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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

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.

toys in the attic

D+L Podcast: Was “Toys in the Attic” Just a Big Nod to the Movie ‘Alien’?

By The Dot and Line

Our first podcast ever looks at a horror-influenced episode.

Could a Northern Water Tribe Capital City Exist In Real Life?

By John Maher

Today’s important question is brought to you by a very dumb study. Also: Welcome to Waterbending Week!

Violet Evergarden

Drop Us a Line—Or Even Just a Dot—Now and Then, Will You?

By The Dot and Line

How to keep in touch with The Dot and Line's alumni from now on.

Why Hasn’t My Friend Seen ‘Weeds’ Yet?

By Sammy Nickalls

More like "'Weeds' Is Drugs and Family and Drugs and Grief and Drugs and Comedy and Drugs, and How Have You Skipped It, JOHN?" Part 3 of a 3-part series.

princess mononoke

The Single Miyazaki Quote That Explains ‘Princess Mononoke’

By Eric Vilas-Boas

"There are things worth living for." The key to Hayao Miyazaki’s classic ‘Princess Mononoke’ is in one quote.

Here’s What Goes Into Animating ‘BoJack Horseman’: Exclusive

By Eric Vilas-Boas

Behind the scenes of the best episodes of ‘BoJack Horseman’ with James Bowman, an assistant director on the Netflix show.

bojack horseman release date

BoJack Horseman Sets Release Date for Season Five in September

By Eric Vilas-Boas

The show’s fifth season is coming, as confirmed by snarky tweet.

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GREATEST HITS

hard luck woman cowboy bebop

In Its Penultimate Entry, ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Looks Toward Home

By Marley Crusch

“Belonging,” Faye tells Ed, “is the very best thing there is.” It’s also, as many anime fans know all too well, one of the hardest.

hunter x hunter

The Anime You Need to Watch If You Love ‘Riverdale’

By Sarra Sedghi

‘Hunter x Hunter’ is a joy.

2017 editorial | Editorial by MysteryThemes.