Martin Skidmore - Review

Finger Prints

This is an absolutely fascinating, compelling and disturbing graphic novel. The sophistication is in the thinking behind the story: this is a rich examination of ideas of beauty and the pressures to maintain it, and especially those on women and how that reflects on their position in the world.

Avengers 7

You can’t deny that at times Bendis is keen on LONG conversations with very little happening. He defines the tendency towards ‘decompression’ – which means telling stories that in years past would have taken one issue over six issues.

AX: Alternative Manga 1

This 400-page collection is a selection of the best from alternative Japanese anthology AX: outsider material, a lot of it with an approach or attitude that would be unacceptable in the big mainstream publications.

Batman Inc. etc.

The changes Grant Morrison is making now were not expected. Batman Incorporated: a whole organisation of Batmen and associated characters. It’s one of the most daring changes I’ve seen, given the huge stature of the character – but is it a good move?

‘Beginner’s Guide’ series links

A couple of years ago I wrote a lengthy series of short articles for the superb Freaky Trigger, aimed at people with a bit of interest in comics but not much knowledge.

Ant-Man & Wasp 1

I am genuinely surprised that comics as bad in every way as this get published by a major professional company.

The Weird World of Jack Staff 1-5

It’s hard to see anyone not enjoying this. Jack Staff is a great British superhero, and the stories revolve around him and a number of other unusual characters around him.

Captain Easy, Soldier of Fortune

An epic title to match its importance, and mirroring the lavish nature of this big volume. It was the first major adventure strip, and hugely influential on that strand of newspaper comics and beyond.

Alan Davis posts Frank Bellamy art

Alan helped Frank’s widow clear out at one point, and held onto lots of printed, photographed and original art, hoping to do a book. He doesn’t think that’s likely now, so he has posted a load of it on his site. Well worth a good look.

Showcase Presents Sgt Rock 3

Getting a collection that is nearly 90% Kubert is a major treat, especially with one of comics’ stronger writers and a good character.