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Author: John Maher

John Maher is news and digital editor at Publishers Weekly and editor in chief at The Dot and Line, which he co-founded. His work has been published by New York magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and Esquire, among others.
timmy turner fairly oddparents
TV

Fairly Oddparents and the Terror of “Tiimmy Turner”

August 2, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Fairly Oddparents and the Terror of “Tiimmy Turner”

Or, how a Nickelodeon reference can depress the crap out of you while still being couched in an experimental-ish club banger.

Movies

Wrestling With the Animated ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’

July 27, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Wrestling With the Animated ‘Batman: The Killing Joke’

DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation had every opportunity to make this film better — and they didn’t take any of them.

Movies

Notes on ‘Belladonna of Sadness’

June 20, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Notes on ‘Belladonna of Sadness’

Viewer discretion HELLA advised.

Movies

Conroy v Balefleckman: Jawn of Grimdark

April 5, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Conroy v Balefleckman: Jawn of Grimdark

The best Batflick is animated and you’ve probably never seen it. This one might be better. And darker.

wide whale venture bros
Interviews TV

Hal Lublin Breaks Down ‘Venture Bros.’ and Playing Up His Asthma: Exclusive

March 17, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Hal Lublin Breaks Down ‘Venture Bros.’ and Playing Up His Asthma: Exclusive

We chatted with the comedian and voice actor on his craft, his health, playing to rooms filled with judgment, and how he came to voice Wide Wale — the soggiest archvillain of 2016.

TV

If Fandom Has Killed the Cliffhanger, Sign ‘Young Justice’ Up

March 5, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on If Fandom Has Killed the Cliffhanger, Sign ‘Young Justice’ Up

This year, three cartoons make unexpected returns. Justice demands a fourth.

batman the animated series eyes gif
Movies TV

Anatomy of an Animated Badass

February 17, 2016December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Anatomy of an Animated Badass

Nine core qualities that make a cartoon cool.

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EDITORS PICKS

An Urgent Question About ‘ThunderCats’ (1985)

By Nicole Ortiz

IS IT STILL GOOD!?

Here’s What’s Extra-Miraculous About ‘Pushing Daisies,’ Mr. Maher

By L.W. Richardson

Death becomes it.

stitch

‘Lilo and Stitch’ Taught Me That I’m No Monstrosity

By Elly Belle

A little blue baby alien and his friend, a little Hawaiian girl, were all I needed to show me I could choose my family—and that I was deserving of their care.

“Moving Into Dorms” Tries to Hit Reset After Trauma

By Sarra Sedghi

This isn’t filler, it’s feeler.

‘The Breadwinner’ Director On How Her Film Came Together

By Isabel Galwey

Nora Twomey discusses why the two-decade-old story is still relevant, what it’s like to work at Cartoon Saloon, and how they brought Parvana to life.

Boomerang’s Now Streaming All Your Old Favorites

By Eric Vilas-Boas

The streaming service will showcase Looney Tunes, The Flintstones, Tom & Jerry, and more.

grunkle stan summerween

6 Ways to Celebrate Summerween

By Marley Crusch

Enjoy the fictional ‘Gravity Falls’ holiday in style—just like the Pines Family would.

“Kota” Brings Pain, Tension, and Peril to UA’s Summer Camp

By Sarra Sedghi

And a cliffhanger leading us into the next episode.

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GREATEST HITS

The Secret Origins of the Otaku

By Andrew Luecke

A brief look at the history of otaku subculture and how it’s been intertwined with the rise of anime in the United States.

cartoon haircuts

3 Urgent Questions About Hairstyles in Cartoons

By Ruth Morrison

The dilemma of our time.

2017 editorial | Editorial by MysteryThemes.