In 2020, an artist called Mr. Saturated posted images projecting how he felt the Belcher children would look 20 years down the line. He included thoughts on what they’d be doing with their lives as well.  Most startlingly, Mr. Saturated sees Louise running Bob’s Burgers, having taken over the shop from her dad.  His reasoning? […]

My experience with Ripper comics is limited.  I’ve read Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola’s Gotham by Gaslight, a Batman tale set in 1889 where the Ripper has moved from London to Gotham City, continuing his grisly work.  The police arrest Bruce Wayne himself, and he’s sentenced to hang, but the truth is not only terrifying […]

On Nola Pfau’s website, X-Men Book Club, Kayleigh, and Claire were discussing Doug Ramsey, also known as Cypher, deeming him the worst X-Man ever.  I offer a taste of their exchange: Kayleigh: Cypher, frequently cited by fanboys as one of the worst X-Men of all time! But why? Does he deserve it? Claire: No, but […]

After reviewing Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War on his website (2010), Andrew Liptak concludes that the novel, despite its plot, isn’t military science fiction.  It’s not a “good romp with powered armor and shooting” that focuses on ordinance or military theory.  There are several parallels with Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein.  Haldeman and Heinlein focus […]

Everything is right with escapism. I know because I read comics. Instances from favorite stories took me away from terrible days at work or school.  I was there for it when Galactus throttled the High Evolutionary, or, even more spectacularly, the Sphinx.  When Captain America defied the Superhuman Registration Act and went underground — imagine […]

Years ago, a friend who’d served with me in Peace Corps Ukraine asked if I knew of any graphic novels based on civil rights history.  A social studies teacher at International Community High School of the Bronx, he wanted attractive materials to facilitate student interest.  At the time, I wasn’t very helpful, but today I […]

By far, the most interesting and entertaining character on What We Do in the Shadows must be Colin Robinson, portrayed by Mark Proksch.  Unlike the bloodsuckers with which he shares a Staten Island abode, Colin sustains himself by draining others of life energy, not blood.  Not traditionally immortal, energy vampires like Colin die then “regenerate” […]

The propaganda artist’s views definedAesthetic rules he hoped would elevateHis nation’s ethos from within the lines. The souls of German folk expressed the signsOf modern times, submitting to the hateThe propaganda artist’s views defined. Artistic cleansing, lists of works consignedTo flames, effacing fires, would help createHis nation’s ethos from within the lines. Poor Mann, his […]

Apollo, carved from imitative stone,Surveys our table. None but he alone,I’d thought, whose arms reach out above our heads,Could dictate art, extract pure gold from lead.The ligaments, the veins, each supple curveIn every limb combine.  What aim is served?Why, art, of course.  In art, all parts are joined,Embodied into truths, and truths to nature shine! […]

I first experienced Ed Brubaker during his Captain America period, when he and artist Steve Epting resurrected Bucky Barnes and transformed him into the wildly popular Winter Soldier.  Never had the Red Skull been more menacing, and the overall espionage vibe the two creators generated for Cap and company changed the game.  Then came Velvet, […]