Joshua “Josh” Leto
@jleto.bsky.social
I support all kind people. And all kinds of people.
I write things and I’d be grateful if you read them.
Comics and media focused newsletter: jleto.substack.com
(free—Substack gets no money)
Fiction and personal writing newsletter: thesorest.ghost.io
I write things and I’d be grateful if you read them.
Comics and media focused newsletter: jleto.substack.com
(free—Substack gets no money)
Fiction and personal writing newsletter: thesorest.ghost.io
Pinned
The 1st Annual Glitz and Gutters Awards
This Week, Part One: The Glitz Awards. A compendium of some good things in comics and related areas and a list of favorite comics of the year.
jleto.substack.com
I try to be mostly positive online. I've saved most of my vitriol for the comics world for a year-in-review type post which I split up in case anyone wants to only read the nicer stuff...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Yeah, reading the alt text really doesn’t do the photo justice.
January 28, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Yeah, reading the alt text really doesn’t do the photo justice.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
We never knew how much extra time celebrities had on their hands until the podcast was invented.
January 28, 2026 at 6:14 AM
We never knew how much extra time celebrities had on their hands until the podcast was invented.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
It’s my birthday, and i get to be the bitch, and birthday bitch says draw this in your style?
January 25, 2026 at 8:58 PM
It’s my birthday, and i get to be the bitch, and birthday bitch says draw this in your style?
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Wrote about the observers. The people standing by and filming and the risk they are taking to let the world see what is happening. It's crucial and its the only way to combat the lies and blatant propaganda. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Believe Your Eyes
People are risking their lives to document agents in Minneapolis.
www.theatlantic.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Wrote about the observers. The people standing by and filming and the risk they are taking to let the world see what is happening. It's crucial and its the only way to combat the lies and blatant propaganda. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Is this true in classes where the students are creating comics? I could see thinking that Watterson (or Ketcham, for that matter) was pure expression if they weren’t also expressing themselves.
i hate contradicting students, but did try to say 'Bill Watterson would be an example of traditional strong craft' as politely as possible. One of the things I've noticed is that students constantly view work without 'backgrounds' or 'hatching' as indie/DIY/simple, etc, including Jaime Hernandez.
January 24, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Is this true in classes where the students are creating comics? I could see thinking that Watterson (or Ketcham, for that matter) was pure expression if they weren’t also expressing themselves.
This is blowing my mind. Watterson without craft? Watterson can’t even avoid craft when he tries to represent it, like the artwork “drawn” by Calvin. They are still effective cartooning.
Asked SVA students about Mark Beyer's work: 'do you think he draws this way because he wants to/has to?' & then brought in the Kochalka/Woodring 'craft is the enemy' debate. Student responded by citing Sonic comics as perfect craft vs. Calvin and Hobbes as raw expression.
January 24, 2026 at 2:45 AM
This is blowing my mind. Watterson without craft? Watterson can’t even avoid craft when he tries to represent it, like the artwork “drawn” by Calvin. They are still effective cartooning.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
I wrote about a giant-sized 2025 for comic shops, as I talked to retailers like @thirdeyecomics.bsky.social, @capecowlcomics.bsky.social, @commanderking.bsky.social, and more about a banner year for shops that was fueled by big books and a massive influx of new, young comic readers.
“2025 was Amazing!”: Retailers on a Banner, Even “Record-Setting,” Year in Their Comic Shops - SKTCHD
Let’s get something out of the way early: it appears to have been a great year for comic shops. While not everyone in the direct market 1 thrived, the retailers featured in today’s look at the year in...
sktchd.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:35 PM
I wrote about a giant-sized 2025 for comic shops, as I talked to retailers like @thirdeyecomics.bsky.social, @capecowlcomics.bsky.social, @commanderking.bsky.social, and more about a banner year for shops that was fueled by big books and a massive influx of new, young comic readers.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
I would love to find out that this Sam Kieth story is on the record anywhere else. Let me know.
I’ve written a story about having a meal with Sam Kieth in the ‘90s when he told me about the original art to Sandman #1. It’s a pretty incredible story, and I couldn’t find it anywhere online.
jleto.substack.com/p/sam-kieth-...
jleto.substack.com/p/sam-kieth-...
Sam Kieth and The Original Art for Sandman #1
Where are the 11 missing pages? Let me tell you a story...
jleto.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I would love to find out that this Sam Kieth story is on the record anywhere else. Let me know.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
I try to be mostly positive online. I've saved most of my vitriol for the comics world for a year-in-review type post which I split up in case anyone wants to only read the nicer stuff...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
The 1st Annual Glitz and Gutters Awards
This Week, Part One: The Glitz Awards. A compendium of some good things in comics and related areas and a list of favorite comics of the year.
jleto.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:33 PM
I try to be mostly positive online. I've saved most of my vitriol for the comics world for a year-in-review type post which I split up in case anyone wants to only read the nicer stuff...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
How about five bands at one concert?
Alice In Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Temple of the Dog
Spinal Tap
Alice In Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Temple of the Dog
Spinal Tap
System of a Down
PJ Harvey
Ghostface Killah
Soccer Mommy
Kyuss
PJ Harvey
Ghostface Killah
Soccer Mommy
Kyuss
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Diamanda Galas
Beth Gibbons
Beth Orton
Bob Mould
Jawbox
bsky.app/profile/aund...
Diamanda Galas
Beth Gibbons
Beth Orton
Bob Mould
Jawbox
bsky.app/profile/aund...
January 21, 2026 at 1:04 PM
How about five bands at one concert?
Alice In Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Temple of the Dog
Spinal Tap
Alice In Chains
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Temple of the Dog
Spinal Tap
System of a Down
PJ Harvey
Ghostface Killah
Soccer Mommy
Kyuss
PJ Harvey
Ghostface Killah
Soccer Mommy
Kyuss
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Diamanda Galas
Beth Gibbons
Beth Orton
Bob Mould
Jawbox
bsky.app/profile/aund...
Diamanda Galas
Beth Gibbons
Beth Orton
Bob Mould
Jawbox
bsky.app/profile/aund...
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Gorillaz
Tegan & Sara
Interpol
Jay Z
X
Gorillaz
Tegan & Sara
Interpol
Jay Z
X
January 21, 2026 at 12:56 PM
System of a Down
PJ Harvey
Ghostface Killah
Soccer Mommy
Kyuss
PJ Harvey
Ghostface Killah
Soccer Mommy
Kyuss
And with one very popular exception (which I am happy exists), I think many people will be fine with the parts of the comics world I criticize. My "hot takes" are pretty mild.
I try to be mostly positive online. I've saved most of my vitriol for the comics world for a year-in-review type post which I split up in case anyone wants to only read the nicer stuff...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
The 1st Annual Glitz and Gutters Awards
This Week, Part One: The Glitz Awards. A compendium of some good things in comics and related areas and a list of favorite comics of the year.
jleto.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:35 PM
And with one very popular exception (which I am happy exists), I think many people will be fine with the parts of the comics world I criticize. My "hot takes" are pretty mild.
I try to be mostly positive online. I've saved most of my vitriol for the comics world for a year-in-review type post which I split up in case anyone wants to only read the nicer stuff...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
The 1st Annual Glitz and Gutters Awards
This Week, Part One: The Glitz Awards. A compendium of some good things in comics and related areas and a list of favorite comics of the year.
jleto.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 3:33 PM
I try to be mostly positive online. I've saved most of my vitriol for the comics world for a year-in-review type post which I split up in case anyone wants to only read the nicer stuff...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Positive Glitz jleto.substack.com/p/2025-glitz...
Snarky Gutters: jleto.substack.com/p/the-1st-an...
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Dr. King in March, 1965 at Jimmie Lee Jackson’s funeral— a 26 year old Army veteran hunted & murdered by police during a nonviolent protest in Marion, AL, whose killing directly inspired the Selma-to-Montgomery march four days later.
(from March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and myself)
(from March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and myself)
January 19, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Dr. King in March, 1965 at Jimmie Lee Jackson’s funeral— a 26 year old Army veteran hunted & murdered by police during a nonviolent protest in Marion, AL, whose killing directly inspired the Selma-to-Montgomery march four days later.
(from March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and myself)
(from March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and myself)
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Ooooh, it has a Perrier on it! All the cool kid drink that. So it's a hippo table with a hip potable.
January 19, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Ooooh, it has a Perrier on it! All the cool kid drink that. So it's a hippo table with a hip potable.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Many years ago First second asked their authors to design covers for their favourite books from their line. I chose Klezmer by Joann Sfar
January 19, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Many years ago First second asked their authors to design covers for their favourite books from their line. I chose Klezmer by Joann Sfar
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
I saw GWAR in Trenton, NJ in 1989. Mudhoney opened. It was a few days before Halloween, so the club held a costume contest; the winner was a guy dressed as Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman.
What’s your most ridiculous concert story? Mine is that I saw a Phish show with the drummer from Hanson.
January 18, 2026 at 9:48 PM
I saw GWAR in Trenton, NJ in 1989. Mudhoney opened. It was a few days before Halloween, so the club held a costume contest; the winner was a guy dressed as Reid Fleming, World's Toughest Milkman.
I’m normally wary of content bait posts, but I like a story I can tell in one sentence.
I saw Spinal Tap live in ‘92 during the hair metal renaissance. Kerry King from Slayer stood fifteen feet from me headbanging to the songs.
What’s your most ridiculous concert story? Mine is that I saw a Phish show with the drummer from Hanson.
January 18, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I’m normally wary of content bait posts, but I like a story I can tell in one sentence.
I saw Spinal Tap live in ‘92 during the hair metal renaissance. Kerry King from Slayer stood fifteen feet from me headbanging to the songs.
What’s your most ridiculous concert story? Mine is that I saw a Phish show with the drummer from Hanson.
January 18, 2026 at 9:54 PM
I saw Spinal Tap live in ‘92 during the hair metal renaissance. Kerry King from Slayer stood fifteen feet from me headbanging to the songs.
Added The Survivalists to my To Read list…
@kashana.blacksky.app
Just finished The Payback and loved it, even if it did stress me out because it felt too much like reality in America.
Thanks for a bit of escapism from the capitalist hellscape.
Just finished The Payback and loved it, even if it did stress me out because it felt too much like reality in America.
Thanks for a bit of escapism from the capitalist hellscape.
January 18, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Added The Survivalists to my To Read list…
@kashana.blacksky.app
Just finished The Payback and loved it, even if it did stress me out because it felt too much like reality in America.
Thanks for a bit of escapism from the capitalist hellscape.
Just finished The Payback and loved it, even if it did stress me out because it felt too much like reality in America.
Thanks for a bit of escapism from the capitalist hellscape.
January 18, 2026 at 9:51 PM
@kashana.blacksky.app
Just finished The Payback and loved it, even if it did stress me out because it felt too much like reality in America.
Thanks for a bit of escapism from the capitalist hellscape.
Just finished The Payback and loved it, even if it did stress me out because it felt too much like reality in America.
Thanks for a bit of escapism from the capitalist hellscape.
I didn’t use buttondown because I wanted an online archive of posts. I have (rounded to) zero followers, but want an archive available to visit. I think buttondown added theirs after I chose. Or it was buried in the info.
I’m on Substack, but have a Ghost account as I thought about migrating. Ghost has fewer plug and play options and is better if someone is handling the formatting and posting who is capable with HTML or even Markdown. (I like footnotes and Ghost doesn’t do them without code)
January 18, 2026 at 9:46 PM
I didn’t use buttondown because I wanted an online archive of posts. I have (rounded to) zero followers, but want an archive available to visit. I think buttondown added theirs after I chose. Or it was buried in the info.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Also, if anybody has personal recommendations about which of these platforms they prefer, let me know which and why!
January 18, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Also, if anybody has personal recommendations about which of these platforms they prefer, let me know which and why!
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
As a person with acne, this helps my self-image: studying the faces of people who have it, and realizing they are still beautiful even though their skin has imperfections.
January 14, 2026 at 4:50 PM
As a person with acne, this helps my self-image: studying the faces of people who have it, and realizing they are still beautiful even though their skin has imperfections.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Comic artist LeBeau Underwood’s daughter has been missing in Chicago since yesterday morning. Please share in the hopes we can bring the family a happy conclusion to this.
January 13, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Comic artist LeBeau Underwood’s daughter has been missing in Chicago since yesterday morning. Please share in the hopes we can bring the family a happy conclusion to this.