Category Archives: Politics

If you are a Mario Kart fan, government is Yoshi and philanthropy is the Golden Mushroom – Zohran Mamdani

New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani is showing its politician’s unwillingness to act that has left so many Americans behind. In just a few months he’s launched numerous initiatives to better the city and attempt the make the lives of its residents better. He’s also savvy, simplifying issues in ways the average person can understand and relate.

Mamdani is attempting to get New Yorkers to donate to the Child Care Action Fund. It provides universal child care to everyone in the city who needs it. Its raised $3.5 million but needs $16.5 million to reach its goal, a drop in the bucket for the ultra-rich that call New York City home. While he’s talked about raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy, this one is being funded through just good old donations.

Mamdani took to explaining it all through Mario Kart in an April 16 press conference.

I like to think of it this way: government is driving the racecar, and philanthropy is there to give it that turbo boost across the finish line. Or, if you are a Mario Kart fan, government is Yoshi and philanthropy is the golden mushroom—that edge we need to beat Bowser on the Rainbow Road. To belabor this metaphor even further, Bowser is corporate greed in this scenario.

One of Mario Kart’s more fun mechanics is giving those behind in the race better items to help them compete while those ahead get less useful items.

Zohran Mamdani: "If you are a Mario Kart fan, government is Yoshi and philanthropy is the Golden Mushroom, that edge we need to beat Bowser on the Rainbow Road. To belabor this metaphor even further, Bowser is corporate greed in this scenario."

Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran.com) 2026-04-16T21:58:08.526Z

BookCon 2026: EveryLibrary Kicks Off National Library Week with Live Author Interviews

EveryLibrary BookCon

EveryLibrary, the national political action organization focused on defending and advancing public, school, and academic libraries, will bring its advocacy directly to readers at BookCon on April 18–19, 2026, hosting live author interviews to kick off National Library Week which takes place April 19–25, 2026.

Through these conversations, EveryLibrary will spotlight the vital role libraries play in connecting communities to books, ideas, and opportunity. Content captured at BookCon will be shared across EveryLibrary’s platforms throughout National Library Week, amplifying author voices while reinforcing the importance of libraries nationwide.

EveryLibrary’s presence comes at a time when libraries across the country are facing increased challenges, including funding pressures and growing attempts to restrict access to materials. By engaging directly with authors, publishers, and readers at BookCon, the organization aims to highlight the connection between a thriving book culture and strong public libraries.

Participating authors (tentative, subject to change) include Cassandra Clare, Melissa Bobe, LaDarrion Williams, R.J. Valldeperas, Darcie Little Badger, Cristy C. Road, Amélie Wen Zhao, Olivie Blake, Rebecca Thorne, Hilary Davidson, Kelsey Impicciche, TJ Alexander, Chloe Gong, Alex Krokus, Rebecca Danzenbaker, Soman Chainani, Jasmine Guillory, and Tricia Levenseller.

The activation will also highlight Take Action for Libraries Day on April 23, a national day of advocacy encouraging public support for libraries.

Kat Abughazaleh’s What If We Didn’t Suck? comic is a cool piece of comic and political history

The use of comics in politics isn’t something new and goes back decades, if not over a hundred years if you want to include political cartoons. But, in recent years, campaigns have re-embraced the printed page to help promote their candidates. The latest is Kat Abughazaleh who ran for Congress in Illinois’ Ninth District. The district covers parts of Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties and currently represented by Democrat Jan Schakowsky, who is not seeking reelection, in one of the most reliably Democratic districts in Chicago and all of Illinois.

The artwork was originally created as a direct mail comic illustrated by Chicago based artist and publisher Josh Blaylock, all five editions are being collected to help raise money for the campaign in a small, limited printed run.

Story: Josh Blaylock and Purveyor Creative
Art: Josh Blaylock and Purveyor Creative
Color: Jenn Chun
Letterer: Shawn DePasquale
Comic Formatting: Jamie Noguchi
Art direction: Mia Festo
Creative direction: Kat Abughazaleh

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Fantagraphics’ Releases Caught Up in Strait of Hormuz Missile Strike

Fantagraphics

A ship carrying graphic novels from Fantagraphics was struck by an Iranian missile around the Strait of Hormuz. The attack came during the escalating war between Israel, the United States, and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is a major shipping channel. There have been multiple ships attacked which have resulted in the death of crew members. The loss of graphic novels is nothing compared to the loss of life and incalculable amount of damage already due to the war.

It’s unknown if any crew members were injured or killed in this particular attack but the ship did make it to port after the attack. Fantagraphics editor Mike Catron in a Facebook post broke the news.

Two graphic novels were impacted, The Atlas Comics Library No. 9: Adventures Into Weird Worlds Vol. 1 by Russ Heath, Bernard Krigstein, Bill Everett, Joe Maneely, Carmine Infantino, et al. and Bitchy! The Exasperating Existence of Midge McCracken by Roberta Gregory and Helen Chazan. Both were printed in India and bound for the Port of New York. It’s unknown if other graphic novels and releases were also part of the shipment.

Both of the books were scheduled to go on sale in early June and it’s unknown if any of the cargo on the ship, including the books, have been damaged, or if the cargo can even be offloaded onto another ship and get safely out of the area. It is believed that the ship was making a stop to drop off cargo before making its way to further destinations.

Nintendo Sues the Trump Administration Over Tariffs

Nintendo has joined hundreds of corporations suing the Trump Administration to get back tariffs paid.  Those tariffs were deemed illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court towards the end of February.

Nintendo is an interesting court case as it not only can show “injury” from the tariffs paid, but it not only raised prices, it delayed pre-orders for the Switch 2.

Nintendo is asking for a refund of the IEEPA duties paid along with interest, reasonable attorney fees, and granting any more relief that might be “just and proper.”

The question still remains if consumers will see any relief from this whether in the form of getting money back, especially those who paid tariffs directly, or in lower retail prices.

Customs and Border Protection Says it Can’t Comply with the Court’s Tariff Refund Order

Towards the end of February, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs enacted by the Trump administration. The vote was 6-3 and generally the justices ruled that Trump exceeded the powers given to him by Congress under a 1977 law providing the President the authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies that are due to foreign threats. What was undecided at the time was what should happen to all of the money paid already due to the tariffs.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has told a Court of International Trade judge that it isn’t able to comply with an order to begin refunding the reciprocal tariffs. The CBP said in their response that the estimated amount related to the tariffs is “approximately $166 billion.” According to the filing over 330,000 importers have made over 53 million entries.

The court response, which you can read below, involves the CBP process and when things are go through it, focusing on “liquidation.” “Liquidation” is the finalization of the total tariff amount owed. Senior Judge Richard Eaton had ordered the CBP to liquidate unprocessed entries and reliquidate those that have been processed but not finalized.

The refund that has been ordered focuses on shippers who paid the IEEPA tariffs on imports that have not been finalized via liquidation, a process that can take around 300 days. You can read some thoughts on the complexity of the situation here.

The Trump administration has been sued by hundreds of corporations looking to be refunded for the tariffs that have been paid under the IEEPA.

What also remains unanswered is if consumers will see any relief either in money returned or retail prices going down. Corporations passed along the increased cost of doing business to consumers who saw price increases at the store and some have been hit with tariffs directly when ordering internationally.

Pokémon responds to the White House using Pokopia to Promote MAGA

Because we live in the dumbest timeline, The Pokémon Company has released a statement regarding the White House using the Pokopia font generator to promote “Make America Great Again.”

The Pokémon Company of course distanced itself stating:

We are aware of recent social content that includes imagery associated with our brand. We were not involved in its creation or distribution, and no permission was granted for the use of our intellectual property. Our mission is to bring the world together, and that mission is not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda.

The administration has regularly used pop culture to promote their agenda, often against the wishes of the creators behind it.

Hasbro is Suing the Government Over the IEEPA Tariffs

Hasbro

Hasbro has joined hundreds of companies suing the Federal Government to get refunds for the tariffs paid due to President Trump’s “emergency trade measures.” Those tariffs were deemed illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court towards the end of February.

Hasbro did not disclose how much it has paid in IEEPA tariffs but it is requesting refunds along with interest. There’s more than 2,000 similar cases filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade since April.

In July 2025, Hasbro’s CEO warned that prices could rise due to the tariffs. Then did so in the second half of the year though it didn’t dent sales. Revenue for the company jumped 31% to $1.45 billion beating expectations. Its profit was $201.6 million for the last three months of 2025. The increase in retail prices varied resulting in an additional 10% to 20% to the cost of items.

At the end of February, the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs in a 6-3 vote. An estimated $200 billion has been paid due to them. Tariffs are a tax that is put on goods imported into the country. It could be raw materials or finished products.

In a report it was estimated that 90% or more of the tariff’s cost was paid by US firms and consumers with the average tariff in 2025 going from 2.6% to 13%. Corporations are unlikely to eat all of that cost, so it is then passed along to consumers in the form of paying for the tariffs directly or by increased prices.

In a recent order, it was increased by a little over $5 for me, about 10% of the pre-tax price of the item which was a toy. Retailers have had to raise their prices to consumers with many making statements they would be doing so.

There are numerous lawsuits against the government and Trump administration by corporations to recoup the money paid for tariffs, it’s unknown how this Supreme Court decision will impact that.

It’s also unknown if consumers will see any relief in prices due to this decision. It’s not common for corporations to lower prices once they have been raised, so it’s possible the increase retail prices will remain, especially in a continuing uncertain economic outlook.

Fantagraphics to Publish Requiem For Gaza, New Investigative Graphic Journalism by Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco

Requiem for Gaza

In the spring of 2025 the cartoonist Joe Sacco, author of Palestine and Footnotes in Gaza, and Chris Hedges, the former Middle East Bureau Chief for The New York Times, traveled to Cairo where they interviewed 29 Palestinian families who had recently left Gaza. In Requiem for Gaza, they use the experience and stories of these families to detail the crucible of the genocide, the loss of homes and communities, the appalling death toll among friends and loved ones, the constant displacement, the terror of indiscriminate killing, the hunger and deprivation, the obliteration of all that was known and familiar, and the struggle to cope with the callous indifference of a world that continues to supply Israel with weapons despite its wholesale destruction of Gaza and mass slaughter.

Requiem for Gaza, like their New York Times best seller Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, combines comics and single images drawn by Sacco within the narrative written by Hedges. Hedges’ vivid prose and Sacco’s visceral images complement each other and together paint a portrait of dignity and suffering under genocide. The collective power of the individual stories that chronicle the first day of the genocide, the forced evacuation of homes, the targeted assassinations, the false hopes engendered by ceasefires, the dislocation and alienation of exile, the brutal killing and hasty burial of family members, and the humiliation of living under tarps without clean food and water bring every aspect of the genocide to life. Set against this horror are stories of self-sacrifice and compassion that show how Palestinians not only clung to their humanity, but morally triumphed over their killers.

Requiem For Gaza will be available wherever books are sold as a hardcover graphic novel (ISBN: 979-8-8750-0272-4) as well as a digital edition, in October 2026, for a list price of $24.99.

GAMA releases a Statement regarding the Supreme Court’s Decision to Strike Down IEEPA Tariffs

GAMA: The Tabletop Game Association (GAMA)

On Friday, the US Supreme Court struck down President Trump‘s tariffs set under the International Emergency Economic Power Act. What this means for all of the tariffs already collected is unknown and the impact on retail prices are also unknown.

The decision was praised by numerous publishers and organizations within the geek and entertainment space. GAMA: The Tabletop Game Association released the below statement yesterday:

GAMA: The Tabletop Game Association applauds today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which struck down the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), ruling that he had exceeded his authority in doing so.

Trump promptly announced he would re-impose the tariffs through other methods.

The Supreme Court issued its 6-3 decision in the case of Learning Resources Inc. et al v Trump, which had been consolidated with the case Trump v V.O.S. Solutions. GAMA had filed an amicus brief in the case in support of Learning Solutions and V.O.S., challenging this presidential overreach. GAMA argued that in the IEEPA, Congress had never intended to delegate such sweeping economic powers to the executive branch. 

In his majority ruling, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. agreed, writing: “The president asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. In light of the breadth, history, and constitutional context of that asserted authority, he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise it.”

GAMA is interested in hearing from any members who would like to share their stories of how the illegal IEEPA tariffs impacted their business, so we can maintain a record of how the tariffs have hurt our industry. Click here to contact the GAMA Communications Team if you are interested. Please let us know if you are also willing to have your story shared on our social channels and in advocacy communications, which will help us put faces and names to the harm these tariffs have done and help amplify the message that Congress needs to take action against future efforts to impose similar tariffs. 

It may be possible for companies that paid tariffs to apply for refunds. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged last September on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the agency would issue refunds if ordered to do so by the Supreme Court. GAMA is researching how businesses in our industry that paid tariffs could apply for refunds and will share information as we have it. 

GAMA’s support for Learning Resources and V.O.S. Solutions stems from a shared commitment to constitutional governance and economic stability. The unchecked use of IEEPA to alter tariffs threatened not only businesses but the very principle of separation of powers enshrined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution. 

GAMA continues to monitor the Trump administration’s actions regarding tariffs.

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