"Dilbert," Creator Scott Adams has Died

Scott Adams has died at the age of 68 from complications related to prostate cancer. When thinking about him, I ask you to please excuse my language, but Scott Adams leaves a weird fucking legacy. Up through the mid-2000's he was mainly known as the creator of, "Dilbert." A comic strip that started out decently funny and charming before settling into mediocrity, Adams could have spent the rest of his life churning out so-so jokes about the office, but at some point, he drank the conspiracy Kool-Aid and became very far right-wing and very outspoken about it. From loudly supporting Trump in 2015 to making all kinds of outlandish conservative claims, Adams shifted into someone a lot less fun, in my opinion. I mean, seriously, I like the earlier stuff he did, and the man wasn't always so spiteful, but at some point, he fell down the MAGA rabbit hole, never to return.

"Dilbert," lost syndication in 2023 when Adams made a bunch of racist blog posts and proceeded to make, "Dilbert," only available to online subscribers. I wrote about how, "He took his legacy and burned it to the ground before smearing what was left of the ashes." Upon his passing, I am unsure if the entire thing was reduced to rubble, as some out there still fondly remember, "Dilbert," and try to overlook the last decade and change where Adams really went off the rails. Upon his diagnosis, it sounded like before pursuing standard medical methods he that Adams tried more holistic/alternative methods. I'm not sure if that shortened his time, but I know if I ever have a cancer diagnosis, that I'm seeing a medical professional as opposed to someone who claims certification from stars or such.

One of Adams' personal favorite strips. It is decently humorous, at least.

In a statement read by Adam's first ex-wife, Shelly Miles, upon his passing (he had requested her to tell everyone), it concluded, "I gave it everything I had. If I got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward, as best as you can. That’s the legacy I want. Be useful and please know I loved you all to the very end.” I hope there is truth to that love compared to the degree of hate Adams tossed out casually in his later years. I sincerely wish he has found some kind of peace and understanding in whatever plane of existence comes once we pass.

"Bloom County," Moves to Patreon

Berkeley Breathed did various comic strips with the characters of, "Bloom County," for some decades via that series,  as well as "Outland," and, "Opus." He started doing strips again as a digital verision of, "Bloom County," back in 2015, and has been at it sinc,e with the strips going up on Facebook. However, Beathed has been transparent about how, due to general expenses, he is now going to transition the strip over to Patreon. For just $3 a month, however, people can read his superb works. Some have scoffed at this, but even the original strips were in newspapers you had to pay to read the funnies in--we were spoiled to get the new iteration of the series totally free. If Breathed needs a little scratch to keep telling us stories about Bill the Cat, Steve Dallas, Opus, and the rest, I support this change.

"Beckett's Non-Sport Update," Magazine Was Canceled With No Warning, Thankfully Other Fun Reading Options Exist

As many of you know, I like magazines, newsprint, and so forth. I mean, even with the rise of digital technology and such I will always prefer my comic-books/graphic novels/prose books/etc. in physical form. I do know those who like physical media are a shrinking demographic and besides mini-resurgences such as with vinyl records, digital generally wins the day. I subscribe to some magaiznes about various interesting subjects from, "Rolling Stone," to, "Beckett's Non-Sport Update." Beckett does magazines about baseball cards, hockey, basketball, and so forth, and they used to do one about interesting trading cards that dealt in non-sport subjects. Every two months the magazine would have snazzy articles about old trading cards that dealt with dinosaurs, famous wars, historical flags, and pieces about what was currently trending. Without much fanfare, however, Beckett killed their nonsport mag.

The second-to-last issue (October/November 2025) was a big celebration of the publication achieving 35 years in print. Who knew it would turn into more of a wake than a birthday party as the final issue came out (December 2025/January 2026) and as soon as it was done printing, Beckett seems to have shut-down almost any websites relating to the magazine's existence outside of a nonsport price guide you can access online for a period of time double however much subscription length you had left (so two bimonhtly issues equals four months). How generous, I say as my voice drips with sarcasm.

So, is that it for publications about trading cards that are not sports-related? Well, PSA apparently puts out a pop-culture magazine, but you get it with an expensive membership (which does entitle you to a grading discount if you grade a lot of cards) to get that magazine. Don't despair if you want a print publication about non-sport, however, as there is a great option. Called, "The Wrapper," it is a cool newspaper-style publication with fun articles and classifieds dedicated to non-sport cards. I became aware of its existence not too long ago, got a sample issue for only three bucks, and you can subscribe for a year (a new issue comes out every six weeks) for just 32 smackers. I would encourage anyone who likes to read fun news pieces about non-sport trading cards to check The Wrapper out and offer it their support--Lord knows we don't want another cool publication folding anytime soon.

The New Issue of, "LAAB," Has Launched its Kickstarter

Beehive Books is a smaller publisher that has created a number of cool things. They did that unique take on, "Dracula," last year and have been running a comic-focused newspaper that's been getting a lot of buzz  called, "LAAB." It's third annual issue (which is issue #2 as there was a zero issue) has launched its Kickstarter and you can check it out now. This issue's theme concerns food, waste, soil, and sustainability. It has a who's who of creators such as Paul Pope, Michael DeForge, Olivia Fields, and more.

There are comics, articles, and you can back it for digital copies of past and present issues as well as physical copies. Beehive Books always makes good stuff and, "LAAB," has gotten tons of critical acclaim. I look forward to this latest issue being funded (I assume) and entertaining everyone! Here's the link to it again should you want to take a look and possibly back it!

The First Collection of, "Nancy," as Done by Olivia Jaimes is a Treat to Read

Back in April of 2018 the comic, "Nancy," had a new creator take over the long-running strip. Her name was Olivia Jaimes (although nobody knows her real name or much of anything about her besides she apparently has experience in comics before this). Jaimes take on, "Nancy," introduced more technology (Nancy got a smart-phone) and worked-in a number of clever 4th-wall-breaking meta-jokes, but despite being newer and edgier honestly still had the heart of, "Nancy," AKA that she is a little girl who is smart, enjoys sweets, and loves to make trouble. The collection of Jaimes initial, "Nancy," strips through her start in 2018 to Christmas of that year is full of hilarity, taking a decades-old comic and injecting it with new life while still being authentically, "Nancy," in all her precocious glee.

When Jaimes first took-over, "Nancy," there was some outcry from people who saw the comic in their newspapers or read it online at GoComics. There were folk who did not like, "Nancy," changing at all, but considering how Jaimes coming-on the strip reinvigorated the comic to the point it did please a number of longtime fans and brought-in a smorgasbord of new readers I'd say Jaimes was a stellar choice. I myself have loved reading, "Nancy," when it comes-out daily and this book is like a concentrated dose of all that, "Nancy," goodness just pumped straight into the pleasure-center of your brain.

"Nancy," as done by Olivia Jaimes is a stellar comic--not merely an amazing comic-strip, a fantastic comic, period. I loved reading this collection which besides the strips includes an introduction by the strip's editor, Shena Wolf, as well as some back-matter ranging from a reprinted interview with Jaimes to fan-art of Nancy herself. Should you not yet have had the pleasure of reading, "Nancy," under the pen of Olivia Jaimes I would advise you to get yourself a copy of this book post-haste from your local bookstore/library/comic-shop. It is a simply fantastic way to immerse yourself in the genius of Jaimes and her version of, "Nancy."
5 out of 5 stars.