“…Achieving Liberal Ends By Fascist Means.” COMICS! Sometimes They Fight To Make Men Free!

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Posted by: John Kane on May 9, 2013

Categories: Reviews , Uncategorized

…and it stank like it something had crawled up it and died! What? I’m on? That’s a bit ahead of schedule. Caught me on the hop a bit there, let’s see what we can do. Hold on…let me check my pockets…right! Harumph! This’ll have to do. Here goes. Welcome, International Comrades! In this exciting post I will be treating the eyes of all to the sight of many comic covers. Yes! These coruscating covers adorned the 1982-4 run of BLACKHAWK; a run written by Mark Evanier and drawn by Dan Spiegle with back ups from a heavenly host of talents. Pleasure for all viewers ensured as I have mastered the scanner! Technology is yet servant to the flesh! Yes! So,…  Read More…

“Choke! Gasp!” Not A Podcast! Not Comics! BOOKS! You Know, Like In Days of Yore!

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Posted by: John Kane on April 30, 2013

Categories: Reviews

It’s a SKIP WEEK so the dulcet toned duo of Gentle Jeff Lester and Glamorous Graeme McMillion$ are off…um…doing, er, stuff and things. Probably. But we here at The Savage Critics love and value each and every one of you (especially you, sir! (or madam!)) and thus I have provided some hacky trash about some books you, let’s face it, have no interest in. I know, you can hardly wait! Anyway, Jeff (who lives at home) and Graeme (who works from home) will be back next week. (Please, God.) Grin and bear it is my advice.  Say, anyone remember that time Howard Victor Chaykin got trapped in SWORD OF THE ATOM#3 (DC Comics, 1983) by Gil Kane & Jan Strnad? No,…  Read More…

“That Soldier–He’s A Woman?!” COMICS! Sometimes We Sing A Song For The Unsung!

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Posted by: John Kane on April 26, 2013

Categories: Reviews , Uncategorized

So, I managed to wrestle a broken down wreck of a scanner out of the garage. To give it a proper work out I scanned in a bunch of covers by the artist Luis Dominguez; who I totally rate. I chucked in a bit of context but don’t worry there aren’t many words in this one. Mostly it’s a bunch of ’70s Western covers by a neglected Argentinian artist. I say mostly covers but also the famous scene where Scalphunter arm wrestled Abe Lincoln. Top that, Spielberg! Anyway, this…

“I Did My Bit To Make It Work, With Mixed Results, Up And Down, Good And Mediocre…” PEOPLE! Sometimes Genius Is Modest To A Fault!

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Posted by: John Kane on April 22, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Sometimes I read books about the people who make comics. These two books were about one man: Alex Toth. Now, obviously Alex Toth doesn’t deserve two books. No, he deserves three at least. But only two have come out yet so here’s what happened when I read them and then tried to write about them. Anyway, this…

“They Were Stacked Criss-Cross, Like Cheese Straws…” BOOKS! Sometimes I Fancy A Change!

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Posted by: John Kane on April 3, 2013

Categories: Reviews

I didn’t really get around to any comics this week what with one thing and another. But I did read some prose and I ended up writing about that. It was a couple of books of short stories written by the co-founder of The Inland Waterways Association. Sounds gripping, huh? Well, if you’re going to let preconceptions hold sway then, I guess, this one’s for me. I know! The gall of the man, the sheer, wicked nerve! Anyway, this…

“You See That? He’s STILL The Greatest!” COMICS! Sometimes It’s GilWolf Unbound!

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Posted by: John Kane on March 27, 2013

Categories: Reviews

A-huh! HUH! It’s another instalment of Gil Happy! Unsightly blemishes are a thing of the past as Gil Kane and his plucky sidekick, Marv Wolfman, team up with friends galore to document the exciting, amazing and thoroughly ridiculous adventures of 1980s Superman. Bonus! Feel the years just fall away as we revisit that time a comics creator flicked DC’s tie back in its face! Documentary evidence provided! Anyway this… DC’s Legal Department in a self congratulatory mood…oh, sorry, it’s actually Brainiac!

“Decency.” COMICS! Sometimes They Do Not Bring Me Out In Hives!

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Posted by: John Kane on March 13, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Look, we all know that last time John read some comics released this century it all got a bit hairy. John would like to point out that this was not out of malice, low blood sugar, jealousy, his piles flaring up or sunspot activity. No, difficult as it may be to believe, John maintains it was the result of those comics not actually being all that good. Think of it as being a bit like John was showing you that sometimes he and Comics would argue but it didn’t mean they didn’t love each other any less and it certainly wasn’t your fault. John can see why Doctor Doom talks like this – it’s fun. Anyway, this… Due to the lack…  Read More…

“I Know That Cave!” COMICS! Sometimes They Are Not For The Eyes Of The Vicar!

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Posted by: John Kane on March 6, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Hello! It is I, and I have some words! The words this week are about an original graphic novel penned by Gilbert Hernandez – Comics’ very own George Clooney-a-like and Living Master of the Form. So, it’s probably a safe bet I liked it. Saved you some time there. For those with time to kill this idiocy continues after the <more!>.

“Running With The Bulls At Pamplona?” MOVIES! Sometimes I Treat This Place Like I Own It!

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Posted by: John Kane on February 21, 2013

Categories: Reviews

So, yeah, to help us through the content drought I one finger typed a few words about a couple of movies I watched. I hear people like the movies, popular amongst the younger crowd so I hear. So maybe you’ll like this? I don’t know but I know this – it’s FREE! People sure like FREE! stuff. Anyway, this…

“Nothing To Hold Onto.” COMICS!!! Sometimes They Swarm With Awesome!

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Posted by: John Kane on February 19, 2013

Categories: Reviews

I know, I know, it’s the worst kind of week of all! It’s Skip Week! No Graeme McMillion$! No Gentle Jeff! No podcast! While our very own Donny and Marie are off removing shopping trolleys from canals (or whatever it is they are up to) it’s left to us poor schmucks to wonder how things can possibly get worse. Well, things just got worse and it happened like this: I’ve put some words down about a book by Charles Burns. Look at me! Can you see that? It’s my serious face! I have my serious face on because I am a serious man about a serious business! I’m on about a serious comic, seriously! You can stop looking at me…  Read More…

“Rodeo Ain’t Over Yet!” COMICS! Sometimes I Don’t Have A Title!

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Posted by: John Kane on February 17, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Hello! Here are some words about some comics. The sales figures analysis is just below this. Very good it is too! To clarify, the Hibbs’ stuff is good, not this stuff. Anyway, this…

“…Primitive Lyricism…” PEOPLE! Sometimes Gil’s Gone!

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Posted by: John Kane on January 31, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Gil Kane died on 31 January in the year 2000 A.D. Time enough has now passed that although I still feel the loss of his gargantuan talents I am past the garment rending and hair pulling stage. I will never be beyond the celebrating his work stage though. So what follows is a brief visual burst of Gil Kane’s genius from the ’80s. After all ACTIONs speak louder than words and Gil was a man of great experience…

“Your Uniform Makes You An Erotic SHADOW..” COMICS! Sometimes It’s A Family Matter!

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Posted by: John Kane on January 25, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Firstly, fans of Jog’s fine writing on the works of Howard Victor Chaykin are directed HERE. Everyone else gets this. No, there are no refunds. Stop asking me that. Anyway, this… “Mrs Eisenmann, you’re trying to seduce me.”

“Thrill Someone You Love…” COMICS! Sometimes It’s The Other Stuff That Catches The Eye!

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Posted by: John Kane on January 22, 2013

Categories: Uncategorized

Well, I finally got The Haunted Scanner working so naturally I diddled and faffed around with it a bit. Put it through its paces and all that. Rather than have that time be classed as wasted I thought I’d share with you, the peoples of the World, some of the neglected visual delights within a bunch of 1971/1972 Marvel Comics. Adverts, I’m talking about adverts there. Look, it’s probably better than you fear but not as good as you hope. I can’t say fairer than that. So let’s skip back to the dawn of the 1970s via a scanner and some stapled and browning paper. In a way, it’s a kind of time machine. Maybe. Oh, it’s not making it…  Read More…

“I’m A STUART, Grandpa.” COMICS! Sometimes The Weird Porous Kid Walks It!

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Posted by: John Kane on January 20, 2013

Categories: Reviews

Here at Savage Towers the UK contingent is experiencing problems with The Haunted Scanner. So, just the covers this time out I’m afraid. Apparently my brain is no longer under warranty so I can’t help the words that accompany the pictures. So here’s a shoddy make-shift Sunday look at some comics. Or you could go outside and play in the snow!

“Believe!..BELIEVE!!” COMICS! Sometimes Imagination Changes EVERYTHING!

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Posted by: John Kane on January 10, 2013

Categories: Reviews

I hear your pain, people! January is a real nutcracker ain’t it. What we need, as  Bonnie Tyler advised, is a hero. And, yes, Virginia, there are still heroes. It’s just sometimes you have to root about in the back issue bins to find ‘em. I found one. I found a Hero.

Oh Good, Another Year. COMICS! 2012 The Year I Really Didn’t Pay Attention!

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Posted by: John Kane on January 5, 2013

Categories: Reviews

I do so hope all across the globe had a happy holiday and got stuff and ate stuff and watched stuff and generally did stuff where stuff was involved. I did, which is why I’ve been AWOL so sorries and all that but here’s my wrap up for 2012. A year I paid little attention to while it was going on, made no notes and am now left floundering for stuff to write! Appetising, non? Anyway it’s Saturday night and I’ve places to be, people to see, y’know how it is. Yes, I am lying. This is all I have. Anyway, let’s see how this goes. My money’s on – badly.

“I’m Hip.” COMICS! Sometimes The Best Diet Is Revenge!

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Posted by: John Kane on December 20, 2012

Categories: Reviews

Yes! Just in time for Christmas! Howard Victor Chaykin, Ken Bruzenak and Jesus Arbuto team up to present a breezy paced filthy mouthed corpse strewn comedy of bullshit and revenge in a book of which I said, “It’s okay, you know. I liked it. I’m not mad about it but I’m glad I have it.” More incisive criticism, impotent invective against the new fangled medium of Television and a distinct lack of editing skills or even self awareness after the break!

He’s Still “The Only Bear On The C.I.A. Death List!” COMICS! Sometimes SHAKO! Speaks!

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Posted by: John Kane on December 10, 2012

Categories: Interviews , Reviews

Rejoice fans of quality reviews! For to celebrate the release of the SHAKO! TPB collection I decided not to review it. For a start I won’t have any money until Christmas is over. And I’m talking there about the first Christmas after MiracleBoy leaves home in about 2025. No, I decided to do something else instead to celebrate this momentous occasion. What follows is not entirely sane but then again what is, my American friends, what is?!?

“Why Is That Puppet’s Bosom EXPOSED?” COMICS! Sometimes Corben Endures!

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Posted by: John Kane on December 8, 2012

Categories: Reviews

Good morrow! It is I, the man who skipped a week without notice! I’m sure your rancour and anger have abated somewhat. If indeed they ever existed. Perhaps it was a feeling more akin to relief. As when the drowning man releases that last bubble of air and watches it rise unhurriedly to the surface through clouded but resigned and unpanicked eyes. No, my American friends, I have no idea what I’m talking about as – Christmas? Getting in the way of your free content it appears.  Anyway, this…

“…A Cascade Of Wasps Attacked the Furry Monster!” COMICS! Sometimes You Worry About The Men Who Made Them!

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Posted by: John Kane on November 25, 2012

Categories: Reviews

That’s right I read some comics. Some of them were old and some of them were new and one of them wasn’t really a comic at all. But only one of them made me think it was a miracle anyone was actually conceived in the ’50s. Yes, paging Dr. Subtext! Outbreak of ’50s gynophobia! But then to nostalgic old fools like me ’50s gynophobia is arguably the finest gynophobia of all! Anyway, this…