Saturday, June 28, 2025

"Rilstone Box Set" -- Infrequently Asked Questions

In June, Andrew threw open the floor to his Patreon supporters: ask him anything — and he promised to answer.

Each reply was written in a single sitting, with only the lightest of edits. 

The questions ranged far and wide. The answers? Surprising, revelatory — and sometimes much longer than anyone expected.

Now collected as a digital "box set", the full series is available to non-Patreons for just $12.

But if you'd like to support Andrew’s writing — and throw your own questions into the ring next time — consider becoming a Patreon supporter today.


1: Your old pre-blog site contained much that is worthy of preservation, including your thoughts on the LotR films. Do you have any plans to restore these posts?





7: Your Doctor Who blog posts have been very interesting, although they've mostly focused on the Tom Baker era and the new series. Will you ever post about, e.g. the Pertwee or McCoy era?

8: In the 19th century both the pro- and anti- slavery forces used biblical arguments to make their cases. What are the biblical arguments for and against slavery?

9: Alan Moore's Jerusalem -- discuss.






Epilogue



Tuesday, June 03, 2025

Stan's Version: Amazing Spider-Man 1966

 














How did Stan Lee’s partnership with John Romita differ from his earlier, famously fraught collaboration with Steve Ditko?

And how does that shift play out on the comic book page?

Following his acclaimed series on the formative Ditko years, Rilstone turns his scholarly eye—and fannish heart—to the next era of The Amazing Spider-Man: the 1966 run, where John Romita gave Spidey a new face and Stan Lee gave him a new voice.

This new series offers close readings of each issue, with equal parts critical insight and Watsonian speculation. (When is Peter Parker’s birthday? Why is he always broke? And seriously—what is wrong with Aunt May?)

Patreon subscribers get early access to each essay. If you enjoy deep dives into old comics and want to support niche writing, please consider joining the Patreon—$5 (£3.75) a month.

NEW! If you don't want to commit to a full subscription, you can now buy individual essays for a one-off payment. Just $3 for roughly 2,000 words.


Spider-Man Phase 2: Stan's Version 

How Stan Lee and John Romita Created Spider-Man

Amazing Spider-Man 41: The Horns of the Rhino

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Amazing Spider-Man 42: Birth of a Superhero

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Amazing Spider-Man 42: Rhino on the Rampage

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