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Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall Graphic Novel Review
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2006, DC/Vertigo Writer: Bill Willingham Illustrators: Esao Andrews, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Mark Buckingham, James Jean, Michael Wm. Kaluta, Derek Kirk Kim, Tara McPherson, Jill Thompson. Charles Vess, Mark Wheatley Fables’ strength has always been that, whether immersed in Bill Willingham’s universe or not, anyone fortunate enough to have survived childhood will be familiar with…
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Batman: The Long Halloween TPB Review
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1996, DC Write: Jeph Loeb Artist: Tim Sale Colours: Gregory Wright Essentially years two and three to Frank Miller’s seminal Batman: Year One, Loeb and Sale’s superhero noir The Long Halloween resumes the Caped Crusaders conflicts with Gotham’s feuding Mafiosos, the Falcone and Maroni families, introduced in Year One, as well as providing an origin…
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Batman: False Faces TPB Review
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2008, DC Story: Brian K. Vaughan Pencils: Scott McDaniel, Rick Burchett, Scott Kolins, Marcos Martin Inks: Karl Story, John Lowe, Dan Panosian, Drew Geraci Colours: Roberta Tewes, John Wright, Pam Rambo, Tom McCraw With Y: The Last Man having reached its conclusion and Brian K. Vaughan receiving all manner of acclaim for his work on…
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Howard the Duck: Media Duckling TPB Review
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2008, Marvel Writers: Ty Templeton, Steve Gerber Pencils: Juan Bobillo, Frank runner, Roger Langridge Inks: Marselo Sosa, Steve Leialoha Colours: Nester Pereyra, J. Brown, Frank Brunner The Duck returns just six years after his last series, which, for a character plagued by numerous legal battles, ownership squabbles and the weight of a rancid Lucas-produced 80s…
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New Reader’s Guide to Neil Gaiman’s Graphic Novels
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in FeaturesWith the success of the movie adaptation Stardust, as well as his novel American Gods, Neil Gaiman’s work is finally getting the mainstream attention it deserves. Though alongside Allen Moore, Gaiman has been one of the few American comic writers to enter popular culture, gathering critical acclaim from outside the comic book sphere, many of…
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Justice vol. 1 Graphic Novel Review
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2006, DC Story: Jim Krueger, Alex Ross Script: Jim Krueger Art: Alex Ross, Doug Braithwaite It has always been one of those great contradictions that, despite the potentially omnipotent powers of the various Justice Leagues combined, the DC Universe is still very much like ours. Poverty, famine and political corruption still persist, and the superhero…
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Top 10 Iron Man Armors
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in FeaturesTony Stark’s vanity has never been in question. Whether he’s signing world peace treaties, seducing page 3 models, thwarting inter-conglomerate espionage, or getting his spine returned to him on a shiny silver platter by an angry Hulk, the moustachioed man has to look his best. Here I present you a fine selection of tailor made…
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Batman: The Joker’s Last Laugh TPB Review
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Originally published 2001, DC Writers: Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty Pencils: Pete Woods, Marcos Martin, Walter McDaniel, Andy Kuhn, Ron Randall, Rick Burchett Inks: Andrew Pepoy, Mark Farmer, Alvaro Lopez, Walter McDaniel, Andy Kuhn, Ron Randall, Mark Lipka, Dan Davis Colours: Tom McCraw Gina Going The Joker has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Escaping high-security prison…
Shelf Abuse
Storytelling, comic books and self-publishing
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.
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.