Shelf Abuse

Storytelling, comic books and self-publishing

Author: Carl Doherty

  • The Tumor by Ben Jelter Preview

    The Tumor by Ben Jelter Preview

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    My piscine attention span has today been directed towards to The Tumor, a self-published graphic novel by illustrator Ben Jelter, described as “a surreal graphic novel about a lonely man named Greg who grows a tumor that comes to life.” Jelter’s art is undeniably unique, reminding me in places of Francis Bacon and the Gaiman/McKean…

  • The Spirit Movie Review

    The Spirit Movie Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2009 Director: Frank Miller Script: Frank Miller Cast: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Dan Lauria, Sarah Paulson, Paz Vega, Stana Katic, Jaime King, Louis Lombardi Frank Miller’s directorial debut sees him emulating Rodriguez emulating Miller emulating Will Eisner, in this turgid adaptation of the seminal crime-fighter comic strip. Whereas Sin City…

  • Charles Burns’ Black Hole Review

    Charles Burns’ Black Hole Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    1995-2004, Fantagraphic Books Written and illustrated by: Charles Burns With sequential art being embraced by the literary and art crowds more than ever before, many journalists still feel tempted to excessively praise the indisputably excellent works that are regularly produced in the comic medium by comparing them to the generally lacklustre standards at which much…

  • Blankets by Craig Thompson Review

    Blankets by Craig Thompson Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2003 Top Shelf Productions Written and Illustrated by: Craig Thompson When reading an independent book which I intend to review, I try to refrain from further research until I’ve finished reading. This is partly down to the fact that most indie books don’t require me to swot up on 50 years of Marvel or DC…

  • Death Falcon Zero vs. The Zombie Slug Lords Preview

    Death Falcon Zero vs. The Zombie Slug Lords Preview

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    “The Living Dead and the Deadly Living Clash on Charleston’s West Side.” I’ve come across an intriguing graphic novel entitled Death Falcon Zero vs. The Zombie Slug Lords, an enticing amalgam of those two sacred B-movie commodities; zombies and er… pro wrestling The book, in which a disgraced former masked wrestler battles the walking dead…

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 vol. 3: Wolves at the Gate TPB Review

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 vol. 3: Wolves at the Gate TPB Review

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    2008, Dark Horse Books Writer: Drew Goddard, Joss Whedon Pencils: Georges Jeanty Inks: Andy Owen Colours: Michelle Madsen Covers: Jon Foster Like the television show before it, Buffy’s season 8 was always going to take time to “get into”; but I can gladly say that Wolves at the Gate is the first volume so far…

  • Watchmen Comic Movie May Miss March Release Date

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    It’s a kick in the post-festive balls for comic lovers everywhere (except Alan Moore, who’s probably clapping his ring-heavy hands with joy) as numerous sources are reporting that the Watchmen legal copyright infringement fiasco is set to continue for the foreseeable future. As an everyman moron whose knowledge of legal procedure extends no further than…

  • Controversial Categories – Why We Should All Read More Independent Comics

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    Carl Doherty
    in

    We’ve all opted for the obvious option at some point in time, and stuck with what we’ve known. Most of us do it every day, in the smallest of ways. We’ve all ordered steak and chips from the menu when we know we really should have sampled something more exotic. We’ve all sat in a…