The Ink Stained Wretch #194 7/16/25

Edith Ann, Comic Con Changes, and a MAD Sneak Peek!

It's time for another of the shameless, superfluous, sickening bunches of stupidity that are these newsletters! This week's sketch goes one ringy-dingy, we announce some changes for us for San Diego Comic Con, and share a peek at a new MAD piece ...on with the 'Wretch!

Sketch o'the Week: Lily Tomlin!

Click here if you are interested in this original sketch.

We're starting a new series for the "Sketch o'the Week"... classic comedians! We have a pretty good start already with our recent Monty Python run, and there will certainly be no shortage of fodder. This week we are going to go with The Lovely Anna's suggestion of one of the greatest of all female comics... Lily Tomlin!

Ms. Tomlin has had a career that has spanned over 50 years, and she's done significant things in all of those decades. She started out doing stand up and off-Broadway performing in the 60's, became a household name in early 70's on TV in "Martin and Rowan's Laugh In", and went on to star in TV specials, films, comedy albums, and Broadway plays winning multiple Emmys, a Grammy, a Tony and nominations for an Oscar and Golden Globes. Never resting on her laurels, Ms. Tomlin continued appearing in numerous major films, TV shows and stage productions into the 2020s. Recently she starred opposite Jane Fonda for seven seasons (2015-2022) on the acclaimed Netflix series "Frankie & Gracie" for which she received four Emmy nominations, winning once. She is truly one of the queens of comedy.

I am old enough to remember her many characters on "Laugh In", my favorite of which was Ernestine the telephone operator.

"Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking?" Yes, Ms. Tomlin, you have... and for a very long time!

As always, Premium Subscribers have access to the video of me doing this sketch. Scroll to the bottom of this post for all the action!

The incomparable Sergio Aragonés. I did this art for an NCS roast of Sergio in 2005

Staying Classy in San Diego

By this time next week I'll be in sunny San Diego getting set up for "Preview Night" at San Diego Comic Con 2025. I'll probably be pretty sweaty from setting up the National Cartoonists Society's big booth as well as my own table, but I promise I will not be the worst smelling person you run into at SDCC.

This will be my 10th year of having my own table space at SDCC (I started in 2015, but of course no one was there in 2020). If you come by my usual spot this year, you will find something surprising... I'm not there! I am in a new spot!

Don't panic. Just turn around 180 degrees, and you'll find me there at table I-07, right across the aisle from my previous spot.

And yes, that is Sergio Aragonés’ long time table space.

Before I go on with this story, know that Sergio is just fine. He's in great health, still working, and still the Sergio anyone who knows him loves.

A month or so ago I received a call from Sergio's longtime collaborator on Groo, writer Mark Evanier. Mark was calling me for two reasons. The first was to tell me that Sergio has decided he is not going to return to tabling at comic cons anymore, including San Diego, and that he and Sergio were wondering if I would like to take over his table space. A specific reason was not given as to why Sergio didn't wish to table at SDCC or elsewhere anymore, but the man is 87 years old and working one of those tables is exhausting for anyone half his age... or a third his age... or a quarter his age, etc. He probably just doesn't want to do that anymore. Mark told me Sergio would like to come back to SDCC, but if and when that happens he would just do panels and possible have short signings at a publisher’s booth.

I told Mark I'd be happy to move over into Sergio's spot. I think it's fitting that another member of the "Usual Gang of Idiots" occupy that table, even though I am not worthy to hold Sergio's pencil sharpener. Few are. I'll do my best to represent MAD in his stead. So, if you come by table I-07 looking for Sergio, know you'll find a significantly less talented, less charming, less famous, and less accomplished MAD cartoonist there. I'll still draw you a Groo if you want, but prepare to be disappointed.

The other reason Mark called? I'm also filling in for Sergio (again) at "Quick Draw!" on Saturday:

Saturday, July 26 – 11:45 AM to 1 PM in Room 6BCF
QUICK DRAW!
It's the battle you wait for every year, as three speedy cartoonists cross Sharpies to prove who's the fastest and the funniest. They create cartoons right before your very ideas, based on suggestions and challenges they've never heard before — suggestions and challenges that come from you in the audience and from your Quick Draw! quizmaster, Mark Evanier. Competing are Scott Shaw! (Sonic the Hedgehog), Tom Richmond (MAD magazine), Emma Steinkellner (Nell of Gumbling), and several surprise cartoonists. No Sergio this year, but he may try to phone something in. See why this is one of the most popular events in all of Comic-Con!

Gulp.

I guess I better start growing my mustache.

Another MAD Sneak Peek!

MAD #45 drops next month. They continue to have multiple pages of new material in every issue, and Desmond Devlin and I teamed up for a four pager in this one. The above is a close-cropped sample of the art for the feature, with top secret Des gags redacted. You'll just have to wait for the issue to come out to see the full article!

Regular Subscriber? That's it for another lame issue of the 'Wretch! Thank you for subscribing! As always, if you liked what you saw please share it with others. Remember I'm always looking for feedback, questions for the mailbag, and suggestions for future Sketch o'the Week subjects. Just reply to this email with any of the above, or leave a comment on Substack! And always remember... it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide!