Thursday, July 30, 2026

July 31-Aug 2: Otakon at the Convention Center

Founded in 1994, Otakon is an annual convention held in the summer months to celebrate Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc) and its fandom. The event runs from Friday to Sunday and is packed with a schedule that has tons to do.

In 2017, Otakon moved to our new home, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in our nation’s capital of Washington, DC.

“For fans, by fans”, Otakon is run all by volunteers under the non-profit organization Otakorp, Inc.

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 7/29/2026

Hickey, Nora and Amaris Ketcham. 2026. An interview with Christopher Sperandio. Autobiographix (July 29): https://autobiographix.substack.com/p/an-interview-with-christopher-sperandio

Tench, Rob. 2026. ProQuest’s Underground and Independent Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels, Vols. 1–111 | eReview. Library Journal (July 29): https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/proquests-underground-and-independent-comics-comix-and-graphic-novels-vols-1-111-ereview

MacDonald, Heidi. 2026. San Diego Comic-Con 2026 delivers despite Eisner leak. Publishers Weekly (July 29): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/100936-san-diego-comic-con-2026-delivers-despite-eisner-leak.html

macabre, bailey. 2026. Whess Harman interviewed by bailey macabre. Inkstuds’s Substack (July 29): https://inkstuds.substack.com/p/whess-harman-interviewed-by-bailey

Holub, Christian. 2026. Marvel moves comics office to L.A., names new EIC [In print as: Marvel Moves Office to L.A., Announces New Editor-in-Chief]. Publishers Weekly (July 17): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/100858-marvel-moves-comics-office-to-l-a-announces-new-editor-in-chief.html

Holub, Christian. 2026. Christian Ward signs deal with Oni Press for three new creator-owned comics. Publishers Weekly (July 20): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/100879-christian-ward-signs-deal-with-oni-press-for-three-new-creator-owned-comics.html

Holub, Christian. 2026. ‘A fight in America between madness and sanity’: PW talks with Dan Houser [American Caper]. Publishers Weekly (July 29): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/100929-a-fight-in-america-between-madness-and-sanity-pw-talks-with-dan-houser.html

Scholl, Clara. 2026. Art: It's Alive! A century of animation from the collection. Air Mail (July): https://airmail.news/arts-intel/events/its-alive-a-century-of-animation-from-the-collection

Chuba, Kirsten. 2026. Tom Holland says he’ll play Spider-Man “for as long as they’ll have me” after ‘Brand New Day’: “If this movie does good, I guess we’ll see!”. Hollywood Reporter (July 27): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tom-holland-spider-man-brand-new-day-premiere-1236657726/

Brzeski, Patrick. 2026. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ swings to China’s biggest superhero opening in seven years. Hollywood Reporter (July 28): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spider-man-brand-new-day-china-box-office-1236658858/

Honeycutt, Kirk. 2011. Cowboys & Aliens: Film review. Hollywood Reporter (July 24): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/cowboys-aliens-film-review-214687/

Holub, Christian. 2026. Five great comics based on ‘The Odyssey’. Publishers Weekly (July 29): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/100928-five-great-comics-based-on-the-odyssey.html

Colbert, Isaiah. 2026. ‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ Season 2 ups the ante in all the right ways. io9 (July 29): https://gizmodo.com/batman-caped-crusader-season-2-review-prime-video-animated-series-2000792299

Barsanti, Sam. 2026. The new Ghost In The Shell is proudly a cartoon: The latest adaptation of Shirow Masamune’s classic manga takes an important lesson from Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 movie adaptation. AV Club (July 29): https://www.avclub.com/ghost-in-the-shell-prime-video-science-saru-shirow-masamune

Gillis, Drew. 2026. Dan Harmon didn't think Rick And Morty could continue without Justin Roiland: Now, he says he understands that thinking one person can't get fired is how toxic sets come to be. AV Club (July 29): https://www.avclub.com/dan-harmon-talks-rick-and-morty-justin-roiland

MacDonald, Heidi, Christian Holub, and Kate Fitzsimons. 2026. Marvel moves house. PW Comics World: More To Come (720; July 17).: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1416

MacDonald, Heidi, Christian Holub, and Kate Fitzsimons. 2026. Charity and Silvia PW Comics World: More To Come (719; July 3): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=1415

Salkowitz, Rob. 2026. SDCC 2026 - Flying high, running hot. Scoop (July 29): https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/62975/sdcc-2026-flying-high-running-hot

Sandstrom, Sara. 2026. Community to celebrate George Blevins: Carousel to host local cartoonist. Mountain Ear (July 26): https://themtnear.com/stories/community-to-celebrate-george-blevins,102355

Flook, Ray. 2026. Dan Harmon discusses keeping Rick and Morty going after Justin Roiland. Bleeding Cool (July 27): https://bleedingcool.com/tv/dan-harmon-discusses-keeping-rick-and-morty-going-after-justin-roiland/

Eddy, Cheryl. 2026. Dan Harmon shares his hopes for the ‘Rick and Morty’ movie: It's still in very early stages, but the co-creator's ultimate goal is "to make it the greatest movie ever to exist.". io9 (July 29): https://gizmodo.com/dan-harmon-shares-his-hopes-for-the-rick-and-morty-movie-2000792100

Sandler, Jonathan. 2026. Eric Drooker on The New Yorker, Class, and Naked City. GraphicMemoirBlog (July 29): https://jsandlergraphicmemoir.substack.com/p/eric-drooker-on-the-new-yorker-class

Park, Gene. 2026. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ remembers what makes Spidey special: Even weighed down with franchise baggage, this film sings with a lively New York and excellent fights. Washington Post (July 28): https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2026/07/28/spider-man-brand-new-day-remembers-what-makes-spidey-special/

Truitt, Brian. 2026. 'Brand New Day' is Tom Holland's grownup Spider-Man movie – Review. USA Today (July 28): https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2026/07/28/spider-man-brand-new-day-movie-review/90993599007/

Wilkinson, Alissa. 2026. ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ review: Can we do whatever a Spider can?. New York Times (July 28): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/movies/spider-man-brand-new-day-review.html

Unknown. 2026. Five questions for Gregg Bender, cartoonist, illustrator and musician. Journal Gazette (July 26): https://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/five_questions/five-questions-for-gregg-bender-cartoonist-illustrator-and-musician/article_4e337163-9b83-4e6f-9fed-563bf96b255e.html

Zahed, Ramin. 2026. ‘The Ninth Jedi’ directors discuss the creation of their ‘Star Wars: Visions’ series. Animation Magazine (July 28): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/07/the-ninth-jedi-directors-discuss-the-creation-of-their-star-wars-visions-series/

Sava, Oliver. 2026. 5 new comics to read in August, including a mystery by the MCU's Ms. Marvel: Thor gets more grounded and Iman Vellani makes her comics debut. AV Club (July 29): https://www.avclub.com/best-august-comics-the-mortal-thor-chachu

Le Gal, Adrien. 2026. Cartoonist Derf Backderf's 'Dissidents' revisits the brutal repression of American editorial cartoonists in 1917: The cartoonist behind 'My Friend Dahmer' pays tribute to the cartoonists who opposed the United States' entry into World War I and were hunted down by President Wilson. Le Monde (July 27): https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2026/07/27/cartoonist-derf-backderf-s-dissidents-revisits-the-brutal-repression-of-american-editorial-cartoonists-in-1917_6755889_30.html

Milligan, Mercedes. 2026. Exclusive: Jorge R. Gutiérrez discusses Tezuka’s joyful creative legacy in ‘TEZUKA! God of Manga’. Animation Magazine (July 28): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/07/exclusive-jorge-r-gutierrez-discusses-tezukas-joyful-creative-legacy-in-tezuka-god-of-manga/

Madden, Sally. 2026. 20 questions with Brad Neely: ‘I’m always trying to figure out, is a horse just like a dog?’. TCJ (July 29): https://www.tcj.com/20-questions-with-brad-neely-im-always-trying-to-figure-out-is-a-horse-just-like-a-dog/

Tapscott, Craig. 2026. Cartoonist Guy Richards Smit finds art in poker's smallest moments. Poker.org (July 27): https://www.poker.org/latest-news/cartoonist-guy-richards-smit-finds-art-in-pokers-smallest-moments-aXXr98K1Jlpz

Shields, Chris. 2026. Capitol Comics #2: The Washington Monument: Spider-Man: Homecoming movie adaptation - Mayhem at the Monument (2017). ComicsDC blog (July 29): https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2026/07/capitol-comics-2-washington-monument.html

Coyle, Jake / Associated Press. 2026. A decade in, Studio Ghibli fest is bigger than ever. Washington Post (July 29): B1, 3

Unknown. 1922. Barney Google's Creator Home from Europe. Fourth Estate (June 24): 20. Online at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=cub.u183021630470&seq=684&view=1up

Unknown. 1922. Comic Strip Interprets Art Day by Day, Says Writer, Likes Krazy Kat [Gilbert Seldes]. Fourth Estate (June 24): 20. Online at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=cub.u183021630470&seq=684&view=1up

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

PW recommend's Gareth Hinds' Oddyssey adaptation

Five Great Comics Based On ‘The Odyssey’

By Christian Holub

Jul 29, 2026 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/100928-five-great-comics-based-on-the-odyssey.html

PR: Announcing Small Press Expo 2026 International Special Guests

For Immediate Release

Contact Email: press@smallpressexpo.com

Small Press Expo Announces International Guests Fran Mariscal, Lola Lorente, Don Julio Serrano, Paul B. Rainey, Arizona O'Neill, and Rachael Smith.

Bethesda, Maryland - July 28, 2026

Media Release - Small Press Expo is proud to announce International Special Guests for SPX 2026 from Spain, England and Canada.

This is in addition to the previously announced Special Guests, Lisa Hanawalt, Julia Wertz, Frederick Noland, Peter Bagge, Jared Cullum Derf, Kim Deitch, James Spooner, Noah Van Sciver, CK Gormally, and Raquelle Jac.

We profusely thank Spain Arts & Culture for their support in bringing Fran Mariscal, Lola Lorente, and Don Julio Serrano to SPX 2026.

Read more about SPX 2026 Special Guests here.

The show takes place on Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, with programming and workshops about the amazing world of independent comics as well as an exhibitor floor featuring over 450 creators.

Additional Special Guests will be announced over the next few weeks.

SPX 2026 is honored to have the following creators as Special Guests to this year's show.

Banner by Sanika Phawde

Visit the SPX 2026 Website for More Info

Fran Mariscal

Fran Mariscal is an emerging Spanish graphic novelist whose debut book, Moribundo, has drawn critical acclaim for its striking visual storytelling and emotionally rich narrative. Blending psychological horror with themes of grief, toxic relationships, and hope, Moribundo introduces a compelling new talent in contemporary Spanish comics. In Portraits: 12 Lives, 12 Journeys, he portrays the life and groundbreaking work of Valentín Fuster, the renowned Spanish cardiologist whose contributions have had a profound impact on cardiovascular medicine in the United States.

Lola Lorente

Lola Lorente’s English debut, Mary Pain, is a sorrowful yet hopeful portrait of a young adult at a crossroads in life—a quintessential loser looking for meaning and redemption in a town full of ghosts.

Lola Lorente’s slick black inkwork feels sophisticated and voluptuous, and her rendering of townsfolk and their customs is a sensorial delight. Her devoted attention to fabric textures, body shapes, and one-of-a-kind faces brings this cast of oddballs and weirdos, sometimes verging on the grotesque, fully to life.

Don Julio Serrano

Don Julio Serrano is one of Spain's most acclaimed comic artists and cartoonists, celebrated for his sharp wit, distinctive drawing style, and long-standing collaborations with leading Spanish publications, including El Jueves. Through humor and satire, his work offers an insightful look at contemporary society, making him a prominent voice in Spanish comics. Be sure to read his contribution to Portraits: 12 Lives, 12 Journeys, where he illustrates the life of Spanish Nobel Prize-winning scientist Severo Ochoa.

Paul B. Rainey

Murder School is a memoir of British middle school bullying and one precocious comic nerd’s fight to make it through while remaining as invisible as possible.

British graphic novelist Paul B. Rainey takes a classic “school daze” tale—both wistful and hilarious—and manages to turn it on its head with a couple of his now famous twists. Find out the truth behind The Murder School and the effect it’s had on Rainey well into middle-age.

Arizona O'Neill

Opioids and Organs is a damning critique of an industry that takes advantage of society’s outcasts. It is a heartwrenching memoir of a daughter losing her father and a scathing indictment of the medical industry.

This is the graphic novel debut of Canadian Arizona O’Neill, who weaves together a dramatic personal history with that of how humanity made its scientific advances. A muted yet striking pastel palette and a doll-like fantastical elegance belie both the gruesomeness of the book’s topic and the rage of its author.

Rachael Smith

England-based Rachael Smith is very excited about her debut appearance at SPX! Find her over at the Avery Hill Publishing table where she will be signing copies of Who Killed Nessie? and talking about future projects too!

Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 450 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year’s guests.

The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show.

For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.smallpressexpo.com.

Small Press Expo

P.O. Box 5704

Bethesda, Maryland

20824

www.smallpressexpo.com

Email: press@smallpressexpo.com

STAY CONNECTED

Small Press Expo | PO Box 5704 | Bethesda, MD 20824 US

Aug 1: CREATOR SIGNING & BOOK LAUNCH: HANS VOGEL IS DEAD VOL 2

CREATOR SIGNING & BOOK LAUNCH: HANS VOGEL IS DEAD VOL 2
with creator SIERRA BARNES in conversation with CAIT MCPHERSON

>>SATURDAY, AUGUST 1st @ 6:30pm

Sierra’s antifascist fairytale about a dead Nazi pilot who must confront his sins through a lens of German folklore. Sierra Barnes will be here in conversation with fellow cartoonist Cait McPherson (Bybloemen), getting into the backstory of this unique series. Whether you’re familiar with Hans Vogel Is Dead or not, this should be a fascinating discussion for any aspiring comic artist or anyone interested in folklore.

“Deceased Nazi ace pilot Hans Vogel continues his journey through an eerie afterlife populated by figures from German folklore in this second graphic novel installment of Hans Vogel is Dead. Just when he’s begun to take responsibility for his actions in life, direct confrontation with the Erlking, his vicious allies, and Hans’s own past may send him spiraling back into denial—leaving Reineke, the young fox-girl in his care, in danger. Hans thought he and Reineke would be safe in the castle where resistance to the evil Erlking is rallying its forces. Instead he found a doddering old king clinging to broken ideals, tension amongst the would-be allies, and a ghost from his past with its talons around his throat. So when he and Reineke have a chance to leave the castle in pursuit of a wayward princess, they take it.

Running from his fears takes him from an imprisoned potential ally to the heart of his enemy’s fortress, but his time is running out, and a collision with the monsters within and without are inevitable. Can he muster his post-mortem morality to make a stand for what’s right, or will he return to complicit cowardice?”