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1 week ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
On April 6th, 2025, at Ithacon, I took part in a panel called “Indie Comics Revolution of the 80s: From American Flagg! to Zot!” Featuring Mike Gold, Walter Simonson, Don Simpson, and moderated by Robert Jeschonek. I recorded the panel on my smart phone for DINO+ subscribers.
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1 week ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Kingston Independent Comics Expo (aka KICx) was a perfect-sized room with the right amount of exhibitors and creators inside a church. Locals and city slickers, including legends Jim Starlin, Walter and Louise Simonson, showed up despite the snow and chilly rain — to check out the scene, zines, art and comix. It was great to catch up with all kinds of friends and peers. Big Ups to Ophira Eisenberg and Nina Bird Lawrence for the coffee and TLC.
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2 weeks ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Jen Ferguson and I had a great time collaborating on a couple of “Monster Ala Carte” mash-ups at Ithacon 48. It’s always an honor and pleasure to mix it up with Walter & Louise Simonson. And hang out with Pittsburgh godfather, Don “Megaton Man” Simpson. Mike Gold, Don McGregor, Matt Bors,Chris Condon ,Bill Schanes, Keith Haugen, Bill Anderson, Bob & Shari Harrison. And more. Big Ups to Ed Catto and his amazing Ithacon students and staff for a swell soiree and smooth ride.
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2 weeks ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
As mentioned in a previous post: In 2017, I was asked by a couple of editors at IDW to pitch short stories for a series called STAR WARS ADVENTURES. I came up with three different adventures and none of them made muster. To be fair, the editors were still figuring out what made a good done-in-one Star Wars story for young adults, but I still think I came up with a few solid ideas even though they never became canon.
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3 weeks ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Indie Comics Creator Con 2025 was a blast. It reminded me of early SPX (Small Press Expo) days from the mid-90s to early 00s. Back when creators huddled after hours and drew with each other. Shared ideas and laughs. Were in it together. Big Ups to table mate Whitney Matheson, and show creator/organizers Matthew Sardo, Jamie Jones, and the IC3 crew. Big Ups to Eli Schwab and his Cosmic Lion crew. Big Ups to the Piskor family, Tom Scioli, Jim Rugg, Tony Wolf and everyone else I got to see and meet.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
I don't watch sports like I used to when I was a New York Yankees fan in the 1970s & 80s. But I do watch award shows every year. A spectacle of celebration I was weened on as a kid. My father was friends with famous actresses and wrote about them. My mother helped fund all kinds of artists as deputy director of NYSCA. And my godmother was a two time Academy Award winner who introduced me to a lot of great actors. If I only I knew then what I know now. The questions I could've asked.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
In 2017, I was asked by a couple of editors at IDW to pitch short stories for a series called STAR WARS ADVENTURES. I came up with three different adventures and none of them made muster. To be fair, the editors were still figuring out what made a good done-in-one Star Wars story for young adults, but I still think I came up with some good ideas.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
This week on the VITO x DINO podcast, we welcome relative newcomer, Mat Major, and discuss his upcoming collaborations with Vito Delsante. Also, who is on the Mount Rushmore of Comics (or, what I mistakenly yet ironically coined, "The Mount Sinai of Comics?”). What's better: good bad guys or bad good guys? And much more. Keep reading with a 7-day free trialSubscribe to Dean Haspiel's Newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
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1 month ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
“Should I watch this movie?” “Is this movie a Hit or a Miss?” “Tell me if this movie is worth my time.” I have no idea what YOUR time is worth. Here's the thing: I hardly ever advise anyone to NOT see a movie. NOT read a comic book. NOT indulge a song, book, TV show, etc./etc. I have my skewed opinions but I believe everyone should experience …Keep reading with a 7-day free trialSubscribe to Dean Haspiel's Newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
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2 months ago | 
deanhaspiel.substack.com | Dean Haspiel
Recently, I was thinking about how critical I was as a teenager of Carmine Infantino's art in his twilight years. Infantino was a comic book artist and former editor and publisher of DC Comics, whose glory days were cemented during the Silver Age of comics in the 1950s & 1960s. He was a great cover designer and visual storyteller with a unique style. I first encountered Carmen Infantino's art when he was drawing DC Comics' THE FLASH in the early 1980s.
