Tony Keen
@tonykeen58.bsky.social
Teacher/academic/classicist/critic/reviewer/sf fan. Writes on classical reception & popular culture, comics, & Doctor Who. Available for talks. UK. He/him. Professor!
Pinned
Reposted by Tony Keen
To Life is Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar's attempt to make sense of something where little sense exists and it’s thought-provoking from start to finish. @23rdstbooks.bsky.social @firstsecond.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/to-life-a-ca...
theslingsandarrows.com/to-life-a-ca...
September 16, 2026 at 7:06 AM
To Life is Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar's attempt to make sense of something where little sense exists and it’s thought-provoking from start to finish. @23rdstbooks.bsky.social @firstsecond.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/to-life-a-ca...
theslingsandarrows.com/to-life-a-ca...
Reposted by Tony Keen
Eko Eko Azarak Reborn features a witch to whom even demons defer in a series of scary short stories elegantly adapted by J-ta Yamada, who varies the art from story to story. @titanmangahq.bsky.social @comicstitan.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/eko-eko-azar...
theslingsandarrows.com/eko-eko-azar...
September 17, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Eko Eko Azarak Reborn features a witch to whom even demons defer in a series of scary short stories elegantly adapted by J-ta Yamada, who varies the art from story to story. @titanmangahq.bsky.social @comicstitan.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/eko-eko-azar...
theslingsandarrows.com/eko-eko-azar...
Reposted by Tony Keen
We thoroughly recommend John Ridley and Stefano Raffaele's Ministry of Compliance as a thoughtful action thriller with an SF twist.
theslingsandarrows.com/the-ministry...
theslingsandarrows.com/the-ministry...
September 18, 2026 at 7:18 AM
We thoroughly recommend John Ridley and Stefano Raffaele's Ministry of Compliance as a thoughtful action thriller with an SF twist.
theslingsandarrows.com/the-ministry...
theslingsandarrows.com/the-ministry...
Reposted by Tony Keen
Most people reading this post won't know Scottish artist and writer Will Tempest, but they ought to. He's great. Two volumes of his Short Sword collections are available through his own website, and we'd recommend them both.
theslingsandarrows.com/short-sword-...
theslingsandarrows.com/short-sword-...
September 20, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Most people reading this post won't know Scottish artist and writer Will Tempest, but they ought to. He's great. Two volumes of his Short Sword collections are available through his own website, and we'd recommend them both.
theslingsandarrows.com/short-sword-...
theslingsandarrows.com/short-sword-...
Reposted by Tony Keen
It’s so depressing to see how many of my peers have minimal or no employment this academic year, when meanwhile every Classics department I know has more work than can reasonably (or safely) be accomplished by the number of staff they have left.
September 17, 2026 at 3:19 PM
It’s so depressing to see how many of my peers have minimal or no employment this academic year, when meanwhile every Classics department I know has more work than can reasonably (or safely) be accomplished by the number of staff they have left.
Reposted by Tony Keen
A second very welcome outing for Skull Cat arrives this week, now dealing with the problem of the vampire's amulet. Norman Shurtliff delivers another bundle of all-ages joy. @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/skull-cat-an...
theslingsandarrows.com/skull-cat-an...
September 15, 2026 at 8:06 PM
A second very welcome outing for Skull Cat arrives this week, now dealing with the problem of the vampire's amulet. Norman Shurtliff delivers another bundle of all-ages joy. @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/skull-cat-an...
theslingsandarrows.com/skull-cat-an...
I presume the "thinking" behind this is that the unions won't like what SMT is planning, but that's okay, we can just get rid of the unions. These are the people who we are told must have astronomical pay scales to ensure the best and brightest are attracted.
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm.
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance.
58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
September 15, 2026 at 12:42 PM
I presume the "thinking" behind this is that the unions won't like what SMT is planning, but that's okay, we can just get rid of the unions. These are the people who we are told must have astronomical pay scales to ensure the best and brightest are attracted.
@bookishkb.bsky.social @disabilitystor1.bsky.social I can't reply to the original comment, but Sophocles' Philoctetes would be my suggestion. Don't have the precise reference to hand, but the title character goes through the play suffering debilitating pain in his foot.
September 15, 2026 at 12:24 PM
@bookishkb.bsky.social @disabilitystor1.bsky.social I can't reply to the original comment, but Sophocles' Philoctetes would be my suggestion. Don't have the precise reference to hand, but the title character goes through the play suffering debilitating pain in his foot.
Reposted by Tony Keen
Rodolphe, Leo and Bartrand Marchal's Amazonia Episode 5 concludes Kathy Austin's time in Brazil. It ties up everything well and looks great, but keeps some mysteries for next series Scotland. @cinebook.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/amazonia-epi...
theslingsandarrows.com/amazonia-epi...
September 8, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Rodolphe, Leo and Bartrand Marchal's Amazonia Episode 5 concludes Kathy Austin's time in Brazil. It ties up everything well and looks great, but keeps some mysteries for next series Scotland. @cinebook.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/amazonia-epi...
theslingsandarrows.com/amazonia-epi...
Reposted by Tony Keen
The 4th volume of Florent Maudoux's astonishingly creative take on a school for superheroes is out this week from @magneticpress.bsky.social "visually amazing and brilliantly achieved".
theslingsandarrows.com/freaks-squee...
theslingsandarrows.com/freaks-squee...
September 10, 2026 at 7:04 AM
The 4th volume of Florent Maudoux's astonishingly creative take on a school for superheroes is out this week from @magneticpress.bsky.social "visually amazing and brilliantly achieved".
theslingsandarrows.com/freaks-squee...
theslingsandarrows.com/freaks-squee...
Reposted by Tony Keen
@boxbrown.bsky.social returns as Brian Box Brown with Forevr, a smart domestic comedy about the near future with the dead able to survive in the cloud. Is he warning about the future or embracing it? @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/forevr/
theslingsandarrows.com/forevr/
September 13, 2026 at 8:52 AM
@boxbrown.bsky.social returns as Brian Box Brown with Forevr, a smart domestic comedy about the near future with the dead able to survive in the cloud. Is he warning about the future or embracing it? @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/forevr/
theslingsandarrows.com/forevr/
Reposted by Tony Keen
We love that @jaredcullum.bsky.social has taken into account readers of his first Kodi book are now 6 years older. A Place to Call Home is longer, better and features art that's even more beautiful. @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/kodi-a-place...
theslingsandarrows.com/kodi-a-place...
September 15, 2026 at 8:06 AM
We love that @jaredcullum.bsky.social has taken into account readers of his first Kodi book are now 6 years older. A Place to Call Home is longer, better and features art that's even more beautiful. @topshelfcomix.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/kodi-a-place...
theslingsandarrows.com/kodi-a-place...
Reposted by Tony Keen
Two new staff members were hired by Mitch McConnell today to help him get around as he returns to Congress
September 14, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Two new staff members were hired by Mitch McConnell today to help him get around as he returns to Congress
Reposted by Tony Keen
If you feel like donating to the RNLI, here’s a link. I just have. Their minimum donation is £2: I think it might be nice for them to receive a lot of donations this week, even if they’re mostly very modest. Just so they know a lot of people out here appreciate their work. rnli.org/support-us/g...
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
rnli.org
September 10, 2026 at 9:07 AM
If you feel like donating to the RNLI, here’s a link. I just have. Their minimum donation is £2: I think it might be nice for them to receive a lot of donations this week, even if they’re mostly very modest. Just so they know a lot of people out here appreciate their work. rnli.org/support-us/g...
I'm trying to put together a panel for the 2027 Classical Association Conference on Classical Reception in DC Comics. Anyone interested?
September 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
I'm trying to put together a panel for the 2027 Classical Association Conference on Classical Reception in DC Comics. Anyone interested?
Reposted by Tony Keen
I have asked the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission to come to Brighton, and today Brighton came to me with so many stories of how the EHRC Code of Practice is impacting them.
Trans lives are already being harmed, and the EHRC needs to hear this.
Trans lives are already being harmed, and the EHRC needs to hear this.
September 9, 2026 at 5:16 PM
I have asked the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission to come to Brighton, and today Brighton came to me with so many stories of how the EHRC Code of Practice is impacting them.
Trans lives are already being harmed, and the EHRC needs to hear this.
Trans lives are already being harmed, and the EHRC needs to hear this.
Reposted by Tony Keen
Do not run educacioun lyke a businesse. A businesse ys meant to make a profit. Educacioun ys meant to make the future. A businesse ys ther to deliver a goode or servyce to customers. Educacioun ys ther to empower citizens. A businesse ys for private benefit. Educacioun ys for the common good.
September 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Do not run educacioun lyke a businesse. A businesse ys meant to make a profit. Educacioun ys meant to make the future. A businesse ys ther to deliver a goode or servyce to customers. Educacioun ys ther to empower citizens. A businesse ys for private benefit. Educacioun ys for the common good.
Reposted by Tony Keen
We loved Ilya's Romo the Wolf Boy in hardback and now it's available in paperback. @selfmadehero.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/romo-the-wol...
theslingsandarrows.com/romo-the-wol...
September 5, 2026 at 6:45 AM
We loved Ilya's Romo the Wolf Boy in hardback and now it's available in paperback. @selfmadehero.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/romo-the-wol...
theslingsandarrows.com/romo-the-wol...
Reposted by Tony Keen
It's been out for a while, but we would really recommend you pick up Lola: A Ghost Story. It's "evocative, compelling, gently enthralling and with a genuinely scary shock ending" from @jtorrescomics.bsky.social and Elbert Or. @oni-press.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/lola-a-ghost...
theslingsandarrows.com/lola-a-ghost...
September 4, 2026 at 7:44 AM
It's been out for a while, but we would really recommend you pick up Lola: A Ghost Story. It's "evocative, compelling, gently enthralling and with a genuinely scary shock ending" from @jtorrescomics.bsky.social and Elbert Or. @oni-press.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/lola-a-ghost...
theslingsandarrows.com/lola-a-ghost...
Reposted by Tony Keen
Stunning art and incisive commentary from @mirkoilic.bsky.social in the single page strips of Nightmares and Daydreams as he muses about the covid period. @selfmadehero.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/nightmares-a...
theslingsandarrows.com/nightmares-a...
September 1, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Stunning art and incisive commentary from @mirkoilic.bsky.social in the single page strips of Nightmares and Daydreams as he muses about the covid period. @selfmadehero.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/nightmares-a...
theslingsandarrows.com/nightmares-a...
Reposted by Tony Keen
The best ever domestic gay comedy in comics? Tim Barela's Leonard & Larry by a country mile, and at last there's a complete collection, available in print or digitally from @rattlinggoodyarns.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/the-complete...
theslingsandarrows.com/the-complete...
September 2, 2026 at 7:36 AM
The best ever domestic gay comedy in comics? Tim Barela's Leonard & Larry by a country mile, and at last there's a complete collection, available in print or digitally from @rattlinggoodyarns.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/the-complete...
theslingsandarrows.com/the-complete...
Reposted by Tony Keen
Has anyone ever produced a William Blake & Bob Mortimer pastiche? Someone should. Bill in charge of MI5 and Bob a genius engineer. What could go wrong?
September 2, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Has anyone ever produced a William Blake & Bob Mortimer pastiche? Someone should. Bill in charge of MI5 and Bob a genius engineer. What could go wrong?
Reposted by Tony Keen
Any new series by @megcabot.bsky.social is big news, and Detective Baby is a graphic novel! The concept of Dance Team Drama is like a wacky 1960s sitcom, and #ameliaallore is a great artist in bringing it to life. @harpercollins.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/detective-ba...
theslingsandarrows.com/detective-ba...
September 3, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Any new series by @megcabot.bsky.social is big news, and Detective Baby is a graphic novel! The concept of Dance Team Drama is like a wacky 1960s sitcom, and #ameliaallore is a great artist in bringing it to life. @harpercollins.bsky.social
theslingsandarrows.com/detective-ba...
theslingsandarrows.com/detective-ba...
Oh FFS.
Macquarie University swaps in-person psychology classes with AI chatbot for two subjects
Macquarie University swaps in-person psychology classes with AI chatbot for two subjects
University’s move is part of trend that critics within academia say will lead to further staff cuts and the loss of ‘everything that makes the job worth doing’
An Australian university has swapped in-person classes with an AI chatbot, online quizzes and optional online tutorials in two subjects as institutions give the technology more teaching responsibilities.
Macquarie University’s “Virtual Peer” is part of each week’s learning in two mandatory Psychology units, programmed to ask students questions and guide them through scenario-based exercises. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Oh FFS.