Sean Kleefeld

Eisner nominated writer of stuff about webcomics, fandom, and more comics. Charging into the future like there's no tomorrow!
he/him

My Blog: http://KleefeldonComics.com
My Webcomics Textbook: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/webcomics-9781350028173/

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Last Notes

2026-11-06 16:42:06 GMT

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Of course, as soon as I post that, they showcase their pre-work for additional figures that include Tesla, Lovecraft, H.G. Wells, and Frank Baum. Way to go on your "predictive" timing, Sean! 🤦‍♂️

2026-11-06 16:06:24 GMT

Big Bad Toy Store has opened pre-orders for their initial two upcoming "Raven Society" figures: Edgar Allan Poe and Harry Houdini. I think it's a cool project but it's small enough that it's not getting talked about like, say, Star Wars or G.I.Joe.
But what I haven't seen mentioned AT ALL is that, in this promo shot, there's a book on the table titled "Alternating Current." That, plus a tentacle in the background, suggests to me that they have plans for figures of Nikola Tesla and H.P. Lovecraft as well. I'm indifferent to a Lovecraft figure, but a Tesla one would be very cool, I think.
https://retro-pizza.s3.de.io.cloud.ovh.net/media_attachments/files/117/570/325/014/311/590/original/da8953fe09736b38.webp

2026-09-24 02:32:56 GMT

RIP Joshua Cassara
https://www.comicsbeat.com/joshua-cassara-dead/
#comics

2026-09-11 13:45:35 GMT

RE: https://zeroes.ca/@broadwaybabyto/117250298769417299
And -- speaking from experience -- a random SUV can come barreling around the corner and smash into you! You can go from running marathons to being wheelchair-bound in an instant!

2026-09-04 20:50:21 GMT

Men just suck.
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/09/03/ed-brubaker-sued-and-accused-of-hostile-work-environment-on-criminal/

2026-09-03 10:46:45 GMT

There have been at this point literally hundreds of UBI tests in numerous forms and in numerous regions at numerous scales around the world. Literally every one of them had extremely positive results. And literally none of them showed any negative unintended consequences that critics have expressed fear over.
The ONLY reason not to have UBI is because the people in power are upset that poor people would get something for nothing.
https://leftycartoons.com/2026/09/02/the-basic-barrier/

2026-08-26 10:17:49 GMT

I think my problem of late has been a sense of internalized pressure to race to get things done. Not like against work deadlines or anything like that, but against ill-defined, structural collapse type issues. Making sure we have enough money in the bank for when the economy bottoms out, making sure our food stores are sufficient for when some climate change disaster kills our electricity for two weeks, making sure our media is all localized for when everything becomes a subscription service...
I feel like I need to get *all* of the things done ASAP to protect/insulate my wife and I from when the final straw breaks everything at once.

2026-08-24 13:29:45 GMT

RE: https://mastodon.social/@aaronmeyers/117150709122477089
This was the specific issue that really made me a fan of the medium! My copy is considerably more well-read than this one.
#note153x…6ngs

2026-08-19 00:37:11 GMT

They announced this morning that my employer got bought out by another company. They offered a lot of talk about "integration" and "harmonization" but most of the coworkers I know to have any business sense have basically said, "guess I'll be out of a job soon."
Given the timelines they provided, I've got at least five months before they even *look* at my position, so I've got a decent runway for job hunting. And my wife and I crunched some numbers, and if we make a few cutbacks and don't run into any major expenses, we can almost live off her income alone, so I'm not overly concerned about our finances. LOTS of coworkers in much more precarious positions than mine to be sure!

2026-08-16 21:53:34 GMT

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My graphic novels are cataloged most of the way through M now. I don't like having to do two layers on that lower shelf, but I've really got every other corner of the room filled.
https://retro-pizza.s3.de.io.cloud.ovh.net/media_attachments/files/117/107/401/946/978/986/original/ff107d6d8d1a706e.jpg

2026-08-09 23:05:44 GMT

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Two more bookshelves cataloged. Midway through H now.
https://retro-pizza.s3.de.io.cloud.ovh.net/media_attachments/files/117/068/050/628/525/169/original/2267d566bf38ddff.jpg

2026-08-06 21:39:30 GMT

They *should* feel unsafe. Every billionaire should feel unsafe. Every politician should feel unsafe. Every person who has an outsized influence on a large group of people should feel unsafe.
If they feel safe, they do whatever the fuck they want, consequences be damned. They've clearly expressed no sense of empathy or compassion. It's only when they feel unsafe that they do the right thing that they should have done in the first place.
Make them all feel unsafe.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/salem-brought-guillotine-oppose-data-151045877.html

2026-08-05 02:03:29 GMT

Another benefit to cataloging my collection is that I'm able to do a bit of reorganizing in the process as well. Makes for better shelf-porn if you asked me. Here's one bookshelf down; I'm about midway through the Cs.
https://retro-pizza.s3.de.io.cloud.ovh.net/media_attachments/files/117/040/426/646/755/201/original/03336043142f0c39.jpg

2026-07-30 11:06:17 GMT

Started to watch a video about someone who bought a VCR and old CRT TV because they were tired of seeing ads on streaming movies before the movie even started.
They neglected to mention, though, how official VHS tapes ALWAYS STARTED WITH ADS FOR OTHER MOVIES FROM THE SAME DISTRIBUTOR. You literally had to fast forward through the first ten minutes of a tape to get past the all the ads.
There are legit reasons to go old school with your home tech, but if you're making shit up like that, your "reasons" are simply nostalgia.

2026-07-24 17:50:39 GMT

What!?! I've been cited in Wikipedia's entry on the Voynich manuscript!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voynich_manuscript

2026-07-10 02:38:21 GMT

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Oh, we're not at the bottom. It can and will get worse. There is no bottom with these people!

2026-07-09 23:55:13 GMT

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And this is why we say ACAB! Even the "most ethical" cops who don't actually commit those acts directly themselves are complicit in letting others get away with it.

2026-07-09 08:43:55 GMT

“The slippery slope from anarchist zines to conventional journalism isn’t hypothetical, and we’re already sliding fast.”
This is supremely disturbing and should scare the crap out of everyone.
https://www.comicsbeat.com/zines-used-as-evidence-to-convict-in-prairieland-case/
#Comics

2026-07-08 12:20:48 GMT

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To be clear, my problem isn't just that Richardson is no longer running Dark Horse; it's that DH is being run by a private equity firm that has, in just the few months since they've kicked out Richardson, made some really questionable decisions.

2026-07-08 12:18:29 GMT

Normally, I wish congratulations to people being promoted within the comics industry, but I have to admit I'm highly skeptical of anything to do with Dark Horse now that Richardson's been kicked out.
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/62806/dark-horse-reorganization-wake-richardson-departure
#Comics

2026-07-07 12:02:41 GMT

Surprisingly snide bit of commentary on NPR this morning. They did a 2 minute piece on the original piece of gold that launched the Gold Rush in 1848. They ended it with, "A flake of gold found by a man who never profited from it. On soil that had just been taken from Mexico. A quintessentially American story."
I wish they spun more of their stories like that.
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/07/nx-s1-5868562/how-a-tiny-fleck-of-gold-changed-american-history

2026-07-02 15:04:30 GMT

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Last night, I was noting how un-celebratory the neighborhood looked while I was walking the dog. A handful of flags, but barely more than are just up all year anyway. Seems like fewer than a 'regular' Independence Day... FAR fewer than what should arguably be a bigger celebration.
It feels considerably less celebratory than the 200th anniversary in 1976, which itself was in the midst of a recession and only about 18 months removed from Nixon resigning.

2026-07-01 20:15:40 GMT

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I was reading through this thread and kept trying to figure out why Gunn doesn't click for me. I don't think his work is bad by any means -- I haven't seen anything by him that wasn't *at least* good -- but I can't say I've really connected with any of it either. I think part of why is that the emotional growth you mentioned often comes in the form of asking "who am I?" I do like the 'found family' angle he hits on regularly but I've long had a strong sense of self-identity so putting that question so far forward doesn't resonate for me.
Like I said, I've never disliked his work, I just never really connected with it. So I appreciate your walking through your love of it to give me enough pause to consider why.

2026-06-25 14:49:47 GMT

RE: https://newsie.social/@ProPublica/116811222964490983
#ACAB
#note1e2f…938n

2026-04-21 10:54:35 GMT

"The evidence we’ve uncovered is clear as day: Amazon is working to make your life more unaffordable. The company is price fixing, colluding with vendors and other retailers to raise costs for Americans beyond what the market requires."
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/04/20/files-released-by-california-attorney-general-rob-bonta-shows-collusion-by-amazon-to-raise-prices/

2026-04-17 22:00:06 GMT

When I was a kid, WMMS used to kick off Friday evenings with a guy screaming, "Friday! FRIIIDAY!! FRIIII-AI-AI-AI-AI-AIIIIII (breath) Day!" and then launched into this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Tcggo45TQ

2026-04-13 19:06:34 GMT

In memory of Sid Krofft, I'm going to present again my #LandOfTheLost / #DoctorWho crossover theory that posits that LOTL is just a DW spin-off. You'll be surprised how many connections the two shows have!
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/116/398/960/332/672/493/original/3b6805ac7d45f382.jpg

2026-04-04 00:08:31 GMT

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This is why Pugsley always looked up to his Uncle Fester

2026-03-18 00:48:41 GMT

Thriving on $145k for a family of four? That sounds really low. By, like, half.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/income-needed-get-ahead-145k-half-americans-study/

2026-02-12 22:51:04 GMT

Several co-workers have been decidedly sick this week. Sick as in the why-are-you-even-logging-on variety. (We all work from home, at least, so they're not spreading anything to co-workers.) One of them noted that he's been sick more often and sicker when he does get sick this winter than he can remember happening any time in the past.
I expect some of that is from this year's flu vaccine being less than ideal for the predominant strain, but I expect a good deal of that is also from RFK Jr and the functional demolition of the CDC.

2026-01-10 19:43:15 GMT

RE: https://mastodon.social/@gwynnion/115872361164677330
This is why we say #ACAB
#note1n73…2532

2026-01-01 05:41:56 GMT

It's about 20 minutes to midnight here, so I'm going to sign off so I can get ready for bed. I'm going to say "happy new year," and kiss my wife good night at 12:01. With any luck, I'll be asleep by 12:02.
This Batman meme I post regularly was from a story that took place on New Year's Eve. It's always appropriate these days, but even moreso tonight. Here's to surviving 2026!
Best wishes, everybody!
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/818/235/470/432/060/original/4775fad160b895f7.mp4

2025-12-19 18:03:13 GMT

Back in September, I added googly eyes to our dryer. My wife has not yet commented on them at all. Which means she either has not noticed (I do all the laundry so she only ever sees the dryer in passing) or she's deliberately not mentioning it to avoid having to listen to me snicker about a stupidly childish act.
I figure the odds of either are 50/50.
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/747/532/881/785/400/original/7031e5f233afc73a.png

2025-12-13 00:13:54 GMT

Wow, even Ziggy is getting political now!
https://www.gocomics.com/ziggy/2025/12/12

2025-12-10 20:01:41 GMT

"America has blown 80 years of accumulated goodwill & trust among its allies, our American moderator was told… America’s recent actions have destroyed the ability of any ally to continue to have faith in America to act even within its own strategic self-interest, let alone that of any ally.
The officer then said that even a swift return of America to its former role won’t matter.
Because 'we will never fucking trust you again.'
The Americans at the table seemed somewhat startled by the heat of that pronouncement."
Anyone startled by that pronouncement is insanely optimistic or incredibly naive. The damage DJT did during his first term would take decades to fix; the damage he's done since is absolutely irreparable. And while you might think that's awful or unjust, they only need to 'never' trust us again for maybe five years. Because there won't be a United States of America beyond that. DJT is running the country like any business that's been bought & is being sold for parts.
https://www.readtheline.ca/p/matt-gurney-we-will-never-fucking

2025-12-03 01:00:35 GMT

RE: https://kolektiva.social/@DoomsdaysCW/115652607934306912
I need a graphic novel biography of this incredible woman!
#note18y9…h8a3

2025-12-01 14:15:16 GMT

What!?! I've been cited in Wikipedia's entry on the Voynich manuscript!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voynich_manuscript

2025-11-06 21:22:02 GMT

"A new report has been released that details nearly 200 child abuse accusations against anti-LGBTQ+ conservatives since the beginning of 2025."
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/11/06/christian-child-abuse-cases-nearly-200

2025-11-06 19:31:15 GMT

Just saw a note about having a "digital go-bag" at work. It would basically be whatever files you need if you were suddenly fired/laid off. Stuff like a portfolio, CV, pay stubs, etc. It's a solid, practical idea but I quite like the analogy in the first place.
IRL go-bags are in case you're facing a natural disaster (i.e. tornados, floods, etc.) and have to leave quickly. There's always weather of some sort going on, but sometimes it gets insanely intense and puts you in immediate danger.
Work is like that too. In a capitalist society, it's just always around, whether you're actively on the job or you're dealing with someone else who's working at the store or restaurant or wherever. Most of the time, it's kind of just always there but sometimes it gets insanely intense and puts you in immediate danger.
It just struck me as an interesting analogy and a way to think about work. It's always there, acting as small talk fodder, and you will periodically get blindside by a whirlwind you didn't expect.

2025-11-05 22:26:11 GMT

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Oh, damn! There's a famous panel in comics of Billy Batson walking past statues representing the seven deadly sins on his way to see Shazam; I want to re-do it now with each statue replaced by one of Trump!
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/499/429/205/785/294/original/1d4245c90efb3add.jpg

2025-10-22 11:21:35 GMT

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When I was working on my MBA, one of the most difficult classes for me was the one where we were learning about annual reports, balance sheets, company valuations, etc. I happened to have been friends with the professor beforehand, and when i mentioned I was having difficulty, she said, "Yes, I expected that. People like you often do. You're very analytical. You want 2 + 2 to always equal 4." It turns out that they make 2+ 2 equal whatever the hell they feel like, and just use accounting obfuscation to justify it.

2025-10-21 10:18:17 GMT

For a long time, I held the belief that Fritz Lan's Metropolis couldn't be re-made. That the primary theme was so rooted in its time, that it couldn't really translate to the late 20th/early 21st centuries. It would always be exclusively the work of Fritz Lang and Thea von Harbou. 1/
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/411/639/943/340/665/original/6669aafce4e36a6d.jpg

2025-10-20 23:35:36 GMT

I watched "Max Headroom" when it was originally airing back in '87 and this brief exchange immediately stuck with me. And it's something that I've tried to keep top of mind every time I'm watching/reading/hearing the news. I suspect if more people understood this, it would go a LONG way towards increasing media literacy.
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/409/113/395/448/785/original/b8eaac315f587fb0.jpg

2025-10-20 10:44:21 GMT

I'm kind of struck by the matter-of-factness of the first panel. Alcaraz isn't wrong in that description, of course, but no one else remotely related to journalism has identified the situation as such.
https://www.gocomics.com/lacucaracha/2025/10/20

2025-10-20 00:49:54 GMT

Time to walk the dog...
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/403/743/789/558/875/original/b200b526f7d25bf4.jpg

2025-10-17 03:06:47 GMT

Ron Cobb, 1968
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/387/284/697/669/128/original/3696969c9bbc5e2a.jpg

2025-10-13 00:00:21 GMT

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I think a lot of people dismiss the film because of Heston's delivery of his final line, but there's more than a little I think everyone could learn from the movie.

2025-10-10 13:38:06 GMT

Heh. I found my old Max Headroom "action figure."
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/350/136/859/020/127/original/ba3550bbada3fb33.jpg

2025-10-08 15:56:12 GMT

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I initially fell in love with his early Marvel work -- the Fantastic Four in particular -- but the more I studied him, the more impressed I've become with virtually all of it. I've been *writing* about Kirby for 20 years now, and I still keep finding out new work from him to impress me.

2025-10-08 15:46:31 GMT

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Thanks!
I definitely can't argue with you about Kirby! 😁

2025-10-08 14:03:19 GMT

I've just moved to a new instance, so I think an #introduction is in order. I write a lot about #comics and comics fandom. My book on #Webcomics was nominated for Eisner Award in 2021. I also do the "Incidental Iconography" column for Jack Kirby Collector and I blog at KleefeldonComics.com.
I've got a day job, too, but you don't want to hear about that.
https://retro.pizza/system/media_attachments/files/115/338/912/923/076/494/original/553084f31291cb63.jpg