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
Monster Power
Nightmare Fuel #1 Nightmare Fuel is written by Fraser Campbell, with art by Norrie Millar, lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, logo design from Faye Stacey and script editing by Heather Palmer. Published by Cabal Comics As the world faces climate change disaster world leaders are meeting in Glasgow to find a way forward. Big brands are getting in on the act, keen to show that their … Continue reading Monster Power
Dealing with Devils
Hob’s Lane Written by Martin Hayes, with art and colours by RH Stewart, and letters by Paul McLaren There are a few constants in life. Things that none of us can escape. It doesn’t matter if you are a billionaire or a beggar – death is inevitable. Or it should be. There is certainly plenty of death in this first issue of Hob’s Lane. A … Continue reading Dealing with Devils
Robot Soldier Balls Winter Special
Booze Ha Ha Writer: David Robertson. Artist: David Robertson, with 18 short stories drawn respectively by Clio Ding, Zu Dominiak, Ali Hodgson, Rebecca Horner, Asuna Ikeshima, Marc KC, Tim Kelly, Francesca Mancuso, Norrie Millar, Emma Oosterhouse, Neil Paterson, Mike Sedakat, Abi Wye, Pam Wye, and Cherish York. Published by Fred Egg Comics It is always good news when a new book arrives from Fred Egg … Continue reading Robot Soldier Balls Winter Special
Review – Queen of the Ring – Wrestling Drawings by Jaime Hernandez 1980-2020
Whoa, Jaime! When I first discovered Love and Rockets in the late Eighties with its depiction of latinx punks in California and the wider society around them, I was entranced. The Hernandez brothers were just depicting their everyday world but to me in faraway, provincial Scotland it was a wonderland. The fashion, both punk and ‘cholo’ – the cars, the music, the expressions. I spent … Continue reading Review – Queen of the Ring – Wrestling Drawings by Jaime Hernandez 1980-2020
Another Girl, Another Planet
Lights, Planets, People! Molly Naylor and Lizzy Stewart Public speaking – it divides us. Some weirdos (I must include myself in this group) have no issue with it. They will happily ad-lib a few remarks or drone through a powerpoint for an hour. But for many others the thought of standing up in front of more than two people elicits dread. Lights, Planets, People! Tells … Continue reading Another Girl, Another Planet
Brain Drain
Drops Writer: Matthew Cooper, Art/Letters: Connor Montgomery. A sinister government facility. Sadistic scientists have a man tied to a chair. Mind altering experiments are taking place and the latest victim is strapped down to a chair. Left for dead, he launches an audacious bid for freedom. Drops is a psychological horror that does not hold back with the gore. I must confess I would normally … Continue reading Brain Drain
Liberation Tales
Review: MARGUERITE VS. THE OCCUPATION Marguerite is a young woman living in a village in occupied France. But with allied troops on the way hope is in sight. Only a German machine gun nest stands in the way. The problem is that this emplacement has a commanding view across the valley. Worst still, it is located in the shattered ruins of Marguerite’s home. Marguerite vs … Continue reading Liberation Tales
Daredevils and Cold Warriors
Review: American Daredevil: Comics, Communism, and the Battles of Lev Gleason ‘American Daredevil: Comics, Communism, and the Battles of Lev Gleason‘ is an Eisner nominated book by Brett Dakin. It tells the story of a Golden Age comics pioneer who faced the trials of McCarthyism and the onslaught of the ‘Seduction of the Innocent‘ era war on comics with the introduction of the comics code. … Continue reading Daredevils and Cold Warriors
Love Bites
Midnight Widows issues 1 & 2 Doris V. Sutherland, Marcela Hauptvogelova, Jio Butler Rosie Wigg, Delia Mihai, Rob Jones Vampires are immortal and deathless, or so the stories would have us believe. The vampire genre is somewhat undead as well. Not only does it live on but like the vamps in Midnight Widows it has spawned sub-types and mutations. Dracula may provide the template but … Continue reading Love Bites
Daredevils and Warriors 