Dick Sprang - Secrets of the Bat-cave lithograph (1995).

Don't miss. www.youtube.com/shorts/ctsGN...

"46 photos that tell the story of the century so far." www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

Excellent. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmPI...

@privateeyenews.bsky.social Has anyone else noticed the resemblance between this week's cartoons in The New Yorker and Private Eye? I wonder if, by any chance, etc. Private Eye New Yorker

PlanetSlade's song of the (Christmas) day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R7C...

Worth reading. bittersoutherner.com/issue-no-12/...

PlanetSlade's song of the day (and movie of the year). www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7jo...

This morning's Today programme is guest-edited by the great Melvyn Bragg. One hour & 40 minutes into the programme there's a fascinating miniature episode of In Our Time looking at the nativity story & explaining the point each element was selected to make. Great stuff. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. music.youtube.com/watch?v=pXV0...

Spotted this junk shop display window in Islington a few days ago. Anyone else find it reminds them of Frank Sidebottom?

That little "cabinet of curiosities" place in Camden Passage has filled its window with nativity scene figures of wildly different scales. The effect is one of Godzilla-sized shepherds threatening to stomp the whole manger flat.

I knew American healthcare providers inflated patients' bills beyond all reason, but my God... www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...

"The astonishing history of this not-so-holy ground hooked me immediately." - - Chris Woodyard, Victorian Book of the Dead. "A wonderful history of what is to me the most fascinating & moving place in London. Well-written mix of history, research & obvious compassion." - Brian Crossland, Amazon.

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=peCe...

"This time, this time ..." www.youtube.com/shorts/y2rT3...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLvU...

"The next election is utterly impossible to call. The polls are useless predictors, as will be next May’s local elections. They will be a sign of passing whim, not of who the voter most wants as prime minister." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

"A rich, revelatory study of this often-maligned British strip." - comics historian Paul Gravett. "An immense, assured, sprightly essay." - The Browser. "Is there any kind of honorary degree in comics studies? If so, this deserves it." - thelonius, Metafilter.

Spare a thought this festive season for those who will be spending the Yuletide period all on their own, with no family to visit them. People like ‘A’, who will spend this Christmas without any of his titles. From the new Private Eye, out now.

"A dauntingly complete and fascinating piece of work." - Greil Marcus. "This is a great read." - Tom Russell. "A brilliantly simple idea, and a simply brilliant book." - fRoots. "Captivating cultural history. As entertaining as it is educational." - Record Collector.

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipL-...

"A fascinating account of the enterprise which preceded Motown by some 40 years." - Mike Atherton, Echoes magazine. "Incredible research for an important lost story. [...] As a Black performing arts historian, I found this read to be spellbinding. [...]. TEN STARS." - blackbrownbeige, Amazon.

Ian Anderson (not that one)'s 50 best CDs of 2025. Selected as always from "the world of folk & roots music & associated weirdos – most of which you won’t hear on mainstream radio". There's a free podcast link to let you hear his best-of-the-best picks too. www.podwirelesswords.com/2025/12/podw...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNBi...

Mojo's Best of the Year selection is particularly good this year. open.spotify.com/playlist/4qS...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqfI...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Zf...

'Tis the season.

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN0w...

Frank Sinatra loathed Donald Trump.

Happy 76th Birthday, Tom Waits!

"A wonderful history and narrative of what is to me the most fascinating and moving place in London. Well written mix of history, research and obvious compassion." - Amazon reviewer Brian Crossland.

I start this thing with the same word every day, and normally take about four goes to complete it. Not today though!

Worth reading. thelocal.to/investigatin...

Kirsty and Rex review the week's progress. #TheArchers.

You know that London history nut you've got to buy a Christmas card for? May I suggest ... www.amazon.com/Outcast-Dead...

You know that comics reader you've got to buy a Christmas present for? May I suggest ... www.amazon.com/Redemption-A...

You know that True Crime fan you've got to buy a Christmas present for? May I suggest ... www.amazon.com/Gallows-Ball...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjF6...

You know that jazz and blues fan you've got to buy a Christmas present for? May I suggest ... www.amazon.com/Black-Swan-B...

You know that obsessive puzzler in the family you've got to buy a Christmas present for? May I suggest ... www.amazon.co.uk/Treasure-Hun...

You know that one weird friend you've got to buy a Christmas present for? May I suggest ... www.amazon.co.uk/Unprepared-D...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL_4...

Worth reading. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Got my (signed!) copy of this 0n Weds, and I've been reading it all weekend. It's every bit as wonderful as the review here suggests. I doubt there's 100 people in the world with the combination of skills needed to complete a project like this as well as Talbot does. downthetubes.net/in-review-th...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtEU...

Before the neighborhood got “revitalized”, you could find these colorful tiles with historical neighborhood facts printed on them.

I love little works of art like these - "unexpected joy" catches their spirit perfectly. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

PlanetSlade's song of the day. www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0Nf...