Baltimore Comic-Con day 1 in photos

 I attended the Baltimore Comic-Con on opening day, Friday, October 17th. This is a great show, and the first day is busy, but not overwhelmingly crowded. Some guests had extremely long lines (Alan Davis, Jeff Smith), but I got to chat with a lot of people, buy books, and try to convince people to donated their comic books to the Library of Congress.

Andrew Pepoy

Dean Haspiel

Howard Chaykin

Frank Cho

Jose Garcia Lopez

Barbara Perez Marquez

Franco

Gus Vazquez

Richard Case

Paul D. Storrie

Thom Zahler

Joe Staton and Mrs. Staton

Andy Runton

Andy Runton

CGC slabbing booths

X-Men animation voice actors

X-Men animation voice actors

X-Men animation voice actors

X-Men animation voice actors

Green Archer Comics

The Shadow

J. Robert Deans

Chris Flick

Dawn Griffin

Chris Giarrusso

Dan Parent

Carla Speed McNeil

Mark Wheatley

Al Milgrom

Keith Williams

Barbara Friedlander

Bob Macleod

Marc Hempel

Breathtaker exhibit by Hempel and Wheatley

Breathtaker exhibit by Hempel and Wheatley

Breathtaker exhibit by Hempel and Wheatley

Breathtaker exhibit by Hempel and Wheatley

JK Snyder III and Dean Haspiel

JK Snyder III

Ron Wilson and Dean Haspiel

Mike Grell

Mike Grell publications

Mike Grell

Sean Damien Hill and TJ Sterling 

TJ Sterling's Rae Media

TJ Sterling of Rae Media

Sean Chen

Brian Stelfreese (left)

Laura Martin signing beer labels by Charles Vess with her coloring

Laura Martin

Ron Marz

 

Mark Morales

Baltimore bookstore owner ? and Sean Martinbrough

Jon Morrow of TwoMorrows

Charlie McElvy

Mangaka Satoshi Shiki from Tokyo

Mangaka Satoshi Shiki from Tokyo's business card

Mark Sparacio

James Robinson

Bob Hall

Howard Chaykin

Walt and Louis Simonson

Jo Chen

Jo Chen

Books by Jo Chen

Rafer Roberts

Alan Davis

Kevin Maguire

Kevin Maguire

Don Simpson

Phillip Kennedy Johnson

Tula Lotay (right) of England

Charles Vess' booth

Charles Vess' booth - Bone painting

Charles Vess' booth

Charles Vess

Charles Vess and Big Planet Comics founder Joel Pollack

Charles Vess

Charles Vess' booth with Nick

Charles Vess' booth

Bad Idea booth

Michael Cho

Chip Kidd at Abrams Booth

Chip Kidd at Abrams Booth

Josh Blaylock

Vendor with Amazing Fantasy #15 for sale

Ignition Press

The entrance to the con... once more into the breach!

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 10/17/2025

Marjorie Liu on gardening!
Superfan Podcast Ep. 05, Oct 17, 2025
Christian Gossett, Kris Simon, and David Hyde
https://spfanpodcast.substack.com/p/superfan-podcast-ep-05

Report: Comic sales are up 18% in comics shops
Heidi MacDonald on 10/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/report-comic-sales-are-up-18-in-comics-shops/

The Lab Press signs with Lunar, Universal and Diamond UK
Heidi MacDonald on 10/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-lab-press-signs-with-lunar-universal-and-diamond-uk/

NYCC '25: Tom Reilly wishes [REDACTED] was in GI Joe!
Billy Henehan on 10/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-25-tom-reilly-wishes-redacted-was-in-gi-joe/

The Beat Digest 10/17/25: Hellboy's family to fight for THE CROWN
Christopher Chiu-Tabet on 10/17/2025 https://www.comicsbeat.com/digest-101725/

Total Toon Immersion: Animation Is Film Director Shares Must-See Highlights for 2025 Fest
Ramin Zahed
October 16, 2025
https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/10/total-toon-immersion-animation-is-film-director-shares-must-see-highlights-for-2025-fest/
This article was written for the November '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 353).

TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson
Scoop October 16, 2025
https://www.overstreetaccess.com/turning-points-by-maggie-thompson-150/

Convention Recap: New York Comic Con
Scoop October 16, 2025
Art Cloos
Photos by Alice Cloos
https://www.overstreetaccess.com/convention-recap-new-york-comic-con-3/

Virginia county Dems post, delete 'angry black woman' cartoon of Winsome Sears in debate with Abigail Spanberger
Thomas Stevenson
Oct 11, 2025
https://thepostmillennial.com/virginia-county-dems-post-delete-angry-black-woman-cartoon-of-winsome-sears-in-debate-with-abigail-spanberger

Old Town Cafe & Comics & ECGCE Launch Their Own Comic, Samhain Harvest; ECGCE launch Samhain Harvest, with Dan Abdo, Joseph Schmalke, James Kochalka, Enzo Garza, Karen Darboe, Alex Cormack, Jenna Cha & Lonnie Nadler [Vermont minicomic]
 16 Oct 2025  
by Rich Johnston
 https://bleedingcool.com/comics/old-town-cafe-comics-ecgce-launch-their-own-comic-samhain-harvest/

Comic Stores Are Booming Again As Readers Are Getting Younger
Rich Johnston
 16 Oct 2025  
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comic-stores-are-booming-again-audiences-getting-younger/

ICV2 INSIDER TALKS: TODD MCFARLANE ON THE CREATOR AS BRAND
On Entrepreneurship, Personality, and the Advantages of Being Small and Nimble
Brigid Alverson on October 17, 2025
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60808/icv2-insider-talks-todd-mcfarlane-the-creator-brand

HUMANOIDS FILES BANKRUPTCY
Headed for Liquidation
 Milton Griepp on October 17, 2025  
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60807/humanoids-files-bankruptcy

The Art of Sack: The satirical cartoons and oddball art of Steve Sack
By Steve Sack
https://stevesack.substack.com/

Sophia's Substack
Sophia Glock
https://sophiaglock.substack.com/

Inside the DC Comics Archives Vault
Mark Waid
DC  Oct 7, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKeCKk15BN8

The Comic Book Burnings Project
Documenting and Mapping Fires in America, 1945-1955
Brian M. Puaca
October 17, 2025
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7deec3e3e8da4517907d266faccd2323

'Iyanu' Creator Roye Okupe & The Co-Production Company Team On 'Malika: Warrior Queen' Animated Feature Starring Adesua Etomi-Wellington
Melanie Goodfellow
Deadline October 15, 2025
https://deadline.com/2025/10/iyanu-roye-okupe-malika-feature-adesua-etomi-wellington-1236586879/

My Dear Friend, Rally — This Week's Links
Clark Burscough | October 17, 2025
https://www.tcj.com/my-dear-friend-rally-this-weeks-links/

    Fanbase Press Interviews Joshua Viola on Returning with the Third and Final Issue of 'True Believers' from Bit Bot Media
    Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief
    October 14, 2025
    https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/57638-fanbase-press-interviews-joshua-viola-returns-with-the-third-and-final-issue-of-true-believers-from-bit-bot-media/

A Graphic Novel That Exposes the Failures of the American Experiment
In "Simplicity," Mattie Lubchansky writes about monsters, a separatist commune, and nightmarish oligarchs
Oct 15, 2025
Alex Dueben
https://electricliterature.com/a-graphic-novel-that-exposes-the-failures-of-the-american-experiment/

"I'm Always Trying to Make Comics the Other Way Around" — An Interview with Portuguese Cartoonist Joana Mosi on Her Graphic Novels 'The Mongoose' and 'Physical Education'
    by François Vigneault
    October 13, 2025
https://www.brokenfrontier.com/im-always-trying-to-make-comics-the-other-way-around-an-interview-with-portuguese-cartoonist-joana-mosi-on-her-graphic-novels-the-mongoose-and-physical-education/

Fabien Toulmé explores love in Bengaluru
Fabien Toulmé, a French graphic novelist researching how couples meet, part, or stay together, has discovered both similarities and differences in Bengaluru's approach to relationships
Mini Anthikad Chhibber
October 11, 2025
https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/fabien-toulm%C3%A9-explores-love-in-bengaluru/article70151306.ece/amp/

The 'sort-of superhero series': Alex Segura, Sara Century break down 'The Forgotten Five'
The indie-leaning take on mutants/heroes is run via Patreon.
 Chris Coplan
October 16, 2025
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/16/the-forgotten-five-creator-qa/

Generational trauma and Mary Poppins: Joey Esposito and Pandamusk introduce us to 'MADAM'
The new, deeply horrifying OGN is currently crowdfunding via Kickstarter.
 Chris Coplan
October 14, 2025
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/14/madam-ogn-qa/

  *Hassan, Chris. 2025. X-Men Monday #316 – Rebecca Podos Talks 'What If… Kitty Pryde Stole the Phoenix Force?'. AIPT (October 13): https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/13/x-men-monday-316-rebecca-podos-what-if/

  *Isidoro, Andrew. 2025. NYCC 2025: 'Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees' creator Patrick Horvath talks the sequel. AIPT (October 11): https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/11/nycc-2025-beneath-the-trees-where-nobody-sees/

  *Isidoro, Andrew. 2025. NYCC 2025: TMNT creators Dan Watters, Michele Bandini and Amancay Nahuelpan talk 'Shredder' and 'Casey Jones'. AIPT (October 11): https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/11/nycc-2025-tmnt-shredder-casey-jones/

Heading 'Down North Where No One Goes': Ramón Perales talks story, inspiration for compelling new adventure comic
Chris Coplan
October 10, 2025
https://aiptcomics.com/2025/10/10/down-north-where-no-one-goes-qa/

  *Regev, Nir. 2025. Interview: Aykroyd & Belushi Kids on Blues Brothers Graphic Novel. Natural Aristocrats (October 15): https://thenaturalaristocrat.com/2025/10/15/interview-aykroyd-belushi-kids-on-blues-brothers-graphic-novel/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcPn5ce3-RA

    Lost Literacies: Experiments in the Nineteenth-Century US Comic Strip by Alex Beringer (review)
    Sara Sillin
    American Literary History
    Volume 37, Number 3, Fall 2025
    pp. 863-865
    https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/8/article/970986/

Communicating biodiversity: How comics vs. informational messages influence food choice
 Nora Delvendahl, Nina Langen
Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 529, 25 October 2025, 146565
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.146565
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652625019158

Smith, Philip. 2025. Book Review: Petrochemical fantasies: the art and energy of American comics: by Daniel Worden. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 1–2.  Online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15295036.2025.2565662 and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15295036.2025.2565662

  *Alvanita, Indah Fadhilla & Syihaabul Hudaa. 2025. The representation of
sweets in comic strips of Indonesian children's magazine Bobo. Cogent Arts & Humanities,
12 (1, 2569265; October 4): https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2569265 and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311983.2025.2569265#references-Section1

New YouNeek cartoon announced

'Iyanu' Creator Roye Okupe & The Co-Production Company Team On 'Malika: Warrior Queen' Animated Feature Starring Adesua Etomi-Wellington

Melanie Goodfellow

Deadline October 15, 2025

https://deadline.com/2025/10/iyanu-roye-okupe-malika-feature-adesua-etomi-wellington-1236586879/

 

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 10/16/2025

Comics Crowdfunding Round-Up: FALLING IN LOVE ON THE PATH TO HELL, EVERMIND, ANTIMATTER, and two more projects you'll love!
Diego Higuera
10/16/2025
https://www.comicsbeat.com/comics-crowdfunding-round-up-falling-in-love-on-the-path-to-hell-evermind-antimatter-and-two-more-projects-youll-love/

Unknown. 2025. 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Series And Graphic Novel Nominated For Hugo Awards. Trekmovie (April 9): https://trekmovie.com/2025/04/09/star-trek-lower-decks-series-and-graphic-novel-nominated-for-hugo-awards/

Aloi, Jacob. 2025. Graphic Gatsby: K. Woodman-Maynard on adapting a classic for comics. MPR News (April 10): https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/04/10/great-gatsby-graphic-novel-by-minnesota-author

  *MacDonald, Heidi. 2025. Good Vibes at New York Comic Con. Publishers Weekly (October 14): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/98838-good-vibes-at-new-york-comic-con.html

  *MacDonald, Heidi. 2025. Diamond consignment inventory dispute goes to mediation; Sparkle Pop sues Dynamite. The Beat (October 16): https://www.comicsbeat.com/diamond-consignment-inventory-dispute-goes-to-mediation-sparkle-pop-sues-dynamite/

  *MacDonald, Heidi. 2025. Humanoids files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The Beat (October 16): https://www.comicsbeat.com/humanoids-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy/

  *Goodman, Rachel. 2025. Captain Canuck comes to save Canadians in trade war-inspired comic. Global News (April 10): https://globalnews.ca/news/11125664/captain-canuck-canada-us-trade-war/

  *Degg, D. D. 2025. Goodbye to "Nancy" From Olivia. Daily Cartoonist (October 15): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2025/10/15/goodbye-to-nancy-from-olivia-jaimes/

  *Eckstine, Heather. 2023. Woman indicted in stabbing death of father, well-known Virginia Beach dentist [Norah Horwitz]. WTKR (December 4): https://www.wtkr.com/news/woman-indicted-in-stabbing-death-of-father-well-known-virginia-beach-dentist

  *Unknown. [n.d.]. Norah Horwitz. PDX Contemporary Art (n.d.): https://pdxcontemporaryart.com/norah-horwitz

  *Unknown. 2025. A Glimpse into the Past of Norah Horwitz [Marvel editor]. Gay League (n.d.): https://gayleague.com/a-glimpse-into-the-past-of-norah-horwitz/

    Fanbase Press Interviews Mark Evanier on the Release of the 75th Anniversary Hardcover Collection, 'The Essential Peanuts,' with Abrams ComicArts
    Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief
    October 10, 2025
     https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/57623-fanbase-press-interviews-mark-evanier-on-the-release-of-the-75th-anniversary-hardcover-collection-the-essential-peanuts-with-abrams-comicarts/

Keller, Ilana. 2025. Missing matzah and a talking goat: NJ woman pens Passover graphic novel [Dara Horn, "One Little Goat"]. Asbury Park Press (April 11): https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/04/11/one-little-goat-first-of-its-knd-passover-graphic-novel-by-dara-horn/82979614007/

Yessuff, Loré. 2021. On finding the perfect collaborator [Khary Randolph and Brandon Thomas interview on "Excellence"]. Creative Independent (March 15): https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/comic-book-illustrator-khary-randolph-and-comick-book-writer-brandon-thomas-on-finding-the-perfect-collaborator/  

  *Griepp, Milton. 2025. Diamond, Consignors, Sparkle Pop, Bank, Creditors Agree To Mediation To Resolve Raft of Thorny Issues. ICv2 (October 16):  
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/60799/diamond-consignors-sparkle-pop-bank-creditors-agree-mediation

  *Johnston, Rich. 2025. Publishers & Distributors In Diamond Comics Bankruptcy Seek Mediation. Bleeding Cool (October 15): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/publishers-distributors-in-diamond-comics-bankruptcy-seek-mediation/

  *King, Stephen and Dave McKean (ill.). 2025. Firestarter. PS Publishing

  *Chatfield, Jason. 2025. A Cheerful Conversation with Peter Kuper: Insects, Ink, and the End of the World. New York Cartoons (October 16): https://www.newyorkcartoons.com/p/a-cheerful-conversation-with-peter

  *Johnston, Rich. 2025. Comics Publisher Humanoids Files For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Bleeding Cool (October 15):  https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comics-publisher-humanoids-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy/

  *Spratford, Sam. 2025. Humanoids Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Publishers Weekly (October 16): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/98870-humanoids-files-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy.html

  *Fischer, Noah. 2025. Edward Gorey Killed His Darlings : A show at the Society of Illustrators demonstrates his mastery at turning ghastly scenarios deadpan and winkingly absurd. Hyperallergic (October 15): https://hyperallergic.com/1049679/edward-gorey-killed-his-darlings/

  *Martin. 2025. GVN Talking Comics Interview: Chris Ryall & Jacob Phillips On Abrams ComicArts' Megalopolis Adaptation. GeekVibesNation (October 14): https://geekvibesnation.com/gvn-talking-comics-chris-ryall-jacob-phillips-megalopolis-adaptation-interview/

Interview: TRIGUN STARGAZE production team talks the universal appeal of gun-slinger stories
We talked to Yasuhiro Nightow, Masako Sato, and Yota Shirasu at NYCC 2025!
 Ollie Kaplan
  10/16/2025  https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-trigun-stargaze-production-team-talks-the-universal-appeal-of-gun-slinger-stories/

Imagination to the Rescue: 'Cardboard' Director J.P. Vine on the Making of His Locksmith Animation Short (Exclusive Featurette)
Ramin Zahed
October 15, 2025
 https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/10/imagination-to-the-rescue-cardboard-director-j-p-vine-on-the-making-of-his-locksmith-animation-short-exclusive-featurette/
 This article was written for the December '25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 354)

Jeff Spokes Selling His Artwork From The Cancelled Red Hood #2, 3 & 4
 15 Oct 2025  
by Rich Johnston
 https://bleedingcool.com/comics/jeff-spokes-selling-his-artwork-from-the-cancelled-red-hood-2-3-4/

  *Glassman, Bill. 2025. Readers sound off on fighting for health care, Gaza in ruins and old comic strips [Gasoline Alley letter]. New York Daily News (October 16): https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/10/16/readers-sound-off-on-fighting-for-health-care-gaza-in-ruins-and-old-comic-strips/

Mexican cartoonist brings iconic art to Las Vegas consulate
Trino Camacho creates a mural celebrating Latino community at a valley location.
Karla Salinas
 KVVU Oct. 15, 2025
https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/10/16/mexican-cartoonist-brings-iconic-art-las-vegas-consulate/

After 'Lightyear' Controversy, Snoop Dogg Added Gay Couples, New Song to Animated Kids Show [ Doggyland]
Chris Gardner
October 16, 2025
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/snoop-dogg-lightyear-controversy-lgbtq-song-1236403054/

  *Dolak, Kevin. 2025. 'South Park' Returns to Roast Peter Thiel and Set Up Cartman as the Only Hope Against the Antichrist. Hollywood Reporter (October 15): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/south-park-roasts-peter-thiel-cartman-vs-antichrist-1236402636/

Hughes, William. 2025. South Park adds "Antichrist scholar" Peter Thiel to its pantheon of modern villains; Thiel's recent Antichrist ramblings dovetailed quite nicely with South Park's current "Donald Trump impregnates the devil" obsessions. AV Club (October 15): https://www.avclub.com/south-park-peter-thiel-twisted-christian

  *Dreisonstok, Mark. 2025. Japanese Anime and Culture Convention Returns in Crystal City. Falls Church News Press (October 16): 8. online at https://www.fcnp.com/2025/10/16/japanese-anime-and-culture-convention-returns-in-crystal-city/

Illustrated adventure [Alison Mason,  The Adventures of Rudy and Trevor comic strip ]
AMY COBB
 Kentucky Living October 14, 2025
    https://www.kentuckyliving.com/lifestyle/illustrated-adventure

Introducing The Adventures of Rudy and Trevor
Alison Mason
Columbia Magazine  2025-07-22
https://www.columbiamagazine.com/index.php?sid=135587

Falls Church News Press covered AnimeUSA

Japanese Anime and Culture Convention Returns in Crystal City [AnimeUSA]

Mark Dreisonstok

Falls Church News Press 2025-10-16 

https://www.fcnp.com/2025/10/16/japanese-anime-and-culture-convention-returns-in-crystal-city/