Hangovers and Hope
Blat! Issue 1 by Mat Greaves Blat is the new comic being imminently kickstarted by creator Mat Greaves. I enjoyed Reefers and Riffs, his Murun Buchstansangur meets Charlie Parker comic which I reviewed here. Not only that he did what surely must be the definitive take on middle-aged Shamrock for me. The influence of the American underground can be felt in the book which consists … Continue reading Hangovers and Hope
Frozen Existence
The Junction by Norm Konyu It is an odd time for humanity on planet Earth. As I write, many of us are locked down. Trying to shelter from the storm of a global pandemic that lies in wait for us, invisible, hanging in the air. We have had to come to terms with isolation, repetition, boredom. Working and studying have merged with home life in … Continue reading Frozen Existence
Biscuits and Big Barda…More Tales from Beanoland
‘That Comic Smell’ Comic Mike Sedakat, Fernando Pons, David Robertson, Tom Stewart, John Tucker I’ve often enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon listening to comics podcasts whilst pottering about and, well, reading comics. Among them is ‘That Comic Smell’. The hosts are all based around the original home of comics – Dundee. Beanoland itself. I spent some formative years in this fine city myself and I … Continue reading Biscuits and Big Barda…More Tales from Beanoland
Fading Glamour
Beatrice by Joris Mertens The year is 1972 and Beatrice is a young woman working in a department store. The store is in a busy city – perhaps Paris or Brussels. Each day is much like the last. A busy commute, dealing with the public and then back to her small apartment. Only her daydreams bring some escape. But one day she begins to notice … Continue reading Fading Glamour
Not all Black and White?
The Union issue one Writer – Paul Grist, Pencils – Andrea de Vito with Paul Grist, Inkers – Drew Geraci and Le Beau Underwood with Paul Grist, Colourist – Nolan Woodward, Letterer – VC’s Travis Lanham, Published by Marvel Comics’ I have never reviewed a Marvel Comic before. That is not because of some kind of snobbery, on the contrary Marvel are my first love … Continue reading Not all Black and White?
Teenage Kicks
The Hoards of Surrey Writer – Dave Wimblett, Artist – Rory Donald, Letterer – Ken Reynolds, Published by Covert Comics The American teenager is extraordinarily well recorded in popular culture. Since the first teenager pulled on their bobby socks and letter jacket and cranked up the Buddy Holly tunes we have followed their development in books, movies, TV and yes comics. So powerful is this … Continue reading Teenage Kicks
Season of the Witch
Clodagh issue 1 Written by Simon Birks, with art by Willi Roberts and letters by Rob Jones. An evil witch brings terror to a small town nested somewhere in the wilderness. With a thirst for eyes and driven by unrelenting hatred she uses fear as a weapon. Not just fear of her, but fear of outsiders, whom she cunningly blames for the evil that she … Continue reading Season of the Witch
Saloons and Spaceships
The Ignis Quadrant Chapters 0 and 1 Evan Carothers – Writer and Designer, Jezreel Rojales – Artist, Mariam Yasser – Colourist, Justin “Lettersquids” – Letters Comics loves to embrace the cultural zeitgeist. Just look at Marvel in the 70’s and 80’s. There are few successful genres that they did not turn their hand to. Martial arts movies doing well? Get Iron Fist and Shang-Chi out … Continue reading Saloons and Spaceships
At the Edge of the Sea
Breakwater by Katriona Chapman The British seaside town, a cinema whose glory days are in the past, a woman whose life seems to have been put on hold, a young man escaping from something. This is the familiar setting in which we find ourselves in Katriona Chapman’s Breakwater. I say familiar because it is a scenario that many of us will have encountered before. Generations … Continue reading At the Edge of the Sea
Something Fishy
The Shadow Over Innsmouth Part One: Descent Into Innsmouth by Simon Birks, with art by R. H. Stewart, and letters by Lyndon White H.P. Lovecraft is a writer who has made a tremendous impact on popular culture. His influence can be felt in books, games, music, films and of course comics. Among the many comics showing a Lovecraftian influence are Hellboy, Locke and Key and Alan … Continue reading Something Fishy
Daredevils and Warriors 