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The Royal Historian of Oz #1 Review
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Slave Labor Graphics, $1.00 Story: Tommy Kovac Art: Andy Hirsch The perpetual regurgitation of public domain properties is something you either reluctantly enjoy or thoroughly despise. For every Wicked or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen there’s a dozen Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. With SLG’s The Royal Historian of Oz, Tommy Kovac and Andy Hirsch take…
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Batman Beyond #1 Comic Book Review
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DC, $2.99 Writer: Adam Beechen Pencils: Ryan Benjamin Inks: John Stanisci Colours: David Baron From the first page of ‘Hush Beyond,’ the comic revival of the futuristic Timm/Dini take on Batman, it’s clear that this ain’t your daddy’s/younger self’s Batman Beyond. Kicking off with the aftermath of an inmate escape from Cadmus Labs and the…
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After Dark #0: Radical Premiere Review
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Radical Comics, $1.00 Story: Antoine Fuqua, Wesley Snipes Script: Peter Milligan Art: Jeff Nentrup, Sara Biddle Radical Comics is a relatively new publisher that prints thicker, 52-page books with high production values and movie adaptations in mind. The company has also been beset with plagiarism accusations (Nick Simmon’s Incarnate) and a lawsuit concerning unpaid wages,…
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Interview: Andrew McGinn on Writing ‘The Legacy’
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in InterviewsI recently reviewed Andrew McGinn and David Neitzke’s The Legacy, a hilarious graphic novel about a young artist who inherits his father’s beloved newspaper comic strip “Simple Pleasures” and strives to make it the most offensive and reviled cartoon in America in order to get his commitment cancelled. The Legacy is sharp, genuinely funny and…
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Madballs in Babo: Invasion Xbox Live Review
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Quite possibly the best downloadable game based on a forgotten 80s toy line you’ll ever play.
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The Legacy Graphic Novel Review
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DragonFish Comics, 2009 Story: Andrew McGinn Art: David Neitzke You only have to wander into your local specialist store to appreciate just how reluctant the comic industry is to cater beyond its established demographics. Like timid weeds the US publishers have dug deep into several small niches and seem reluctant to branch out into unfamiliar…
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Arkham Asylum: Madness Graphic Novel Review
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DC, 2010 Story, Art: Sam Keith Colours: Michelle Madsen, Dave Stewart Sam Keith is one of those inimitable creators whose work only really approaches brilliance when he both writes and illustrates a book. Often his artwork feels misplaced, such as it was in the early issues of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman or many of his mainstream…
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The Thanos Imperative #1 Comic Review
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Marvel, $3.99 Story: Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning Art: Miguel Sepulveda Colours: Jay David Ramos Ever since he casually wiped out Marvel’s finest in Infinite Gauntlet, Thanos has sat amongst the top tier of super villains. Though unlike Doctor Doom or Magneto, Thanos has not been so overused that he’s lost his impact, and this latest…
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.