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 any of them.
Comics and media focused newsletter: jleto.substack.com
Fiction and personal writing newsletter: thesorest.ghost.io
I write things and I’d be grateful if you read any of them.
Comics and media focused newsletter: jleto.substack.com
Fiction and personal writing newsletter: thesorest.ghost.io
Pinned
Annihilator v. Punisher
Josh Simmons takes on Frank Castle and comes out way ahead (so far).
jleto.substack.com
Josh Simmons' new one, Annihilator: Rainbow of Death (Mansion Press) is great and I wrote about it (and @jimmypalmiotti.bsky.social + @urbanbarbarian.bsky.social - I like it, but not as much) in my newsletter, which came out today!
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
Speaking of comics (as I often am), next week I will post a story about #SamKieth and the original art for #Sandman #1 (not the tv show) that I think is an incredible story that few people have heard. Im loathe to describe it the way skeevy news sites do, but I think it qualifies.
December 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
People across the country will start watching #MartySupreme tonight, so after you watch it (and I plan on watching it again in the next week), consider reading review of it from a couple weeks ago...
jleto.substack.com/p/marty-supr...
jleto.substack.com/p/marty-supr...
Marty Supreme
Safdie X Chalamet works extremely well
jleto.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
People across the country will start watching #MartySupreme tonight, so after you watch it (and I plan on watching it again in the next week), consider reading review of it from a couple weeks ago...
jleto.substack.com/p/marty-supr...
jleto.substack.com/p/marty-supr...
Beautiful column. I once got to shake Tony Iommi's hand, ask for an autograph and say thank you 30 years ago and I saw Black Sabbath live 20 years ago and bailed after a few songs because the spectacle was a bit depressing from 75 yards away. The albums remain indispensable.
'His performance was a study in frustration and bravery (the stuff of everyday disabled life). Gone was the clown prince of darkness - in place of such slapstick was an intensity never seen before.'
Quietus Best of 2025: #BlackSabbath Live at Villa Park
buff.ly/D3fBkQG
Quietus Best of 2025: #BlackSabbath Live at Villa Park
buff.ly/D3fBkQG
December 24, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Beautiful column. I once got to shake Tony Iommi's hand, ask for an autograph and say thank you 30 years ago and I saw Black Sabbath live 20 years ago and bailed after a few songs because the spectacle was a bit depressing from 75 yards away. The albums remain indispensable.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
The most important story many aren't talking about: we've become an airline style economy in which 10% of us enjoy First Class, responsible for 50% of the consumption, while the other 90% of Americans are responsible for the other 50%. It's not only unsustainable, but collapsing as you read this.
Around 70% of the U.S. economy depends on consumer spending. As wealth concentrates in the richest 10%, the rest of America can’t afford to buy enough to keep the economy running.
This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
Our Economy Is in Danger. Here’s Why
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The most important story many aren't talking about: we've become an airline style economy in which 10% of us enjoy First Class, responsible for 50% of the consumption, while the other 90% of Americans are responsible for the other 50%. It's not only unsustainable, but collapsing as you read this.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
"This story doesn't need a sandworm"
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
what is your least favorite piece of writing advice and why? 👀
December 23, 2025 at 6:28 PM
"This story doesn't need a sandworm"
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
I have a newsletter that is mostly about comics. Next week I plan to publish a story that Sam Kieth told me in 1990 or so. I can’t find the info anywhere else on the internet, but I’m going to keep looking. If it is told elsewhere I link to it in my story.
jleto.substack.com
jleto.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I have a newsletter that is mostly about comics. Next week I plan to publish a story that Sam Kieth told me in 1990 or so. I can’t find the info anywhere else on the internet, but I’m going to keep looking. If it is told elsewhere I link to it in my story.
jleto.substack.com
jleto.substack.com
Deadwood is in my all time top five and I’m rewatching the delightful Justified right now. Not a criticism, just an observation.
Why does Timothy Olyphant walk like he’s wearing high heels?
December 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Deadwood is in my all time top five and I’m rewatching the delightful Justified right now. Not a criticism, just an observation.
Why does Timothy Olyphant walk like he’s wearing high heels?
December 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Why does Timothy Olyphant walk like he’s wearing high heels?
Now I’m red…from blushing! Thank you for the kind words!
A thoughtful and in-depth analysis of the first 6 issues (out of 8) of SLEEP. Thank you, Josh-- that's fantastic to read!
Oops, I did it again (wrote and sent a newsletter talking comic books). It's on Substack, but it's always free!
Today I wrote about @zandercannon.bsky.social 's delightful Sleep, from Image Comics!
jleto.substack.com/p/sleep-by-z...
Today I wrote about @zandercannon.bsky.social 's delightful Sleep, from Image Comics!
jleto.substack.com/p/sleep-by-z...
December 21, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Now I’m red…from blushing! Thank you for the kind words!
Oops, I did it again (wrote and sent a newsletter talking comic books). It's on Substack, but it's always free!
Today I wrote about @zandercannon.bsky.social 's delightful Sleep, from Image Comics!
jleto.substack.com/p/sleep-by-z...
Today I wrote about @zandercannon.bsky.social 's delightful Sleep, from Image Comics!
jleto.substack.com/p/sleep-by-z...
December 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Oops, I did it again (wrote and sent a newsletter talking comic books). It's on Substack, but it's always free!
Today I wrote about @zandercannon.bsky.social 's delightful Sleep, from Image Comics!
jleto.substack.com/p/sleep-by-z...
Today I wrote about @zandercannon.bsky.social 's delightful Sleep, from Image Comics!
jleto.substack.com/p/sleep-by-z...
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Josh Simmons' new one, Annihilator: Rainbow of Death (Mansion Press) is great and I wrote about it (and @jimmypalmiotti.bsky.social + @urbanbarbarian.bsky.social - I like it, but not as much) in my newsletter, which came out today!
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
Annihilator v. Punisher
Josh Simmons takes on Frank Castle and comes out way ahead (so far).
jleto.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Josh Simmons' new one, Annihilator: Rainbow of Death (Mansion Press) is great and I wrote about it (and @jimmypalmiotti.bsky.social + @urbanbarbarian.bsky.social - I like it, but not as much) in my newsletter, which came out today!
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
Josh Simmons' new one, Annihilator: Rainbow of Death (Mansion Press) is great and I wrote about it (and @jimmypalmiotti.bsky.social + @urbanbarbarian.bsky.social - I like it, but not as much) in my newsletter, which came out today!
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
Annihilator v. Punisher
Josh Simmons takes on Frank Castle and comes out way ahead (so far).
jleto.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Josh Simmons' new one, Annihilator: Rainbow of Death (Mansion Press) is great and I wrote about it (and @jimmypalmiotti.bsky.social + @urbanbarbarian.bsky.social - I like it, but not as much) in my newsletter, which came out today!
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
jleto.substack.com/p/annihilator-v-punisher
I've never seen any of these (on stage or the movies - though Assassins sounds interesting and I'd like to see it), but these are all fantastic!
i've been making original logos for sondheim shows for some reason so uhh please enjoy
December 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I've never seen any of these (on stage or the movies - though Assassins sounds interesting and I'd like to see it), but these are all fantastic!
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
My sense is that the “male loneliness crisis” is not really about addressing men’s emotional needs but rather the relatively newfound absence of having someone to perform domestic labor for you quietly in the background now that there is a longer gap between your mother and your wife doing it
December 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
My sense is that the “male loneliness crisis” is not really about addressing men’s emotional needs but rather the relatively newfound absence of having someone to perform domestic labor for you quietly in the background now that there is a longer gap between your mother and your wife doing it
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Today is Tom Spurgeon's birthday. Read some Little Orphan Annie or Cul de Sac, write a friend you miss, call your mom, gossip about comics with friends, get a group together for dinner, give a book you love a review, see a play, talk for hours with someone who means the world to you. Remember Tom.
December 16, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Today is Tom Spurgeon's birthday. Read some Little Orphan Annie or Cul de Sac, write a friend you miss, call your mom, gossip about comics with friends, get a group together for dinner, give a book you love a review, see a play, talk for hours with someone who means the world to you. Remember Tom.
One of my favorites: write a fan letter to someone you appreciate.
Today is Tom Spurgeon's birthday. Read some Little Orphan Annie or Cul de Sac, write a friend you miss, call your mom, gossip about comics with friends, get a group together for dinner, give a book you love a review, see a play, talk for hours with someone who means the world to you. Remember Tom.
December 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
One of my favorites: write a fan letter to someone you appreciate.
ProPublica always killing it.
Arizona, the model for voucher programs across the country, spent so much money paying private schoolers’ tuition that it faced hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state programs and projects last year.
(Published July 2024)
(Published July 2024)
School Vouchers Were Supposed to Save Taxpayer Money. Instead They Blew a Massive Hole in Arizona’s Budget.
Arizona, the model for voucher programs across the country, has spent so much money paying private schoolers’ tuition that it’s now facing hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state program...
www.propublica.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:29 AM
ProPublica always killing it.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Arizona, the model for voucher programs across the country, spent so much money paying private schoolers’ tuition that it faced hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state programs and projects last year.
(Published July 2024)
(Published July 2024)
School Vouchers Were Supposed to Save Taxpayer Money. Instead They Blew a Massive Hole in Arizona’s Budget.
Arizona, the model for voucher programs across the country, has spent so much money paying private schoolers’ tuition that it’s now facing hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state program...
www.propublica.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Arizona, the model for voucher programs across the country, spent so much money paying private schoolers’ tuition that it faced hundreds of millions in budget cuts to critical state programs and projects last year.
(Published July 2024)
(Published July 2024)
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
the good that you do persists in this world
December 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
the good that you do persists in this world
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Zootopia 2 is the highest grossing Hollywood movie of the year & Kpop Demon Hunters was Netflix's most popular movie of all time, but fuck animators, am I right? I hate reading about how huge & beloved this stuff is while knowing how hard creators have it & how it still isn't broadly taken seriously
December 14, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Zootopia 2 is the highest grossing Hollywood movie of the year & Kpop Demon Hunters was Netflix's most popular movie of all time, but fuck animators, am I right? I hate reading about how huge & beloved this stuff is while knowing how hard creators have it & how it still isn't broadly taken seriously
To me there only two takes on ideas: either there are no new ideas or new ideas are the result of unique perspectives. I’m cool with either approach and neither benefit from generative models.
Lmfao every AI defense piece is like "AYY I FUCKIN SUCK BRO HOPEFULLY THIS FUCKIN STEAL YOUR SHIT MACHINE WILL MAKE ME SUCK SLIGHTLY LESS OK"
December 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
To me there only two takes on ideas: either there are no new ideas or new ideas are the result of unique perspectives. I’m cool with either approach and neither benefit from generative models.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
Here’s a comprehensive list of appropriate responses upon hearing that a man murdered worshippers at a synagogue:
1- this is fucked up, fuck that guy, fuck antisemitism, solidarity with the victims
2- see above
1- this is fucked up, fuck that guy, fuck antisemitism, solidarity with the victims
2- see above
October 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Here’s a comprehensive list of appropriate responses upon hearing that a man murdered worshippers at a synagogue:
1- this is fucked up, fuck that guy, fuck antisemitism, solidarity with the victims
2- see above
1- this is fucked up, fuck that guy, fuck antisemitism, solidarity with the victims
2- see above
Drawing those was the closest I came as a little kid to making comics (without thinking of it as comics, which it obviously is, I mean, I’d read The Family Circus). I didn’t make a panel-based narrative until adulthood.
If you want kids to read your comic book, consider giving a cross section view of the bad guy lair
December 14, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Drawing those was the closest I came as a little kid to making comics (without thinking of it as comics, which it obviously is, I mean, I’d read The Family Circus). I didn’t make a panel-based narrative until adulthood.
Reposted by Joshua “Josh” Leto
If you want kids to read your comic book, consider giving a cross section view of the bad guy lair
December 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
If you want kids to read your comic book, consider giving a cross section view of the bad guy lair