Boxes
BOXES is a brand new 72 page comic magazine from ThirdBear Press that aims to showcase new short works from the most exciting and interesting creators in indie comics! I have an article in the premiere issue, an examination of ageing in comics via Cliff Chiang’s Catwoman Lonely City, Jaime Hernandez Locas and Alison Bechdel’s The Secrets of Superhuman Strength. There are tons of fantastic creators … Continue reading Boxes
Love letters – angry and otherwise
It may seem like I have been quite quiet this year. It is true I have not written many reviews, however I have been working on two really exciting projects that will be kickstarted later this year. Boxes is a new magazine from brilliant Scottish creator Steven Ingram. It will feature original comics from some wonderfully talented artists. Steven asked me if I would contribute … Continue reading Love letters – angry and otherwise
Realm of Dusk
Samuel Hickson’s Liquid Realm The NorthernsLook at the North onesTheir brains are unhinged by the sun The Fall – R.O.D I have to thank Samuel Hickson. His story Nigel, Guru of the Suburbs gave me my biggest laugh in weeks. If you are a middle aged man having a mid-life crisis and thinking of moving to India, opening a small shop selling craft beers or guitars, … Continue reading Realm of Dusk
New Balls Please
Day and Age Year Two by Andrew Oh Autobiography and indie comics go together. Andrew Oh’s Day and Age Year Two is no exception. In this book Andrew tells the story of his move to Los Angeles. Will he make friends? How will he get by? Well, his first experience is one which makes for tough reading…if you are male. In fact I have to … Continue reading New Balls Please
Punk Rock and Polar Bears
Reject All by David Robertson So Buttons 12 by Jonathan Baylis (both with a host of guest artists) I want to give a shout out to a couple of great books I was sent recently. In these days of high postage costs it makes sense that most submissions I get arrive electronically, but it is always special to get a physical book. First up is the … Continue reading Punk Rock and Polar Bears
Back to the Brock
Old Man Grey by Steven Ingram In 1970 the singer Vashti Bunyan was faced with a decision. Her debut album Just Another Diamond Day had run into delays and her attempts to settle into an idyllic life living in a horse-drawn caravan in the Scottish Highlands had faltered. The album, when it was finally released by the record company, sold poorly. She had to choose … Continue reading Back to the Brock
This Sporting Life
Suzanne – The Jazz Age Goddess of Tennis by Tom Humberstone 1914 and Europe was beginning its descent into the abattoir of war. Young men turned away from their jobs and homes and went to the battlefield. Thousands of women were needed to work in arms production and they filled the factories. For many it was a taste of independence that they liked. A revolution … Continue reading This Sporting Life
Tall Tales and KickBoxing Clerics
Berserker Monk Leland Bjerg – writer and letterer, Josh Thompson – pencils/inks, Gabriel Roldan – colours The hour grows late and the drinks are flowing. The tavern is filled with assorted lowlifes – thugs, pirates, mercenaries and throat cutters. Naturally the company turns towards the telling of tales. Well, we have all been in a pub like that at some time and there are certainly … Continue reading Tall Tales and KickBoxing Clerics
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
Daredevils and Warriors 