A Mid-Week Digest: Whatnots & Roundups
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The Bryn Mawr-New Yorker Connection
Cartoonist Maggie Larson contributed a cartoon to her alma mater’s Bryn Mawr Bulletin and they included a brief profile and an addendum noting Bryn Mawr past cartoons in The New Yorker.
Letting Go
Jonny Manning for the BBC tells of Peter Hansen thinning his comics collection.
Many children collected comic books, from The Topper to Roy of the Rovers, The Dandy to The Beano.
But Peter Hansen never stopped, with his haul growing into one of the country’s largest private collections of British comics.
Now at the age of 70, he is starting to part with the bulk of his beloved books, which are stored in a barn in Northumberland.
“After all this time, I think it’s time to let go,” Hansen said.
I’ve been thinking the same thing, though a recent talk with my son has him saying leave the house to his sister and the comics collection to him to sell. (I may have to put a clause in that he give at least 10% of the proceeds to sister.)
Techs Turn to Cartoon Mascots to Humanize the Companies
April Ossington for Channel News reports on a growing trend among the Corporations:
Some of the world’s largest technology companies are increasingly embracing cartoon-style mascots as they attempt to make their brands appear more approachable in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and growing consumer scepticism towards big tech.
Businesses including Apple, Microsoft, Google and Mozilla have recently introduced or refreshed animated characters designed to create warmer and more personal connections with users, marking a broader return to a marketing strategy that many companies had gradually abandoned over the past two decades.
Marketing researchers say mascots remain highly effective at shaping consumer perceptions because they help transform large corporations into something that feels more human and emotionally relatable.
And it’s not just the techies
Penguin Random House recently put an effort in revitalizing their mascot. Grace Snelling at FastCompany:
With its new brand refresh, Penguin Random House UK is setting that iconic penguin free.
The brand just unveiled a delightful series of hand-drawn illustrations, named the “Playful Penguins,” which show the penguin jumping, strutting, dancing, and doing a whole lot of reading. The illustrations will show up everywhere across the Penguin Random House’s global markets, from seasonal campaigns to social initiatives and point-of-sale displays—and they’re designed to bring some added joy and movement to the brand as it approaches its centennial.
Yokoso Scooby Doo
Sccoby Doo has once more been remodeled and recreated. From Dais Johnston at Inverse:
According to Variety, free ad-supported streamer Tubi has acquired Yokoso Scooby-Doo! (translation: Welcome, Scooby-Doo!), the first-ever Scooby-Doo anime series. What’s more, this series will feature the voices of Frank Welker and Matthew Lillard, who both were featured in the 2002 live-action movie Scooby-Doo. Welker has been with the franchise since the beginning as the original voice for Fred, while you may recognize Lillard from his recent roles in Daredevil: Born Again or Scream 7.)
Like many Scooby-Doo spinoffs, Yokoso Scooby-Doo! stars only Shaggy and Scooby, with no sign of Fred, Daphne and Velma. The series’ synopsis reads as follows: “While visiting Japan on the ultimate foodie adventure, Scooby-Doo and Shaggy unwittingly unleash hundreds of mythical monsters…
Maplewood native Bruce Eric Kaplan will be receiving the 2026 Maplewood Literary Award.
In more news about cartoonists of The New Yorker we have Bruce Eric Kaplan (BEK) being feted:
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) — Bruce Eric Kaplan, writer, cartoonist and executive producer, will receive the Maplewood Literary Award on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at the Maplewood Memorial Library [link added]. The event begins at 7:00pm. Admission is free and open to the public.
His bio states ” …Kaplan is a wonderful fellow who writes for television and draws cartoons…
Sy Barry Center for Art and Creativity Update
Earlier this month (scroll down) we learned of The Phantom artist Sy Barry being honored at his senior community. Angelina Berube for The Eagle-Tribune attended the ceremony Tuesday (or here).
ANDOVER — A legendary cartoonist was honored on Tuesday for his contributions that have made a lasting impact on his living community.
Stone Hill Andover dedicated its Center for Arts and Creativity to resident Seymour “Sy” Barry, 98, “The Phantom” cartoonist who inspired creativity among its community with his art classes.
Stone Hill residents and staff, Barry’s family, state Rep. Tram Nguyen and the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce gathered to celebrate the cartoonist and for the unveiling of The Sy Barry Center for Art and Creativity at the Andover senior living community…
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