Make It Make Sense by Daniel Boris

 

Library of Congress print curator Sara Duke on LOC's Oliphant collections

Library of Congress print curator Sara Duke says about the LOC's holdings, 

The Library mounted Oliphant's Anthem, a retrospective in 1998, which is still online at https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oliphant/. Oliphant drew a number of works for the catalog book publication, which included an interview. My predecessor, Harry Katz, was the lead curator for it. 

The Library has a large Oliphant collection, obtained both by gift and purchase: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=oliphant%20pat. There is also a map case drawer full of unprocessed sketchbooks in the Art Wood Collection. 

The Library possesses the Pulitzer Prize winning drawing, which I just happened to bring out for a display last week. He was still using chemigraphic paper (Duoshade and Craftint were two of the brand names) in 1966, so the drawing has condition problems.

Researchers may make an appointment to see them using the Prints & Photographs Division Ask-a-Librarian service at https://ask.loc.gov/prints-photographs.

Editor's note: 33 books by Oliphant, including some surprising titles, are also in the Library. 

Obituaries and Accolades for Pat Oliphant

This will be updated as I see them. It's in alphabetic order now, but new ones will be appended to the end.

 Jason Chatfield

"The Man on the Trunk of the Tree."  Pat Oliphant, 1935-2026

New York Cartoons Jul 14, 2026   https://www.newyorkcartoons.com/p/the-man-on-the-trunk-of-the-tree

 

Pat Oliphant – RIP

 D. D. Degg   July 13, 2026

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/07/13/pat-oliphant-rip/

 

Pat Oliphant, prizewinning giant of political cartooning, dies at 90

The Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist skewered presidents from Johnson to Trump, reaching a vast audience through syndication.

By Alec Dent

July 13, 2026

https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2026/07/13/pat-oliphant-pulitzer-winning-giant-political-cartooning-has-died/

Pat Oliphant RIP - photos by Bruce Guthrie

 by Bruce Guthrie 

ComicsDC blog July 14, 2026

https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2026/07/pat-oliphant-rip-photos-by-bruce-guthrie.html

Pat Oliphant, Cartoonist Who Skewered the Powerful, Dies at 90

By Robert D. McFadden

 July 13, 2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/arts/pat-oliphant-dead.html

 

Ann Telnaes

 Legendary editorial cartoonist Pat Oliphant July 24, 1935- July 13, 2026.

Open Windows- Ann Telnaes Jul 14, 2026 

https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/legendary-editorial-cartoonist-pat

 

 Jack Ohman 

Pat Oliphant, 1935-2026: His influence on American editorial cartooning was incalculable...

Jack Ohman's You Betcha! Jul 14, 2026  https://jackohman.substack.com/p/pat-oliphant-1935-2026

 Aaron Chassy 

Rest In Power (of the Pen), Pat Oliphant

Chasstoons  Jul 14, 2026  

https://amchassy.substack.com/p/rest-in-power-of-the-pen-pat-oliphant

RIP Pat Oliphant: A truly great has gone

Michael de Adder

THE deEP STATE : The political artwork of Michael de Adder Jul 15, 2026  

 https://deadder.substack.com/p/rip-pat-oliphant

Pictures of Pat – Oliphant Remembered

 D. D. Degg

July 15, 2026 

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/07/15/pictures-of-pat-oliphant-remembered/

Bill Day
PAT OLIPHANT
July 15 2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BgNryQz71/ 

Pat Oliphant RIP - photos by Bruce Guthrie

 by Bruce Guthrie 

Pat Oliphant died yesterday.  Over the years, I saw him a fair amount, usually with Richard Thompson.  

Richard and I had attended Art Wood's Great Cartoonist series at the Smithsonian back in 1983, but I wasn't taking photos then.

The next time I saw him was when I ran into Art and he said Richard and Pat and KAL were doing an exhibit together at Pat's wife Susan Conway's gallery in Georgetown.  That was in 1998 and that was my first time to meet Amy Thompson and Charlotte, their first child.

When Pat was at Politics and Prose back in 2007, Hunter "Patch" Adams came in blue hair and a clown costume. 

When Pat and Richard were both at San Diego Comic-Con in 2009 (the year that Richard announced he had Parkinson's), I attended Pat's panel.  I was sitting next to Susan Conway and Pat was talking about his career, showing slides of some of his cartoons, and then doing random drawings.  When he drew Monica Lewinski giving Bill Clinton fellatio or Sarah Palin getting rear-ended by a moose, Susan just covered her eyes in mock embarrassment.  

The last time I saw him was in 2018 when he came for the White House Historical Association book fair.

He'll be missed!

Some pics over the years.  

with Joe Sutliff

with Al Goodwyn

with Ann Telnaes

with Richard Thompson

with Ann Telnaes, Clay Bennett, and Matt Davies

with Rick Banning and Patch Adams

with Mike Rhode

Bill Clinton

Sarah Palin

with Richard Thompson and KAL

--

Bruce Guthrie
Photo obsessive
http://www.bguthriephotos.com

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/13/2026

Soderberg, Justin. 2026. Kenny Porter - Writer of Operation: Iron Coffin. Capes and Tights Podcast 288; July 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqBlZjYoMFA

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. Top 50 comics - June 2026: Sales rankings based on data from two comic store POS systems. ICv2 (July 13): https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/62837/top-50-comics-june-2026

Barnes, Brooks. 2026. ‘Moana’ Falters at the Box Office, Casting Doubt on Disney’s Formula [In print as: Opening Weekend for ‘Moana’ Disappoints, Raising Questions About Limits of the Franchise]. New York Times (July 13): B4. Online at https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/business/media/moana-box-office-disney.html

Bahr, Sarah. 2026. Kids Can’t Stop Watching ‘Moana.’ There’s a Scientific Explanation. New York Times (July 11): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/movies/moana-kids-obsession.html

Benteau, Andrew. 2026. Interview: Cartoonist Karl Slominski on creating The Last Watchtower. The Beat (July 13): https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-cartoonist-karl-slominski-on-creating-the-last-watchtower/

Degg, D. D. 2026. Holocaust cartoon book cancelled. Daily Cartoonist (July 12): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/07/12/holocaust-cartoon-book-cancelled/

Reyna, Leo. 2026. Original Kiki's Delivery Service illustrator Akiko Hayashi dies at 81. CBR (July 12): https://www.cbr.com/akiko-hayashi-dies-81-kikis-delivery-service-illustrator/

Chavez, Danette. 2026. Superman and Supergirl are having some of their best adventures on TV right now: And their current big-screen counterparts can't keep up. AV Club (July 12): https://www.avclub.com/my-adventures-with-superman-season-3-superman-supergirl-james-gunn

Johnston, Rich. 2026. DC Comics can now ban shops who price-gouge exclusive variant covers: DC Comics can now ban comics shops who price-gouge on their exclusive variant covers, after experience on Absolute Batman. Bleeding Cool (July 12): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comics-can-now-ban-shops-who-price-gouge-exclusive-variant-covers/

Baldino, Greg. 2026. Archie Bongiovanni on queer spaces and severe winters: ‘If it’s trying to appeal to everyone, it doesn’t really appeal to anyone!’. TCJ (July 13): https://www.tcj.com/archie-bongiovanni-on-queer-spaces-and-severe-winters-if-its-trying-to-appeal-to-everyone-it-doesnt-really-appeal-to-anyone/

Dodd, Cormac. 2026. Pat Oliphant, world-renowned political cartoonist and Santa Fe resident, dies at 90. Santa Fe New Mexican (July 13): https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/pat-oliphant-dies-at-90/article_38d31a6f-19f0-4140-bd91-cfe171060120.html

Carter, Justin. 2026. The ‘Witch Hat Atelier’ and ‘Owl House’ Creators Had a Magical Meetup: After years of digital back-and-forth, Kamome Shirahama and Dana Terrace got to meet face-to-face and talk shop at Kodansha House. io9 (July 13): https://gizmodo.com/the-witch-hat-atelier-and-owl-house-creators-had-a-magical-meetup-2000784445

Carter, Justin. 2026. ‘My Adventures With Superman’ Creators Talk Darker, Hard-Hitting Midpoint: Jake Wyatt and Brendan Clogher discuss the latest action-heavy episode of 'My Adventures with Superman' and heading into heavier territory. io9 (July 12): https://gizmodo.com/my-adventures-with-superman-creators-talk-darker-hard-hitting-midpoint-2000781509

Green, Dave. 2026. ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Director Dave Green Discusses the Making of the Long-Awaited Movie. Animation Magazine 40 (360; July): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/07/coyote-vs-acme-director-dave-green-discusses-the-making-of-the-long-awaited-movie/

Gajewski, Ryan. 2026. ‘Moana’ Runs Aground at Box Office With $43M Opening. Hollywood Reporter (July 12): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-box-office-disney-opening-evil-dead-burn-1236643577/

Zahed, Ramin. 2026. Oscar-Winning Film Pioneer and Disney Legend Don Iwerks Dies at 96. Animation Magazine (July 10): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/07/oscar-winning-film-pioneer-and-disney-legend-don-iwerks-dies-at-96/

Franklin, McKinley. 2026. Don Iwerks, Disney Camera and Projection Pioneer, Dies at 96. Hollywood Reporter (July 10): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/don-iwerks-dead-disney-camera-legend-1236644425/

Batchelor, Bob. 2026. Spider-Man: Stan Lee’s storytelling with meaning. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Barris, Jeremy. 2026. The wisdom of Stan Lee’s style. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Singh, Pankaj. 2026. The incredible lessons from the Hulk: A meditation on anger and power. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Rocha, James and Mona Rocha. 2026. From Wakanda to Harlem: Stan Lee’s racial hits and misses. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Favaro, Marco. 2026. Marvels or freaks, monsters or heroes?. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Tsene, Lida. 2026. Superhero teams in Stan Lee’s diverse and inclusive universe. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

McLaughlin, Jeff. 2026. Aesthetic aspirations and ethical prescriptions in Stan’s soapboxes. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Berger, Arthur Asa. 2026. Stan Lee at USC. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Silberkleit, Nancy. 2026. (Comics + People) = (Reading + Knowledge). In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Nicholson, Mervyn. 2026. When God wakes: Stan Lee’s epic theme. In The Philosophies of Stan Lee: Essays on a Comics Mastermind, edited by Jeff McLaughlin. McFarland.

Cortez, Kevin (video). 2026. Kawakatsu Tokushige in Conversation with Ryan Holmberg - Garo, Gekiga & Horror Manga. Fantom Comics (July 13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6dp-KnKNco

Baker, James. 2026. Aska and The Friendship Paradox. ALIA Graphic Novels and Comics (ALIA Graphic) (July 12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMX8MmxY4r4

Siuntres, John. 2026. Christopher Irving presents Joe Unknown. Word Balloon (July 13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAcq_J5FuHEliz

Chamberlain, Henry. 2026. Daniel McCloskey - Cloud Town - Friends in Stormy Weather. Comics Grinder (July 12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNHnfRGv3ac

Smith, Barney. 2026. Mark Bell Returns With Mothman, Teen Ghost Hunters, and a Bus Full of Kids. StoryComic Presents (July 11): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sltrtYulb64

O'Grady, Ellen. 2026. A Web of Well-Wishers with Ellen O'Grady - SAW Free Friday Night Comics Workshop. Sequential Artists Workshop (July 10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPMr1Sut41Q

Shamsavari, Seena. 2026. Seena Shamsavari - 90s Mini-Comics Oral History Archives. Sequential Artists Workshop (July 10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1hSTRnLESE

Dave. 2026. Bendis Talks Miles Morales Spider-Man, Powers, Jessica Jones & Criticism. Direct Edition (July 13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2tfdSFO9oc

Dave. 2025. Stan Sakai Talks Usagi Yojimbo, Jack Kirby, Working With Stan Lee, and Turtles! West Coast Davengers and Direct Edition (June 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRDaMetpSZk

Farley, Chad. 2026. David Dastmalchian & Leah Kilpatrick Reveal the Monsters Behind Kingdom of Earth! Exclusive Interview. Collectors Confessions (July 10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svNDqRU-gz8

Siuntres, John. 2026. Mahmud Asrar Talks Bug Wars X-Men Supergirl and more. Word Balloon (July 10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMu25N6T3E8

Delsante, Vito and Dean Haspiel. 2026. Vito x Dino: Episode 78 - x Dirk Manning [of Source Point Press]. Vito x Dino (July 13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNZIVIVW65A

Harper, David. 2026. Frank Miller talks his approach to comics and art on Off Panel. SKTCHD's Off Panel (July 13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmSUu8qfWYI

Delsante, Vito and Dean Haspiel. 2026. Vito x Dino: Episode 78 - x Dirk Manning [of Source Point Press]. Vito x Dino (78; July 13): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNZIVIVW65A

Ford, Lily. 2025. ‘100 Nights of Hero’s Julia Jackman, Felicity Jones and Maika Monroe on Feminism, Resistance — and Charli XCX: “She Surpassed Expectations”. The trio unpack their fabulously-dressed movie, adapted from Isabel Greenberg's graphic novel of the same name, out now in U.S. theaters: "People really underestimate fun." Hollywood Reporter (December 8): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/100-nightshero-jackman-felicity-jones-maika-monroe-charli-1236439271/

Hart, Aimee. 2025. The 100 Nights of Hero movie sanitizes the comic's daring revisionist fairy tale. Polygon (December 5): https://www.polygon.com/100-nights-of-hero-movie-vs-comic-adaptation-queer-fairy-tale/

Lan, Sabrina. 2025. How a Coolidge Corner shop is keeping Brookline’s comic scene alive. Brookline News (December 8): https://brookline.news/how-a-coolidge-corner-shop-is-keeping-brooklines-comic-scene-alive/

Oddo, Marco Vito. 2025. Netflix Will Be the New Owner of DC (What Does That Mean for James Gunn?). Comicbook (December 5): https://comicbook.com/movies/news/netflix-will-be-the-new-owner-of-dc-what-does-that-mean-for-james-gunn/

McBride, Jessica. 2025. Warner Bros. Discussing Major Move with DC Comics amid Netflix Merger.  More rides featuring DC Comics superheroes might be available to fans in the wake of the Netflix merger. Men's Journal (December 7): https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/warner-bros-discussing-major-move-with-dc-comics-amid-netflix-merger

Unknown. 1927. Adds Comics Section [Lynn [MA] Sunday Telegram-News]. Editor and Publisher 60 (21; October 15): 12. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-15_60_21/page/n9/mode/2up

Schuyler, Philip. 1927. Mrs. Belmont and Minnie Gump as Partners. Public familiarity with society leaders and comic characters being capitalized on by advertisers. Editor and Publisher 60 (21; October 15): 7, 52. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-15_60_21/page/n3/mode/2up

Waters, Courney. 2025. From the stacks: How the Mitford sisters came to be. News Tribune (December 7): https://www.newstribune.com/news/2025/dec/07/from-the-stacks-how-the-mitford-sisters-came-to-be/

Evans, Andrew. 2025. Side Quest Graphic Novel: Book Review By Andrew Evans. This Is Topeka (December 8): https://thisistopeka.com/2025/12/side-quest-graphic-novel-book-review-by-andrew-evans/

Bruce Guthrie's photos of COMICTROPOLIS: Tom King on Comics and the Big Screen are online now

You can find them at this link.

As a reminder, my photos and audio recording are here.

Kawakatsu Tokushige in Conversation with Ryan Holmberg | Garo, Gekiga & Horror Manga

  Kevin Cortez and Fantom Headquarters

Jul 13, 2026 FANTOM COMICS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6dp-KnKNco

Manga historian, scholar, and translator Ryan Holmberg sits down with mangaka Kawakatsu Tokushige for a wide-ranging conversation about *The Cursed Body*, Garo, gekiga, horror manga, artistic influences, and the evolution of alternative manga.This conversation was recorded at Fantom Comics (‪@FantomComicsHQ‬) in Washington, DC, as part of Kawakatsu Tokushige's U.S. book tour celebrating the English release of *The Cursed Body*, published by Glacier Bay Books. Order *The Cursed Body*: https://glacierbaybooks.com/product/t... I'd love to document more of these conversations and help make them accessible to readers everywhere. So, if you dig this video please give it a like, let us know in the comments, and tell us what else you'd like to see. 

Credits: Fantom Comics https://stores.comichub.com/fantom_co...   / fantomcomics     / fantomcomics   Kawakatsu Tokushige:   / kawakatsutokushige   https://x.com/old_schooooool Ryan Holmberg https://mangaberg.com   / mangaberg   https://x.com/mangaberg Glacier Bay Books: https://glacierbaybooks.com/   / glacierbaybooks   https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... Topics discussed: Garo magazine Gekiga Horror manga Alternative manga The Cursed Body Manga influences Comics history Independent publishing #manga #gekiga #garo #comics #horrormanga #horror

RIP Pat Oliphant, political cartoonist and former DC resident

Pat Oliphant, world-renowned political cartoonist and Santa Fe resident, dies at 90

• By Cormac Dodd  
• July 13 2026
• https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/pat-oliphant-dies-at-90/article_38d31a6f-19f0-4140-bd91-cfe171060120.html

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/11-12/2026

Shipskie, Rachel. 2026. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved uncle/brother, James “Jim” Ritchey, who passed peacefully in the early morning hours of July 8, 2026." Facebook (July 8): https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14hLzYzceqG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Żelazko, Basia. 2026. Tadeusz Baranowski nie żyje. Legendarny polski artysta miał 81 lat. WP kultura (July 8): https://kultura.wp.pl/tadeusz-baranowski-nie-zyje-legendarny-polski-artysta-mial-81-lat-7305267145689440a

Unknown. 2026. Carol Lange Obituary [Cartoonists Rights Network, Cartoons and Cocktails]. Journalism Education Association (May 29): https://jea.org/news/carol-lange-obituary/

Holmberg, Ryan and Anne Ishii. 2026. Translators in conversation: Fish & Water by Gengoroh Tagame - Translator Anne Ishii interviewed by Ryan Holmberg. Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (July 11): https://archive.org/details/anne-ishii-and-ryan-holmberg-at-fantom-comics-260711

Brevoort, Tom. 2026. Lee & Kirby: An excised page from Fantastic Four #31. The Tom Brevoort Experience (July 11): https://tombrevoort.com/2026/07/11/lee-kirby-an-excised-page-from-fantastic-four-31/

Simonetti, Paolo. 2012. Why are comics no longer comic? Graphic narratives in contemporary America. In Democracy and Difference: The U.S. in Multidisciplinary and Comparative Perspectives, Papers from the 21st AISNA Conference (aka Labirinti 145), edited by Giovanna Covi and Lisa Marchi: 289-299. Online at https://www.academia.edu/8398577/Why_Are_Comics_No_Longer_Comic_Graphic_Narratives_in_Contemporary_America

Portis III, James. 2026. Indie comic creators left in limbo as Comix Wellspring suspends operations. The Beat (July 11): https://www.comicsbeat.com/indie-comic-creators-left-in-limbo-as-comix-wellspring-suspends-operations/

Freeman, John. 2026. Original Don Heck Iron Man art ignites Heritage Auctions sale in $3 million-plus sale. downthetubes (July 11): https://downthetubes.net/original-don-heck-iron-man-art-ignites-heritage-auctions-sale-in-3-million-plus-sale/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press interviews Robert Cullen on the upcoming release of the graphic novel, ‘Fault Lines,’ with Ablaze. Fanbase Press (July 10): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58817-fanbase-press-interviews-robert-cullen-on-the-upcoming-release-of-the-graphic-novel-fault-lines-with-ablaze/

Degg, D. D. 2026. Luann sex scene too much for newspaper. Daily Cartoonist (July 10): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/07/10/luann-sex-scene-too-much-for-newspaper/

Jay, Alex. 2026. Ink-slinger profiles by Alex Jay: Joe Gill. Stripper's Guide (July 10): https://comicstriphistory.com/2026/07/ink-slinger-profiles-by-alex-jay-joe-gill.html

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Comics on walls: Joe Kessler, Kat Chapman, Olivia Ahmad, Paul Gravett - Exhibiting Comics: Joe Kessler, Kat Chapman, Olivia Ahmad and Paul Gravett talk about putting on a show at the ARC Festival Talks. Bleeding Cool (July 10): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comics-on-walls-joe-kessler-kat-chapman-olivia-ahmad-paul-gravett/

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Comic book publisher marketshare chart for June 2026 - The comic book publisher marketshare chart for June 2026... as well as the first week of July. Bleeding Cool (July 10): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comic-book-publisher-marketshare-chart-for-june-2026/

Degg, D. D. 2026. Mike Constable – RIP [Canada]. Daily Cartoonist (July 11): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/07/11/mike-constable-rip/

Lytle, Julian. 2026. Opinion: The case for reformatted print comics to vertical scroll comics. The Beat (July 9): https://kcomicsbeat.com/2026/07/09/opinion-the-case-for-reformatted-print-comics-to-vertical-scroll-comics/

Shields, Chris. 2026. Capitol Comics #1: The White House's Oval Office: Why Gabriel Hernández Walta the perfect artist to bring Tom King’s The Vision to life - Page 9 of Issue #1 Marvel Comics (2015). ComicsDC blog (July 12): https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2026/07/capitol-comics-1-white-houses-oval.html

Betancourt, David and Tom King. 2026. Comictropolis: Lights, panels, actions - Tom King on comics and the big screen (audio and photos). Washington, DC: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (July 12): https://archive.org/details/comictropolis-lights-panels-actions-tom-king-dcpl-260712

Johnston, Rich. 2026. Iron Man original artwork by Don Heck sets new record at $3,875,000 - Iron Man original artwork by Don Heck from 1963 sets a new sales record, selling for $3,875,000. Bleeding Cool (July 11): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/iron-man-original-artwork-by-don-heck-sets-new-record-at-3875000/

Harper, David. 2026. Nick Dragotta was built for this moment - Absolute Batman is a sensation, and its artist — and all his work that preceded it — is one of the main reasons. SKTCHD (July 8): https://sktchd.com/longform/nick-dragotta-profile/

Harper, David. 2026. Magic of comics with Iman Vellani. Off Panel 560 (July 9): https://sktchd.com/podcast/off-panel-560-the-magic-of-comics-with-iman-vellani/, and https://traffic.libsyn.com/sktchd/Iman_Vellani.mp3

Harper, David. 2026. Adjacent spaces with Ed Brubaker. Off Panel 559 (July 6): https://sktchd.com/podcast/off-panel-559-adjacent-spaces-with-ed-brubaker/, and https://traffic.libsyn.com/sktchd/Ed_Brubaker_2026.mp3

Barone, Joshua. 2026. Few Composers Can Sell Out Arenas. He’s One of Them [In print as: A Celebrity Composer Broadens His Horizons; Studio Ghibli music]. New York Times (July 7): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/arts/music/joe-hisaishi-composer-studio-ghibli.html

Dong, Bamboo. 2026. Kadokawa editor-in-chief spills the secrets on what it takes to create a successful manga. Anime News Network (July 7): https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2026/all-the-news-and-reviews-from-anime-expo/kadokawa-editor-in-chief-spills-the-secrets-on-what-it-takes-to-create-a-successful-manga/.239390

Pineda, Rafael Antonio. 2026. How do we relationship? Manga gets live-action series in September. Anime News Network (July 5): https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-07-05/how-do-we-relationship-manga-gets-live-action-series-in-september/.239343

Maas, Jennifer. 2026. Crunchyroll founder launches AniBiz, new global anime licensing platform with offerings from Aniplex, Toei and more top IP holders (exclusive). Variety (July 2): https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/crunchyroll-founder-new-anime-website-anibiz-1236800890/

Devlin, Ron. 2026. Minersville’s Patrick M. Reynolds chronicled historical events in ‘Pennsylvania Profiles’. Republican Herald (July 11): https://www.republicanherald.com/2026/07/11/minersvilles-patrick-m-reynolds-chronicled-historical-events-in-pennsylvania-profiles/

Mitch is Fine by Daniel Boris

 

Capitol Comics #1: The White House's Oval Office: Why Gabriel Hernández Walta the perfect artist to bring Tom King’s The Vision to life - Page 9 of Issue #1 Marvel Comics (2015)

 by Chris Shields

This series highlights pages from my collection of original comic art that depict Washington, DC monuments and buildings.  As a long-time Washington DC resident, it is always exciting to see the extraordinary town depicted in comics.

Why did Tom King include Washington, DC in The Vision?

In an article on Marvel.com Tom King mentions: "Vision tries to be ordinary. That effort is the most ordinary thing he does. So, in trying, he succeeds; and such success is extraordinary, so as he succeeds, he fails. Hopefully in that roundabout something true comes out".

Source: https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/a-vision-of-the-past 

Panel 1 & 2: The Oval Office and White House

Tom’s use of the White House visit is to contrast with Vision's “ordinary” life, by showing his Avenger access and importance by talking directly to the President in the Oval Office.  He wants a normal life, but this is most certainly not a normal day at the office.

 

In the Director’s cut which is available to read on Marvel.com in issue #1, you can see Tom’s script in the back showing that the use of the White House and Oval Office was specified in the script and part of the storytelling process 

Source: https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/23083/vision_directors_cut_2017

Why is Gabriel Hernández Walta the perfect artist for this series? 

 

In the Marvel article, Tom talks about how in his pitch for the series that it was “Breaking Bad Vision”.  Adding…  "Once we had the “Breaking Bad Vision” pitch I couldn’t say that was the pitch or else that would spoil the whole “Breaking Bad” part, which I wanted to be a shock. So people looking at the first images of the book and reading the first solicitations were just seeing the “Vision creates a family,” thing and they, like my buddy, thought that was a little lame. The whole thing sounded like it might be a stupid comedy of stupid manners, robots doing silly human things; basically Urklebot for the Marvel Universe.

 

So the first and biggest challenge was—and is—showing the high stakes of this series, showing that something horrible was happening here, something haunting. This is where the narrative voice came from, the voice of someone who knew what was coming—who knew about the “Breaking Bad” pitch—and was telling the audience what you’re seeing here is not Urklebot, but is the start of something horrible, something haunting”.  This is why having Gabriel Hernández Walta drawing and inking the pages helped to sell this haunting aesthetic.

 

Photos from a recent event at the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on July 12th, 2026, Tom King was the guest of COMICTROPOLIS: Lights, Panels, Actions.  The event was moderated and hosted by writer David Betancourt. The author showing the Vision art to Tom King (who owns two pages from the series).

 

photo by Shawn Martinbrough

Comictropolis. Tom King and David Betancourt at the DC Public library (UPDATED with audio and photos)

Tom says he started reading with Avengers 300 when his mom bought him a copy.

Experience it for yourself at:

 

COMICTROPOLIS: Lights, Panels, Actions - Tom King on Comics and the Big Screen (audio and photos)

David Betancourt and Tom King

Washington, DC: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (July 12 2026): https://archive.org/details/comictropolis-lights-panels-actions-tom-king-dcpl-260712

 

Pillars of Deceit by Daniel Boris

Julian Lytle's opinion on reformatting comics to read on phones

OPINION: The Case for Reformatted Print Comics to Vertical Scroll Comics

By Julian Lytle

July 9, 2026

https://kcomicsbeat.com/2026/07/09/opinion-the-case-for-reformatted-print-comics-to-vertical-scroll-comics/

Anne Ishii and Ryan Holmberg at Fantom Comics talking about Tagame's Fish and Water manga (updated with audio file)

In the above image, they're talking about Anne's previous work translating Tagame especially for a German publisher that folded in 2017.

 

More photos and audio on the Internet Archive 

RIP Carol Lange, local Cartoonist Rights International board member

https://jea.org/news/carol-lange-obituary/

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/10/2026

Parkin, JK. 2026. Smash Pages Q&A - Katie Skelly on ‘Heaven’. Smash Pages (July 7): https://smashpages.net/2026/07/07/smash-pages-qa-katie-skelly-on-heaven/

Wilkinson, Alissa. 2026. ‘Moana’ Review: It Doesn’t Go Far [In print as: A Live-Action Remake That Doesn’t Veer Far]. New York Times (July 9): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/movies/moana-review.html

Baum, Gary. 2026. George Lucas’ New L.A. Museum Will Offer Free Access to Neighbors. Hollywood Reporter (July 9): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-news/george-lucas-museum-free-access-neighbors-1236643651/

Carson, Lexi. 2026. George Lucas Cast in ‘Minions & Monsters’ After Revealing Love for Minions. Hollywood Reporter (June 20): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/george-lucas-voice-role-minions-and-monsters-illumination-1236626636/

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. Ben Templesmith, Dan Watters, and 4 other creators sign on with Ignition Press ahead of San Diego Comic-Con. ICv2 (July 9): https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/62824/ben-templesmith-dan-watters-4-other-creators-sign-on-ignition-press

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. Chris Powell promoted to director of operations at Coliseum of Comics [stores]. ICv2 (July 9): https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/62825/chris-powell-promoted-director-operations

Alverson, Brigid. 2026. Rocketship inks deal with Moulin Rouge for tabletop games, graphic novels, manga set in Paris cabaret. ICv2 (July 10): https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/62830/rocketship-inks-deal-moulin-rouge

Johnston, Rich. 2026. The Moulin Rouge To Become A Line Of Comics, Manga And Board Games [Rocketship Entertainment]. Bleeding Cool (July 9): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/the-moulin-rouge-to-become-a-line-of-comics-manga-and-board-games/

Puc, Samantha. 2026. Exclusive: Clover Press launches creator-owned imprint The Fourth Leaf. The Beat (July 10): https://www.comicsbeat.com/exclusive-clover-press-launches-creator-owned-imprint-the-fourth-leaf/

MacDonald, Heidi. 2026. Sales Charts: Absolute Catwoman #1 rules June in Prana DMS charts. The Beat (July 10): https://www.comicsbeat.com/sales-charts-absolute-catwoman-1-rules-june-in-prana-dms-charts/

Chiu-Tabet, Christopher. 2026. The Beat Digest 07/10/26: It’s Toxie vs. Noxie in latest TOXIC AVENGER series. The Beat (July 10): https://www.comicsbeat.com/digest-071026/

Heller, Scott. 2026. The ‘Heartstopper’ Creator Is Leaving ‘Sweet Teenage Angst’ Behind [In print as: Alice Oseman]. New York Times (July 9): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/books/review/alice-oseman-heartstopper.html

Degg, D. D. 2026. Adam Zyglis Wins 2025 Sygma Delta Chi Award for Editorial Cartooning. Daily Cartoonist (July 9): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/07/09/adam-zyglis-wins-2025-sygma-delta-chi-award-for-editorial-cartooning/

Myers, Steven Lee and Dustin Volz. 2026. China, Russia and Others Seek to Inflame Debate Over A.I. Data Centers [propaganda cartoons; in print as: Foreign Actors Aim to Exploit Divide on A.I.]. New York Times (July 9): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/business/china-russia-ai-data-centers.html

Lytle, Julian. 2026. Supergirl (2026) Review: Milly Alcock Shines in a Lacking Comic Book Adaptation. Riot-US (June 24): https://riot-us.com/2026/06/24/supergirl-2026-review-milly-alcock-shines-in-a-lacking-comic-book-adaptation/

Sandler, Jonathan. 2026. From Eisner to Uderzo: Two Comics Exhibitions in Paris. GraphicMemoirBlog (July 10): https://jsandlergraphicmemoir.substack.com/p/from-eisner-to-uderzo-two-comics

Thompson, Maggie. 2026. Turning points [#188]. Scoop (July 9): https://www.overstreetaccess.com/turning-points-by-maggie-thompson-188/

Zeldin-O’Neill, Sophie. 2020. Interview with First Dog on the Moon: ‘I ask myself: what if a pineapple was doing this?’ Guardian (July 5): https://www.theguardian.com/membership/commentisfree/2020/jul/05/first-dog-on-the-moon-the-man-the-myth-the-marsupials

Bird, Dylan. 2026. First Dog on the Moon on Finding Humour in the Miserable State of the World. Future Perfect (July 6): https://www.rrr.org.au/on-demand/segments/future-perfect-first-dog-on-the-moon-on-finding-humour-in-the-miserable-state-of-the-world

Colbert, Isaiah. 2026. Oni Press Unveils the World’s First Comic Book in a Can Preserved Exclusively for San Diego Comic-Con [Fort Psycho]. io9 (July 10): https://gizmodo.com/oni-press-san-diego-comic-con-fort-psycho-comic-book-in-a-can-exclusive-2000783598

Walsh, Katie / Tribune News Service. 2026. Live-action remake sails the same old seas [Moana].

Washington Post (July 10): Weekend 12

 
Burscough, Clark. 2026. A Gigantic Nuclear Furnace — This Week’s Links. TCJ (July 10): https://www.tcj.com/a-gigantic-nuclear-furnace-this-weeks-links/

Maskell, Emily. 2026. Alice Oseman opens up about Heartstopper’s final chapter: ‘It’s okay to want that happy ending’. PinkNews (July 6): https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/07/06/alice-oseman-heartstoppers-volume-6-netflix-film/

Bonet, Anna. 2026. The five best graphic novels, according to Heartstopper author Alice Oseman. iNews (July 4): https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/five-best-graphic-novels-alice-oseman-4608938

Crosara, Nic. 2026. Saying goodbye to Heartstopper: Alice Oseman on the final chapter of the queer love story. DIVA Magazine (July 6): https://diva-magazine.com/2026/07/06/alice-oseman-heartstopper-6-interview/

Sheridan, Colin. 2026. Illustrator Karen Harte: Why graphic novels are perfect for a generation raised online. Irish Examiner (July 4): https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-41872224.html

Oliver, Andy. 2026. “I Want to Enjoy the Process without the Pressure of Pleasing Other People” – Henry McCausland on ‘Eight-Lane Runaways’, ‘River Rangers’ and Comics as a Physical Experience. Broken Frontier (July 7): https://www.brokenfrontier.com/henry-mccausland/

Oliver, Andy. 2026. “I Have a Vague Endpoint in Mind” – Linnea Sterte on the Epic ‘A Garden of Spheres’, Inspirations, and the Appeal of Amphibians [Sweden]. Broken Frontier (July 3): https://www.brokenfrontier.com/linnea-sterte-interview/

Parkin, JK. 2026. Smash Pages Q&A - Phillip Sevy + Christie Porter on ‘She Comes With Magic’. Smash Pages (July 6): https://smashpages.net/2026/07/06/smash-pages-qa-phillip-sevy-christie-porter-on-she-comes-with-magic/

Parkin, JK. 2026. Picture + Panel - Abby Denson + Matthew Loux talk about Japan. Smash Pages (July 6): https://smashpages.net/2026/07/06/picture-panel-july2026/

Parkin, JK. 2026. Smash Pages Q&A - Jordan Mechner on ‘Liberty’. Smash Pages (July 8): https://smashpages.net/2026/07/08/smash-pages-qa-jordan-mechner-on-liberty/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews Jordan Mechner on His Return to Kickstarter for the Historical Graphic Novel, ‘Liberty!,’ with Magnetic Press and Oni Press. Fanbase Press (July 6): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58800-fanbase-press-interviews-jordan-mechner-on-his-return-to-kickstarter-for-the-historical-graphic-novel-liberty-with-magnetic-press-and-oni-press/

Valentini, Angela Pansini. 2026. Kengo Kurimoto on Wildful: “Comics Can Teach Us How to Look at the World”. Lo Spazio Bianco (July 8): https://www.lospaziobianco.it/en/kengo-kurimoto-on-wildful-comics-can-teach-us-how-to-look-at-the-world/

Musorrafiti, Dominique. 2026. Beautiful Splatter: the World of Ralph Steadman and the Visceral Nature of his Ink. Retrofuturista (July 9): https://retrofuturista.com/beautiful-splatter-the-world-of-ralph-steadman-and-the-visceral-nature-of-his-ink/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews Mary Bellamy on the Upcoming Release of ‘Faux Facts: The Truth Can Be Strange’ at San Diego Comic-Con. Fanbase Press (July 3): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58789-fanbase-press-interviews-mary-bellamy-on-the-upcoming-release-of-faux-facts-the-truth-can-be-strange-at-san-diego-comic-con/

Dillon, Barbra. 2026. Fanbase Press Interviews Shaun Simon on the Recent Release of the Comic Book Collection, ‘Open Caskets,’ with Half A World Away Press. Fanbase Press (July 7): https://fanbasepress.com/press/interviews/comics/item/58808-fanbase-press-interviews-shaun-simon-on-the-recent-release-of-the-comic-book-collection-open-caskets-with-half-a-world-away-press/

Coplan, Chris. 2026. The (Wacky) Spy Who (Really) Loved Me: Doug Wagner talks action and romance in ‘Yumi: 00EX’. AIPT (July 9): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/07/09/doug-wagner-yumi-00ex-qa/

Brooke, David. 2026. Jadzia Axelrod and Sarah Webb on adapting ‘Worlds Beyond Number’ into its first graphic novel. AIPT (July 7): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/07/07/axelrod-webb-worlds-beyond-number-qa/

Brooke, David. 2026. Charles Soule on Eddie Brock’s addiction, identity crisis, and the road ahead in ‘Venom Unchained’. AIPT (July 2): https://aiptcomics.com/2026/07/02/charles-soule-venom-unchained/

Fox, Killian. 2026. Graphic novel of the month: The Children of Light by Jean Pleyers. Observer (July 9): https://observer.co.uk/culture/books/article/graphic-novel-of-the-month-the-children-of-light-by-jean-pleyers

Murali, Chinmay. 2026. Book Review: Comics and women’s mental health: five stories: by Jeanne-Marie Viljoen. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics (July 3): 1–5. Online at https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2026.2695042, and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2026.2695042

Viljoen, Jeanne-Marie. 2025. Comics and women’s mental health: five stories. Palgrave Macmillan.

Venkatesan, Sathyaraj and Neeraj Abe S S. 2026. Sociality of dying, graphic medicine, and MK Czerwiec’s Taking Turns. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics (June 24): 1–18. Online at https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2026.2689608, and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2026.2689608

Wildfeuer, Janina, Ielka van der Sluis, and Lora Dimitrova. 2026. From layout to practice: testing instruction comics during the European Researchers’ Night. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics (July 7): 1–20. Online at https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2026.2697955, and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21504857.2026.2697955

Smout, Garry. 2026. Talking Comics with Mick Mercer. Barcelona Review 115: https://www.barcelonareview.com/115/e_int.html

Smout, Garry. 2026. Revisiting The Ballad of Halo Jones. Barcelona Review 115: https://www.barcelonareview.com/115/e_mgs.html

Unknown. 2026. Comic strip and graphic novel quiz. Barcelona Review 115: https://www.barcelonareview.com/115/quiz.html

Unknown. 2026. The 2026 Fnac France Inter Comic Book Award goes to “Soli Deo Gloria”. FNAC Darty (July 1): https://www.fnacdarty.com/en/le-prix-bd-fnac-france-inter-2026-est-attribue-a-soli-deo-gloria/

Unknown. 2025. The finalists of the 8th edition of the Fnac France Inter Comic Book Prize are finally revealed [Soli Deo Gloria; J. C. Deveney; Edouard Cour; Sibyllines; Sixtine Damo; Silent Jenny; Mathieu Bablet; Ces lignes qui tracent mon corps; Mansoureh Kamari; Les Gorilles du Général; Julien Telo; Xavier Dorison]. FNAC Darty (May 12): https://www.fnacdarty.com/en/les-finalistes-de-la-8eme-edition-du-prix-bd-fnac-france-inter-enfin-devoiles/

Atilano, Joseph E. 2025. Rob Liefeld: The comic book maverick behind Deadpool, Cable, and Youngblood. Inquirer.net (December 5): https://entertainment.inquirer.net/641990/rob-liefeld-the-comic-book-maverick-behind-deadpool-cable-and-youngblood

Unknown. 1927. [George McManus has gone to Baltimore for the Centennial of the B & O railroad as a guest of the railroad president]. Editor and Publisher 60  (20; October 8): 51. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-08_60_20/page/52/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [James E. Murphy has returned to work following an operation for appendicitis]. Editor and Publisher 60 (20; October 8): 51. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-08_60_20/page/52/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [Drowsy Dick, by Violet Moore Higgins is being offered again by the New York World Syndicate due to reader requests]. Editor and Publisher 60 (20; October 8): 52. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-08_60_20/page/52/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [Milt Gross went to Detroit this week to do promotional work for the Detroit Free Press]. Editor and Publisher 60 (20; October 8): 52. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-08_60_20/page/52/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [Roy Crane is back in New York from several weeks spent in Mexico City]. Editor and Publisher 60 (19; October 18): 51. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-01_60_19/page/51/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [Ethel Hays, cartoonist, has signed a new, long-term contract with NEA for her two cartoons, Flapper Fannie and Ethel, as well as one cover each week for the forthcoming NEA Sunday magazine]. Editor and Publisher 60 (19; October 1): 44. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-01_60_19/page/43/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [Jerome H. Remick & Co. will shortly issue an Ella Cinders song]. Editor and Publisher 60 (19; October 1):  51. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-01_60_19/page/51/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. [The McClure Syndicate is offering two new strips: Famous Love Romances by Nicholas Afonsky and Racie Gracie by Natalie Jenkins Bond and Gayle Nelson]. Editor and Publisher 60 (20; October 8): 52. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-08_60_20/page/52/mode/2up

Unknown. 1927. Terrific Strain [editorial on daily cartoons schedule effect on cartoonists]. Editor and Publisher 60 (20; October 8): 44. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-08_60_20/page/42/mode/2up

Schuyler, Philip. 1927. Celebrities Keen for Advertising Copy Work. 35 cartoonists and 30 "big name" writers lending their talents to selling -- advertisers seeking to transfer cartoon appeal to paid space -- Irvin Cobb approves honest endorsements [Fontaine Fox]. Editor and Publisher 60 (19; October 1): 7, 51. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1927-10-01_60_19/page/n3/mode/2up