Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/19-20/2025

The Passion of the Cartoonist
A new graphic biography of Caravaggio draws a provocative line from the old masters to the outsider artists of today.
By Sam Thielman
A version of this article appears in print on July 20, 2025, Page 15 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Essay / The Passion of the Cartoonist.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/books/palette-and-the-sword-milo-manara.html

Dynamite Unveils Blind-Item Black Bag Variant Comics Line
Dynamite Entertainment unveils their Blind-Item Black Bag variant comics line with Vampirella and Die!Namite
 18 Jul 2025
by Rich Johnston
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dynamite-unveils-blind-item-black-bag-variant-comics-line/

Ice Cream Man: The Mortal Coil Shuffle Printed Once On A Deck Of Cards
18 Jul 2025
by Rich Johnston
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/ice-cream-man-the-mortal-coil-shuffle-printed-once-on-a-deck-of-cards/

Image Says Diamond's Goal Is "Stealing" $3,000,000 of Comics From Them
18 Jul 2025
by Rich Johnston
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/image-says-diamonds-goal-is-stealing-3000000-of-comics-from-them/

James Gunn says there were massive arguments over whether to call Superman a pussy
Gunn says the argument—over whether Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner would use "wuss" or "the p-word" to describe the Man Of Steel—was the film's biggest fight.
By William Hughes  |  July 18, 2025  https://www.avclub.com/superman-james-gunn-guy-gardner-wuss

Superman: identity crises, fascist space holograms and a super furry animal – discuss with spoilers

Has director James Gunn reinvented the superhero film – or just lovingly detonated it? Let's have a deep dive into the new Man of Steel movie
Ben Child
Mon 14 Jul 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/14/superman-discuss-with-spoilers-james-gunn


James Gunn Talks Future Superman Plans, Dropping Henry Cavill
It's been a complicated road to get to this new Superman, but Gunn's got the time to look back and forward.
By Justin Carter
io9 July 20, 2025
https://gizmodo.com/james-gunn-talks-future-superman-plans-dropping-henry-cavill-2000631782

A surrogate dad. America's guardian. What Superman means to us. [letters]
Tina Rhea et. al.
Washington Post (July 20, 2025): A21
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/superman-christopher-reeve-george-reeves/

Marvel's Kevin Feige Talks Scaling Back, Losing Kang and His Texts to James Gunn After 'Superman'
By Borys Kit, Pamela McClintock
July 20, 2025 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/marvels-kevin-feige-fantastic-four-superman-1236324127/

UK Cartoon Exhibits Include Multiple Pub Shows and Museum Debut
Alan Gardner  
July 18, 2025
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/07/18/uk-cartoon-exhibits-include-multiple-pub-shows-and-museum-debut/

Season 2 of 'The Sandman' sits in the dark shadow of Neil Gaiman [in print as 'Sandman' sits in the dark shadow of Gaiman].
Review by A.A. Dowd
Washington Post (July 4, 2025): C1-2.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/2025/07/03/sandman-season-two-neil-gaiman-review/

Why the Silver Surfer is the superhero for our cosmically fraught times [in print as The Silver Age]
Column by Chris Richards
Washington Post (July 20, 2025): E1, 8-9.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2025/07/20/silver-surfer-fantastic-four-marvel-superhero/

Steve Benson, provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 71 [in print as Provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist known for skewering politicians].
Harrison Smith
July 20, 2025 : B20.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/07/16/steve-benson-dead-cartoonist/

'Donkey Kong Bananza' is a smashing grab bag of classic Nintendo ideas [in print as 'Donkey Kong Bananza' rises to the moment]
Review by Gene Park
Washington Post (July 20, 2025): E1, 11.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2025/07/16/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-review/

Aggressive instructions, impossible locks: When vacation rentals go wrong [in print as Vacation rentals gone wrong]
Gemma Correll
Washington Post (July 20, 2025): F6.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/06/29/vacation-rental-comic/

IJOCA research prompt: Magazine cartoonists and advertising
by Mike Rhode
International Journal of Comic Art blog July 20, 2025
https://ijoca.blogspot.com/2025/07/ijoca-research-prompt-magazine.html

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest Podcast
Episode 210 - Alex Gregory Returns
July 16, 2025 • Vin Coca, Beth Lawler, Paul Nesja, Nicole Chrolavicius • Season 5 • Episode 210
 https://cartooncaptioncontestpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1719352/episodes/17517836-episode-210-alex-gregory-returns

Saturday Spill: New Yorker Cartoonists Substacks
Inkspill July 19, 2025 michael Maslin
https://michaelmaslin.com/saturday-spill-tilley-watch-online-the-week-of-july-14-18-2025-substacks-of-interest-perlman-donnelly-dernavich-hopkins-campbell-noth-si-chatfield/

Long Island cartoonist group honors legacy of illustration greats [National Cartoonists Society]
By Claude Solnik
Special to Newsday
July 18, 2025 https://www.newsday.com/long-island/li-life/li-nationals-cartoonists-society-h6bxvw4r

Clay Jones vs. Margolis and Cox, Editoonists' Not-So-Civil War
D. D. Degg  
July 19, 2025
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/07/19/editoonists-not-so-civil-war/

BDT editorial cartoonist's exhibition opens in Bluefield [Tom Bone]
Greg Jordan
    Bluefield Daily Telegraph July 20 2025 https://www.bdtonline.com/news/bdt-editorial-cartoonists-exhibition-opens-in-bluefield/article_2c5e36d9-6ae4-4d6f-8df3-a1abcd229ea0.html

The greatest manga artist you've never heard of [Jiro Taniguchi]
matttt - comic & manga history   Jul 12, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCus8vFbwGw

Inside the Director's Toy Box: An Interview with Hiroshi Nagahama at Animazement 2025
by Coop Bicknell, Jul 14th 2025 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2025-07-14/inside-the-director-toy-box-an-with-hiroshi-nagahama-at-animazement-2025/.225297

To Tell the Truth #1414, with DC Comics writer Robert Kanigher as a subject (Taped 11/21/72)
GarryMooreFan
  Jun 12, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKg7cXFrRVg

A Piece of Life with Cartoonist Feggo - Short Documentary
Lisa Martinez
  Jul 15, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RYxRGMfoM4

FELIPE GALINDO / FEGGO
http://www.felipegalindo.com/

Jim Davis Reveals He Studied Musculature Of Medical Cadavers To Properly Draw Jon [satire]
July 18, 2025
 https://theonion.com/jim-davis-reveals-he-studied-musculature-of-medical-cadavers-to-properly-draw-jon/

Let's Power Rank DC's Absolute Line, Through the Use of Science
David Harper
July 17, 2025
https://sktchd.com/column/absolute-dc-power-rankings/

WaPo on comics, comics, comics

Why the Silver Surfer is the superhero for our cosmically fraught times [in print as The Silver Age]

Column by Chris Richards

Washington Post (July 20, 2025): E1, 8-9.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2025/07/20/silver-surfer-fantastic-four-marvel-superhero/

A surrogate dad. America's guardian. What Superman means to us. [letters]

Tina Rhea et. al.

Washington Post (July 20, 2025): A21

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/superman-christopher-reeve-george-reeves/

Aggressive instructions, impossible locks: When vacation rentals go wrong [in print as Vacation rentals gone wrong]

By Gemma Correll

Washington Post (July 20, 2025): F6.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/06/29/vacation-rental-comic/

'Donkey Kong Bananza' is a smashing grab bag of classic Nintendo ideas [in print as 'Donkey Kong Bananza' rises to the moment]

Review by Gene Park

Washington Post (July 20, 2025): E1, 11.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/video-games/2025/07/16/donkey-kong-bananza-switch-2-review/

 

Steve Benson, provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 71 [in print as Provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist known for skewering politicians].

While shifting from the political right to the left, he skewered politicians including Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham and President Donald Trump.

By Harrison Smith

July 20, 2025 : B20.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/07/16/steve-benson-dead-cartoonist/

 

and missed this.

Season 2 of 'The Sandman' sits in the dark shadow of Neil Gaiman [in print as 'Sandman' sits in the dark shadow of Gaiman].

Review by A.A. Dowd

Washington Post (July 4, 2025): C1-2.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/2025/07/03/sandman-season-two-neil-gaiman-review/

Whoops. We ran Lio in Spanish this week, says WaPo

Corrections. Washington Post July 19 2025, p. A2.

I couldn't find it online.

I had noticed this, especially for the 3rd one, but thought I was just missing the joke.

Matthew Dow Smith at Fantom Comics speaking about his new book DC's Misfits of Magic

Sarahti G. is interviewing him about the new book where he has DC's occult characters as children. 

My recording of this missed the first question. Matthew said he was drawing kids characters of DC's occult characters and posting them online during COVID and DC asked him to pitch the book.

DC let him alter the characters as he wanted.Matthew is talking about creating kids versions of DC's occult characters including Deadkid instead of Deadman, and Blue Devil, Arion, and Amythist. And Ambush Bug.

Interestingly, he just said that immortal characters such as Phantom Stranger appear as adults.

Dr. Occult is gender-swapped but has a similar costume. Blue Devil was fused with his Halloween costume via magic lightning.

 #fantomcomics

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/18/2025

Help the Foglios Through Unexpected Challenges
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-foglios-through-unexpected-challenges
Phil Foglio

Adam Zyglis and Steve Benson Updates
D. D. Degg
July 17, 2025
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/07/17/adam-zyglis-steve-benson-updates/

For 50 years, late cartoonist Steve Benson was my rival. But also a friend | Opinion
Steve Benson and I were freinds for almost half a century. He could be difficult but was entirely without guile. Looking back, I'm not sure he was aware how some of his punches landed.
Pat Bagley
July 16 2025
 https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2025/07/16/steve-benson-cartoonist-rival-friend/85205868007/

Steve Benson, provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 71
Harrison Smith
July 16, 2025
https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/07/16/steve-benson-dead-cartoonist/

Claire Ferguson Benson
["Obituary for Steve Benson"]
July 11 2025
https://www.facebook.com/claire.ferguson.927/posts/pfbid02X43XtPjX7f6V6uYYXZeAcqGN6xvKwAthmEz4f7joPLXVvAZjCKnnQmuR9wwT3tFMl

Statement by the AAEC Board of Directors in support of Adam Zyglis
    Kevin Necessary
    July 16, 2025  https://editorialcartoonists.com/statement-by-the-aaec-board-of-directors-in-support-of-adam-zyglis/

Happiness is… a stamp collection: Royal Mail celebrates 75 years of Peanuts
Katy Cowan
17 July 2025
https://www.creativeboom.com/news/happiness-is-a-stamp-collection-royal-mail-celebrates-75-years-of-peanuts/
AX 2025 Interview: MY HERO ACADEMIA's Daiki Yamashita on how 'Dark Deku' impacted him, what Kōhei Horikoshi thinks of his acting and more
Ollie Kaplan on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/ax-2025-interview-my-hero-academias-daiki-yamashita-on-how-dark-deku-impacted-him-what-kohei-horikoshi-thinks-of-his-acting-and-more/

SDCC '25: Diamond and The Mystery of Booth 2401
Heidi MacDonald on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/sdcc-25-diamond-and-the-mystery-of-booth-2401/

The Beat Digest 07/18/25: EC Comics expands into other genres
Christopher Chiu-Tabet on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/digest-071825/

ICE CREAM MAN transforms into card game THE MORTAL COIL SHUFFLE
Christopher Chiu-Tabet on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/ice-cream-man-mortal-coil-shuffle/

The Daily Heller: I Remember 'PLOP!' Before it Flopped
 The Daily Heller July 17 2025
https://www.printmag.com/daily-heller/the-daily-heller-i-remember-plop/
By Steven Heller

Genndy Tartakovsky Discusses 'Fixed,' His Dirty Dog Hand-Drawn Animation Coup
Jennifer Wolfe
July 17, 2025 https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/07/genndy-tartakovsky-discusses-fixed-his-dirty-dog-hand-drawn-animation-coup-new-trailer/

GROUP BATTLING DIAMOND HAS NINE COMIC PUBLISHERS Along with Game Companies Paizo and Green Ronin
 Milton Griepp on July 18, 2025
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60072/group-battling-diamond-has-nine-comic-publishers

Comic Publishers Assemble! Against Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc
17 Jul 2025
 Rich Johnston
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comic-publishers-assemble-against-diamond-comic-distributors-inc/

Bankruptcy Court Moves Diamond Hearings Till After San Diego Comic-Con
Rich Johnston
  17 Jul 2025
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/bankruptcy-court-moves-diamond-hearings-till-after-san-diego-comic-con/

As deadline looms, publishers object to Diamond liquidation plan
Heidi MacDonald on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/as-deadline-looms-publishers-object-to-diamond-liquidation-plan/

Dynamite Reprints The Boys Omnibuses As Diamond Is Holding On To Them
18 Jul 2025  by Rich Johnston
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dynamite-reprints-the-boys-omnibuses-as-diamond-is-holding-on-to-them/

HARPERCOLLINS TO EXPAND MANGA BUSINESS WITH ACQUISITION OF CRUNCHYROLL'S PUBLISHING OPERATIONS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY
Erin Crum
HarperCollins Corporate Communications July 16, 2025
https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/press-releases/harpercollins-to-expand-manga-business-with-acquisition-of-crunchyroll-s-publishing-operations-in-france-and-germany

Jul 16, 2025
'Fantastic Four,' Assemble: Director Matt Shakman on Casting Marvel's First Family Without Auditions and 'Corporate Pressures' Not Being 'My Burden to Shoulder'
By Adam B. Vary
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/fantastic-four-director-interview-matt-shakman-casting-auditions-1236461087/

Cult Century, Part 9: The Case for 'Superman'
   Nicholas F. Benton
Falls Church News-Press.
2025-07-17  https://www.fcnp.com/2025/07/17/cult-century-part-9-the-case-for-superman/

The Engineer Angela Spica [The Authority, Superman movie]
Amanda Sheriff
Scoop July 15, 2025  https://www.overstreetaccess.com/the-engineer-angela-spica/

TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson
  July 17, 2025   https://www.overstreetaccess.com/turning-points-by-maggie-thompson-137/

San Diego Comic Con 2024 in pictures
Chris Anthony Diaz | July 18, 2025
https://www.tcj.com/san-diego-comic-con-2024-in-pictures/

From Harley Quinn to Phoenix: An Interview with Stephanie Phillips – Part I
Amanda Sheriff
 Scoop: July 10, 2025
https://www.overstreetaccess.com/from-harley-quinn-to-phoenix-an-interview-with-stephanie-phillips-part-i/

Stephanie Phillips on Comic Writing, Current & Future Projects – Interview Part II
 Amanda Sheriff
 Scoop: July 17, 2025   https://www.overstreetaccess.com/stephanie-phillips-on-comic-writing-current-future-projects-interview-part-ii/

Op-Ed: Now's not a good time to be a Mexican, so I wrote Death to Pachuco
Henry Barajas on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/nows-not-a-good-time-to-be-a-mexican-so-i-wrote-death-to-pachuco/

Exclusive: Papercutz announces TOMMY THE COWARD graphic novel [Italy]
Samantha Puc on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/exclusive-papercutz-announces-tommy-the-coward-graphic-novel/

Marvel Publishes A Tribute To Peter David In Its Comics From Today
 16 Jul 2025  Rich Johnston  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/marvel-publishes-a-tribute-to-peter-david-in-its-comics-from-today/

Kindness Is MAGA Kryptonite [Superman].
David French
  July 17, 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/opinion/superman-adoption-maga-kindness.html

The Many Takes on Superman: Gruff, Charming or Menschy?
Maya Phillips
A version of this article appears in print on July 17, 2025, Section C, Page 3 of the New York edition with the headline: Man of Change: Charming, Surly, Burdened, Hottie.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/movies/superman-actors-christopher-reeve-david-corenswet.html

James Gunn Didn't Want to Make 'Superman.' What Changed His Mind?
Kyle Buchanan
A version of this article appears in print on July 19, 2025, Section C, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: 'Superman' Wasn't In His Sights.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/movies/superman-james-gunn-dc-studios-interview.html

Anatomy of a Scene
How Superman Handles a Lois Lane Interview
James Gunn, the screenwriter and director of "Superman," narrates a sequence featuring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan.
By Mekado Murphy
July 18, 2025
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/movies/superman-clip.html

'Superman' | Anatomy of a Scene
James Gunn narrates a sequence from his film, in which Superman (David Corenswet) is interviewed by Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan).
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/movies/superman-clip.html

James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman
The director reveals why his superhero reboot has jokes, politics and is only two hours long — he's the Man of Steel the world needs now
Jonathan Dean
Friday July 04 2025,  
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/james-gunn-interview-superman-film-2025-david-corenswet-dhb3bw3rp

Superman review – is it a bust? Is it a pain? James Gunn's dim reboot is both
The Man of Steel – played with square-faced soullessness by David Corenswet – has an uninteresting crisis of confidence in Gunn's cluttered, pointless franchise restarter
Peter Bradshaw
Tue 8 Jul 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/08/superman-review-david-corenswet-james-gunn

Superman is super woke? How politics play into the new man of steel
The right has already branded the new DC tentpole too woke after its director called the character an immigrant, but just what role do real-world issues play in the film?
Jesse Hassenger
Sat 12 Jul 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/12/superman-movie-woke-politics-immigration

'How woke is Hollywood going to make this character?': Dean Cain criticises new Superman movie
The director of the new film about the Man of Steel has been criticised by some rightwing commentators after saying 'Superman is the story of an immigrant'
Andrew Pulver
Thu 10 Jul 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/10/former-superman-actor-dean-cain-says-new-james-gunn-movie-is-woke

Sorry, Dean Cain – of course Superman is woke, he fights injustice
James Gunn's latest Man of Steel has copped flak from some predictable quarters, but the truth is, superheroes have been subverting the powerful, sticking up for the underdogs, and punching moral cowardice since the 1930s
Ben Child
Fri 11 Jul 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/11/sorry-dean-cain-of-course-superman-is-woke-he-fights-injustice

Superman: identity crises, fascist space holograms and a super furry animal – discuss with spoilers
Has director James Gunn reinvented the superhero film – or just lovingly detonated it? Let's have a deep dive into the new Man of Steel movie
Ben Child
Mon 14 Jul 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/14/superman-discuss-with-spoilers-james-gunn

Return 'Flight': PW Talks with Kazu Kibuishi
By Tobias Carroll              
Jul 16, 2025 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/97987-return-flight-pw-talks-with-kazu-kibuishi.html

James Tynion IV Book Bundles Benefit Binc
Jul 18, 2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/newsbrief/index.html?record=5457

Col. Chris's Comics Corner: Daily Routines
Chris Schweizer
 Jul 18, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0VA3AtoYCk

Smurfs get surreal, which might be lost on the kids [in print as Animated adventure is trolling for adults, not kids]
Review by Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post July 18 2025: Weekend 21
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2025/07/17/smurfs-live-action-review/

'Smurfs' Review: Don't Stop the Music
Glenn Kenny
A version of this article appears in print on July 18, 2025, Section C, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: Smurfs.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/movies/smurfs-review.html

Final Flash: An Announcement
Simon Spurrier
July 14 2025  https://www.simonspurrier.com/blog/finalflash

Should adults watch superhero films? Our critics battle it out
Kevin Maher and Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
November 26 2019,
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/should-adults-watch-superhero-films-our-critics-battle-it-out-59cnb662l

A beginner's guide to the Marvel universe — who's your superhero?
Avengers: Endgame is out now and if you don't know your Captain America from your Iron Man, it's time to get informed. Kevin Maher uses his super powers to help you navigate the Marvel world
Kevin Maher
  April 25 2019,  https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/avengers-endgame-and-the-beginner-s-guide-to-the-marvel-universe-j2j9zd8x5

Loving the Alien
Episode 1- Sean Phillips
2025-07-13
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-5xsf6-19040f2
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/svz8fdde2hz4t6ff/FM_and_Sean_Phillips_Draft_2_bwgso.mp3

We're Off To Waterloo — This Week's Links
Clark Burscough | July 18, 2025 https://www.tcj.com/were-off-to-waterloo-this-weeks-links/

PW Comics World: More To Come
More to Come 683: Mary Shyne interview
Meg Lemke
on 07/11/2025
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1378

The Largest Collection of Scottish Comics...in New Mexico
Amaris Ketcham
Autobiographix Jul 16, 2025 https://autobiographix.substack.com/p/the-largest-collection-of-scottish

Comics and graphic novels can empower refugees to tell their stories on their own terms
  July 2, 2025  https://theconversation.com/comics-and-graphic-novels-can-empower-refugees-to-tell-their-stories-on-their-own-terms-258943
      Dominic Davies and Candida Rifkind

Book review: Pulitzer winner Tessa Hulls of Juneau deftly connects the dots of life in 'Feeding Ghosts'
By David James
  July 12, 2025  https://www.adn.com/arts/books/2025/07/13/book-review-pulitzer-winner-tessa-hulls-deftly-and-beautifully-connects-the-dots-of-life-in-feeding-ghosts/

Cartoonist Chris Ware brings Chicago-inspired world to new postage stamps
The Riverside-based artist has designed a delightfully detailed sheet of 20 Forever stamps, in honor of the Postal Service's 250th birthday.
By  Courtney Kueppers
WBEZ Jul 11, 2025,
https://www.wbez.org/arts/2025/07/11/new-postage-forever-stamp-cartoon-chris-ware

Why Superman still matters, according to fans, creators and retailers
With a new "Superman" movie in theaters, the Capital Region comics community shares some thoughts on the Man of Steel's legacy.
By Jim Shahen Jr.,
Albany Times-Union July 11, 2025
https://www.timesunion.com/movies/article/superman-still-matters-according-fans-creators-20763000.php

Daniel Noah Is Making It Weird In Oni's New 'High Strangeness' Series
Rob Salkowitz
Jul 14, 2025,  https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2025/07/14/daniel-noah-is-making-it-weird-in-onis-new-high-

Cartoonists Can Compare Victims of Genocide to Nazis—But Not the Perpetrators [Mr. Fish]
Hank Kennedy
July 9, 2025  https://fair.org/home/cartoonists-can-compare-victims-of-genocide-to-nazis-but-not-the-perpetrators/

X-Men Monday #301 – Jeph Loeb Talks 'X-Men of Apocalypse'
Chris Hassan
July 14, 2025  https://aiptcomics.com/2025/07/14/x-men-monday-jeph-loeb-x-men-apocalypse/

Barbenheimer but comics: Talking 'Godzilla,' 'Blink,' and Green Goblin with Ethan Parker & Griffin Sheridan
David Brooke
July 15, 2025  https://aiptcomics.com/2025/07/15/parker-sheridan-comics-barbenheimer/

Annis Lee Adams,
The collection, organization, promotion, and use of graphic novels, comics, and manga: A survey of academic libraries,
The Journal of Academic Librarianship,  Volume 51, Issue 5,  2025,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103108.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0099133325001041

Iwamoto Nao
Manben: Behind the Scenes of Manga with Urasawa Naoki  Broadcast on July 12, 2025  https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/5001472/

David Mikics' The Mad Files
Hank Kennedy
https://logosjournal.com/article/david-mikics-the-mad-files/

"Loving the Alien" Podcast launches with Sean Phillips interview
John Freeman on July 15, 2025
https://downthetubes.net/loving-the-alien-podcast-launches-with-sean-phillips-interview/

Markosia Enterprises adds 49 new titles to GlobalComix
Matias De la Piedra on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/markosia-enterprises-globalcomix/

What's going on with NSFW comics lately?
E.B. Hutchins on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/whats-going-on-with-nsfw-comics-lately/

Interview: Rising above what's expected, Trevor Fernandez-Lenkiewicz on RISE
Diego Higuera on 07/18/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-rising-above-whats-expected-trevor-fernandez-lenkiewicz-on-rise/

WaPo not impressed with Smurfs movie

Smurfs get surreal, which might be lost on the kids [in print as Animated adventure is trolling for adults, not kids]

Review by Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post July 18 2025: Weekend 21

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2025/07/17/smurfs-live-action-review/

(2 stars)

Victory Comics to open second store says Fall Church News-Press

7.19 signing at Fantom Comics by Matthew Dow Smith

DC'S MISFITS OF MAGIC CARTOONIST TALK & SIGNING WITH MATTHEW DOW SMITH

>>SATURDAY, JULY 19th @ 4pm

Fantom is pleased to welcome back longtime friend of the store, cartoonist Matthew Dow Smith (The October Girl, IDW's Doctor Who and The X-Files comics) to chat about his new DC Comics middle grade graphic novel, DC'S MISFITS OF MAGIC. Come through to get your book signed and learn about how the comic was made!

When these tweens team up, nothing can stop them!Ricki Jones is your average middle-grader. Her fellow-orphan-turned-adopted-brother Ross is, too. The seven mystical monks training them to protect the Earth from dark supernatural forces are pretty standard adults—they want nothing more than a little peace over summer vacation and all their prior attempts to get the kids out of town led to the camps going out of business. So this year? Rikki and Ross are heading to the town library, where Zatanna Zatara took a camp counselor job she expects to regret.And Rikki's very normal. Everyone wants to investigate mysterious and strange events that could also mean the end of the world. Right? Everyone gathers a band of rogues and weirdoes to help. That's just how friendship works!It's fate (not like, Dr. Fate, just regular fate) that brings her together with Danny Cassidy, the Blue Devil. He's got ADHD and kinda fused with his Halloween costume, giving him demon powers. And Boston Brand, who died in a horrifying microfiche accident and roams the halls as Deadkid. And don't forget June Moon, who changes into an incredibly powerful sorceress named The Enchantress. But don't hold that against her, she's really very sweet when she's not causing trouble.

Get copies in-store and our website: https://stores.comichub.com/fantom_comics/products/dcs-misfits-of-magic-graphic-novel

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "ICE Unmasked!"

 
"ICE Unmasked"
https://sinkers.org/stage/?p=4137

"I was in Austria during the War. I am not programmed to respond in that
area."
— US Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to Chris Hayes, 07.15.2025

If candy-assed, non-committal hemming'n'hawing were an Olympic event —
if namby-pamby mealy-mouthing around were an NCAA Division I sport — New
York Rep. Hakeem "AIPAC Shakur" Jeffries would be a multiple gold
medalist, AND in the top brackets for the Final Four.

Really, brah? You're the goddamn Minority Leader in the goddamn House,
the goddamn head of the goddamn Democratic Caucus, you represent New
York on Capitol Goddamn Hill — but somehow didn't get involved in the
primary, and you didn't know Zohran Mamdani well? What, you never once
during the whole NYC mayoral campaign peeped the New York papers, the
Roll Call, the Hill, none of that shit, like you've been in a goddamn
cave and honestly never heard of the sonofabitch?

Like, are we for real, seriously expected to buy that shit? F'crissake,
ya' pasted-on smiling, empty-eyed mumbling suit; stop insulting our
intelligence and just admit that you're a goddamn useless-assed racist,
fascist-collaborating tool. Everybody else seems to be cutting it loose
these days with no consequences; what the hell, man.

11 x 17 inch medium-res color .jpg image, 558kb
___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

WBEZ interviews Chris Ware about his postage stamps

Cartoonist Chris Ware brings Chicago-inspired world to new postage stamps

The Riverside-based artist has designed a delightfully detailed sheet of 20 Forever stamps, in honor of the Postal Service's 250th birthday.

By  Courtney Kueppers

WBEZ Jul 11, 2025,

https://www.wbez.org/arts/2025/07/11/new-postage-forever-stamp-cartoon-chris-ware

FCNP on Superman

Cult Century, Part 9: The Case for 'Superman'

   Nicholas F. Benton

Falls Church News-Press.

2025-07-17  https://www.fcnp.com/2025/07/17/cult-century-part-9-the-case-for-superman/

The Awakening. by Daniel Boris

 

WaPo obit for Steve Benson

Steve Benson, provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 71 [in print as Provocative Pulitzer-winning cartoonist known for skewering politicians].

While shifting from the political right to the left, he skewered politicians including Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham and President Donald Trump.

By Harrison Smith

July 20, 2025 : B20.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2025/07/16/steve-benson-dead-cartoonist/

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/17/2025

 Steve Benson, a Skewering, Pulitzer-Winning Cartoonist, Dies at 71

Richard Sandomir

July 16, 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/business/media/steve-benson-dead.html

 

ONI PRESS TO EXPAND EC COMICS LINE WITH MORE GENRES

Starting with Western Comic, 'Outlaw Showdown'

  Brigid Alverson on July 16, 2025   https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60051/oni-press-expand-ec-comics-line-more-genres

 

Art Spiegelman Recognized with Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award

July 16, 2025

https://nationalcartoonists.com/2025-caniff-art-spiegelman/

 

Magnolia Pictures Buys 'A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant' (EXCLUSIVE)

Brent Lang

Jul 15, 2025

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/magnolia-buys-savage-art-the-life-and-cartoons-of-pat-oliphant-1236460547/

 

NUMEROUS OBJECTIONS TO DIAMOND'S ''HOSTAGE INVENTORY'' PLAN

Battle Is Joined

Milton Griepp

July 17, 2025  https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60060/numerous-objections-diamonds-hostage-inventory-plan

60 Years of Fantastic Four History in 90 Minutes | Marvel Recap
Marvel Entertainment   Jul 15, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZBgbT_jtmQ

Interview with Comic Art Collector Tyler T
Bill Cox
CAF+  Jul 15, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3f_71gV6d0

Episode 717: Katie Fricas
 RiYL Podcast  Jul 13, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erB6WiBhzSc

Musician Nick Carter Talks Latest Comic Project & Backstreet Boys' Upcoming Las Vegas Residency
C. M. Ramsburg
CBR Presents Jul 8, 2025   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9H2HUkct8Q

Words, Images, & Worlds with Kane Lynch (Updated)
Jason DeHart
  Jul 8, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f-UW2olXDU

Words, Images, & Worlds with Jake Mastar
Jason DeHart
  Jul 13, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1xHrvcq2gw

Words, Images, & Worlds with Travis Webb
Jason DeHart
  Jul 14, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMYHqDd0Ias

Islands in the Sky Kickstarter - Survivor & Creator Matthew K. Manning
Appalachia Comics
  Jul 9, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF0pxlaJzS8

Sam Humphries Writes The New Avengers
wordballoon  Jul 8, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww5jepBHy3M

Umwelt Comics with Aidan Koch - SAW Free Friday Night Comics Workshop
Sequential Artists Workshop  Jul 11, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5erkMv6sdQ

Brian Bolland's incredible career – 2000 AD: The Deep Dive
ST33-V and Chris Sims
 Jul 12, 2025 The 2000 AD Thrill-Cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ylv-pTdeEE

Episode 57: Rob Jones about Dick Giordano and drawing Liberty Girl
 Dennis Mallonee
The Heroic Voice  Jul 12, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owg7U6K2AxU

Inking Ripley/Aliens
Declan Shalvey
 Jul 9, 2025  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IyymorsTzU

Daniel Miyares Talks with Roger
by Roger Sutton
The Horn Book Jul 17, 2025 https://read.hbook.com/daniel-miyares-talks-with-rogers

AX 2025 Interview: Acky Bright teases cross-industry project and how he's like ONE PIECE's Zero
Ollie Kaplan on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/ax-2025-interview-acky-bright/

Four Questions for Amar Shah
By Pooja Makhijani              
Jul 17, 2025  https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/98229-four-questions-for-amar-shah.html

Alan Gratz Is Going for the Gold
Riding the wave of interest in middle grade historical fiction, Alan Gratz returns to Nazi Germany with a fast-paced Olympic thriller, and releases a graphic novel adaptation of a backlist bestseller
By Linda Lowen
Jul 11, 2025  
A version of this article appeared in the 07/14/2025 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Going for Gold
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/98188-alan-gratz-is-going-for-the-gold.html

    Fanbase Press Interviews Sarah Cooke on Her Return to Kickstarter for the Second Volume of the Comic Book Anthology, 'Faster Than Light'
    Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief
    July 15, 2025
    https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/57116-fanbase-press-interviews-sarah-cooke-on-her-return-to-kickstarter-for-the-second-volume-of-the-comic-book-anthology-faster-than-light/

    Between the Panels: Cartoonist Juni Ba on Getting Lost in Manga, Being Obsessed with Storytelling, and Surviving an Early Cautionary Tale
    Kevin Sharp, Fanbase Press Contributor
    July 16, 2025
    https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/between-the-panels/item/57120-between-the-panels-cartoonist-juni-ba-on-getting-lost-in-manga-being-obsessed-with-storytelling-and-surviving-an-early-cautionary-tale/

Goldstein, Steve. 2017, In These Splintered Times, An Editorial Cartoonist's Job Can Be Harder [Steve Benson]. KJZZ's The Show (September 18): https://www.kjzz.org/2017-09-18/content-538098-these-splintered-times-editorial-cartoonists-job-can-be-harder

Graphic Novel Review: SIMPLICITY by Mattie Lubchansky is a mournful yet optimistic tale of living outside society
Sean on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/graphic-novel-review-simplicity-by-mattie-lubchansky-is-a-mournful-yet-optimistic-tale-of-living-outside-society/

There Isn't A Word of Truth In Any of That"- A Conversation With The Elusive & Prolific Clair Noto on Hollywood, Marvel, and Her Erasure from Red Sonja
July 8, 2025 by fourcolorsinners
https://fourcolorsinners.com/2025/07/08/there-isnt-a-word-of-truth-in-any-of-that-a-conversation-with-the-elusive-prolific-clair-noto-on-hollywood-marvel-and-her-erasure-from-red-sonja/

MINDLESS COMMUNICATION – Kieron Gillen
July 12th, 2025
https://mindlessones.com/2025/07/12/mindless-communication-kieron-gillen/

Can Neon Ichiban Breathe New Life into Digital Comics?
By Dean Simons                
Jul 16, 2025 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/98218-can-neon-ichiban-breathe-new-life-into-digital-comics.html

Publishers Await Answers on Inventory Tied Up in Diamond Bankruptcy
By Sam Spratford              
Jul 16, 2025 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/98225-publishers-await-answers-about-inventory-tied-up-in-diamond-bankruptcy.html

Vault Comics and Aethon Books Expand Their Print Offerings
By Jim Milliot              
Jul 16, 2025 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/98213-vault-comics-aethon-books-to-expand-print-offerings.html

Joe Wicks and Studio AKA debut animated Activate series
by Billy Langsworthy
15.07.25 https://www.brandsuntapped.com/joe-wicks-and-studio-aka-debut-animated-activate-series/

Amazon Renews 'Invincible' for Season 5 While You're Still Waiting for Season 4
Where's season 4, William?
By Isaiah Colbert
io9 July 17, 2025
https://gizmodo.com/invincible-season-5-prime-video-amazon-2000630677

Excerpt: Manga: A New History by Eike Exner
July 17, 2025
https://www.tcj.com/excerpt-manga-a-new-history-by-eike-exner/

Exclusive Interview: Tim Seeley talks adapting Revival, tonight's reveal, and how the show is just getting started
Christian Angeles on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/exclusive-interview-tim-seeley-talks-adapting-revival-tonights-reveal-and-how-the-show-is-just-getting-started/

Mansect
Shinichi Koga, translated by Ryan Holmberg
Living The Line Books

Reviews:  Mansect
Leonard Pierce | July 17, 2025
https://www.tcj.com/reviews/mansect-2/

Reviews: Mansect
Sean McCarthy | July 17, 2025
https://www.tcj.com/reviews/mansect/

  Nik Kowsar
Meeting David Levine: The Master Who Changed My Life Through Art
Nik's Substack Jul 17, 2025
https://nkowsar.substack.com/p/meeting-david-levine-the-master-who

Taika Waititi tapped to direct a "fun sci-fi blockbuster" version of Judge Dredd
Waititi's version of Dredd, from a screenplay by Drew Pearce, will reportedly hew closer to the "dark humor" and worldbuilding of the original comics.
By William Hughes  |  July 17, 2025  
https://www.avclub.com/taika-waititi-judge-dredd-film-version

Taika Waititi Tackling 'Judge Dredd' Movie in Hot Package Hitting Hollywood (Exclusive)
Borys Kit
July 17, 2025
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/taika-waititi-tackling-judge-dredd-movie-1236311752/

Video game industry actors pass SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement
Javier Perez on 07/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/video-game-industry-actors-pass-sag-aftra-interactive-media-agreement/

Nik Kowsar on meeting David Levine

Nik Kowsar

Meeting David Levine: The Master Who Changed My Life Through Art

Nik's Substack Jul 17, 2025

https://nkowsar.substack.com/p/meeting-david-levine-the-master-who

 

which includes a link to a story about his cartooning career in Iran

How a Cartoon and a 'Suitcase full of Dollars' Turned My Life Upside Down
The story behind the Crocodile Cartoon, the Suitcase, and the devastating consequences of a joke
Nik Kowsar
Nik's Substack Dec 21, 2024
https://nkowsar.substack.com/p/how-a-cartoon-and-a-suitcase-full

Superman - the Movie Merch

 I saw Superman (2025) at Ballston last night. I thought the movie was a standard superhero movie and I consider them all B movies by definition. It was fine by me, but not great and I don't need to see it again. I was hoping for more though.

There were way too many uninteresting fights. My buddy who went with me and isn't a superhero movie fan was really bored by these and turned off by the lack of the development of the characters.

Supes costume looked curiously clunky to me. Anyone else?

Mr. Terrific was cool though. 

I really, really could have done w/o the Ultraman twist.

The dimensional rift as shown, was really stupid and unnecessary.

Here's the comic book creators that were credited. Rich Johnston always covers this at Bleeding Cool, so I'd recommend checking out his column. 

 

 

OK, enough of that. Let's get down to the merch, and other ephemera (ie the FF poster). I don't go to the movies very often anymore so I was surprised to see a mini-mart opened in front of the concessions.

  

 

 

Nice Fantastic Four poster in the lobby; I'm sure these will be collectible, but I miss the giant displays of cardboard that the theaters used to have.

 

I'm not sure what this table in the lobby was for...

 

 

 

 

the now-common overdone popcorn bucket...

 

 

 

Pillows and blankets in case you need to sleep in those darn recliners that you can't get away from...

 

...and what appears to be a popcorn maker with Superman powering it with his heat vision

and the Smurfs were not ignored as their next movie opens this week...

 

 

 

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/16/2025

Peter Russell-Clarke — RIP

Alan Gardner

July 15, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/07/15/peter-russell-clarke-rip/

 

Peter Russell-Clarke's greatest gift was how he made you feel like one of the family

Wendy Hunt

  July 7, 2025 

 https://theconversation.com/peter-russell-clarkes-greatest-gift-was-how-he-made-you-feel-like-one-of-the-family-260587

 

Children Learn To Draw Cartoons With Cartoonist Rick Stromoski

By Jenna Visca

Jul 14, 2025   https://www.newtownbee.com/07142025/children-learn-to-draw-cartoons-with-cartoonist-rick-stromoski/

 

July 16, 2025

This job is a North American symbol. It looks different now.

How a former door-to-door salesman thinks about his job.

Beatrix Lockwood and Maya Scarpa/For The Washington Post)

July 15, 2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/shifts-salesman-comic/

 

'The opposite of fast fashion': The romance of a well-made shoe

Part of Shifts, an illustrated history of work.

Beatrix Lockwood and Maya Scarpa/For The Washington Post)

July 9, 2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/shifts-bespoke-shoemaker-comic/

 

How a film projectionist creates 'visions on screen'

Part of Shifts, an illustrated history of work.

Beatrix Lockwood and Maya Scarpa /For The Washington Post)

July 7, 2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/shifts-film-projectionist-comic/

 

'I lived on a cliff with 10,000-year-old icebergs and a beagle'

How a former lighthouse keeper thinks about the job.

Beatrix Lockwood and Maya Scarpa/For The Washington Post)

July 2, 2025

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/shifts-lighthouse-keeper-comic/

 

Former N.L. lighthouse keeper's tale gets comic book treatment in the U.S.

Barry Porter's experiences were recreated as comics for the Washington Post

Elizabeth Whitten · CBC News Jul 13, 2025

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/barry-porter-comic-washington-post-1.7581473

 

Look After Yourself in Retirement: John M. Burns comic strip advice

John Freeman on July 15, 2025

https://downthetubes.net/look-after-yourself-in-retirement-john-m-burns-comic-strip-advice/

 

TOP DOLLAR COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS, SPRING 2025

Sales Rankings Based on Comic Store POS Data

ICv2  July 16, 2025   https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/60046/top-dollar-comics-graphic-novels-spring-2025

 

Rolling the Dice and Betting On Yourself, Get to Know Steenz

Pages and Panels   Jun 24 2025

https://www.pages-and-panels.com/articles-and-interviews/steenz-betting-on-yourself

 

'If you had my wiener, would it save your son?': The big, hairy questions of Dandadan

Shaenon Garrity | July 16, 2025 https://www.tcj.com/if-you-had-my-wiener-would-it-save-your-son-the-big-hairy-questions-of-dandadan/

 

Supreme Court Scolds Hemant Malviya; Grants Protection From Arrest

Alan Gardner 

July 15, 2025

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/07/15/supreme-court-scolds-hemant-malviya-grants-protection-from-arrest/

 

SC grants interim protection from arrest to cartoonist in PM, RSS cartoon case

Abraham Thomas

  Jul 15, 2025 https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-grants-interim-protection-from-arrest-to-cartoonist-in-pm-rss-cartoon-case-101752575908092.html

A bench of justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar permitted Hemant Malviya to submit an affidavit expressing a genuine apology, even as it expressed serious reservations

Interview + Preview: Judd Winick talks the first HILO PRESENTS OGN, THE MIGHTY
Ollie Kaplan on 07/16/2025
https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-preview-judd-winick-talks-the-first-hilo-presnts-ogn-the-mighty/

Daniel Best - Author
Jun 24, 2025
Diamond Distributors: Exit Interviews
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/diamond-distributors-exit-interviews

Daniel Best - Author , Jul 16, 2025  
Diamond Distributors Warehouse Sale
https://danielbest1967.substack.com/p/diamond-distributors-warehouse-sale

Clay Jones
Margolis & Cox
Claytoonz Jul 16, 2025   https://claytoonz.substack.com/p/margolis-and-cox/

Adrian Tchaikovsky and Cosmic Lighthouse making a debut with THE FINAL ARCHITECTURE: SALVATION'S CHILD
Christopher Chiu-Tabet on 07/16/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/salvations-child/