A Note From Patrick: July 2024

Yes, this year is MUTTS’ 30th Anniversary(!), and one of the ways I’ll be celebrating is by being a special guest at San Diego Comic-Con from July 24 through July 28. 

It all starts on Thursday, when I’ll be giving an Author Spotlight presentation in discussion with my good friend Tom Gammill, writer for Seinfeld, The Simpsons, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. We’ll show a sneak preview of the Guard Dog book during the talk.

Overall, I’ll be participating in seven different talks during the convention. Here’s my schedule.

  • Thursday 1:00PM: Spotlight on Patrick McDonnell: The 30th anniversary of MUTTS, Freeing Guard Dog, Marvel Super Heroes, and the Dalai Lama (with book signing following the session)
  • Thursday 4:00PM: From Haunting Horrors to Magnanimous Memoirs: It’s the Abrams ComicArts Spotlight!  (This will include a preview of Abrams new line of books including Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story, with a book signing following.)
  • Friday 2:00PM: My Creative Habits (A panel of cartoonists discussing their art processes)
  • Friday 4:30PM: Walt Kelly and Pogo (A panel centered on one the comic-strip greats)
  • Friday 6:30PM: The Super Hero’s Journey (a panel to discuss my book and the magic of the Marvel universe) 
  • Saturday 1:00PM: Will Eisner and Harvey Kurtzman Go to College (I was a student in Will Eisner’s class at SVA and will participate in a discussion of his life and art.)
  • Sunday 10:00AM: Jack Kirby Tribute: A fan favorite, annual event, paying homage to the greatest comic book artist (with book signing following)

I hope I can find some time to look at comics while I’m there! My three book signings will include a free, unique Guard Dog convention poster while supplies last.

My summer travel schedule has been off to an especially busy start. Last week I attended the opening of KirbyVision, a fine art exhibit at the Corey Helford Gallery in LA. Two of my Jack Kirby themed paintings are on view there until the end of July. If you are in that area, check out the show which includes over 50 comic art originals by the unparalleled Jack Kirby.


This summer has been crazy hot. Be sure to take care of the animals, both inside and outside. Putting out some water for wildlife will be greatly appreciated.

Sending all my best,

Patrick

— Publishing Resources Inc.

Comments (30)

I would dearly love some summer themed post cards to send my friends. Postcards are hard to find now. If you had some I would buy them ahead of my next beach vacation and send them from the beach. Thanks for considering.
:0)

Kathleen L

Thank you for the Guard Dog Story. I tear up every time you run a Guard Dog, now Sparky comic. I live with my own Guard Dog from Caroline County, Maryland, George. I also volunteer for a rescue in Baltimore, Maryland and see more Guard Dogs than anyone should ever see – one is more than anyone should ever see. Please keep up the good work.

Joanne Wigod

Congratulations, and thank you, Patrick, for 30 years of providing joy, laughter and empathy via Mutts. I am so happy that my Los Angeles Times includes your cartoon every day ! I have pre-ordered The Guard Dog book and really look forward to receiving it and sharing it with my family and dog-walking buddies, like I share your cartoon every day !

Julie Ward

Dear Patrick the great!!
You are a National Treasure along with the cast of Mutts! Happy 30th Anniversary!!! ❣️🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
My mom and I read yiou daily when she was alive. She used to come to my apartment when I was at work to walk and water my pup and entertain my kitty cat. While there she would often hide a little pink sock that she had acquired. Once I found it in the freezer another time hanging from the chandelier! 😂 Thank you for bringing joy and the love of animals and their humans into our hearts for so many years. Bravo!! Here’s to 30 more!!! 🎉💘
Chloe Darking Kerr
Newport Beach, CA

Chloe

My sister and brother in law live and work at a cat sanctuary here in San Diego. It’s a non-profit foundation that rescues feral cats and has an adoption program. Yesterday at Comic Con, I had you sign the Sparky poster to them and I can’t thank you enough. Both of them have illnesses that prevent them from attending Comic-Con and they devote all their time and energy to the rescue cats. They were so thrilled when I showed it to them. I also want to thank you for signing my book. ❤️ Mutts.

Nicholas

Long-time Mutts fan. Long-time getting the strip every day. It’s the first email I look at in the morning. Patrick, I fell madly in love with the Guard Dog saga and was so eager to see it play out. I was ecstatic when Sparky was adopted by Doozy and her mom.

Mutts is right up there with classic comics creators like Walt Kelly, the creator of Pogo, and other notable artists. I look forward to reading the strip each morning. That and my coffee, and I’m set.

Thank you Patrick, for your daily musings of the Mutts characters. I am so glad you share your passion for drawing and animals thru Mutts.

Susan Urang

Happy 30th anniversary to Mutts!! Thank you for the delightful joy you bring forth each and every day. Please continue to spread love to the world. Blessings for you and team Mutts💗

June Valli

What a great gift Mutts is to us all. Thank you for having the heart and stamina to do what you do. I wish you many more years of inspiration and creativity, and the desire to continue your work. Sending you lots of good energy.

Beth Bruno

Dear Patrick,
I am a volunteer at West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove, Ill. I have been there for over 15 years. Some of the back stories on the dogs is heartbreaking. One story is on a cold winter stormy night the staff found a dog ties to a sign by the shelter. She was cold, hungry and scared. They named her Ripely. She is still in the care of WSHS looking for her forever home. My dog is a rescue from there too. I love Katie Grace with all my heart. When I read the Guard Dog story I cried with sadness and than for Joy. All we can do at WSHS is give all of our dog love and affection they have never gotten. I wish I could come and meet you and say THANK YOU. A day doesn’t go by that I am inspired by your stories. If possible I would love a poster from the California convention. I would be happy to make a donation to one of your causes. At this time traveling is out of the question for me. You are the best.
Sincerely,
Jan Montalbano

jan montalbano

I would dearly love a Guard Dog poster! Will there be any made for outside of conventions? Congrats on 30 yrs! I’ve been with you the whole way!

Tami Cowles