Abrams ComicArts, a division of ABRAMS, is proud to present a one-of-a-kind panel at this year’s New York Comic Con, featuring two legendary, fan-favorite creators—Patrick McDonnell, the creator of the beloved comic strip Mutts and Simpsons creator Matt Groening—for a one-on-one conversation.
Just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mutts and the release of McDonnell’s new bestselling collection Breaking the Chain: The Guard Dog Story, Patrick McDonnell will sit down with Matt Groening, whose beloved series Futurama is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with the upcoming publication of Abrams ComicArts’ The Art of Futurama on November 12. The two creators will discuss their incredible careers during the panel “Patrick McDonnell in conversation with Matt Groening” on Friday, October 18 at 12:45 p.m. in Room 1C03.
“Having Patrick and Matt together in conversation is the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of panels,” said Charles Kochman, Editor-in-Chief of Abrams ComicArts and editor of the two books. “As fans of Mutts and Futurama, we are honored to join them in celebrating their 30th and 25th anniversaries with these two publications.”
Matt Groening is the creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award–winning series The Simpsons, as well as the creator of the animated television series Futurama and Disenchantment. In addition to supervising the ongoing production of these television series, Groening wrote and illustrated Life in Hell, a weekly syndicated comic strip from 1977 to 2012. He lives in Los Angeles.
Patrick McDonnell is the bestselling author, illustrator, playwright, painter, and creator of the comic strip Mutts, which appears in more than 700 newspapers around the world. He has received numerous awards internationally, including a Caldecott Honor and the Reuben, the highest honor given by the National Cartoonists Society. He is the author of The Art of Nothing (Abrams ComicArts, 2019), The Super Hero’s Journey (Marvel Arts, 2023), and his newest bestseller, Breaking the Chain (Abrams ComicArts, 2024). He lives in New Jersey.