NYCC 2025 reveals + Patrick McDonnell on 'The Gift of Everything'

Listen to this episode from AIPT Comics on Spotify. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!NEWSNYCC News!Marvel reveals!Spidery: NYCC 2025: 'Amazing Spider-Man and his Venomous Friends' panel reveals art and story detailsMarvel unleashes 'Death Spiral, a deadly new Spider-Man/Venom crossoverX-Men panel Next Big Thing revealsDC reveals!DC Vertigo and some more detailAbsolute Catwoman: Selina Kyle as the Batman of the Absolute Universe, and SirensWTF DC Comics?!DC KO scoopsFound out about some fights, but also…Next Level and BatwomanLogan’s bloodiest stories coming in Marvel’s new 'Black, White & Blood' seriesGodzilla takes his rampage to the stars in 'Godzilla: Infinity Roar' out February 2026Post Malone’s 'Big Rig' returns in 2026 with 'Book 2: Damned'Jason Aaron brings Thundarr the barbarian to comics for the first time ever in 2026Gargoyles and Darkwing Duck collide in first ever disney comics crossover eventBen 10 comics are back, and the original creators are making it “Ultimate”Thundercats comics head into the future in 2026 with shocking revelations in ‘Lost in Time’Oni Press just dropped a brand-new logo ahead of NYCC 2025Matt Kindt brings Flux House to Oni Press with new comics and full media empireIDW Dark unleashing four chilling new horror series in 2026Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen unleash 'Crowbound', a blood-soaked dark fantasy revenge epicTOP 50 COMICS - SEPTEMBER 2025Our Top Books of the WeekDave:Amazing X-Men (2025) #1 (Jed MacKay, Mahmud Asrar)Creepshow (2022): Super Creepshow Special (Various)Alex:​​DC KO (Scott Snyder, Javi Fernandez)Binary #1 (Stephanie Phillips, Giada Belviso)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex: DC KO (Scott Snyder, Javi Fernandez)Dave: Batman: The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween (2024) #9 (Chris Samnee)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: Absolute Flash #8 (Lemire, Moore) & New Gods #11 (Ram V, Denys Cowen)Dave: Yuletide (More info)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Sonja Reborn #2 (Stuart Sayge) OR THIS!Alex: Rogue Storm #1 (Ivan Talavera Variant)Interview: Patrick McDonnell  - The Gift of Everything out October 7Check out:https://mutts.com/pages/patrickmcdonnellart-superheroWhat inspired you to return to Mooch and Earl’s gift-giving adventures 20 years later in The Gift of Everything?The Heart of the StoryAt its core, this book celebrates gratitude and the joy of being alive. Why do you think themes of thankfulness and simplicity resonate so deeply with children — and adults?Crafting in RhymeThis story uses a joyful rhyming style. What draws you to rhyme as a storytelling device, and what challenges or delights come with writing in verse?Holiday SpiritYou’ve said you’ve always loved the holiday season. What specific memories or traditions helped shape the spirit of The Gift of Everything?Mooch & Earl’s Timeless AppealMooch and Earl have been beloved characters in MUTTS for decades. What do you think it is about their personalities that allows them to connect so effortlessly with readers across generations?From Page to StageSeveral of your works, including The Gift of Nothing and Me…Jane, have been adapted as musicals at the Kennedy Center. How does it feel to see your stories reimagined in another medium?Visual StorytellingYour illustrations have a deceptively simple elegance. How do you balance keeping the art playful for children while also layering in emotion and meaning for older readers?Longevity and LegacyMUTTS has been running for 30 years and has inspired praise from legends like Charles Schulz and Jane Goodall. Looking back, how do you see your evolution as both a cartoonist and a children’s book author?Fun/Silly Question: If Mooch and Earl were invited to a holiday gift exchange in real life, what do you think each of them would bring — and what would they secretly hope to get?