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A Rope Around Your Broken Neck Review
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2010, Attackosaur Writer: Martin Ian Smith Art: R. Ricardo, Nicolas Brondo, Lara Phillips Ouch. You’ll probably not find a more brutally named comic than A Rope Around Your Broken Neck, but it’s a fittingly severe title for this grim tale of the relationship between an imprisoned priest and a prison guard turned executioner in plague-infected…
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Comics Fighting Cancer: RIP Preview
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in Comic NewsWith so many writers and artists currently struggling to make a living, it’s rare that we see comics being put to such a good cause as Black Snake Studios’ new Comics Fighting Cancer charity initiative, which commences with the release of RIP #1 this month. Press Release: Comics Fighting Cancer is a new way to…
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2012: Final Prayer Graphic Novel Review
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2009, Heske Horror Writers: Chris McJunkin, Ollie Masters, Shawn Gabborin, Jim Alexander, Shamere Borg, Xander Bennett, Robert Heske, Arno Hunter, Christopher Barker, Craig Gilmore, Rita Gorgoni, Adam Grose, Dino Caruso, Don E. Smith Jr., Duncan Eagleson, Martin Hayes, Jason Light, Marie D. Jones Artists: Chris McJunkin, Andy Fish, Mario Cau, Andrew Dodd, Melanie Cook, Adam…
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Bone Chiller Graphic Novel Review
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2008, Heske Horror Written by: Robert M. Heske Art: Monty Borror, Zeu, Preston Asevedo, Alian Norte, Dirk Shearer, Reno Maniquis, Adam Swiecki, Breno Tamura The good ol’ fashioned horror comic is alive and kicking like an angry reanimated corpse in Bone Chiller, an anthology of ghoulish tales from screenwriter Robert M. Heske. The standard many…
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The Waking #1 (of 4) Comic Review
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Zenescope, $3.99 Writer: Raven Gregory Pencils: Vic Drujiniu Colours: Mark Roberts The Waking’s is a decidedly old-fashioned horror story, a Gothic tale in which the dead are seemingly returning from the grave to exact revenge on their killers. Unlike many other horror titles, the gore quota is downplayed in favour of a thoughtful, intricate narrative…
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Kick-Ass Graphic Novel Review
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Icon/Titan Books, 2010 Writer: Mark Millar Pencils: John Romita Jr. Inks: Tom Palmer Colours: Dean White With the gleefully gratuitous movie adaptation about to hit cinemas, Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass has gone from being yet another superhero movie to the little comic that could. The film’s development is perhaps more interesting than the comic series itself;…
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Fools Gold Book Review
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Any adult with an unremitting passion for comic books is going to remember the pain of having their comic-inspired illustrations rejected by their art teacher for being “immature”. Or worse still, the shame of being told that their book review for English Literature didn’t count, because, as we’ve been told perpetually since childhood, “graphic novels…
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Daffodil #1 Comic Book Review
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Marvel/Soleil, $5.99 Writer: Frédéric Brrémaud (translated by Stephanie Logan) Art: Giovanni Rigano Colours: Paolo Lamanna You only have to glance at the website for Soleil Productions (hey, come back!) to appreciate how many titles the French publisher currently has on offer. English speakers who’ve wanted to sample some Gallic comics that don’t feature Asterix will…
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.