Tops and Bottoms – 1st October 2025.

Hey again.

(Apologies, it’s a long one again this week).

The weeks go by and it’ll be Christmas soon.

More and more recently I’ve begun to notice the raft of uninformed chaos in general comics commentary. Best exemplified by Mr Moore and his remarks made whilst promoting his new (text) novel during an episode of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Front Row’. I’ve always liked Samira Ahmed’s interviews, especially when she focuses on genre subjects, but she does push the movie angle on this episode. Knowingly or not, this always gets a rise from Moore. His comments about the low quality in current/new may have been because of this momentary grumpiness.

However. 

I would like at this point to restate my respect for this dude. The story, in summary, goes like this. Over 40 years ago after young Riptide had a terrible (and for a spotty boy of my age) heartbreaking exchange with a comics writer he greatly admired, it was Alan who took a moment in his day to acknowledge me. I was a lonely comics fan at a Central London Convention. So upset I was in the process of literally and figuratively walking away from the hobby. Alan pulled me back in. I’ll buy pretty much anything he releases to this day. 

When I hear the phrase ‘Never meet your heroes.’ I immediately remember these two small interactions. One man was kind and the other was not. Moore was the bigger man. I’m a grown man who would now also appreciate one gesture and probably kick someone’s ass for the other. 

So, when Alan talks about the state of the industry as he has recently, I try not to rag on him too much. All I suspect is that he has people in his ear telling him their disinformation moans and whinges. The same with many others. I’ve been critical of Marvel and DC’s lack of quality and some areas of the UK Small Press being often a delusion at their imagined perfection central. But I also give credit where it’s due multiple times weekly to the really good comics out there. Ones with a real eye to the craft. They are most certainly being made and published. I’ve read many just this weekend. Sure there’s a lot of dreck, but isn’t there in every medium? 

But, don’t we all occasionally fall victim to the Cult and Philosophy of Pessimism? I feel some days like it’s encouraged at every turn. 

I’d love to have a chat with Alan. I’d love to thank him and then show him some of the sweetcorn. Maybe one day. Maybe not. 

As I eluded to I’ve had a quiet weekend of making a dent in the read pile. I’m struck by how many comics there are out there that are just fun monthly reads. Never seemingly getting any promotion but just chugging along and providing a reliable regular read. How many people out there realise that Machine Man AND Deathlok are regulars in Marvel’s Red Hulk comic? Fuck all I’m guessing. We never seem to hear about the stories and the characters like we used to. The annoying Cult of Comics Personality has overtaken the PR train that should be focusing on story and character. A return to the excitement (there’s that word again) about what is actually happening in the comics needs a polish again. Personally I’m fed up with hearing the opinions of a group of (mostly) comics writers. I want to hear about Spider-Man, Hulk, Shang Chi, Silver Surfer, and all the rest. Isn’t/Shouldn’t that be why we are reading these expensive things? 

“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.” – Robert A. Heinlein

Trying to move on. (And being fully self-aware of what that may mean in this context.)

As you’ll have noticed it’s been a crazy few weeks for me. I had a badly delayed journey back from Riga but remain full of enthusiasm for the city and country. As I watched the woods and beachfronts of Latvia from the airplane window I felt a need to return and explore further. It’s an incredible place. Full of (from what I experienced) really friendly people. London sure could learn a thing! Thanks again to my buddy Hal for showing me around. 

We’ve also finally managed another NIA podcast. Ian Ashcroft and Cliff Cumber keeping me company for a freewheeling chat. We talked about some recent tabling experiences they’ve had. And ended with what inspires them at the moment? I am in their debt.

Back to that task at hand.

Small Press Comic of the Week.

kus! 51 concentrates on wellbeing. Not in a self-indulgent way we often see in the small press. This produces solutions. Too many creators to name but loads I could chat for hours about. 

Top.

Another comic that seems to be slipping between the cracks. I read the last two issues and had a ball. Then picked up the newest issue yesterday at Gosh. At once representing old school television-based horror but with a nod to comics and the meta-levelled horror of the modern world. You learn to like the despicable. 

Bottom.

This claims to be ‘painted’. First time I’ve heard it called that.

If you read to the last page of this he claims that it was 70% created with Midjourney – so not painted then.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” — Leo Tolstoy

Many thanks for reading. See you soon.