Shelf Abuse

Storytelling, comic books and self-publishing

Tag: superhero comics

  • Jim Sheridan and Bart Sears’ The Helm Finds its Head

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    I recently received a promo for The Helm, a fun looking graphic novel from Jim Sheridan, the legendary Bart Sears and Randy Elliot. This TPB of the original four part Dark Horse series follows the rather novel premise of “What if you had a magical superpower… and it hated your guts?” Synopsis: “On the same…

  • Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe Edition Review

    Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe Edition Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2008, DC Comics Writer: Alan Moore Art: Brian Bolland If there’s a trend in any critic’s list of acclaimed graphic novels it seems to be that the most lauded comics are usually multi-volume efforts, or extensive, dense affairs. At a mere 48 pages The Killing Joke is not as intricate or layered as Alan Moore’s…

  • Justice League of America #31 Review

    Justice League of America #31 Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    Writer: Dwayne McDuffie Pencils: Shane Davis Inks: Sandra Hope Colours: Pete Pantazis More than any other superhero group, the Justice League of America has always lacked a plausible reason for its continuing existence. The Justice Society is a family of crimefighters old and new, while the X-Men banded together as fellow outcasts. Even the members…

  • The Amazing Spider-man #589 Comic Review

    The Amazing Spider-man #589 Comic Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    Marvel Writer: Fred Van Lente Pencils: Paulo Siqueira Inks: Amilton Santos Colours: Jeremy Cox With Brand New Day and Character Assassination out of the way, the now thrice-monthly Spider-man is back to battling goofball villains of the week, each more embarrassing than the next. The Spot, a ridiculous looking adversary who resembles a human Dalmatian…

  • Daredevil #117 Comic Book Review

    Daredevil #117 Comic Book Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    Writer: Ed Brubaker Artists: Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudiano Colours: Matt Hollingsworth One of the problems superhero comics have in maintaining long-term reader interest is that nothing really changes. Just as we know that Bruce Wayne will eventually reprise the role of Batman and Spider-man will one day reunite with Mary Jane, it’s hardly surprising that…

  • Silver Surfer: Requiem Review

    Silver Surfer: Requiem Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2008, Marvel Knights Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: Esad Ribic Could there be a more hippyish comic book creation than the Silver Surfer? A metallic dude who surfs the cosmos, refusing to cover his androgynous shame lest it cramp his streamline style. The Fabulous Freak Brothers have nothing on Norrin Radd. While popular culture has…

  • The Dark Knight Strikes Again TPB Review

    The Dark Knight Strikes Again TPB Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2001, DC Comics Story, Art: Frank Miller Colours: Lynn Varley Like Star Wars prequels and the fourth Indiana Jones, Frank Miller’s follow-up to his seminal The Dark Knight Returns was never going to live up to over 15 years of expectation. When the prestige format miniseries was announced around 2000, eager anticipation soon turned to…

  • Batman: The Black Glove TPB Review

    Batman: The Black Glove TPB Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2008, DC Comics Writer: Grant Morrison Pencils: J.H. Williams III, Tony S. Daniels , Ryan Benamin Inks: J.H Wiliams III, Tony S. Daniels, Jonathon Clapton, Mark Irvin, Sandu Forea, Saleem Crawford Colours: Dave Stewart, Guy Major A combination of camp murder mystery and drug-trip mindfuck, The Black Glove expands on the tangled events of Batman…