Shelf Abuse

Storytelling, comic books and self-publishing

Tag: graphic novels

  • Young Avengers vol. 1: Sidekicks TPB Review

    Young Avengers vol. 1: Sidekicks TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    Marvel Writer: Allan Heinberg Pencils: Jim Cheung Inks: John Dell, Mark Morales, Drew Geraci Colours: Justin Ponsor In the genre specific confines of the comic medium it is so rare to be surprised by a superhero book, let alone one published by Marvel. Sidekicks is everything it shouldn’t be, fresh, energetic and intelligent. I cannot…

  • JSA: The Golden Age TPB Review

    JSA: The Golden Age TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    DC, 1993 Story: James Robinson, Paul Martin Smith Writing: James Robinson Art: Paul Martin Smith Colours: Richard Ory Letters: John Costanza The DC universe has become a daunting, temporally retarded place of late, never moving forward, always looking back. While this is not essentially a bad thing – the costumed vigilante has changed very little…

  • The Immortal Iron Fist: The Last Iron Fist Story TPB Review

    The Immortal Iron Fist: The Last Iron Fist Story TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    Marvel, 2007 Writer: Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction Art: David Aja, Travel Foreman, Derek Fridolfs, Russ Heath, John Severin, Sal Buschema, Tom Palmer Colours: Matt Hollingsworth, Dean White, Laura Marti Every great superhero has his defining moment, an essential work which all fans of that hero will have read. Some of the greatest have several. Miller’s…

  • The Comic Book Crisis

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    I have seen the future, and it’s dark… It’s 2018. Little Timmy Carbuncle and Jeremiah Hangnail exit the cinema, fleshly bedazzled by the lurid colours of Spider-man 7, in which our favourite webslinger battles a symbiote-possessed Aunt May. “That was proper rad,” says little Timmy Carbuncle. “I can’t believe we have to wait three more…

  • Iron Man Disassembled TPB Review

    Iron Man Disassembled TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    2004, Marvel Writer: John Jackson Miller, Mark Ricketts Pencilers: Jorge Lucas, Tony Harris, Scott Kolins Inkers: Tom Feister, Charles Wallace Colours: Antonio Fabela, J.D. Mettler Though Marvel’s finest would soon reassemble under the New Avengers title, the ‘Disassembled’ plotline saw the team exit with more whimper than bang. This book sees Tony struggle with the…

  • Batman and the Monster Men TPB Review

    Batman and the Monster Men TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    Originally published 2006, DC Vertigo Writer: Matt Wagner Artist: Matt Wagner Colours: Dave Stewart Matt Wagner presents the Dark Knight’s first foray into the bizarre, in this Frankenstein flavoured pseudo-sequel to Miller’s Year One. The Batmobile, Robin and crew are all absent, and Batman’s relationship with James Gordon, not yet commissioner, is under development. Wagner’s…

  • Civil War: Iron Man TPB Review

    Civil War: Iron Man TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    Marvel, 2006 Writers: Christos N. Gage, Daniel Knauf, Charles Knauf, Brian Michael Bendis Pencilers: Jeremy Haun, Patrick Zircher, Alex Maleev Inkers: Mark Morales, Scott Hanna Colours: Morry Hollowell, Guru EFX, Jose Villarrubia This is an odd volume, occurring both before and after the death of Marvel’s finest, Captain America, but like the Frontlines series it…

  • Batman Year 100 TPB Review

    Batman Year 100 TPB Review

    by

    Carl Doherty
    in

    2006, DC Story, art: Paul Pope Colours: Jose Villarrubia Strangely, the Year 100 trade paperback has not been tattooed with the Elseworlds tag; like Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, Pope’s rendition is more a possible future for our current Batman. When he inevitably reaches his 100th birthday, I am confident the caped crusader will have…