Author Archives: Ampersand

History, Rhyming

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Ampersand

The title is a reference to an aphorism that’s often mistakenly attributed to Mark Twain: “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.” Like many people, I found myself reading a lot of analysis, and squinting at blurry videos, after … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, police brutality, Race, racism and related issues | 20 Comments

The Obsession

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Ampersand

This cartoon is by me and frequent collaborator Nadine Scholtes. In December 2025, Representative Sarah McBride – who is herself trans – commented about her Republican colleagues: They are obsessed with trans people. I actually think they think more about … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 6 Comments

Helpful Advice For New Moms

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Ampersand

This cartoon is by me and Becky Hawkins. Becky commented, “It’s always fun and challenging to come up with enough unique character designs for these cartoons. All resemblance to acquaintances living or dead is entirely coincidental. Maybe not coincidental, but not … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Feminism, sexism, etc | 5 Comments

Weight Loss Inc

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Ampersand

Becky writes: Barry’s script said, “A fat person is handing a bundle of cash to someone standing in the entrance to a building that has a sign saying “WEIGHT LOSS INC”. It looks like summer.” Luckily for both of us, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Fat, fat and more fat | 8 Comments

The AI Bubble

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Ampersand

This cartoon is drawn by new guest artist Jamie Sale, who did a terrific job. I’d originally written the script so the camera would pan out until we saw that the speaker was in a giant bubble. Then I realized … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Economics and the like | 14 Comments

The Future of Journalism is Now

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Ampersand

This cartoon is by Jenn Manley Lee and I. This cartoon was originally posted on Patreon on December 19th, 2025. Just three days later, Bari Weiss, the utterly unqualified head of CBS News, pulled a 60 Minutes story that went … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Media criticism | 5 Comments

Wanted

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Ampersand

ICE agents are the worst people in the world. If you’re a good person and you’re working for ICE, you don’t really exist, because all the good people have resigned by now. In Maine, an ICE agent told a woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Immigration, Migrant Rights, etc, police brutality, Prisons and Justice and Police | 2 Comments

I Can’t Believe They Deported Carol!

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Ampersand

This cartoon is by me and new guest artist Mike Lawrence. Mike Lawrence is a cartoonist in Milwaukie, OR who mostly makes middle grade graphic novels. He’s the creator of the Star Scouts series for First Second and his next … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, Elections and politics, Immigration, Migrant Rights, etc | 3 Comments

We’d All Miss Private Health Insurance

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Ampersand

Another collab with the terrific R.E. Ryan. “I Can’t Afford My Spleen” might be a good title for the eventual book collection. I love the way R.E. drew this, especially the suit-and-tie guy in the last panel, with his quietly … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics | 10 Comments

ICE’s Get Out of Jail Free Card

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Ampersand

This was not a fun cartoon to write or draw. On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good was shot to death in her car by Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent who has been with the agency a decade. (Wait, January … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartooning & comics, In the news, police brutality, Prisons and Justice and Police | 83 Comments