VT Hamlin's letter to David Mantour, June 23, 1964

 Recently Dave Mantour decided to pass along to me a letter he received from VT Hamlin, creator of Alley Oop, in 1964 when he was a high school senior. With his permission, I've transcribed the letter as seen below. Hamlin provides some basic information about his background and how he works on the strip. Hamin appears to have written the letter with red crayon.

 

Vincent T. Hamlin

1670 Bay View Drive

Sarasota, Florida

 

6-23-'64

David Mantor

Phillipsburg, Kansas

 

Dear David: your letter of some time ago bears no date so I don't know how overdue this answer is - but it's plenty I'm sure. Actually I have a mind that is scientifically oriented, but my training is journalistic. However, my imagination is supplemented by exhaustive reading - and when ever I need technical advice, which is often and in many fields, I go ask an expert - and don't you think I don't get them up a tree ever so often. My son is a graduate of Colorado Mines and that covers a lot of territory in Science and he also has a degree from Florida U. and Electronics - he helps plenty. I hold no degrees, I am a practical geologist, paleontologist and I stomp around in anthropology with some assurance. I am 64. I created AlleyOop in 1930. I have no complete record of my caveman's many adventures. How this knowledge can be of a to you, I don't know... But you're welcome.

 

Regards

-V. T. Hamlin

 

Non Probare Offendit

 

 The highly-contrasted scan below shows the text a little more clearly. Full-size scans and a downloadable pdf are on the Internet Archive.

 Other letters of Hamlin's can presumably be found in the University of Missouri Special Collections which has a Comic Art Collection which includes V.T. Hamlin Collections and an online exhibit about him.

Al Goodwyn's Short Term Absence

Al doesn't live in the DC area anymore, but ComicsDC considers him an alumni and sends our condolences.

 

From: Goodwyn Cartoons 

I’ll be taking a small break from cartooning.

͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­͏     ­

	Goodwyn Short Term Absence Al Goodwyn Apr 20 I’ll be taking a small break from cartooning. Last week my mother passed away at the age of 89 from pneumonia. She’ll be missed, especially her love for her family, sense of humor, sharp intelligence, and love for her country. Thanks for reading Al Goodwyn's Political (a)Musings! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. For more of Al’s cartoons, visit Goodwyn Cartoons and Illustrations. Contact Creators Syndicate for newspaper or magazine cartoon use.

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 4/18-19/2026

West, Amy. 2025. Hit '90s graphic novel series is getting turned into a TV show by I Saw the TV Glow director – and we're ready for all the NSFW body horror [Black Hole]. Total Film (October 24): https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/horror-shows/hit-90s-graphic-novel-series-is-getting-turned-into-a-tv-show-by-i-saw-the-tv-glow-director-and-were-ready-for-all-the-nsfw-body-horror/

Baculi, Spencer. 2025. Comic Book Stores Coming Back to Life Thanks to Absolute DC, Ultimate Marvel, Energon Universe, and ‘Invincible’. Bounding into Comics (October 25): https://boundingintocomics.com/comic-books/comic-book-sales-up-2025-absolute-dc-ultimate-marvel

Eppers, Matt. 2025. Snoopy Museum Tokyo marks 75 years of ‘Peanuts’ with rare Charles Schulz art. Stars and Stripes (October 23): https://www.stripes.com/living/pacific_travel/quick_trips/2025-10-24/snoopy-museum-tokyo-peanuts-charlie-brown-19439840.html

Kidd, Aaron. 2016. New Snoopy Museum Tokyo makes 'Peanuts' fans do a happy dance. Stars and Stripes (June 9): https://www.stripes.com/living/new-snoopy-museum-tokyo-makes-peanuts-fans-do-a-happy-dance-1.413965

Lawrence, J. P. 2020. ‘Peanuts’ creator Charles Schulz's experiences in WWII shaped the character of Charlie Brown. Stars and Stripes (December 26): https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/peanuts-creator-charles-schulz-s-experiences-in-wwii-shaped-the-character-of-charlie-brown-1.656415

Maslin, Michael. 2026. Sunday Spill: How To (Possibly) Make A Cartoon. Ink Spill (April 19):  https://michaelmaslinsinkspill.substack.com/p/sunday-spill-how-to-possibly-make

Zhang, Yiqi. 2026. Transcultural shōjo manga: rethinking the Italian comic series W.I.T.C.H. through Heinrich Wölfflin’s art-historical comparative methodology. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics (March 31): 1–35. Online at https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2025.2484404 and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2025.2484404

Chiu-Tabet, Christopher. 2026. Frank Stack, Pioneering Underground Cartoonist, Dead at 88. The Beat (April 19): https://www.comicsbeat.com/frank-stack-obit/

Molotiu, Andrei. 2024. Profane Transfigurations: On a Detail of a Painting in a Panel in an Installment of Little Annie Fanny, 1963, or How Harvey Kurtzman and Arthur Danto (Mostly) Agree, and Deep Down Really Disagree Too. In Comics and Modernism: History, Form, Culture, edited by Jon Najarian. Jackson: University of Mississippi Press.

Mateo, Alex. 2026. Tokyopop Offers Public Stock Shares With Goal to Raise US$1.2 Million (Updated). Anime News Network (April 13): https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-04-13/tokyopop-offers-public-stock-shares-with-goal-to-raise-usd1.2-million/.236347

Keefe, Jim. 2026. Artist Spotlight: Al Baruch (1928-2015). Jim Keefe (April 19): https://www.patreon.com/posts/artist-spotlight-155813887

Kalamidas, Matthew. 2014. Animation Thesis: Art Imitates Life, Part II: Interview 1: Al Baruch. Conducted, March 29, 1996. Matthew Kalamidas (June 26): https://mkalamidas.com/animation-thesis-art-imitates-life-part-ii/

Kalamidas, Matthew. 2014. Animation Thesis, Art Imitates Life, Part III: Interview 2: Ruben Aquino. Conducted, April 08, 1996. Matthew Kalamidas (June 30): https://mkalamidas.com/animation-thesis-art-imitates-life-part-iii/

Rabiroff, Zach. 2026. The Oral History of the Scrapped ‘Swamp Thing’ Story 40 Years in the Making. io9 (April 17): https://gizmodo.com/rick-veitch-swamp-thing-ending-oral-history-1989-dc-comics-2000747905

Garcia, Alex. 2026. Oddly Enough: The Art of Everyday Absurdity [Vaughan Tomlinson]. Inside the Kingdom (April 17): https://comicskingdom.com/trending/blog/2026/04/17/oddly-enough-the-art-of-everyday-absurdity

Kalinowski, Tim. 2026. Airdrie-Based Political Cartoonist Takes on Life's Absurdities [Wyatt Tremblay; Canada]. Airdrie City View (April 9): https://www.airdriecityview.com/community/airdrie-based-political-cartoonist-takes-on-lifes-absurdities-12066728

Batdorff, Allison. 2006. Sailor Draws on Navy Life With Comic Results [Shannan Arney's “Duty Blues”]. Stars and Stripes (April 11): https://www.stripes.com/news/2006-04-11/sailor-draws-on-navy-life-with-comic-results-1924467.html1

Chaney, Jen. 2026. Animated Spinoff Turns the ‘Stranger Things’ Aesthetic Upside Down. Washington Post (April 18): https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2026/04/18/stranger-things-animated-netflix/

Schenker, Brett. 2026. Sparkle Pop Steps Into the Consigned Goods Craziness of Diamond’s Bankruptcy Asking for Relief. Graphic Policy (April 14): https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/04/14/sparkle-pop-steps-into-the-consigned-goods-craziness-of-diamonds-bankruptcy-asking-for-relief/

Gardner, Alan. 2026. Cartoonist Jen Leach Joins Graphic Medicine Int’l Board. Daily Cartoonist (April 17): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/04/17/cartoonist-jen-leach-joins-graphic-medicine-intl-board/

Keith, Jed W. 2026. Interview: Dave Baker & Nicole Goux on Punk Music & Life in New Graphic Novel Punk’n Heads. Freaksugar (April 10): https://www.freaksugar.com/interview-dave-baker-nicole-goux-on-punk-music-life-in-new-graphic-novel-punkn-heads/

Fountain, Nick. 2026. How to Get Through the Strait of Hormuz [Fantagraphics]. Planet Money (April 14): https://www.npr.org/2026/04/14/nx-s1-5785290/strait-hormuz-iran-trump-open-blockade, https://tracking.swap.fm/track/XvDEoI11TR00olTUO8US/prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510289/npr.simplecastaudio.com/43b5acee-463e-4612-95ad-d2596d9dd337/episodes/0b16f641-25cb-448f-ae03-296a00110cf6/audio/128/default.mp3, and https://www.npr.org/transcripts/nx-s1-5785290

Reid, Calvin. 2026. Interviews at the MoCCA Art Fest 2026. More to Come (710; April 4): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1406

MacDonald, Heidi, Kate Fitzsimons, and Christian Holub. 2026. Marvel and Boom Layoffs. More to Come (711; April 17): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1407

Williamson, Michael T. 2026. The Black Panther (1973–1976): Rewriting “The Black Experience” in Panther’s Rage and The Black Panther Takes on the Klan. Humanities 15 (4; April 8): 56. Online at https://doi.org/10.3390/h15040056, and https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/15/4/56

DiMauro, Mark. 2026. Defeating Apathy and Ease With One Punch: Modernity and the Problem of Omnipotent Boredom. Humanities 15 (3; March 4): 39. Online at https://doi.org/10.3390/h15030039, and https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0787/15/3/39

mzhdanova. 2026. Interview: Sam Pinansky and Isabell Castro on BookWalker [manga ebook site]. Yatta-Tachi (April 16): https://yattatachi.com/interview-sam-pinansky-sabell-castro-bookwalker

Unknown. 2026. Japanese Manga Artist Sadao Shoji Dies at 88. Nippon.com (April 15): https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026041500453/japanese-manga-artist-sadao-shoji-dies-at-88.html

Chalufour, Marc. 2026. What Comic Books Can Teach Us About Medicine; Alum A. David Lewis believes in the power of graphic storytelling. Arts x Sciences Magazine (2026): https://www.bu.edu/cas/arts-sciences/article/what-comic-books-can-teach-us-about-medicine/

Parkin, JK. 2026. Smash Pages Q&A - Jay Eaton on ‘Runaway to the Stars’. Smash Pages (April 13): https://smashpages.net/2026/04/13/smash-pages-qa-jay-eaton-on-runaway-to-the-stars/

Parkin, JK. 2026. Jaime Hernandez, Trung Le Nguyen Win at the 2026 L.A. Times Book Awards. Smash Pages (April 18): https://smashpages.net/2026/04/18/jaime-hernandez-trung-le-nguyen-win-at-the-2026-l-a-times-book-awards/

Parkin, JK. 2026. Smash Pages Q&A - Joe Palmer on ‘Destination Kill’. Smash Pages (April 15): https://smashpages.net/2026/04/15/smash-pages-qa-joe-palmer-on-destination-kill/

Zeisler, Andi. 2026. Julia Wertz Finds the Humor in Motherhood’s Body Horror; In "Bury Me Already," the cartoonist takes on isolation, family and the eternal guilt trip of art and parenting. Salon (April 15): https://www.salon.com/2026/04/15/julia-wertz-finds-the-humor-in-motherhoods-body-horror/

Eil, Philip. 2016. John Lewis Marches On: “Our Struggle Is a Struggle to Redeem the Soul of America”; Salon talks to Rep. Lewis and the "March" team about Book Three of his Civil rights-era graphic memoir series. Salon (August 8): https://www.salon.com/2016/08/08/john-lewis-marches-on-our-struggle-is-a-struggle-to-redeem-the-soul-of-america/

Jay, Iris, Maia Kobabe, Taylor Titmouse, and PomPoison. 2026. Explicit Comics, Censorship, and Freedom of Speech. Cartoonists United (April 10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEbqVK6z3sw

Kunka, Andrew. 2026. CXC 2025: Experimental Design and Comics: A Conversation With Matt Madden. CXC Festival (April 17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzRalUXvRv8

Smith, Barney. 2026. John Holland Just Put 800+ Pages of Comics on Zoop (Here’s Why). Story Comic Presents (April 18): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v85A1ulV03Y

Pierre, Summer. 2026. Free Comics Workshop With Summer Pierre. Sequential Artists Workshop (April 17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wghBqX_hsMY

Siuntres, John. 2026. Ande Parks Talks Bad Thoughts Extraction and More. Word Balloon (April 17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1sYzNW0gWE

Siuntres, John. 2026. Brian Bendis Netflix Picks Up Powers TV Series. Word Balloon (April 16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwW9RYsGplo

Heater, Brian. 2026. Nicole Georges. RiYL Podcast (756; April 19): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNKqre7zsi8

Mallonee, Dennis. 2026. JD Calderon of The Oswald Chronicles and Dennis Interview Each Other. The Heroic Voice (76; April 18): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BOueqfbVVM

Mallonee, Dennis. 2026. Phil Russertt Explains Philbo Distribution, Reaching the Direct Comic Store Market. The Heroic Voice (77; April 17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnavXcNBtbM

Biggs, Brian. 2026. What's Really an Art Supply? Sitting Around Talking About Art Supplies. Brian Biggs (April 17): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1jnYaUu_H4

Geller, Adam. 2026. Killing of Iranian Activist in Canada Exposes Increasingly Bitter Divisions Within the Diaspora [Nik Kowsar]. Associated Press (April 16): https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-activists-diaspora-threats-pahlavi-6695108da3cdfca9ede2f75e085995d0

Naldo, Carlos. 2026. Flash Gordon - Capítulo 10 - De Salvador a Destructor: el Giro de Mad Cave. Dr Naldus (April 19): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA1xc1Zz8jM

4/20: Brian Biggs at Politics and Prose

Brian's a good friend of mine, and darned entertaining. 

Kate Messner & Brian Biggs - A Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story - At Conn Ave

https://politics-prose.com/event/2026-04-20/kate-messner-brian-biggs-whales-tale-and-otters-side-story-conn-ave

Date: Mon, 4/20/2026

Time: 10:30am - 11:30am

Place:

Politics and Prose at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW
5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

Child & Teen

Children

In-House School Event

About the Book:

Readers will laugh aloud at the silly antics of a pair of opinionated sea mammals in a tale presenting one side of a debate when read front-to-back and the other side when read back-to-front, slyly revealing the way identical facts can be used to support opposite positions.

A boastful whale and a showboating otter compete in a battle of words to prove that each is the greatest animal ever to swim the seas. Read one way, the first-person text brags about whales’ superiority; read the other way, it extols how much better otters are. Using true information about the two marine species to make both arguments, Kate Messner’s adroit text and Brian Biggs’s giggle-worthy artwork brilliantly illustrate how the same words can be used to express contradictory opinions when speakers have a one-sided view of the world. Includes factual back matter about language usage and the actual similarities of whales and otters.

About the Author and Illustrator:

Kate Messner, is a New York Times bestselling author, passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder. Kate's titles include both fiction and nonfiction; she writes award-winning picture books, easy readers, chapter book series, and novels for young readers. Her books are frequently nominated for state book award lists and have been honored with the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Golden Kite and Crystal Kite Awards, Riverby Award for Natural History Writing, and Nerdy Book Club Awards. Kate's science themed books have also been selected as finalists for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize and named to the NSTA/CBC list of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12.  Kate is a frequent speaker at conferences for writers and educators and visits schools all over the world to talk with students about books, writing, and the power of curiosity. 

Brian Briggs is an illustrator, designer, educator, and author based in Philadelphia. He has written and/or illustrated more than 75 children’s books, which have been enjoyed by imaginative adults and clever children around the world. Some of these books have been New York Times bestsellers, and some have received awards.

In addition, he has designed fonts, illustrated for hundreds of magazines and newspapers, created puzzles, raced bicycles, briefly appeared on Martha Stewart’s The Apprentice, served as a calligrapher for a princess, and, for a time, played the accordion quite well.

Iran ex-pat cartoonist and US citizen Nik Kowsar faces threats

Killing of Iranian activist in Canada exposes increasingly bitter divisions within the diaspora [Nik Kowsar]

By  ADAM GELLER

  April 16, 2026

https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-activists-diaspora-threats-pahlavi-6695108da3cdfca9ede2f75e085995d0 

2016 Salon interview on March vol. 3

John Lewis marches on: “Our struggle is a struggle to redeem the soul of America”

Salon talks to Rep. Lewis and the "March" team about Book Three of his Civil Rights-era graphic memoir series

By Philip Eil

August 8, 2016  

https://www.salon.com/2016/08/08/john-lewis-marches-on-our-struggle-is-a-struggle-to-redeem-the-soul-of-america/

WaPo on “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85"

Animated spinoff turns the ‘Stranger Things’ aesthetic upside down

Ten episodes of the follow-up to the wildly popular live-action sci-fi saga land on Netflix on Thursday.

By Jen Chaney

April 18, 2026

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2026/04/18/stranger-things-animated-netflix/

April 25: Cara Gormally at Bladensburg Library

From the newsletter -

I’m looking forward to connecting with friends, readers, and other authors on Saturday April 25 from 11-1:30 pm at the Bladensburg Library for the 2026 Local Author Expo sponsored by the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. Come join me!

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 4/17/2026

Sandler, Jonathan. 2026. The Art of Graphic Medicine With Maureen Burdock: On Insomnia, Memory, and Turning Personal Struggle Into Powerful Graphic Nonfiction. GraphicMemoirBlog (April 17): https://jsandlergraphicmemoir.substack.com/p/the-art-of-graphic-medicine-with

Freeman, John. 2026. Giant of British Football Comics Interviewed [Barrie Mitchell]. downthetubes (April 17): https://downthetubes.net/giant-of-british-football-comics-interviewed/

Richard, Matt and Paul Richardson. 2026. An Interview With Barrie Mitchell (and Breakfast With Ian Vosper!). British Football Comics (129; April 16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGSQX85yQw

Gossett, Christian, David Hyde, and Kris Simon. 2026. Johnnie Christmas on Netflix's Midnight Mass!. Superfan Podcast (9; April 17): https://spfanpodcast.substack.com/p/superfan-podcast-ep-09

Chiu-Tabet, Christopher. 2026. The Beat Digest 04/17/26: Mad Cave Introduces Mister Nemo. The Beat (April 17): https://www.comicsbeat.com/digest-041726/

MacDonald, Heidi. 2026. Kibbles ‘n’ Diamond 4/17/26: The Week in Stuff, Ben 10 and More. The Beat (April 17): https://www.comicsbeat.com/kibbles-n-diamond-4-17-26-the-week-in-stuff-ben-10-and-more/

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Comic Book Industry Reaction To This Week's Marvel Comics Firings. Bleeding Cool (April 16): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comic-book-industry-reaction-to-this-weeks-marvel-comics-firings/

MacDonald, Heidi. 2026. Exclusive: Sami DeMonster Joins Tiny Onion. The Beat (April 17): https://www.comicsbeat.com/exclusive-sami-demonster-joins-tiny-onion/

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. DC Expands Lead Over Marvel in Q1 2026 Market Shares. ICv2 (April 17): https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/62162/dc-expands-lead-over-marvel

Puc, Samantha. 2026. Interview: Mahjong Pros’ Harrison Doan Details Its New Manga Division. The Beat (April 17): https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-mahjong-pros-harrison-doan-details-its-new-manga-division/

Sheriff, Amanda. 2026. ComicConnect’s Death of Superman Art Auction Sees Record Sales. Scoop (April 14): https://www.overstreetaccess.com/comicconnects-death-of-superman-art-auction-sees-record-sales/

Thompson, Maggie. 2026. Turning Points [176]. Scoop (April 16): https://www.overstreetaccess.com/turning-points-by-maggie-thompson-176/

Degg, D. D. 2026. Hardball Hebrews Exhibit Has Difficulty Finding Venue [baseball]. Daily Cartoonist (April 16): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/04/16/hardball-hebrews-exhibit-has-difficulty-finding-venue/

Maas, Jennifer. 2026. ‘The Phantom’ Live-Action TV Series in the Works From Filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, King Features (EXCLUSIVE). Variety (April 17): https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/the-phantom-live-action-tv-series-reginald-hudlin-1236724486/

Burscough, Clark. 2026. The Cham-Cham — This Week’s Links. TCJ (April 17): https://www.tcj.com/the-cham-cham-this-weeks-links/

Kartalopoulos, Bill. 2026. Comics & Lettrism, March 31, 2026. New York Comics & Picture-story Symposium (448; April 6): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNYxuNlJKUA

Coplan, Chris. 2026. On Motherhood, Codependency, and Southern Magic: Excavating the Roots of ‘The Cutting Garden’; Creators Darcy Van Poelgeest and Erin Connally show us the undeniable OGN they’ve cultivated ahead of this fall’s release. AIPT (April 14): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/04/14/the-cutting-garden-feature/

Coplan, Chris. 2026. Puberty, Social Outcasts, and Superpowers: Lee Loughridge and Marz, Jr. Discuss ‘The Adequates’; The newest, most wonderfully awkward superhero team debuts this week. AIPT (April 14): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/04/14/the-adequates-creator-qa/

Coplan, Chris. 2026. Skybound Editor Alex Antone Talks ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Compendium Sets 1+2’ Ahead of Final Kickstarter Surge; The massive collection collects the first 300 issues of ‘G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.’ AIPT (April 14): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/04/14/g-i-joe-compendium-qa/

Coplan, Chris. 2026. Decapitation Celebration: Andrew MacLean Talks 10-Year Anniversary and New Volume of ‘Head Lopper’. AIPT (April 16): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/04/16/head-lopper-2026-feature/

Coplan, Chris. 2026. Sit Down for a Slab of ‘Ruffian Meat’: Organizer Aaron Losty Previews New Indie Horror Anthology. AIPT (April 16): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/04/16/ruffian-meat-kickstarter-qa/

Fitch, Alex and Louise Curran. 2026. Jane Austen in Pictures: Two Graphic Biographies Bring the Novelist’s Life to the Page. The Conversation (April 13): https://theconversation.com/jane-austen-in-pictures-two-graphic-biographies-bring-the-novelists-life-to-the-page-278006

Puc, Samantha. 2026. So Many Big Feelings: PW Talks With Jules Scheele [in print as Jules Scheele]. Publishers Weekly (April 13): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/100136-so-many-big-feelings-pw-talks-with-jules-scheele.html

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 4/16/2026

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Three Editors at Marvel Comics Laid Off, as Well as Comms Director. Bleeding Cool (April 15): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/three-editors-at-marvel-comics-laid-off-as-well-as-comms-director/

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Adam Hughes, Cancelling Store Signings & Appearances After Diagnosis. Bleeding Cool (April 16): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/adam-hughes-cancelling-store-signings-appearances-after-diagnosis/

Allison. 2026. In other news [Adam Hughes' cancer]. Adam Hughes' Just Say... AH! (April 15):  https://www.adamhughesofficial.com/post/in-other-news

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Dark Horse, the Latest Comics Publisher to Do Marvel's Job for Them; Dark Horse, the latest comics publisher to do Marvel's job for them with The Best Of Marvel's Vampire Tales, out in August. Bleeding Cool (April 16): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dark-horse-the-latest-comics-publisher-to-do-marvels-job-for-them/

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Marvel Looking for a Talent Relations Co-Ordinator… What's Going On?. Bleeding Cool (April 16): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/marvel-looking-for-a-talent-relations-co-ordinator-whats-going-on/

Harlock, J.D. 2026. An Interview With Deathbulge’s Dan Martin: ‘Eyes and Mouths Are Where the Party Is At’. TCJ (April 15): https://www.tcj.com/an-interview-with-deathbulges-dan-martin-eyes-and-mouths-are-where-the-party-is-at/

Rose, Cynthia. 2026. Hermann, Hero of the Hard Boiled, 1938-2026. TCJ (April 16): https://www.tcj.com/hermann-hero-of-the-hard-boiled-1938-2026/

Freeman, John. 2026. Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation Expands, English Awards Move to New York Comic Con. downthetubes (April 15): https://downthetubes.net/sophie-castille-awards-for-comics-in-translation-expands-english-awards-move-to-new-york-comic-con/

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. David Gabriel Out at Marvel; Amid company-wide layoffs at Disney. ICv2 (April 16): https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/62150/david-gabriel-out-marvel

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. March 2026 Circana BookScan - Top 20 Author, Manga, and Superhero Graphic Novels; DC dominates Superhero Top 20; new titles liven up the Author chart. ICv2 (April 15): https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/62141/march-2026-circana-bookscan-top-20-author-manga-superhero-graphic-novels

Gardner, Alan. 2026. Bonil Begins Cartooning for Primicias. Daily Cartoonist (April 15): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/04/15/bonil-begins-cartooning-for-primicias/

Augustine, Emily. 2026. Everyone Should Read Calvin and Hobbes. Her Campus (April 13): https://www.hercampus.com/school/ku/everyone-should-read-calvin-and-hobbes/

Puc, Samantha. 2026. My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Comics Kickstarter Surpasses Goal by $200k+. The Beat (April 16): https://www.comicsbeat.com/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-comics-kickstarter-surpasses-goal-by-200k/

Milliot, Jim. 2026. TokyoPop Makes Crowdfunding Offer. Publishers Weekly (April 16): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/100187-tokyopop-makes-crowdfunding-offer.html

Milligan, Mercedes. 2026. Hilbert Museum of California Art Announces Its First Dedicated ‘Simpsons’ Exhibition. Animation Magazine (April 15): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/04/hilbert-museum-of-california-art-announces-its-first-dedicated-simpsons-exhibition/

Milligan, Mercedes. 2026. Irene Weibel Joins Pixel Zoo Animation Studio as Biz Dev Exec. Animation Magazine (April 15): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/04/irene-weibel-joins-pixel-zoo-animation-studio-as-biz-dev-exec/

Quaintance, Zack. 2026. Graphic Novel Review: Corto Maltese – Fable Of Venice Is an Effective Sampler to Introduce the Character. The Beat (April 16): https://www.comicsbeat.com/graphic-novel-review-corto-maltese-fable-of-venice-is-an-effective-sampler-to-introduce-the-character/

Sandoval, Barry. 2026. Toby Press: The Ten Rarest Comic Issues (Maybe). Heritage Auctions Comics News (April 16): https://view.emails.ha.com/?vawpToken=2GH3IFTKEA6ETMMEIMXT6V2KZM.60257&ctrack=1564170&type=task-view-online-comic-news-tem041626#collector-d

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews Lee Loughridge and Marz Jr. on the Release of the Comic Book Series, ‘The Adequates,’ With Comixology Originals. Fanbase Press (April 15): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58415-fanbase-press-interviews-lee-loughridge-and-marz-jr-on-the-release-of-the-comic-book-series-the-adequates-with-comixology-originals/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews Matt Kindt on Returning to the World of ‘MIND MGMT’ for the Self-Contained ‘NEW & IMPROVED’ Series Through Flux House and Oni Press. Fanbase Press (April 16): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58424-fanbase-press-interviews-matt-kindt-on-returning-to-the-world-of-mind-mgmg-for-the-self-contained-new-improved-series-through-flux-house-and-oni-press/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews David “D.B.” Andry on the Release of the New Series, ‘Estuary: A Ghost Story,’ With Oni Press. Fanbase Press (April 10): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58391-fanbase-press-interviews-david-d-b-andry-on-the-release-of-the-new-series-estuary-a-ghost-story-with-oni-press/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews Trevor Mueller on the Upcoming Release of the Young Reader Graphic Novel Series, ‘Secret STEAM Society,’ With Papercutz. Fanbase Press (April 10): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58397-fanbase-press-interviews-trevor-mueller-on-the-upcoming-release-of-the-young-reader-graphic-novel-series-secret-steam-society-with-papercutz/

Horn, Kristian. 2026. Trevor Mueller Takes Readers for a Trot in Secret S.T.E.A.M. Society-Horses! Part-Time Fanboy Podcast (583; January 29): https://parttimefanboy.com/part-time-fanboy-podcast-ep-583-trevor-mueller-takes-readers-for-a-trot-in-secret-s-t-e-a-m-society-horses/, and https://www.parttimefanboy.com/podcasts/part-time-fanboy-1-24-26-secret-STEAM-society-horses-trevor-mueller.mp3

Jameson. 2026. Ink & Insight With Trevor Mueller! Comix 4 All (February 19): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQee-4u8C_8

Sasso, Kurt. 2026. Secret STEAM Society and Bat Pat: Trevor Mueller on the Stories Kids Remember Forever. Two Geeks Talking (January 30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngVHN15hWE

MacDonald, Heidi. 2026. Sean Edgar Joins Kickstarter as Director of Comics & Collectibles. The Beat (April 16): https://www.comicsbeat.com/sean-edgar-joins-kickstarter-as-director-of-comics-collectibles/

Gossett, Christian, David Hyde, and Kris Simon. 2026. Maia Kobabe on K-Pop! Superfan Podcast (8; April 10): https://spfanpodcast.substack.com/p/superfan-podcast-ep-08-maia-kobabe

Associated Press. 2010. Kick-Ass — Film Review. Hollywood Reporter (October 14): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kick-ass-film-review-29392/

DeHart, Jason. 2026. Eugene Yelchin Returns! Words, Images, & Worlds (April 16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKmzuIGprXA

Freeman, Atom!. 2026. The Legacy of Licensed Comics to American Mythology. Prana: Direct Market Solutions's Comic Industry Insiders (April 16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5szt2txwLg

DeHart, Jason. 2026. Talking Toons With Pat Lewis. Words, Images, & Worlds (April 16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTP1sUaYP4Y

Colbert, Isaiah. 2026. Why Fans Are Calling ‘Apocalypse Hotel’ the Real Anime of the Year; Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year lineup is stacked, but this strange, heartfelt sci-fi standout has quietly stolen the crown in fans’ hearts. io9 (April 16): https://gizmodo.com/why-fans-are-calling-apocalypse-hotel-the-real-anime-of-the-year-2000747408

Gabilliet, Jean-Paul. 2026. American National Memory and Commemoration in Bicentennial-Themed Newspaper Comic Strips [draft paper]. Universite Bordeaux Montaigne.