Michael Avolio
@michaelavolio.bsky.social
Silver Spring, MD
Indie cartoonist making comics.
Autistic and in constant physical pain.
Former theater artist. Forever cinephile.
Buy my comics and paintings at michaelavolio.etsy.com. Support my comics work at patreon.com/michaelavolio.
Indie cartoonist making comics.
Autistic and in constant physical pain.
Former theater artist. Forever cinephile.
Buy my comics and paintings at michaelavolio.etsy.com. Support my comics work at patreon.com/michaelavolio.
Pinned
Michael Avolio
@michaelavolio.bsky.social
· Oct 23
Art prints: michaelavolio.etsy.com
(Plus comics, paintings, and other art!)
(Plus comics, paintings, and other art!)
Oof. Maybe my friend & I who saw The Secret Agent tonight are the only ones who thought the ending was a massive letdown. We were loving it until that ending, which felt like an epilogue to a movie that didn't bother with a climax. A baffling writing decision.
Tânia Maria is a natural star, though.
Tânia Maria is a natural star, though.
January 3, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Oof. Maybe my friend & I who saw The Secret Agent tonight are the only ones who thought the ending was a massive letdown. We were loving it until that ending, which felt like an epilogue to a movie that didn't bother with a climax. A baffling writing decision.
Tânia Maria is a natural star, though.
Tânia Maria is a natural star, though.
Buster Keaton was my most watched director and actor of 2025. I watched about five of his features and revisited about 15 of his shorts.
I saw 321 movies, including short films.
The Dardenne brothers' film Young Mothers was my favorite new movie I saw last year.
letterboxd.com/michaelavoli...
I saw 321 movies, including short films.
The Dardenne brothers' film Young Mothers was my favorite new movie I saw last year.
letterboxd.com/michaelavoli...
January 2, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Buster Keaton was my most watched director and actor of 2025. I watched about five of his features and revisited about 15 of his shorts.
I saw 321 movies, including short films.
The Dardenne brothers' film Young Mothers was my favorite new movie I saw last year.
letterboxd.com/michaelavoli...
I saw 321 movies, including short films.
The Dardenne brothers' film Young Mothers was my favorite new movie I saw last year.
letterboxd.com/michaelavoli...
Inspiration
Karel Zeman, 1949, Czech Republic, 11 min.
"An animated flight of fancy from an iconic Czech filmmaker."
Le Cinéma Club is streaming this animated short film by Karel Zeman for free for the next week:
www.lecinemaclub.com/now-showing/...
Karel Zeman, 1949, Czech Republic, 11 min.
"An animated flight of fancy from an iconic Czech filmmaker."
Le Cinéma Club is streaming this animated short film by Karel Zeman for free for the next week:
www.lecinemaclub.com/now-showing/...
INSPIRATION a film by KAREL ZEMAN.
A free, curated platform streaming one film every week.
www.lecinemaclub.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Inspiration
Karel Zeman, 1949, Czech Republic, 11 min.
"An animated flight of fancy from an iconic Czech filmmaker."
Le Cinéma Club is streaming this animated short film by Karel Zeman for free for the next week:
www.lecinemaclub.com/now-showing/...
Karel Zeman, 1949, Czech Republic, 11 min.
"An animated flight of fancy from an iconic Czech filmmaker."
Le Cinéma Club is streaming this animated short film by Karel Zeman for free for the next week:
www.lecinemaclub.com/now-showing/...
Reposted by Michael Avolio
The Doge's Palace Seen from San Giorgio Maggiore - 1908
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/104327
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/104327
January 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The Doge's Palace Seen from San Giorgio Maggiore - 1908
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/104327
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/104327
Comicraft's annual one-day sale on comic book fonts is happening now through the end of January 1st! It's 2026, so their sale price is $20.26: comicbookfonts.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Comicraft's annual one-day sale on comic book fonts is happening now through the end of January 1st! It's 2026, so their sale price is $20.26: comicbookfonts.com
Reposted by Michael Avolio
What’s amazing about this story is that they *reversed* it. It’s not just a treatment that can stave it off or delay it. It *cures* Alzheimer’s. I know lots of research initially seems hopeful in mice and then doesn’t go anywhere, but this could be momentous.
I cried.
I cried.
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
Alzheimer's Fully Reversed in Mice, Scientists Say
A new compound has been shown to reverse late stage Alzheimer's disease in lab mice, which gives millions of sufferers new cause for hope.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:45 AM
What’s amazing about this story is that they *reversed* it. It’s not just a treatment that can stave it off or delay it. It *cures* Alzheimer’s. I know lots of research initially seems hopeful in mice and then doesn’t go anywhere, but this could be momentous.
I cried.
I cried.
Reposted by Michael Avolio
"If you're using public transportation, if you're in the room with a lot of other people, if you're in a healthcare setting, it's really smart to wear a mask especially higher-quality masks. I was taking the subway yesterday, and I was wearing an N95 mask."
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Flu cases are surging and rates will likely get worse, new CDC data shows
Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to new CDC data. The virus is spreading faster than in previous years and the surge is likely to get worse. Here's what you need to know.
www.npr.org
December 31, 2025 at 4:02 AM
"If you're using public transportation, if you're in the room with a lot of other people, if you're in a healthcare setting, it's really smart to wear a mask especially higher-quality masks. I was taking the subway yesterday, and I was wearing an N95 mask."
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Wow. Filmmaker Tyrone Deise turned The Simpsons' "Steamed Hams" bit into a 43-minute My Dinner With Andre parody. (Notice the Jay Sherman quote in the thumbnail.)
Part of an ongoing trend of people doing remakes/remixes of "Steamed Hams." Deise himself has done others.
youtu.be/pk-Oq8iYtVA
Part of an ongoing trend of people doing remakes/remixes of "Steamed Hams." Deise himself has done others.
youtu.be/pk-Oq8iYtVA
Steamed Hams but it's a Critically Acclaimed Feature Film
YouTube video by Tyrone Deise
youtu.be
December 30, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Wow. Filmmaker Tyrone Deise turned The Simpsons' "Steamed Hams" bit into a 43-minute My Dinner With Andre parody. (Notice the Jay Sherman quote in the thumbnail.)
Part of an ongoing trend of people doing remakes/remixes of "Steamed Hams." Deise himself has done others.
youtu.be/pk-Oq8iYtVA
Part of an ongoing trend of people doing remakes/remixes of "Steamed Hams." Deise himself has done others.
youtu.be/pk-Oq8iYtVA
The fourth cover shown here was the inspiration for Sammy Harkham's collection Everything Together.
December 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The fourth cover shown here was the inspiration for Sammy Harkham's collection Everything Together.
Sold, shipped, and delivered!
More drawings, plus comics, paintings, art prints, and live elephants available for purchase at my online shop, except I'm just kidding about the elephants: michaelavolio.etsy.com
More drawings, plus comics, paintings, art prints, and live elephants available for purchase at my online shop, except I'm just kidding about the elephants: michaelavolio.etsy.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Sold, shipped, and delivered!
More drawings, plus comics, paintings, art prints, and live elephants available for purchase at my online shop, except I'm just kidding about the elephants: michaelavolio.etsy.com
More drawings, plus comics, paintings, art prints, and live elephants available for purchase at my online shop, except I'm just kidding about the elephants: michaelavolio.etsy.com
I wonder what the photo at her memorial service will look like.
December 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I wonder what the photo at her memorial service will look like.
It Rains on Our Love
(1946, Bergman)
(1946, Bergman)
December 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
It Rains on Our Love
(1946, Bergman)
(1946, Bergman)
Seeing him at the last moment as we passed each other on the sidewalk, I said a surprised and friendly "Hi!" to Jeff Goldblum, who replied, "Howdy!"
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Seeing him at the last moment as we passed each other on the sidewalk, I said a surprised and friendly "Hi!" to Jeff Goldblum, who replied, "Howdy!"
Reposted by Michael Avolio
Protesters Urged Not To Give Trump Administration Pretext For What It Already Doing https://theonion.com/protesters-urged-not-to-give-trump-administration-pretext-for-what-it-already-doing/
December 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Protesters Urged Not To Give Trump Administration Pretext For What It Already Doing https://theonion.com/protesters-urged-not-to-give-trump-administration-pretext-for-what-it-already-doing/
Reposted by Michael Avolio
Trump's DOJ was monitoring all the movements of the Miami Herald reporter who was covering the Epstein case.
December 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Trump's DOJ was monitoring all the movements of the Miami Herald reporter who was covering the Epstein case.
quick digital sketches drawn with my finger on my phone
December 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
quick digital sketches drawn with my finger on my phone
Tricking your grandma with dementia is evil and abusive.
The comments on this are all about how sweet it is and I feel insane. Using AI to make fake memories of your grandma with dementia and telling her they happened and then filming her reaction
December 26, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Tricking your grandma with dementia is evil and abusive.
Dave McKean draws Buster Keaton in his silent film inspired forthcoming project Nitrate: Drawings and Paintings
December 26, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Dave McKean draws Buster Keaton in his silent film inspired forthcoming project Nitrate: Drawings and Paintings
"I usually search for a flaw of mine I can use for comedy, and then I try to find a way to make it lovable." - Dave Goelz (Gonzo, Bunsen Honeydew, etc.) on his process of creating a Muppet character, from this brief 2015 oral history on The Muppet Christmas Carol:
www.theguardian.com/culture/2015...
www.theguardian.com/culture/2015...
How we made: The Muppet Christmas Carol
‘We had to put Charles Dickens in the movie. Who’s the least likely character to be Charles Dickens? Gonzo!’
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:49 PM
"I usually search for a flaw of mine I can use for comedy, and then I try to find a way to make it lovable." - Dave Goelz (Gonzo, Bunsen Honeydew, etc.) on his process of creating a Muppet character, from this brief 2015 oral history on The Muppet Christmas Carol:
www.theguardian.com/culture/2015...
www.theguardian.com/culture/2015...
Dozens of Comics Journal contributors choose their favorite comics of 2025:
tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2025-as-chosen-by-our-contributors
tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2025-as-chosen-by-our-contributors
The best comics of 2025, as chosen by our contributors - The Comics Journal
We asked our contributors what they thought were the best comics of 2025 were. Here's what they said.
tcj.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Dozens of Comics Journal contributors choose their favorite comics of 2025:
tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2025-as-chosen-by-our-contributors
tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2025-as-chosen-by-our-contributors
The legacy of Trump and Musk's "DOGE" is crime, cruelty, errors, and lies.
Gift article link, no paywall:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Gift article link, no paywall:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The legacy of Trump and Musk's "DOGE" is crime, cruelty, errors, and lies.
Gift article link, no paywall:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
Gift article link, no paywall:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
My local arthouse theater's been showing some films in 35mm & 70mm (first run like Sinners, One Battle, The Testament of Ann Lee, & soon Marty Supreme; & older stuff like Pulp Fiction, some noirs & pre-codes, Straight Story, & the full Kill Bill), & I've seen a healthy amount of young people attend.
"Among all age groups, Gen Z went to the movies more frequently," cinemaunited.org/2025/12/17/c...
Cinema United Releases “Strength of Theatrical Exhibition” 2025 Update Spotlighting Important Movie Theatre Industry Metrics | Cinema United
Movie Fan Engagement Remains High with Gen Z Moviegoers Leading the Charge to the Local Theatre LOS ANGELES, CA – (Dec. 17, 2025) – Cinema United, the
cinemaunited.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:50 AM
My local arthouse theater's been showing some films in 35mm & 70mm (first run like Sinners, One Battle, The Testament of Ann Lee, & soon Marty Supreme; & older stuff like Pulp Fiction, some noirs & pre-codes, Straight Story, & the full Kill Bill), & I've seen a healthy amount of young people attend.
A lot of these are great movies & some of the best work by Barbara Stanwyck, one of the all-time great screen actors. If you're in Chicago, don't miss the double feature of the quintessential pre-code film Night Nurse & my favorite pre-code, Baby Face.
Our next classic matinee series pays tribute to one of the most dynamic leading ladies, with WORKING GIRL: THE FILMS OF BARBARA STANWYCK!
The series kicks off December 27th, with most screenings presented in 35mm.
Visit our website for the Full Schedule: musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...
The series kicks off December 27th, with most screenings presented in 35mm.
Visit our website for the Full Schedule: musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...
a black and white photo of a smiling woman in a white robe
ALT: a black and white photo of a smiling woman in a white robe
media.tenor.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:16 AM
A lot of these are great movies & some of the best work by Barbara Stanwyck, one of the all-time great screen actors. If you're in Chicago, don't miss the double feature of the quintessential pre-code film Night Nurse & my favorite pre-code, Baby Face.
This was my first experience with Raymond Briggs (& the ~1 minute video of David Bowie introducing it on TV was probably my first with Bowie, if I saw it before Labyrinth). Briggs was such a talented cartoonist - gentle linework & material ranging from the sweet & whimsical to the dark & satirical.
Finished animation cels from The Snowman (1982), dir. Dianne Jackson, TVC London
December 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This was my first experience with Raymond Briggs (& the ~1 minute video of David Bowie introducing it on TV was probably my first with Bowie, if I saw it before Labyrinth). Briggs was such a talented cartoonist - gentle linework & material ranging from the sweet & whimsical to the dark & satirical.
Souleymane's Story, one of the best films of last year, is free to stream on Kanopy right now.
It's a moving, naturalistic drama about a man from Guinea seeking asylum in France, breaking some rules to stay alive, & being taken advantage of while he waits for his interview.
My review:
boxd.it/87megN
It's a moving, naturalistic drama about a man from Guinea seeking asylum in France, breaking some rules to stay alive, & being taken advantage of while he waits for his interview.
My review:
boxd.it/87megN
A ★★★★½ review of Souleymane's Story (2024)
Souleymane, played with authenticity by first-time actor Abou Sangare, is from Guinea and now living in France while applying for asylum in Paris. He sleeps at a shelter when he can catch the bus ther...
boxd.it
December 17, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Souleymane's Story, one of the best films of last year, is free to stream on Kanopy right now.
It's a moving, naturalistic drama about a man from Guinea seeking asylum in France, breaking some rules to stay alive, & being taken advantage of while he waits for his interview.
My review:
boxd.it/87megN
It's a moving, naturalistic drama about a man from Guinea seeking asylum in France, breaking some rules to stay alive, & being taken advantage of while he waits for his interview.
My review:
boxd.it/87megN