Wild exchange early in this interview with Sam Kieth

Early in a long two-part interview about his career:

SK: I met my wife at ... an unusually young age. And, so, it probably wasn't until I was about 18 or 19 that I started to think seriously about trying to get into comics. From the time I met her — I was 15 and she was 30. I moved from my parents' home into her home, and lived with her, and kind of essentially grew up. There was no way I was really ready to jump into the comics field at 15-16 years old.

ST: What made you decide on a career in comics?

SK: I have to tell you, I admire your ability to stick to the subject matter after an answer like that. Usually most people are, "What kind of a freak are you?" after they hear that. "What the heck? What's the deal with that?"

ST: Well, my husband is 12 years older than I am, so ...

The story about him landing the Marvel Comics Presents job is pretty funny.  

Some best comics of the year lists, including mine

Best Comics of 205 chosen by The Comics Journal's contributors.

The Best Graphic Novels of 2025 according to the NYTimes.

Best Comics of 2025 according to the Beat.

The only comics I remember really enjoying this year (I wait to read collections) were "I Am Iron Man," "Absolute Wonder Woman," and an unofficial collection of John Paul Leon obscurities (including "Karl Malone the Mailman"). 

Also, these were not good (Windsor Smith's Wolverine is such a standout it's absurd) (there's an extended Shanna storyline by Gulacy that has good art, and a She-Hulk one-shot with great art by Byrne), but it was fun skimming them, seeing all the forgotten characters and problematic stories and early appearances by the Image comics crew. I'll never understand why Marvel and DC won't sell high-res scans of pre-digital comics as they originally looked instead of the terrible new colorized versions.  

Finally, speaking of comics, the BBTS has some new comics-related figures: Hot Toys Absolute Batman and an exclusive Hellboy figure by Boss Fight Studios with stylized paint.

Finally, finally, the Internet Archive is currently running a 2-to-1 matching campaign (described in the email they sent out today, not sure it's mentioned on their site).

The Li'l Diana comic strips from Absolute Wonder Woman volume 1

I need DC to do a full on Lil Diana book in the Absolute universe with Kelly Thompson & Dustin Nguyen

These short stories are adorable pic.twitter.com/PLmLwAI1RS

— Nicholas (@NicholasJLevi) April 23, 2025

Terrific comic, and now in the Hoopla app. (And at Amazon)


Bonus fan art:

Absolute Wonder Woman

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— Lenkia (@ohvalkyrie.bsky.social) July 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM

Solar Man of the Atom #7 was one of my favorite comics

#ThrowbackThursday: While on the subject of Valiant and Solar: Man of the Atom, here's the cover to issue #4, published this month in 1992, by my dear friend and comics legend Don Perlin and inked by me. @ValiantComics #solarmanoftheatom pic.twitter.com/ORDZ6C7JlG

— Bob Layton (@Bob_Layton) November 21, 2024

#FlashbackFriday: Since we've been recently discussing the original Valiant line, Solar: Man of the Atom #1 was published this month in 1991. This premiere book featured art by Barry Windsor-Smith, Don Perlin and me. @ValiantComics #solarmanoftheatom pic.twitter.com/jkxz9BPkKI

— Bob Layton (@Bob_Layton) September 13, 2024

I wish nothing but peace for a man who rarely seemed at peace.
He was instrumental in my career and I thank him for that.
Though he was complicated, I believe Marvel, the direct market, and possibly the industry itself, might not exist today without what Jim Shooter did as EiC. https://t.co/386UlD3HFd

— FabianNicieza (@FabianNicieza) July 1, 2025

Jim Shooter has died.
When I got hired to draw comics for Marvel Comics many years ago Jim Shooter flew out to do several signings in my area and asked if I’d come and meet him, which I did with great trepidation because he was the boss of bosses and I was just starting out. When…

— Kelley Jones (@kelleyjonesart) July 1, 2025

RIP Jim Shooter. Jim graciously reviewed my portfolio as a young kid. I never had an appointment. I’d just drive down to the city, head to their offices, ride the elevator up and hope for the best. Something that’d be impossible to do post 9/11. Thank you, Big Shooter 🤘🏻✏️🤘🏻

— Greg Capullo (@GregCapullo) July 1, 2025

Thanks for all the great memories, Jim Shooter.

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— Jim Zub (@jimzub.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM

Jim Shooter's treatment for The Transformers: the eight pages that started a legend. RIP Jim Shooter (1/2)

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— Simon Letch (@simonletch.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM

(2/2)

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— Simon Letch (@simonletch.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 6:32 PM

Mark Waid posted on Facebook that Jim Shooter has passed away.

Broke into comics at 14, helped make the Legion of Superheroes a premiere team, brought Marvel out of the wilderness & made them a juggernaut in the 80s, fought for creators rights, a career you can't summarize.
RIP pic.twitter.com/pEUgbXh124

— Zac 🐢🌹 (@thetallman_Z) July 1, 2025

RIP King

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— peterquill47.bsky.social (@peterquill47.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM

The late Jim Shooter and the Marvel Bullpen, c. 1983 pic.twitter.com/B0JY5C19V3

— The_ONOMATOPOE!A (@TheOnoLives) July 1, 2025

Michel Fiffe's full run of Copra, including the just-released final issue is up at Hoopla

COPRA 50 is coming out 6/18 in shops worldwide from Image. BUT ALSO: I’m publishing signed/numbered Copra Press versions! Limited quantities, secure a copy on Etsy* Last time I’ll look excitedly out the window, waiting for COPRA to be delivered, then shipped right back out the door by yours truly!

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— Michel Fiffe (@michelfiffe.bsky.social) May 12, 2025 at 8:04 AM

(It's a Suicide Squad homage, if you've never tried it.) (The one-on-one interactions in the last few issues are particularly good.) (His webstore)

Good Birds of Prey cover

Aw, I uploaded one in shitty resolution, this one looks better

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— Bruno Redondo (@brunoredondo.bsky.social) June 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM

I thought this was funny:

The Cover I did for Issue 08 of the Lower Decks comic. Out now!

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— Robby Cook (@cartoon-cookie.bsky.social) June 16, 2025 at 12:25 PM

Mutant Massacre promotional image

Mutant Massacre? Half the X-Men replaced? A new villain named Mr. Sinister? And wildest of all, a crossover across the X-books??? Wild times ahead… pic.twitter.com/frkouimMTf

— Now: Marvel80sCovers (@XMen90sCovers) April 26, 2025

(Don't remember seeing it before) (And Kyle Baker is always great)

Comic art by Attilio Micheluzzi

Attilio Micheluzzi pic.twitter.com/w9bcZLJcWp

— Horacio Altuna (@HoracioAltuna) April 14, 2025

Attilio Micheluzzi pic.twitter.com/qSfdeJzLfx

— Horacio Altuna (@HoracioAltuna) April 14, 2025

Looks like he has a bunch of comic in the Archive.

The rough sketch, first pass, and final cover for Flash Vol. 2 #1

FLASH #1

Rough Sketch · Ed Hannigan
First Pass · Jackson Guice
Final Cover · Guice pencils, Larry Mahlstedt inks, Anthony Tollin colors, Todd Klein logo

DC Comics in the Holy Year 1987 pic.twitter.com/Zu8tBx2MWy

— Michel Fiffe (@MichelFiffe) May 22, 2023

Those first few issues, especially the death touch annual, are still my favorite version of the character.

Professional comic book artist recreates a Power Rangers comic made as a child

Recreation of a Power Rangers comic I made when I was 8 years old.

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— Artwork of Stephen Byrne (@stephenbyrne86.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 7:02 AM

Yes, this is a good preview for Absolute Wonder Woman

ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #6 PREVIEW!

Written by Kelly Thompson and Art by Mattia De Lulis and lettering by Becca Carey pic.twitter.com/YuB08pURGc

— DCU Updates (@dcuworld) March 21, 2025

"I Am Iron Man" by Dotun Akande and Murewa Ayodele is great

First time in ages I really enjoyed a comic book. No overarching plot, but otherwise it reminded me a lot of Planetary in the way each issue told a high concept standalone scifi story at a breakneck pace and set during a different period in Iron Man's life, and the creators let the fabulous art take center stage instead of overwhelming with dialog. I read the series on Hoopla, but enjoyed it so much I will pick up the floppies (and will definitely seek out more by the creators).

Murewa Ayodele was cooking when he came up with a twisted future Iron Man fangirl villain 🔥 https://t.co/ZDSWGzjCZz pic.twitter.com/2F7SCNxFYQ

— Stark’s PR Manager (@StarkPRManager) August 13, 2024

TCJ's best comics of 2024

Long long list, many available in the Hoopla app.

The Beat posted its picks for the 50 Best Comics of 2024 (and here's what I enjoyed)

I haven't read any of them yet, but found around a dozen available in the Hoopla app.

In no particular order, here are the comics I remember enjoying this year: 

Kapatara (Chip Zdarsky and Kagan McLeod)

Friday (Marcos Martin, Muntsa Vicente, and Ed Brubaker)

The Savage Sword of Conan (Max von Fafner, Patrick Zircher)

Mamo (Sas Milledge)

Plastic Man (Kyle Baker)

Tower Dungeon (Tsutomu Nihei)

Delicious in Dungeon and Daydream Hour (Ryoko Kui)

and every random comic by Paul Gulacy I could find.

Both volumes of "Kaptara" are free in the Hoopla app, and are great

By Chip Zdarsky and Kagan McLeod, it's a funny and touching homage to Masters of the Universe. Volume 2, issue 4 deserved award nominations. (Also available at Amazon)

This is a fun idea--which are the the single best comics drawn by every artist?

Some suggestions for Jim Lee, Walt Simonson, and more. 

(I don't have any immediate suggestions other than boring picks like Windsor Smith's Wounded Wolf, but I will say that I've recently really enjoyed everything I can find drawn by Paul Gulacy--he really elevates material like Eternal Warrior #36 (it feels like a Cannon Film). There's various comics illustrated by him available in the free Hoopla app.) 

(Also, digitally restored/updated comics ruin the original art.)

(Thanks to the Hoopla app, without wasting money, I've read a lot of recent comics by award-nominated creators that I really hated.) 

Comic book artist with an already shaky reputation apparently caught using AI to create a new DC Comics cover

A look at his long history of swipes and worse.

I enjoyed this review of "The Question" omnibus

"That first issue also sets the trend of the character getting the shit beaten out of him repeatedly, I am again nearly at awe at the creators’ willingness to make their protagonist suffer for his own physical and mental shortcomings."

A Dazzler story by Kyle Baker

I love Baker’s depiction of Dazzler’s power, it blazes off the page, colors by the grand master, Glynis Oliver pic.twitter.com/eeAEJ93xZD

— The Brave and the Bold (@ManFirestorm) June 7, 2024

The rest here.

The last issue of the terrific pay what you want comic "Friday" has been published

Absolutely love the art by Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente. Buy The Private Eye, Barrier, and The Walking Dead: The Alien, too, if you don't already own them.