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Proxies of Fate by Matthew Moses Review
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in Book ReviewsProxies of Fate marks the first time I’ve been asked to review a purely prose novel, yet while Proxies isn’t a comic as such it’s ostensibly a classic comic book adventure under a literary veil, with equal quantities of 50s sci-fi thrown in for good measure. When an invasion by the Krush, a sadistic reptilian…
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Trial and Error: The Aviated Efforts of Jean Baptiste de Bomberaque Review
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Tabella Publishing Written and illustrated by Øivind Hovland Oh to have lived in the era of madcap pioneers, an age when the boffins contributing to the advancement of mankind weren’t just academics in white overcoats but brave dreamers willing to risk life and limb in order to change the world. Trial and Error: The Aviated…
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Farewell My Beautiful Black Greyhound
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in ColumnI’m going to begin this with two apologies. Firstly, I’d like to say sorry to all those who’ve sent me books in the past few weeks and have yet to see a review materialise. Secondly, I’d like to apologise for breaking the one rule I’ve adhered to since creating this blog/site: that I’d keep my…
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A Day in the Life of Alfred Book Review
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Tabella Publishing Written and illustrated by Øivind Hovland There’s something wrong within A Day in the Life of Alfred. An insidious, gradual feeling of unease that will work its way into your subconscious without you even realising it. Perhaps it’s due to the book’s format, a sort of picture book for adults in which Norwegian-born…
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Justin Green’s Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary Reissued
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in Comic NewsMcSweeney’s Press have reissued Justin Green’s 1972 comic book Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary. Often cited as the first long autobiographical work to appear in underground comics, Binky Brown chronicles Green’s Catholic upbringing and adolescent battles with his burgeoning obsessions and neuroses. For many years the influential work has been out of print,…
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American Vampire #1 Comic Book Review
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DC/Vertigo, $3.99 Writers: Scott Snyder, Stephen King Art: Rafael Albuquerque Colours: Dave McCaig It’s practically impossible to review American Vampire without first mentioning that Vertigo’s latest marks the comic book debut of Stephen King, who’ll be providing a 5-part secondary tale in this ongoing “vampires through the ages” series from Scott Snyder. And a solid…
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Indie Comic Spotlight: The Erotic Adventures of Space Babe 113
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Site: www.spacebabe113.co.uk Written and illustrated by John Maybury Despite its promises of full frontal nudity, The Erotic Adventures of Space Babe 113 isn’t, by purest definition, as erotic as the name might suggest. Not once did it arouse sexual desire in me. Rather, John Maybury’s surreal little series is a bizarre, sex-obsessed space comedy that…
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The Sinister Truth Premiers at MoCCA Fest 2010
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in Comic NewsWhere: The 69th Regiment Armory @ 68 Lexington Ave b/w E25-E26 streets on Manhattan Island When: Saturday & Sunday, April 10th & 11th 2010 Time: 11:00am – 6:00pm both days Jason Ciaccia and Aaron Norhanian will debut their graphic novel The Sinister Truth: Mkultra at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art’s MoCCA Fest 2010, on…
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.