban fantasy tale of humans lycanthropically linked to giant Amaroq wolves of Inuit legend focused on conflict, both personal and political. The conflict theme continues in the second volume. Our angst ridden anti-hero Calliope returns … Continue reading Back to Nature
Run to the Hills
Eve by Una The world seems to grow more fractured and dangerous by the day. Plague, war…which horseman of the apocalypse will ride over the horizon next? Ah, looks like hunger. Eve deals with a young woman born during the pandemic and growing up in the world as it may unfold in the next few years, as it is beginning to unfold now. The fragile … Continue reading Run to the Hills
Gothic Illuminations
At Last the Light Written by Simon Birks, with art and colours by Anna Wieszczyk, and letters by Rob Jones. Published by Blue Fox Comics. The Firth of Forth is a fjord in Scotland that flows between Edinburgh to the South and Fife to the North. Within the Firth there are several islands and as you pass over on the famous Rail Bridge you can … Continue reading Gothic Illuminations
Strictly Come Slashing
Final Boy issue 1 Writer & Letterer: Samuel Ethan Carter, Penciler & Inker: Marlon Souza, Colourist: Danilo Leao Horror comics seem to be super popular in the indie comics world these days. The genre is evergreen and big enough that sub genres are also well represented. Case in point, Final Boy from writer Samuel Ethan Carter, artist Marlon Souza and colourist Danilo Leao which gives … Continue reading Strictly Come Slashing
The Heady Aroma of Comics
That Comic Smell Comic 2 It’s been a little while since I cranked up the keyboard to review some comics. But what better way to reinvigorate your love of comics than to review this book. The That Comic Smell team of David Robertson, Mike Sedakat, Tom Stewart and Nando are comic creators and podcasters who have an intense love of the comics medium. The second … Continue reading The Heady Aroma of Comics
John Constantine – the City and the Swamp
John Constantine is not a typical hero. Grubby trenchcoat and scruffy blonde hair. Good looking (strangely reminiscent of the young Sting). A smoker, who likes a drink and often to be found in the company of the type of woman who likes a bad lad, or thinks she can change him. There are often transformations of various types when you get involved with John but … Continue reading John Constantine – the City and the Swamp
Daredevils and Warriors 