-
I Don’t Even Know What a Bloody “Comic Book” is Anymore
A few weeks back, two lengthy comic-related conversations erupted on Linkedin, one asking whether or not thought bubbles are dated, the other questioning the worth of words in digital comics. Anyway, all this got me asking myself: what exactly constitutes a comic book?
-
SubCulture Omnibus Review
The longstanding web series finally gets the treatment it deserves, in Action Lab’s hefty 336-page volume, which contains the limited series, long-running wecomic strip and a gallery of artwork from the series’ talented fans.
-
Princeless Book One: Save Yourself Review
Action Lab’s charming, Eisner-nominated all-ages series is a much needed parody of the gender roles played in fairy tales and high fantasy fiction. It’s also very, very funny.
-
Stockton-Con Announces Tony DeZuniga Memorial Art Contest
Stockton-Con has announced its second annual all ages art contest, which from this year will be known as the Tony DeZuniga Memorial Art Contest, in honour of the late Filipino artist.
-
MCM London Comic Con to Expand this October
The MCM London Comic Con will be furthering its plans for world domination when this October it will spread across both sides of the ExCel Centre.
-
Interview with Ben Dobyns of Zombie Orpheus Entertainment
Ben Dobyns, the head of Zombie Orpheus Entertainment, the team behind the JourneyQuest webseries, discusses the art of making serial shows for an internet audience.
-
Adventure Time Graphic Novel Competition
The folks at Titan Books have been kind enough to offer Shelf Abuse several competition copies of the upcoming Adventure Time graphic novels, based on the wacky hit Cartoon Network show.
-
Double Jumpers TPB Review
Double Jumpers is an entertaining read and has a lot of heart to counterweigh its adult humour, and I’d love to see these characters in another “adventure,” albeit hopefully one which plays more on the love/hate relationship between games developers and their devoted fans.
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.