Jess Nevins
@jessnevins.bsky.social
Encyclopedist, college librarian, writer, ttrpg writer. I like to talk about Mesopotamia & Vikings. Always outnumbered, never outgunned.
My podcast, "The History of Comic Books in 500 Issues," is at http://500issues.com
My podcast, "The History of Comic Books in 500 Issues," is at http://500issues.com
Made myself really damned grumpy this morning, and had no good reason for it. Just a descent into ever-increasing crankiness, which is really the wrong state of mind to be in when you're at the reference desk.
So I just did some retail therapy. I have never done this particular thing before,
So I just did some retail therapy. I have never done this particular thing before,
January 6, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Made myself really damned grumpy this morning, and had no good reason for it. Just a descent into ever-increasing crankiness, which is really the wrong state of mind to be in when you're at the reference desk.
So I just did some retail therapy. I have never done this particular thing before,
So I just did some retail therapy. I have never done this particular thing before,
Just saw some yahoo's post about how "politics isn't a morality play" and that it's not "useful" to feel smug that the people who voted for Trump are now suffering because of it.
Politics isn't a morality play?
Does the right wing know about this? Are Trump voters anywhere close to believing it?
Politics isn't a morality play?
Does the right wing know about this? Are Trump voters anywhere close to believing it?
January 6, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Just saw some yahoo's post about how "politics isn't a morality play" and that it's not "useful" to feel smug that the people who voted for Trump are now suffering because of it.
Politics isn't a morality play?
Does the right wing know about this? Are Trump voters anywhere close to believing it?
Politics isn't a morality play?
Does the right wing know about this? Are Trump voters anywhere close to believing it?
Be the comic book panel you want to see in the world.
("Just doing what Superman told me to do, officer. You wouldn't want me to disobey Superman, would you?")
("Just doing what Superman told me to do, officer. You wouldn't want me to disobey Superman, would you?")
January 6, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Be the comic book panel you want to see in the world.
("Just doing what Superman told me to do, officer. You wouldn't want me to disobey Superman, would you?")
("Just doing what Superman told me to do, officer. You wouldn't want me to disobey Superman, would you?")
Not playing with your toddler is depriving the toddler of invaluable interactions with you and depriving yourself of some of the best moments of your life.
"Weird"? How sad.
"Weird"? How sad.
I am more and more convinced that right-wingers are like this because they surround themselves with sociopaths to the point they don't know when they're broken inside because they're the same as the people they are regularly around.
Traumatized people traumatizing their kids.
Traumatized people traumatizing their kids.
January 6, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Not playing with your toddler is depriving the toddler of invaluable interactions with you and depriving yourself of some of the best moments of your life.
"Weird"? How sad.
"Weird"? How sad.
Reposted by Jess Nevins
Today I heard a story that included the phrase "emergency plastic surgery" and, yep, don't need to hear any more stories with that phrase in them. I'm good.
January 5, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Today I heard a story that included the phrase "emergency plastic surgery" and, yep, don't need to hear any more stories with that phrase in them. I'm good.
How in the world...?
I mean, yes, I get that it's the algorithm, but why *this* combination?
I mean, yes, I get that it's the algorithm, but why *this* combination?
January 5, 2026 at 7:51 PM
How in the world...?
I mean, yes, I get that it's the algorithm, but why *this* combination?
I mean, yes, I get that it's the algorithm, but why *this* combination?
You know times are dire when the Wall Street Journal--the Journal!--is spreading LIES and COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA that pizza, the sacred food that binds us all together as Americans, described fully in Exodus 16:1–36, is something we're "falling out of love" with. RUBBISH! TOMMYROT!
January 5, 2026 at 7:28 PM
You know times are dire when the Wall Street Journal--the Journal!--is spreading LIES and COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA that pizza, the sacred food that binds us all together as Americans, described fully in Exodus 16:1–36, is something we're "falling out of love" with. RUBBISH! TOMMYROT!
Decided to show off how sharp a scalpel was by trying to slice a hair in two. Cut off part of my fingertip instead.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 5, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Decided to show off how sharp a scalpel was by trying to slice a hair in two. Cut off part of my fingertip instead.
Typeface & font people!
What's the best Jack Kirby-style typeface? The kind that screams "THERE CAME A TIME WHEN THE OLD GODS DIED!"
What's the best Jack Kirby-style typeface? The kind that screams "THERE CAME A TIME WHEN THE OLD GODS DIED!"
January 5, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Typeface & font people!
What's the best Jack Kirby-style typeface? The kind that screams "THERE CAME A TIME WHEN THE OLD GODS DIED!"
What's the best Jack Kirby-style typeface? The kind that screams "THERE CAME A TIME WHEN THE OLD GODS DIED!"
Well, this is a new one.
New student came to the library needing a student id. School rules are that to get one you need to show a physical id of some kind with a photo on it as well as a print out of your class schedule.
Student is refusing to show a physical id and is offended that we're asking.
New student came to the library needing a student id. School rules are that to get one you need to show a physical id of some kind with a photo on it as well as a print out of your class schedule.
Student is refusing to show a physical id and is offended that we're asking.
January 5, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Well, this is a new one.
New student came to the library needing a student id. School rules are that to get one you need to show a physical id of some kind with a photo on it as well as a print out of your class schedule.
Student is refusing to show a physical id and is offended that we're asking.
New student came to the library needing a student id. School rules are that to get one you need to show a physical id of some kind with a photo on it as well as a print out of your class schedule.
Student is refusing to show a physical id and is offended that we're asking.
courtesy Kilowog-core (www.instagram.com/kilowogcore)
January 5, 2026 at 1:02 PM
courtesy Kilowog-core (www.instagram.com/kilowogcore)
Well...no changes at work today. Boss is probably out. Looking ahead, the desk schedule is pretty much the same as it ever was, which means that there won't be any changes this week.
So there's exactly that much right with the world at work today.
So there's exactly that much right with the world at work today.
January 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Well...no changes at work today. Boss is probably out. Looking ahead, the desk schedule is pretty much the same as it ever was, which means that there won't be any changes this week.
So there's exactly that much right with the world at work today.
So there's exactly that much right with the world at work today.
Jeebus, look at him put all of those away. He's just inhaling everything on his plate. For Chrissakes, stop and chew, Lord! You'll choke!
The Lord has put away all your sins
January 5, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Jeebus, look at him put all of those away. He's just inhaling everything on his plate. For Chrissakes, stop and chew, Lord! You'll choke!
I rarely get the Sunday dread anymore, but I've got it now.
Tomorrow I find out if my boss has decided to go forward with completely upending how we (librarians, not staff) provide service or not. She told me her plans and was undecided. I was politely but firmly negative, because they will be
Tomorrow I find out if my boss has decided to go forward with completely upending how we (librarians, not staff) provide service or not. She told me her plans and was undecided. I was politely but firmly negative, because they will be
January 5, 2026 at 12:03 AM
I rarely get the Sunday dread anymore, but I've got it now.
Tomorrow I find out if my boss has decided to go forward with completely upending how we (librarians, not staff) provide service or not. She told me her plans and was undecided. I was politely but firmly negative, because they will be
Tomorrow I find out if my boss has decided to go forward with completely upending how we (librarians, not staff) provide service or not. She told me her plans and was undecided. I was politely but firmly negative, because they will be
This Balaam prophecy thing is just *weird*. (That's a technical term in Biblical Studies). Look--here's the Balaam and his ass story: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaam#...
So, y'know, kinda par for the course.
Then there's the Deir Alla inscription:
www.livius.org/sources/cont...
So, y'know, kinda par for the course.
Then there's the Deir Alla inscription:
www.livius.org/sources/cont...
January 4, 2026 at 10:13 PM
This Balaam prophecy thing is just *weird*. (That's a technical term in Biblical Studies). Look--here's the Balaam and his ass story: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaam#...
So, y'know, kinda par for the course.
Then there's the Deir Alla inscription:
www.livius.org/sources/cont...
So, y'know, kinda par for the course.
Then there's the Deir Alla inscription:
www.livius.org/sources/cont...
After having given the story of Balaam and his donkey a closer inspection than I have in the past, and after having taken into account the Deir Alla inscription, I can only conclude that my first million will come from my "Balaam and Hamor" (Ancient Hebrew word for donkey) detective novels.
January 4, 2026 at 9:42 PM
After having given the story of Balaam and his donkey a closer inspection than I have in the past, and after having taken into account the Deir Alla inscription, I can only conclude that my first million will come from my "Balaam and Hamor" (Ancient Hebrew word for donkey) detective novels.
I had like four separate jokes ready to go when I discovered that Sumerian has a word ("má-tùn") for the job of "asphalt specialist"--that's what it says, right there in the dictionary--but I double-checked and the job was about sealing boats' hulls with bitumen and not making chariot highways.
January 4, 2026 at 9:15 PM
I had like four separate jokes ready to go when I discovered that Sumerian has a word ("má-tùn") for the job of "asphalt specialist"--that's what it says, right there in the dictionary--but I double-checked and the job was about sealing boats' hulls with bitumen and not making chariot highways.
(I'd obviously have to get Victoria Price's permission to do this. And as someone pointed out when I posted this a couple of years ago, Karloff is dead at this point--but not in my comic, Because, That's Why--but Lon Chaney Jr. is alive. And it wouldn't be worth it without Peter Lorre. Anyhow.)
January 4, 2026 at 8:07 PM
(I'd obviously have to get Victoria Price's permission to do this. And as someone pointed out when I posted this a couple of years ago, Karloff is dead at this point--but not in my comic, Because, That's Why--but Lon Chaney Jr. is alive. And it wouldn't be worth it without Peter Lorre. Anyhow.)
Shame it's so expensive. There's something charmingly specific to the point of unfashionable obsession about Brill’s Companion to Bodyguards in the Ancient Mediterranean. Like, screw this generalist crap, I'm gonna write my PhD on the bodyguards of the Pharaohs and nobody's gonna stop me.
January 4, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Shame it's so expensive. There's something charmingly specific to the point of unfashionable obsession about Brill’s Companion to Bodyguards in the Ancient Mediterranean. Like, screw this generalist crap, I'm gonna write my PhD on the bodyguards of the Pharaohs and nobody's gonna stop me.
January 4, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Yes, by all means, turn Venezuela into the 51st state. It's only got a population of 31 million who will all vote Democrat and drag the party far to the left (or what the rest of the world considers the center). Yes, do that. Brilliant move, Mr. President!
January 4, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Yes, by all means, turn Venezuela into the 51st state. It's only got a population of 31 million who will all vote Democrat and drag the party far to the left (or what the rest of the world considers the center). Yes, do that. Brilliant move, Mr. President!
Just read that Kate Bush kicked a pap in the balls for harassing her.
As if my crush on her couldn't grow any larger...!
As if my crush on her couldn't grow any larger...!
January 4, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Just read that Kate Bush kicked a pap in the balls for harassing her.
As if my crush on her couldn't grow any larger...!
As if my crush on her couldn't grow any larger...!
Talking about the Lawrence Welk Show and Star Blazers at dinner, as one does
January 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Talking about the Lawrence Welk Show and Star Blazers at dinner, as one does