The Sunday Spotlight: The ‘Sometimes I Think Books Are The Only Friends Worth Having’ Edition

Welcome, one and all, to the expansive skip through just a little of the comics news of the week, presented for your delictation and delight as The Sunday Spotlight…

ANOTHER POLITICAL CARTOONIST GETS CUT FROM CONSERVATIVE-OWNED PAPER – KAL NO LONGER AT THE BALTIMORE SUN…

Missed this – thanks to Paul Gravett for the pick-up. First, it was Ann Telnaes resigning from the Jeff Bezos-owned Washington Post after swinging at the billionaire bros and having her work spiked. Now it’s the brilliant editorial cartoonist Kevin ‘Kal’ Kallaugher finding himself fired from the Baltimore Sun. That’s the Baltimore Sun owned for less than two years by Conservative broadcast network owner David Smith.

Baltimore Brew had the full story here. But after 31 years at the Baltimore Sun, Kal’s been let go – cost-cutting measures, they say, but seriously, if you’re looking to cut costs, how much does a cartoonist earn? More likely, it’s that Kal’s always incisive, always politically questioning cartoons just don’t sit well with the ownership.

KNIT YER OWN LOOSHKIN…

Multi-million-selling comic maker Jamie Smart (and no, I will never get tired of saying that – kids don’t read comics, yeah, right) might be best known for his Bunny Vs Monkey, a manic trip through the woods in the company of the strangest and funniest creatures you’ll find. But his Looshkin series is every bit as good. But hey, you probably already know that.

But, did you know that Jamie’s partner, Sarah, has been crocheting her own little Looshkins? Better yet, she’s shared the pattern so you can all get crocheting! You can get the downloadable pattern here.

MORE FANTASTIC FOUR STUFF… CHRIS WESTON GETS HIS INVITE…

You might have heard there’s going to be a new Fantastic Four movie out soon? (Yeah, but will it be as good as the Superman movie?) Anyway, it seems that Marvel’s continued policy of not bothering with the creators they’re making their multi-millions/billions off has continued. I mean, wouldn’t you love it if the Kirby family made bank on the tails of this one? Not to mention all the other hugely talented folks that will see their names up in the ‘special thanks to…’ bit in the credits.

Well, although he’s not a big part of the FF legacy, artist Chris Weston did recognise that Marvel borrowed the idea from his FF: First Family comic for a bit of promo work. Well, he pointed it out with the simple request:

‘Wow. They’ve literally reproduced my cover from “Fantastic Four: First Family”! Come on, Marvel Studios, that’s got to be worth a couple of free tickets, surely!’

And fair play, Director Matt Shakman and David Bogart at Marvel Comics did see that and invited Chris along to the UK launch party. Here’s Chris’s report on that…

‘It’s a classic example of the squeaky hinge getting the oil but I was very grateful to be included. It cheered me up loads! Thanks, gang. Matt even wrote a nice message in my book. I took my son & we got to hang out with the cast & crew… no photos of celebs were allowed, so I have absolutely no evidence any of this happened. I also bumped into the great Mark Buckingham, and it was nice to have one of my colleagues there as emotional support! Star of the night was composer Michael Giacchino who was great company and a really nice person to talk to. And yes, Pedro Pascal is one cool-looking dude.’

LAKES INTERNATIONAL COMICS FESTIVAL – NOW THERE’S A PODCAST…

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is one of the best of its kind in the world. Happening 26th-28th September 2025, it’s a wonderful celebration of all things comics.

But LICAF is far from just being all about those three days, great though they are. They’re involved in so many projects to enhance the visibility and reach of comics, going into the local community and across the world to promote comics in all their forms.

Now, we have a new podcast from LICAF, well, a LICAF-supported podcast anyway. Loving the Alien is described as a podcast that “explores the inner workings of comic books and their creation, interviewing a wide range of comic artists, writers and other creatives orbiting the comic book industry.”

It’s by Finn Miles and kicks off with an interview with Sean Phillips.

CELEBRATE THE RED DRAGON RISING WITH ROB WILLIAMS, PATRICK GOADDARD, & NEIL EDWARDS – FORBIDDEN PLANET CARDIFF – 27 SEPTEMBER…

Red Dragon, a new 2000 AD strip focusing on the life pre-Zenith and his legacy now, starts in the Prog in September. And Rob Williams, Patrick Goddard, and Neil Edwards will be flying the (Welsh) flag high for a signing at FP Cardiff…