Cryptozoology

This has nothing to do with comics, but it is good to note the passing of our natural world. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared the western black rhino extinct. One of four sub-species of the black rhino, it was considered especially vulnerable to poachers who hunt the rhino for its horn, believed to contain medicinal properties.

You had us at dinosaur, Dustin Harbin. And with "colored by Sam Bosma and Kali Ciesemier" you chained us up and threw away the key.

This is so cool. Nick Abadzis writes to remind us that his strips for the 25th Anniversary of Big Planet Comics has ended: a series of gorgeous alternate endings to his GN LAIKA, about the dog who went into space ... and never came back. Four strips are up here, with tributes to "Stan and Jack (Stan referring to both the Man and Kubrick), and several iterations of how the story could've turned out." The final episode definitely calls out for a sequel/spin-off.

How on earth did we miss this until now? Ben Towle is putting together The Animal Alphabet Project, drawing of critters by cartooners. Above, the N is for Naked Mole Rat by Gabriel Hardman, below L is for Lynx by Henry Eudy.

I would read the hell out of this comic.

It has become legend.

Grant Morrison was right!

Paul, the octopus who stunned the world by correctly picking all his games in the 2010 World Cup, has died. It was not unexpected since at 2 1/2 he was up there in octopus years, but it is still sad.

We're sad and yet glad that the World Cup is over. Sad because it was fun and exciting and we actually hung out more with friends than we have in months because we were always getting together to watch the game, and sharing it with pals worldwide through Twitter. Although the Netherlands-Spain final was the kind of shitty game that makes people who don't like soccer continue to not like soccer, it wasn't representative of the tourney as a whole. Sad because there was so much to see and ponder in "the beautiful game." But we're also glad because things that are fun and exciting are the most fun and exciting when they come and go and leave you wanting more. Of course, the breakout star of the Cup was not Ronaldo or Kaka or Messi but an unassuming mollusk whose psychic powers amazed the world. Yes, it was Paul The Psychic Octopus whose stunning 8-for-8 predictions have left scientists and sports fans reeling with questions regarding cephalopod intelligence, the possibilities of psychic powers, and tentacled understanding of the passing game and the offsides rule.

The Rogue Taxidermy Show at La Luz De Jesus Gallery Past Shows. Above: "Turkelaeopteryx (aka Squirkey)" by Sarina Brewer.

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