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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 