AIPT Comics

NYCC 2025 reveals + Patrick McDonnell on 'The Gift of Everything'

Episode Summary

New York Comic Con may be wrapping up, but the news is still exploding! This week, Dave and Alex break down all the biggest reveals from Marvel and DC and more! Then stick around for our featured interview with legendary cartoonist Patrick McDonnell, creator of MUTTS and The Gift of Nothing, as he joins us to discuss his brand-new picture book, The Gift of Everything, out October 7. We talk about the heart behind his holiday storytelling, the joy of rhyme, gratitude in uncertain times, and what Mooch and Earl might bring to a real-life gift exchange. It’s cozy, uplifting, and full of creative wisdom — the perfect conversation to kick off the holiday season.

Episode Notes

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NEWS

  1. NYCC News!
    1. Marvel reveals!
      1. Spidery: NYCC 2025: 'Amazing Spider-Man and his Venomous Friends' panel reveals art and story details
      2. Marvel unleashes 'Death Spiral, a deadly new Spider-Man/Venom crossover
      3. X-Men panel 
      4. Next Big Thing reveals
    2. DC reveals!
      1. DC Vertigo and some more detail
      2. Absolute Catwoman: Selina Kyle as the Batman of the Absolute Universe, and Sirens
      3. WTF DC Comics?!
        1. DC KO scoops
          1. Found out about some fights, but also…
          2. Next Level and Batwoman
  2. Logan’s bloodiest stories coming in Marvel’s new 'Black, White & Blood' series
  3. Godzilla takes his rampage to the stars in 'Godzilla: Infinity Roar' out February 2026
  4. Post Malone’s 'Big Rig' returns in 2026 with 'Book 2: Damned'
  5. Jason Aaron brings Thundarr the barbarian to comics for the first time ever in 2026
  6. Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck collide in first ever disney comics crossover event
  7. Ben 10 comics are back, and the original creators are making it “Ultimate”
  8. Thundercats comics head into the future in 2026 with shocking revelations in ‘Lost in Time’
  9. Oni Press just dropped a brand-new logo ahead of NYCC 2025
  10. Matt Kindt brings Flux House to Oni Press with new comics and full media empire
  11. IDW Dark unleashing four chilling new horror series in 2026
  12. Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen unleash 'Crowbound', a blood-soaked dark fantasy revenge epic
  13. TOP 50 COMICS - SEPTEMBER 2025

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

  1. Amazing X-Men (2025) #1 (Jed MacKay, Mahmud Asrar)
  2. Creepshow (2022): Super Creepshow Special (Various)

Alex:​​

  1. DC KO (Scott Snyder, Javi Fernandez)
  2. Binary #1 (Stephanie Phillips, Giada Belviso)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: DC KO (Scott Snyder, Javi Fernandez)

Dave: Batman: The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween (2024) #9 (Chris Samnee)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

  1. Alex: Absolute Flash #8 (Lemire, Moore) & New Gods #11 (Ram V, Denys Cowen)
  2. Dave: Yuletide (More info)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

  1. Dave: Sonja Reborn #2 (Stuart Sayge) OR THIS!
  2. Alex: Rogue Storm #1 (Ivan Talavera Variant)

Interview: Patrick McDonnell  - The Gift of Everything out October 7

Check out:

https://mutts.com/pages/patrickmcdonnellart-superhero

  1. What inspired you to return to Mooch and Earl’s gift-giving adventures 20 years later in The Gift of Everything?
  2. The Heart of the Story
    At its core, this book celebrates gratitude and the joy of being alive. Why do you think themes of thankfulness and simplicity resonate so deeply with children — and adults?
  3. Crafting in Rhyme
    This story uses a joyful rhyming style. What draws you to rhyme as a storytelling device, and what challenges or delights come with writing in verse?
  4. Holiday Spirit
    You’ve said you’ve always loved the holiday season. What specific memories or traditions helped shape the spirit of The Gift of Everything?
  5. Mooch & Earl’s Timeless Appeal
    Mooch and Earl have been beloved characters in MUTTS for decades. What do you think it is about their personalities that allows them to connect so effortlessly with readers across generations?
  6. From Page to Stage
    Several of your works, including The Gift of Nothing and Me…Jane, have been adapted as musicals at the Kennedy Center. How does it feel to see your stories reimagined in another medium?
  7. Visual Storytelling
    Your illustrations have a deceptively simple elegance. How do you balance keeping the art playful for children while also layering in emotion and meaning for older readers?
  8. Longevity and Legacy
  9. MUTTS has been running for 30 years and has inspired praise from legends like Charles Schulz and Jane Goodall. Looking back, how do you see your evolution as both a cartoonist and a children’s book author?
  10. Fun/Silly Question: If Mooch and Earl were invited to a holiday gift exchange in real life, what do you think each of them would bring — and what would they secretly hope to get?