Dean Simons
@deansimons.bsky.social
He/Him. UK-based freelance culture writer/journalist [news & features]. Interests: world comics, global comics history, digital comics; gaming and portable technology
Follow ≠ endorsement
https://linktr.ee/dean.simons
Follow ≠ endorsement
https://linktr.ee/dean.simons
“To be honest, it’s not exactly what I had in mind…”
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
“To be honest, it’s not exactly what I had in mind…”
Bringing you up to date on everything that happened since…//checks notes//…Monday.
ANGOULÊME: Enraged publishers seek removal of Bondoux, Mayor gets involved: With a growing boycott, Assocation FIBD has until November 17 to come up with an acceptable alternative to Franck Bondoux
ANGOULÊME: Enraged publishers seek removal of Bondoux, Mayor gets involved
The list of exits grows. Festival owner Assocation FIBD has been given a November 17 deadline to come up with an acceptable alternative - including the immediate removal of Bondoux - or all major publishers walk. It was also being indicated that the local government may take over
www.comicsbeat.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Bringing you up to date on everything that happened since…//checks notes//…Monday.
Angoulême Festival Update: A lot happened over the past few days, a heckovalot today, and probably a lot more to come. But can/will it still take place in January 2026? Or ever again?
ANGOULÊME 2026 in serious doubt as publishers and authors cancel to protest Bondoux's involvement
ANGOULÊME 2026 in serious doubt as publishers and authors cancel to protest Bondoux’s involvement
Creators and publishers are threatening a boycott after controversial organisation 9e Art+ and its owner Franck Bondoux are set to resume their place as organisers of the Angoulême Festival
www.comicsbeat.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Angoulême Festival Update: A lot happened over the past few days, a heckovalot today, and probably a lot more to come. But can/will it still take place in January 2026? Or ever again?
Comics section of a tabac in Brussels Midi station. It as comprehensive as in France but still decent if you like Disney.
Also I highly rate DAD. It’s a single page gag strip about a single father and his 4 daughters. Europe Comics translated first three but so far no rights pickup. It’s hilarious
Also I highly rate DAD. It’s a single page gag strip about a single father and his 4 daughters. Europe Comics translated first three but so far no rights pickup. It’s hilarious
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Comics section of a tabac in Brussels Midi station. It as comprehensive as in France but still decent if you like Disney.
Also I highly rate DAD. It’s a single page gag strip about a single father and his 4 daughters. Europe Comics translated first three but so far no rights pickup. It’s hilarious
Also I highly rate DAD. It’s a single page gag strip about a single father and his 4 daughters. Europe Comics translated first three but so far no rights pickup. It’s hilarious
Fun research times in the documentation room of the Brussels Comic Art Museum.
Looking up a few things…and getting ideas for other things I would like to look into down the line.
(Not sure how I keep ending up with photos featuring zero people. There were several others there.)
Looking up a few things…and getting ideas for other things I would like to look into down the line.
(Not sure how I keep ending up with photos featuring zero people. There were several others there.)
November 4, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Fun research times in the documentation room of the Brussels Comic Art Museum.
Looking up a few things…and getting ideas for other things I would like to look into down the line.
(Not sure how I keep ending up with photos featuring zero people. There were several others there.)
Looking up a few things…and getting ideas for other things I would like to look into down the line.
(Not sure how I keep ending up with photos featuring zero people. There were several others there.)
Oh and here is a Smurfy portion of the same graffiti. Plus a wide view of the site
November 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Oh and here is a Smurfy portion of the same graffiti. Plus a wide view of the site
Spotted some fun graffiti using classic Belgian comics characters on the enclosure around a building site in Brussels
Brussels has proper “official” commissioned murals on buildings around the city but this is likely rogue agents having a laugh
Brussels has proper “official” commissioned murals on buildings around the city but this is likely rogue agents having a laugh
November 1, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Spotted some fun graffiti using classic Belgian comics characters on the enclosure around a building site in Brussels
Brussels has proper “official” commissioned murals on buildings around the city but this is likely rogue agents having a laugh
Brussels has proper “official” commissioned murals on buildings around the city but this is likely rogue agents having a laugh
Spare few minutes before departure so here is a glance at the comics/bande dessinée section of this newsstand.
The French editions of American material (capes and tights) are squeezed in above the manga/manwha.
Most of the BD seems to be nonfiction or comedy. Kids stuff bottom shelf.
The French editions of American material (capes and tights) are squeezed in above the manga/manwha.
Most of the BD seems to be nonfiction or comedy. Kids stuff bottom shelf.
October 31, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Spare few minutes before departure so here is a glance at the comics/bande dessinée section of this newsstand.
The French editions of American material (capes and tights) are squeezed in above the manga/manwha.
Most of the BD seems to be nonfiction or comedy. Kids stuff bottom shelf.
The French editions of American material (capes and tights) are squeezed in above the manga/manwha.
Most of the BD seems to be nonfiction or comedy. Kids stuff bottom shelf.
Made me laugh (Not enough to buy it)
I wouldn’t mind discovering the random (often invented) English idioms inserted into the French language Belgian series Blake & Mortimer. Maybe I will find it in a library down the line and write them down.
I wouldn’t mind discovering the random (often invented) English idioms inserted into the French language Belgian series Blake & Mortimer. Maybe I will find it in a library down the line and write them down.
October 31, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Made me laugh (Not enough to buy it)
I wouldn’t mind discovering the random (often invented) English idioms inserted into the French language Belgian series Blake & Mortimer. Maybe I will find it in a library down the line and write them down.
I wouldn’t mind discovering the random (often invented) English idioms inserted into the French language Belgian series Blake & Mortimer. Maybe I will find it in a library down the line and write them down.
The Daniel Maghen exhibition for Cosey was also decent. Just…I was a bit spoilt by everything in those folders. It covered bits of Cosey’s Jonathan series and his most recent book Yiyun.
Leave tomorrow and more galleries on my list. Hopefully I have time for one or two in between other duties
Leave tomorrow and more galleries on my list. Hopefully I have time for one or two in between other duties
October 31, 2025 at 12:04 AM
The Daniel Maghen exhibition for Cosey was also decent. Just…I was a bit spoilt by everything in those folders. It covered bits of Cosey’s Jonathan series and his most recent book Yiyun.
Leave tomorrow and more galleries on my list. Hopefully I have time for one or two in between other duties
Leave tomorrow and more galleries on my list. Hopefully I have time for one or two in between other duties
Also in the folders that I was flabbergasted to see close up - the Brizzi bros pages for their Don Quixote adaptation. All pencils. All amazing.
Ana Mirallès pages from the last Djinn albums.
Some Daria Schmitt (Skull from Sweden), and Olivier Pont.
Some books I definitely want to check out
Ana Mirallès pages from the last Djinn albums.
Some Daria Schmitt (Skull from Sweden), and Olivier Pont.
Some books I definitely want to check out
October 30, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Also in the folders that I was flabbergasted to see close up - the Brizzi bros pages for their Don Quixote adaptation. All pencils. All amazing.
Ana Mirallès pages from the last Djinn albums.
Some Daria Schmitt (Skull from Sweden), and Olivier Pont.
Some books I definitely want to check out
Ana Mirallès pages from the last Djinn albums.
Some Daria Schmitt (Skull from Sweden), and Olivier Pont.
Some books I definitely want to check out
I was kicking myself for being unable to make the trip for the Grzegorz Rosiński exhibition back in April and was so happy to discover most of it in folders in the shop.
Pages ranged in price from around $8,000 to $25,000. Mainly for Thorgal.
I wasn’t allowed to take pictures sadly but W.O.W.
Pages ranged in price from around $8,000 to $25,000. Mainly for Thorgal.
I wasn’t allowed to take pictures sadly but W.O.W.
October 30, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I was kicking myself for being unable to make the trip for the Grzegorz Rosiński exhibition back in April and was so happy to discover most of it in folders in the shop.
Pages ranged in price from around $8,000 to $25,000. Mainly for Thorgal.
I wasn’t allowed to take pictures sadly but W.O.W.
Pages ranged in price from around $8,000 to $25,000. Mainly for Thorgal.
I wasn’t allowed to take pictures sadly but W.O.W.
If you ever go to Paris and you like comics. There are a number of great private galleries selling original pages. Highlight of recent trip might be seeing a huge swathe of Grzegorz Rosiński’s artistic career. Early Thorgal (1st album) to one of the last. Plus his other work.
October 30, 2025 at 11:45 PM
If you ever go to Paris and you like comics. There are a number of great private galleries selling original pages. Highlight of recent trip might be seeing a huge swathe of Grzegorz Rosiński’s artistic career. Early Thorgal (1st album) to one of the last. Plus his other work.
Was in one of my “comic shops of choice” in Paris. Aaapoum Bapoum is a mix of brand new and resale books. Mostly the latter.
The main shop has a very large manga section. I thought to ask what the top books were. After One Piece and Naruto, Blue Lock apparently sells quite well there.
The main shop has a very large manga section. I thought to ask what the top books were. After One Piece and Naruto, Blue Lock apparently sells quite well there.
October 30, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Was in one of my “comic shops of choice” in Paris. Aaapoum Bapoum is a mix of brand new and resale books. Mostly the latter.
The main shop has a very large manga section. I thought to ask what the top books were. After One Piece and Naruto, Blue Lock apparently sells quite well there.
The main shop has a very large manga section. I thought to ask what the top books were. After One Piece and Naruto, Blue Lock apparently sells quite well there.
While walking to the train station in St Malo, I spotted this cool comics mural.
I immediately recognise the first four but am slightly stumped by the last one. Part of me thinks it could either be Yusuke from YuYu Hakusho, or Kaneda from Akira.
Any ideas?
I immediately recognise the first four but am slightly stumped by the last one. Part of me thinks it could either be Yusuke from YuYu Hakusho, or Kaneda from Akira.
Any ideas?
October 28, 2025 at 11:58 PM
While walking to the train station in St Malo, I spotted this cool comics mural.
I immediately recognise the first four but am slightly stumped by the last one. Part of me thinks it could either be Yusuke from YuYu Hakusho, or Kaneda from Akira.
Any ideas?
I immediately recognise the first four but am slightly stumped by the last one. Part of me thinks it could either be Yusuke from YuYu Hakusho, or Kaneda from Akira.
Any ideas?
I read somewhere that the new Asterix got a 5 million copy print run. I wonder how far into it they are now.
Anywho - more advertising and promotion.
Anywho - more advertising and promotion.
October 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I read somewhere that the new Asterix got a 5 million copy print run. I wonder how far into it they are now.
Anywho - more advertising and promotion.
Anywho - more advertising and promotion.
Reposted by Dean Simons
Interview: Ian Edginton on BRASS SUN’s long-awaited return and writing blocks
With Brass Sun's long-awaited Pavane arc under way in 2000 AD, The Beat talks with Ian Edginton about bridging the gap for series newcomers, the current direction of the series, and the mental health crisis that…
With Brass Sun's long-awaited Pavane arc under way in 2000 AD, The Beat talks with Ian Edginton about bridging the gap for series newcomers, the current direction of the series, and the mental health crisis that…
Interview: Ian Edginton on BRASS SUN’s long-awaited return and writing blocks
With Brass Sun's long-awaited Pavane arc under way in 2000 AD, The Beat talks with Ian Edginton about bridging the gap for series newcomers, the current direction of the series, and the mental health crisis that precipitated the hiatus
www.comicsbeat.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Interview: Ian Edginton on BRASS SUN’s long-awaited return and writing blocks
With Brass Sun's long-awaited Pavane arc under way in 2000 AD, The Beat talks with Ian Edginton about bridging the gap for series newcomers, the current direction of the series, and the mental health crisis that…
With Brass Sun's long-awaited Pavane arc under way in 2000 AD, The Beat talks with Ian Edginton about bridging the gap for series newcomers, the current direction of the series, and the mental health crisis that…
Some of these can be yours for the bargain price of €1500-€2200 (so up to around $2500).
I could never justify it but I absolutely love checking out LEO’s pages - especially his monster designs.
Most of his work is available in English from Cinebook.
I could never justify it but I absolutely love checking out LEO’s pages - especially his monster designs.
Most of his work is available in English from Cinebook.
October 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Some of these can be yours for the bargain price of €1500-€2200 (so up to around $2500).
I could never justify it but I absolutely love checking out LEO’s pages - especially his monster designs.
Most of his work is available in English from Cinebook.
I could never justify it but I absolutely love checking out LEO’s pages - especially his monster designs.
Most of his work is available in English from Cinebook.
Also found some more reference books for my growing collection of international historical texts about comics.
October 26, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Also found some more reference books for my growing collection of international historical texts about comics.
While digging through the bouquinistes (used book retailers) at Quai des bulles, I spotted this little “best of” for one of my fave Franco-Belgian series: Thorgal.
Contains two stories and the first one was actually my fave, “Master of the Mountains”. The second one I also love.
Contains two stories and the first one was actually my fave, “Master of the Mountains”. The second one I also love.
October 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
While digging through the bouquinistes (used book retailers) at Quai des bulles, I spotted this little “best of” for one of my fave Franco-Belgian series: Thorgal.
Contains two stories and the first one was actually my fave, “Master of the Mountains”. The second one I also love.
Contains two stories and the first one was actually my fave, “Master of the Mountains”. The second one I also love.
Bought some highbrow manga in French because I don’t recall their ever being available in English (and my French is better than my Japanese)
October 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Bought some highbrow manga in French because I don’t recall their ever being available in English (and my French is better than my Japanese)
I did a review
Graphic Novel Review: Ugo Bienvenu’s SYSTEM PREFERENCE asks what is really worth preserving?
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
Graphic Novel Review: Ugo Bienvenu’s SYSTEM PREFERENCE asks what is really worth preserving?
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
www.comicsbeat.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I did a review
Reposted by Dean Simons
Graphic Novel Review: Ugo Bienvenu’s SYSTEM PREFERENCE asks what is really worth preserving?
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
Graphic Novel Review: Ugo Bienvenu’s SYSTEM PREFERENCE asks what is really worth preserving?
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
www.comicsbeat.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Graphic Novel Review: Ugo Bienvenu’s SYSTEM PREFERENCE asks what is really worth preserving?
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
A terrifying prospect is brilliantly explored in Ugo Bienvenu’s graphic novel System Preference.
New Asterix released today in France. Glanced inside the Relay store in St Malo train station.
Assuming it was full at least this morning…Seems to have sold pretty well.
(I was told they have plenty more stock in the back)
Assuming it was full at least this morning…Seems to have sold pretty well.
(I was told they have plenty more stock in the back)
October 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New Asterix released today in France. Glanced inside the Relay store in St Malo train station.
Assuming it was full at least this morning…Seems to have sold pretty well.
(I was told they have plenty more stock in the back)
Assuming it was full at least this morning…Seems to have sold pretty well.
(I was told they have plenty more stock in the back)
I’m intrigued. I believe this will be the first ever non-2000 AD series/artist Apex.
I wonder what it will be if it will be around. A series or a specific creator. Don Lawrence would be an awesome - though unlikely - catch.
I wonder what it will be if it will be around. A series or a specific creator. Don Lawrence would be an awesome - though unlikely - catch.
October 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I’m intrigued. I believe this will be the first ever non-2000 AD series/artist Apex.
I wonder what it will be if it will be around. A series or a specific creator. Don Lawrence would be an awesome - though unlikely - catch.
I wonder what it will be if it will be around. A series or a specific creator. Don Lawrence would be an awesome - though unlikely - catch.