"We are all in the gutter, but some of us..."
Taking Trash Seriously.
"...are looking at the stars."
-- Oscar Wilde
January 11, 2008
Price: Your 2¢

This site is updated Thursday at noon with a new article about an artistic pursuit generally considered to be beneath consideration. James Schellenberg probes science-fiction, Carol Borden draws out the best in comics, Chris Szego dallies with romance, and Ian Driscoll stares deeply into the screen.

While the writers have considerable enthusiasm for their subjects, they don't let it numb their critical faculties. Tossing away the shield of journalistic objectivity and refusing the shovel of fannish boosterism, they write in the hopes of starting honest and intelligent discussions about these oft-enjoyed but rarely examined artforms. Click here for the writer's bios and their individual takes on the gutter.


Recent Features


SHAMELESS AND GREEDY PEOPLE OF DISMAL TASTE

Tax_80.jpgInterviewed about the legacy of Canadian tax shelter films in Cinema Canada in 1985, Mordecai Richler said,

"I think they squandered a grand opportunity and it's largely the fault of producers who were shameless and greedy, people of dismal taste, who were more interested in making deals than films and who made a lot of money for themselves. And so Canadian films do not enjoy a larger reputation anywhere and it's a pity... a lot of damage has been done."

Well, Mordecai, I couldn’t disagree more.

Continue reading...


Perfect Candidates for Costumed Aggression

mallah with mask 80.jpgAlienated, ranting about how the world could be perfected if only the fools would listen, plotting intricate schemes, focusing great minds on tiny slights, losing their beloved and scarred by experiments gone awry, revenging themselves on the world, supervillains are where it's at. Here are some of my favorite villains--in alphabetical order to avoid retribution.

Continue reading...


Old Reliable?

odd2.jpgDean Koontz has been on the bestseller list with his books for quite a few decades now; one of his current series started with a book called Odd Thomas in 2003. Odd (that’s his first name) sees dead people. I see an old idea in new clothes. Continue reading...


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More Goddamn Batman (and Robin, Age 12)

by Carol Borden
Confined Space collects a chain of fan art from the "Goddamn Batman" meme.  My favorite: Law and Order: Goddamn Batman. Protoclown read All-Star Batman and Robin--the start of the damned and batty--so you wouldn't have to.

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Chuck your 2¢ into the Gutter
More Goddamn Batman (and Robin, Age 12) - The Cultural Gutter
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Paw through our archives

Of Note Elsewhere
"Giant Intelligent Commie Apes!" Just what it says.
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All Star Batman in nine goddamn panels. Courtesy of the ironically-named I Love Rob Liefeld blog
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Bully for The League of Paranatural Persons, aka, "Old Timey X-Men!" 
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With issue 82, Catwoman's time as a title is done.  At least for now.  Devon at Rack Raids has a nice little testimonial
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John explains it all in his podcast, "You Will Not Make It In Hollywood." He also talks about geekery, fan films and reminsces about a crappy movie. (And Carol warning: two segments are from "Godzilla vs. MechaRealism" and "Frank Miller's Hot Gates").
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View all Notes here.
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Thanks To

Canada Council
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts which last year invested $20.3 million in writing and publishing throughout Canada.