Monday, August 31, 2026
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Sea Of America"
https://sinkers.org/stage/?p=4317
For any Fascists or other Trumpsters who may be looking in, I'm just
gonna nip this shit in the bud right the fuck now, 'cos I can kinda see
where this is headed...
The old names of the lunar "mare" were names given to them by ancient
astronomers who had weak 'scopes at best and who at first believed the
solidified dark basaltic lava plains to be "seas".
So, don't even go there, ya' doorknobs.
----------
"Trump Signs Order Renaming Lake Ontario", Washington Post Aug 28, 2026,
page A1
https://www.sinkers.org/posters/seaofamerica/wapoA1Aug2826-01_lake_ontario.jpg
"Lunar Mare" at Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_mare
"Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other
Celestial Bodies", UN Office for Outer Space Affairs
https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html
___________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org
Coyote vs Acme review (of sorts)
by Doug Wise
A lot of what I want to discuss about this movie requires spoilers, so I'm not going to get into details.Coyote vs Acme is a great movie.
Coyote vs Acme is not high cinema.
The new Peanuts and Tom and Jerry movies are meant to introduce a new generation to an old IP. They're meant for kids who never read a newspaper or after school cartoons. Those kids will like Coyote vs Acme, but the movie is made for those of us who watched Saturday morning and after school cartoons. It's meant for those who learned their classical music from trickster rabbits and dancing hippos.
It also reinforces the idea that laughter can make you forgive a lot of other issues with a movie. What issues? I'm happy to discuss specifics after you see it, but in general it seems like they're all either related to rewrites without reviewing how other parts of the script need editing OR scenes needing to be cut for time. Stuff that makes more sense IF the story was different earlier. Stuff that would have landed better with another three minutes of screen time to build.
Since COVID began I watch movies on their last week in theaters. This is the first one I've seen on opening weekend in more than six years. I did it because I wanted to pump up the opening weekend numbers. I did it to help make David Zaslav, the head of Warner Brothers, look stupid for trying to destroy this movie. The list of reasons I have for detesting that man are legion. This is simply the latest and the only one I can use to strike back in the tiniest way. It opened with a much higher than expected $15 million, and that number still doesn't include the Sunday box office.
And, on behalf of the film makers, I want to share what they put at the end of the credits:
“Dedicated to everyone who posted, shared, held up signs and spoke out when it counted. This film made it to the big screen because of you.”
Richmond's Dash Shaw's new book reviewed by TCJ
Reviews: Like Swimmers
Marc Sobel | August 27, 2026
https://www.tcj.com/reviews/like-swimmers/
Like Swimmers
Dash Shaw
NYRC
Al Goodwyn, formerly local editorial cartoonist, packs it in to hit the road
Political (a)Musings Aug 31, 2026
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 8/29-30/2026
*Chiu-Tabet, Christopher. 2026. Will Murray, pulp writer, historian, and co-creator of Squirrel Girl, dead at 73. The Beat (August 30): https://www.comicsbeat.com/will-murray-dead/
*Evanier, Mark. 2026. Will Murray, R.I.P. News from ME (August 28): https://www.newsfromme.com/2026/08/28/will-murray-r-i-p/
*Unknown. 2026. William Patrick Murray Apr 28, 1953 - Aug 25, 2026 Obituary. Keohane Funeral & Cremation (August): https://www.keohane.com/obituaries/william-murray
*Wood, Sasha. 2025. Discussing Squirrel Girl With Her Creator! Will Murray Interview. Casually Comics (February 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UyVm3CwP4A
Köksal, Nil, and Chris Howden. 2026. Len Brown Obit [aka Comic book artist Art Spiegelman remembers Len Brown, who helped him create "Wacky Packages" and "Garbage Pail Kids" - the satirical stickers and cards beloved by kids of the '70s and '80s.]. As It Happens (August 26): https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-2-as-it-happens/clip/16233954-will-dollar18b-us-settlement-meta-platforms-safer-kids, and https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/the-aih-transcript-for-august-26-2026-9.7324060
Ha, Robin, and Jacob Shapiro. 2026. Instant Noodles & Beyond Book Launch With Robin Ha at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]. Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (August 30): https://archive.org/details/instant-noodles-beyond-book-launch-with-robin-ha-fantom-comics-260830
Heintjes, Tom (ed.), and Bruce Guthrie (photo). 2026. The 2026 NCS Reuben Awards in Photos. Hogan's Magazine (August 29): https://www.hoganmag.com/blog/2026/8/28/the-2026-ncs-reuben-awards-in-photos
Johnston, Rich. 2026. Marvel Comics Took The Lead Against DC On Marketshare Last Week, Just. Bleeding Cool (August 29): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/marvel-comics-took-the-lead-against-dc-on-marketshare-last-week-just/
Stopeck, Marc. 2026. Create Your Own Shrubtown Cartoon. Wednesday Journal (August 20): https://www.oakpark.com/2026/08/20/create-your-own-shrubtown-cartoon/
Romney, Stephen. 2026. Comic releases delayed after shipping truck crash [IDW Publishing]. FOX 13 News (August 29): https://www.fox13now.com/news/national-news/comic-releases-delayed-after-shipping-truck-crash
Degg, D. D. 2026. Cathy Wilcox Says Goodbye to Sydney Morning Herald Readers. Daily Cartoonist (August 28): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/08/28/cathy-wilcox-says-goodbye-to-sydney-morning-herald-readers/
Unknown. 2026. Fitting farewell for cartoonist Cathy Wilcox who captured news with wit and intellect. Sydney Morning Herald (August 28): https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fitting-farewell-for-cartoonist-cathy-wilcox-who-captured-news-with-wit-and-intellect-20260828-p60sc9.html
Quaintance, Zack and Oliver Mertz. 2026. Book Launch - A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts By Oliver Mertz at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]. Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (August 29): https://archive.org/details/book-launch-a-ghost-arm-made-of-angry-ghosts-by-oliver-mertz-fantom-comics-260829
Gardner, Alan. 2026. Tom Gammill Returns with ‘A Morning with Ernie Bushmiller'. Daily Cartoonist (August 28): https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2026/08/28/tom-gammill-returns-with-a-morning-with-ernie-bushmiller/
Harper, David. 2026. The Shann Plan with Shannon Live [store]. Off Panel (567; August 24): https://sktchd.com/podcast/off-panel-567-the-shann-plan-with-shannon-live/, and https://traffic.libsyn.com/sktchd/Shannon_Live.mp3
Bisaha, Stephan. 2026. How a comic book store got swept into the tariff storm. NPR (August 30): https://www.npr.org/2026/08/30/nx-s1-5939521/tariff-refunds-canada-trade-war
Harper, David. 2026. Will Midnight Bring a New Day for Marvel? - Let’s look at some recent changes to how the House of Ideas does its business, and what they might mean. SKTCHD (August 26): https://sktchd.com/longform/midnight-marvel-changes/
Unknown. 2025. How the Bible Almost Got 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Cancelled. PopChurch (December 30): https://www.churchpop.com/how-the-bible-almost-got-a-charlie-brown-christmas-cancelled/
Hiltzik, Michael. 2025. Blondie and Dagwood are entering the public domain, but Betty Boop still may be trapped in copyright jail. The beloved characters entering the public domain with the new year include Blondie, Dagwood, Dick and Jane and Nancy Drew, but what about Betty Boop? Los Angeles Times (December 30): https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-12-30/cartoons-in-public-domain-blondie-dagwood-copyright-what-to-know
Unknown. 1923. Creator of Jiggs and Dinty Quick To Answer Pathetic Appeal [George McManus]. Fourth Estate (February 3): 20. Online at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.319510007328686&seq=186
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Book Launch: A Ghost Arm Made Of Angry Ghosts By Oliver Mertz at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]
Book Launch: A Ghost Arm Made Of Angry Ghosts By Oliver Mertz at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]
Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (Aug 29 2026): https://archive.org/details/book-launch-a-ghost-arm-made-of-angry-ghosts-by-oliver-mertz-fantom-comics-260829The 2026 NCS Reuben Awards in Photos (by Bruce Guthrie)
The 2026 NCS Reuben Awards in Photos
Instant Noodles & Beyond Book Launch With Robin Ha at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]
Instant Noodles & Beyond Book Launch With Robin Ha at Fantom Comics [audio and photos]
- by Robin Ha; Jacob Shapiro
- Washington, DC: Fantom Comics (August 30 2026): https://archive.org/details/instant-noodles-beyond-book-launch-with-robin-ha-fantom-comics-260830
-
Robin Ha at Fantom Comics
Gene Park on Frank Miller
Frank Miller redefined superheroes. He wants us to push past him.
The comics legend’s new memoir, “Push the Wall,” details lessons from his boundary-breaking art career.
Column by Gene Park
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Signing with Oliver Mertz, author of A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts, at Fantom Comics
Friday, August 28, 2026
Front Burner by Art Hondros
Aug 29: Joe Casey at Third Eye Comics locations
|
|
|
Sept 5: Book Signing with Oliver Mertz, author of A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts
Book Signing with Oliver Mertz, author of A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts
Saturday, September 5 2:00 PM ET
A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts
About This Event
We're so excited to be hosting a book signing with Oliver Mertz, author/artist of the graphic novel A Ghost Arm Made of Angry Ghosts! Oliver will join us at B&N F Street on Saturday, Sept 5 from 2pm-4pm to sign copies and meet readers. This is an incredible and vivid story that is filled with conspiracy, murder mystery, and superheroics, all set in the DC punk scene in the 90s. So whether you love graphic novels, punk music, or insights into fascinating local history, come by the store on Sept 5th to meet Oliver and grab a copy of his book!
Event Location
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 8/27/2026
McAuley, Eoin. 2026. James Bacon [comics censorship in Ireland]. TASQ ART's Creator In Conversation (76; August 25): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1opsybwZito
Phoenix, Jack. 2026. Robin Bradford talks Digital Ownership and Library Purchasing Models. Prana: Direct Market Solutions's The Comics Librarian Podcast (August 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doclDlyDE_c
Sava, Oliver. 2026. 5 new comics to read in August, including a new Archie relaunch at Oni Press: A Golden Age Superman miniseries, a time-traveling action-adventure, and more await. AV Club (August 27): https://www.avclub.com/best-comics-september-2026-superman-the-stranger-archie
Dollard, Terence. 2026. Comic Culture with Julio Anta and Gabi Mendez. Comic Culture (August 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6EzBk37Kps
Hibbs, Brian. 2026. Anna-Laura Sullivan for The Marsh Fellows - Comix Experience Graphic Novel Club June 2026. Comix Experience (August 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWQfKOXF_MI
Farley, Chad. 2026. How Ben H. Winters Is Reimagining Archie for Oni Press | Exclusive Interview. Collectors Confessions (August 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIu6X9WAEBI
Tano, Duy. 2026. Anatomy of a Comic: Renren Galeno's The Frogs of San Antonio. The Comics Cube (August 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=463FayPLH4s
Smith, Barney. 2026. The Comic That Turns Epic Poetry Into Kid-Friendly Adventure [Alexis “Lex” Fajardo, Kid Beowulf]. StoryComic Presents (535; August 27): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idn6VM1mY_c
Kumi, Kaoru. 2026. A Sexual Misconduct Scandal in the Manga Industry: Editorial Authority in the Age of Platforms. TCJ (August 27): https://www.tcj.com/a-sexual-misconduct-scandal-in-the-manga-industry-editorial-authority-in-the-age-of-platforms/
Chiu-Tabet, Christopher. 2026. Buffy, Angel, and Firefly relaunches delayed. The Beat (August 27): https://www.comicsbeat.com/buffy-angel-firefly-delayed/
Vlessing, Etan. 2026. Peter Cullen, Voice of Optimus Prime in ‘Transformers,’ Dies at 85: The theater-trained Canadian also created sounds for King Kong and the Predator and portrayed Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh's pal. Hollywood Reporter (August 27): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/peter-cullen-optimus-prime-transformers-eeyore-1236683075/
Chiu-Tabet, Christopher. 2026. Peter Cullen, the original voice of Optimus Prime, dead at 85. The Beat (August 27): https://www.comicsbeat.com/peter-cullen-dead/
Johnston, Rich. 2026. When Tom Holland Signs Your Amazing Fantasy #15… But Should He?. Bleeding Cool (August 26): https://bleedingcool.com/comics/when-tom-holland-signs-your-amazing-fantasy-15-but-should-he/
Unknown. 2026. Celebrated Actor Tim Curry Dies Age 80. Animation Magazine (August 26): https://www.animationmagazine.net/2026/08/celebrated-actor-tim-curry-dies-age-80/
Saxon, Antonia. 2026. Out of This World: PW Talks with Shaun Tan. Publishers Weekly (August 27): https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/101126-out-of-this-world-pw-talks-with-shaun-tan.html
Dorrah, Trina. 1998. Bomb threats not comic material [letter to editor on student comic strip Ignore the Comic]. [University of Tennessee] Daily Beacon (October 12): https://utdailybeacon.com/125191/opinion/bomb-threats-not-comic-material/
Aguilar, Matthew. 2025. The First Absolute Batman Figure Has Finally Arrived (and It’s Insane). Comic Book (December 24): https://comicbook.com/gear/product-news/the-first-absolute-batman-figure-has-finally-arrived-and-its-insane/
Mendez, Malia. 2025. The year of the beagle: Snoopy from 'Peanuts' is having a pop-culture moment. The spike in Snoopy products has been especially pronounced this year with the 75th anniversary of "Peanuts," aka Snoopy's 75th birthday. But it goes beyond that. Houston Chronicle (December 25): https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/why-snoopy-is-everywhere-21261051.php
Venkatesan, Sathyaraj and Neeraj Abe S S. 2026. Late-life queer desire, graphic medicine and Sixty Years in Winter. Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics (August 26): https://doi.org/10.1080/21504857.2026.2719872 and https://www.academia.edu/172436207/_Graphic_Medicine_Late_life_Queer_Desire_Graphic_Medicine_and_Sixty_Years_in_Winter_
Unknown. 1929. Ripley Going to Yucatan [Believe It or Not]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 44. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/44/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. United Starts Topical Cartoon [Cliff Knight]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 44. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/44/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. “Skippy” in Book Form. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (44; March 23): 42. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-23_61_44/page/42/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Percy Crosby To Wed in April. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 8. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/8/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Fellow Artists Honor Crosby [Percy Crosby]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (46; April 6): 10. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-04-06_61_46/page/10/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Starts Continuity Strip [Hap McSnap by Mel Cummin]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (44; March 23): 42. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-23_61_44/page/42/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. ["Doc Bird" Finch, humorist and cartoonist for the Denver Post has returned to work following recovery from a serious fall]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (44; March 23): 36. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-23_61_44/page/36/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Advertising Linked with "Hambone" Cartoon in Memphis Daily. New Hand-Coloring Stunt Sold Full Page for Thirty Weeks in Commercial Appeal -- Prizes Offered -- Originated by Jim Alley and Hugh J. Mooney [racial stereotyping]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (44; March 23): 14. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-23_61_44/page/14/mode/2up
Roche, John F. 1929. All N. Y. Poses for Wortman's Cartoons. Straphangers in the Subway and Flappers at Soda Fountain Are Unsuspecting Models for New York World Artist Who Blends Comedy with Grim Reality in "Metropolitan Movies" for N. Y. World [Denys Wortman]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (44; March 23): 7. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-23_61_44/page/6/mode/2up
Ripley, Robert L. and C. H. Sykes (cartoonists). 1929. March Winds Blow in Two Cartoons. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (43; March 16): 46. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-16_61_43/page/46/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. New Animal Comic [Round the World with Buddy Squirrel by J. Griswold]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (43; March 16): 40. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-16_61_43/page/40/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Reviving "Just Kids" Campaign [Ad Carter]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (46; April 6): 48. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-04-06_61_46/page/48/mode/2up
McClure Newspaper Syndicate. 1929. Let McClure Color Department Print Your Comics [advertisement]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 36. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/36/mode/2up
Metropolitan Newspaper Service. 1929. Baseball Cartoons, Feg Murray [advertisement]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 33. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/32/mode/2up
Kay Features. 1929. Kay Features Offers The Lambkins [Brandon Walsh advertisement]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (46; April 6): 60. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-04-06_61_46/page/60/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Continuity Strips [editorial]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 32. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/32/mode/2up
Percy Crosby's eventful spring of 1929
Unknown. 1929. “Skippy” in Book Form. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (44; March 23): 42. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-23_61_44/page/42/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Percy Crosby To Wed in April. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (45; March 30): 8. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-03-30_61_45/page/8/mode/2up
Unknown. 1929. Fellow Artists Honor Crosby [Percy Crosby]. Editor and Publisher and the Fourth Estate 61 (46; April 6): 10. Online at https://archive.org/details/sim_editor-publisher_1929-04-06_61_46/page/10/mode/2up
Sept 5: Sophia Glock at Third Eye Annapolis
|
|
|
PR: Announcing Debut Books at SPX 2026
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|




















