-
Spider-Man 3 Movie Review
by
2007 Dir: Sam Raimi Script: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, Alvin Sargent Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi or a Mafioso wannabe, there is something truly magical about the cinematic trinity, a beginning-middle-end format within which even the weakest movie is elevated by its stronger…
-
House of M: Fantastic Four / Iron Man TPB Review
by
Marvel, 2006 Writers: John Laymen, Greg Pak Pencils: Scot Eaton, Pat Lee Inks: Don Hillsman II, Rick Magyar Colours: Dean White, Rob Ro, Dream Engine Alternate universes are more often than not an extraneous affair, short lived and ultimately imposing little change on the mainstream “realities” from whence they spawned. The House of M plot…
-
Science of Sleep (La Science des rêves) Film Review
by
2006 Dir: Michel Gondry Script: Michel Gondry Cast: Gael García, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat, Miou-Miou, Emma de Caunes, Aurélia Petit, Sacha Bourdo Young artist Stéphane (Bernal) is coaxed back to his childhood home in France, where after an accident with a piano he befriends neighbour and fellow creative soul Stéphanie (Gainsbourg). Initially attracted to Stéphanie’s…
-
Them (Ils) Film Review
by
2006 Dir: David Moreau, Xavier Palud Script: David Moreau, Xavier Palud Cast: Olivia Bonamy, Michaël Cohen In a remote Budapest cottage, French couple Lucas and Clementine (Cohen, Bonamy) are traumatised by an unknown and indefinable force. 2003 saw a resurgence in the French horror scene with Haute Tension (Switchblade Romance here in the UK) a…
-
Silent Hill Movie Review
by
2006 Dir: Christophe Gans Script: Roger Avary, Christophe Gans, Nicolas Boukhrief Cast: Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean, Laurie Holden, Jodelle Ferland, Deborah Kara Unger, Alice Krige, Tanya Allen, Kim Coates Generic American couple Rose and Christopher Da Silva (Mitchell, Bean) are concerned about their daughter Sharon’s (Holden) ceaseless sleepwalking. The possessed daughter frequently attempts to take…
-
Rocky Balboa Movie Review
by
2006 Dir: Sylvester Stallone Script: Sylvester Stallone Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young, Milo Ventimiglia, Tony Burton, Antonio Tarver, Geraldine Hughes, James Francis Kelly III, Lou DiBella With Adrian succumbing to cancer four years ago, Rocky Balboa (Stallone) owns a small Italian restaurant in Philadelphia. When an ESPN broadcast depicts a computer simulation between an in-his-prime…
-
Hellblazer: Hard Times TPB Review
by
2001, DC / Vertigo Story: Brian Azzarello Art: Richard Corben Colours: James Sinclair Letters: Clem Robins There comes a time in any good franchise when one of our favourite characters will find themselves behind bars. Brian Azzarello’s recent run on Daredevil has been exceptional, with Matt Murdock’s incarceration in particular adding a new dimension to…
-
New Avengers vol. 1: Breakout TPB Review
by
2006, Marvel Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Pencils: David Finch Inks: Danny Miki, Mark Morales Allen Martinez, Victor Olazaba Colours: Frank D’Armata Ever since its announcement, I’ve resented the New Avengers line-up. You see, in my Avengers, Justice League and X-titles consuming heyday I was always interested in the little guys; the Blue Beetles, Booster Golds…
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.