• Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe Edition Review

    Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe Edition Review

    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

    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

    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

    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…

  • Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures: Fright of the Bumblebees Review

    Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures: Fright of the Bumblebees Review

    Nobody likes change until it’s long become the past, and the relentlessly evolving world of media is no exception. As cinema was once feared to prove the moron-fuelled downfall of literature, it was only several years ago that the very idea of digitally distributed content had mobs of angry gamers reaching for their torches and…

  • Will Eisner’s The Contract with God Trilogy Review

    Will Eisner’s The Contract with God Trilogy Review

    2006 Written and illustrated by Will Eisner To this day there has not been a cast of comic book characters quite like the residents of Will Eisner’s 55 Dropsie Avenue. These desperate souls are a world apart from the usual artists, journalists, existential twenty-something and precocious kids who generally represent the “everyday man” in comics.…

  • Watchmen Movie Review

    Watchmen Movie Review

    2009 Director: Zack Snyder Script: David Hayter, Alex Tse Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson A bit like the archetypal half-caste kid who is unwanted by both the bloodlines he is born into, anyone brave enough to tackle as monumental a project as bringing…

  • Watchmen’s Dr Manhattan Skinny Dips in the Thames Tonight

    www.rubberrepublic.com has it that giant-sized blue meanie Dr. Manhattan will be visiting the South Bank this evening, as part of a water projected display  held between the London Eye and the Shell Building. The display, which will involve projecting footage across a 70ft wall of water fountains, will take place at 8.00PM. I’m currently having…

To better focus my efforts, Bothersome Books, my wee publishing imprint and home to my novel and short stories, has merged with Shelf Abuse. Expect several new releases this year.

Welceom to The Fold

Shelf Abuse: Sporadically Singing the Unsung Since 2006

Welcome to Shelf Abuse, the blog of British writer, web/graphic designer and occasional illustrator Carl Doherty.

What started out in 2006 as a blog about comics, gradually leaning more towards self-published and creator-owned works, has slowly transitioned into a home for my own self-published efforts, and a place to share my opinions on art, literature, cinema, storytelling, publishing, design, animal rights, depression… and yes, still comics. You’ll also find the occasional guest article amidst my mercifully brief rants.

Current Site Status

Due to an increasingly dense schedule, I’m no longer officially accepting review submissions. Hopefully this will eventually change, but not looking likely any time soon.

However, my love for indie comics hasn’t diminished in the slightest. Please do feel free to follow me on social media, add me to your mailing list or inform me of your new book. I can’t always reply, but I always appreciate hearing about new books.

Submission Guidelines