Tops and Bottoms – 9th of July 2025. – Never Iron Anything

These come round quick huh?

Some thoughts that occurred to me on the sweaty and plodding early morning run today. (Not a new section of this mailer – do not fear).

I’m now, whether I like it or not, entrenched in the fakery and buffoonery of academia. There are some great and hardworking people here. I’ve found at least ten. But, many are the complete opposite. Loving a meeting and a chat in the canteen. One of the better folks, a visiting Japanese academic, was telling me recently about the challenges of combating Chat GPT in exams. He’s taken to dropping a quiz on his classes ad hoc since so many use AI to find answers and write essays. Not a new problem sadly. But, just yesterday, I heard about a Professor who uses Chat GPT to write her lectures and lesson plans etc. This unsurprising fact span me out a little more than I would have expected.

The machine is now eating itself. Students have now stopped learning, in a way. And remember when the teacher would learn as he wrote or taught. This thought process ran both ways. Questions asked of me when teaching have often really got me thinking. They’ve had the ability to change the way I think on all manner of subjects. Some Profs also have a habit of just reading off a screen, monotone, boring, unblinking. They may as well just be a ChatBot.

I have also started seeing ChatGPT being used in comics PR. I’d estimate that 30-40% of the emails we get in to the podcast have a clear AI voice. Senders hardly even attempt to hide it. There’s also a banality of plot structure creeping in to some of the comics I read. Especially some of the IP series. I suspect the shiny fingers of a bot at play. Giving many of these writers time to go impress people on social media or watch a whole series of Netflix.

We are fucked, and sadly not in a literal sense.

‘A Boner Darkly’ Volume 2 is filling up quickly with content.

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It’s been a bit of a special few days.

On Friday I headed over to The Southwark Bank to a talk film director, and comics maker, Alex Cox was giving at the British Film Institute. I first discovered his work when he hosted a late night movie show called ‘Moviedrome’. His hosting of double-bill cult movies with a laconic yet enthusiastic style led me to follow and love so many directors, not least of all Cox. His movie ‘Walker’ is still a movie I rant about to friends. Cox is also a lover of the Italian Western genre and has not only written a book on them but also one about the classic TV series ‘The Prisoner’. Along with his comics sequel to ‘Repo Man’ and his Godzilla love – all my worlds collide.

So, as I loped in to the BFI bar, nice and early as usual, I recognised his lanky frame approaching the bar, looking smart in a grey/silver suit and waistcoat. Now, it’s difficult not to be a cunt in these circumstances. Especially for me. But I think I managed to avoid it. Going in with a chat about his recent Kickstarter that I’d backed he turned out to be friendly and open. Asking questions back and passing what we call the ‘ACP Test’. (More of that another day). Apart from the host being a little preoccupied and obsessed with her notes the chat was also fun. They showed some of the old Moviedrome clips and Alex even mentioned how he’d met someone that night who’d backed his new project.

Sometimes it works out right.

A bigger milestone was also passed on Sunday. The Awesome Comics Podcast is now ten years old. Ten years of weekly two hour chats with Vince and Dan (alongside the guest). I’m immensely proud to call those two wankers friends and of the friendships that have grown up around this comics life. Never mind how rough a week you have there’s always the joy of chatting about comics on a Sunday night. From it have sprung Slack communities, Drink & Draws, charity anthologies, comics projects and friends for life and the 500th Gathering which was a massive success due to the hilarity of those attending. Thanks for all the comics and the laughs. Ten more years to come!

Let’s get on with this weekly job. For those new to this, I pick my favourite from the read-pile (aka ‘Top’) and the least favourite (aka ‘Bottom’).

Small Press Comic of the Week.

Just a comic about a family that feels real and truthful. Nothing long or fancy. Just a story by my friend and collaborator about her childhood.

Tops.

Not especially brilliant and a very quick read but it just hit the spot. I don’t need to worry about the BS of a Marvel or DC series writer and can just enjoy a standalone superhero story written well. And, for a change at the moment, Godzilla didn’t turn up. Thanks fuck.

Bottoms.