In Our Dreams Awake Issue 2 I reviewed the first issue of In Our Dreams Awake back in 2022. The book tells the story of Jason Byron a man living in a mediaeval theocracy where technology both mundane and exotic is forbidden. But when he dreams, he seems to slip into a very different world. This realm is a post-apocalyptic flooded city and Jason is … Continue reading Dreaming and Drowning
The United: Going Underground by Jonny Cannon Who doesn’t love a slightly-off alt-historical setting for a comic? Nostalgic but unsettling. The near future as someone from the 70s or maybe the 80s might have viewed it. If this sounds like the type of vibe that Alan Moore consistently went for in strips like Captain Britain and V for Vendetta, then you would be on the … Continue reading Descend into the Dark
49 Days by Agnes Lee Published by Levine Querido Kit is on a journey and it is not an easy one. It begins with an unpassable cliff set beside a roaring tidal sea. Every time she tries to pass, the sea smashes her against the rocks. The only way to move forward is with patience, care and perfect timing. But it is too easy to … Continue reading Seven Times Seven
Gareth Hopkins has always gone his own way in comics – which has always made his books like Petrichor and Explosive Sweet Freezer Razors amongst the most interesting to read. Gareth has now come together with his daughter Martha to create a new publishing imprint, Absolute Collider. The press has published works featuring art by Gareth and Martha as well as writing from rapper Andrew … Continue reading Collision Course
Safe From Harm by Joan Edam One of the first books I reviewed on this blog was Safe From Harm by Joan Edam. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. Lockdown, war, pandemic, inflation, fire and flood. Comics have come and gone. But, lo! Joan Edam has completed and collected his book. If, like me, you are going to Thought … Continue reading Safety Dance
So Buttons issue 13 Harvey Pekar was a great American creator. An obsessive, an autodidact, a working class guy from Cleveland who was mostly broke but loved jazz and loved making comics. A talk show regular who had a film of his life made. A great film. And of course a comics creator who produced a remarkable body of work through his book American Splendor. … Continue reading Brooklyn Splendor
Underground Kingdom Comix UKC Crime and UKC Horror. There are trends in comics much like music or any other art form. It is a medium that can encompass many genres and it should seek to appeal to all kinds of people. In my experience there are good and bad comics in all genres. I’ve read great superhero comics and ones so derivative, pedestrian and amateurish … Continue reading Strange Kingdoms
The music of The Pogues and comics. When people think of the Pogues and especially the band’s astonishingly gifted Bacchanalian frontman Shane MacGowan, they might think of drunken Irish jigs with a sprinkling of censored Christmas tinsel. But look beyond the greatest hits served up by the algorithm and you will find songs of astonishing beauty, poignancy and sometimes anger. I personally consider The Pogues … Continue reading With a KMRIA – Poguetry in Comics
Scottish comics artist and writer Jonny Cannon has his new book The United: Going Underground up on Kickstarter now. The book has proved very popular and has already been fully funded. There are lots of great rewards available including original art, sketches and commissions, so don’t miss out. Jonny described the book to us as “a love letter to comics”. It tells the story of … Continue reading Sound of the Underground
ANTARCTICA by Simon Birks and Willi Roberts published by Top Cow Productions The desolate wastes of Antarctica have always fascinated me. On holiday in Buenos Aires, I saw a bus leave the bus station. The destination was Punta Arenas. I knew that was where the ships for Antarctica left. I could have got on a bus to Antarctica. Awesome. I’m not sure if Hannah Curtis, … Continue reading Ice Ice Baby
The Writings and Ramblings of Ben Herman
This is a blog dedicated to what I have been lucky enough to find out about comics. I might add in some other geeky goodness, but it's mainly about the comics.
Comicbook chin-stroking, to while away an idle moment, or two
Comics with a British focus
Interviews with big name comic book creators brought to you by the Official Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast.
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Comic Writer
Feeding the habit one issue at a time
Comics with a British focus
Daredevils and Warriors 