• I'm busily wrapping up this big graphic novel project I've been working on the past few weeks - like, I mean, I'm finishing it today - and I don't want to lose momentum by shifting to something else. Like the column.

    So this week only, PERMANENT DAMAGE will arrive on Thursday. Sorry about that.

    In the meantime, let me entertain you with a classic Alex Toth story from CRIME AND PUNISHMENT #66, published in the early '50s. This was a sister publication of the original crime comic, CRIME DOES NOT PAY, known for brutal, documentary style cautionary tales, and this story was a major stylistic breakthrough for Toth, who not only brought a filmmaker's eye to his designs but, with this story, also tried to capture the sense of Cinemascope, the hot widescreen film format at the time. It's one of the original "paper movies."

     

     



     

     



     

     



     

     

     

    More Alex Toth pages, from all eras of his career, can be found daily at TothFans, a great website.

    See you tomorrow!

    Those wishing to comment should leave messages on the Permanent Damage Message Board. You can also e-mail me but the chances of a reply are next to nil these days, given my workload, though I do read all my e-mail as long as it's not trying to sell me something. IMPORTANT: Because a lot of people apparently list it in their e-address books, this account has gotten a slew of virus-laden messages lately. They're no real threat but dealing with them eats up time I don't really have, to the extent I can no longer accept unsolicited e-mail with attachments. If you want to send something via attachment (say, art samples) ask me first. If I say okay, then send. Unsolicited e-mail with attachments will be wiped from the server without being read. You can also leave messages for me and have discussions on other topics at my Delphi forum, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE. Please don't ask me how to break into the business, or who to submit work to. The answers to those questions are too mercurial for even me to keep up with.

    Those wanting to subscribe to the WHISPER e-mail newsletter should click here.

    I'm reviewing comics sent to me - I may not like them but certainly I'll mention them - at Steven Grant c/o Permanent Damage, 2657 Windmill Pkwy #194, Henderson NV 89074, so send 'em if you want 'em mentioned, since I can't review them unless I see them. Some people have been sending press releases and cover proofs and things like that, which I enjoy getting, but I really can't do anything with them, sorry. Full comics only, though they can be photocopies rather than the published version. Make sure you include contact information for readers who want to order your book.