In this installment of our series on groundbreaking releases from 1986, we’re spotlighting Maus, Art Spiegelman’s landmark graphic novel about his father, Vladek, a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor.

Written and illustrated by Spiegelman, Maus moves between Vladek’s harrowing wartime experiences and the complicated relationship between father and son decades later. Through the now-famous device of portraying different groups as animals—Jews as mice, Germans as cats—Spiegelman creates a layered story about trauma, memory, and survival.

On this episode, we dig into Spiegelman’s background in underground comics, his exploration of survivor’s guilt woven throughout Maus, and his warts-and-all portrayal of, not only his dad, but himself in the story.

We also discuss the critical reception that helped elevate Maus beyond the comics world. In 1992, Maus became the first graphic novel ever awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Nearly forty years later, it stands as one of the most powerful works the medium has ever produced.

What happens when superhero comics get weird—like, really weird? On this episode of "Unsung Ink," we explore the world of Sam Kieth, a creator who bent anatomy, tone, and storytelling into something wholly his own.

We dig into Kieth’s early days in comics, from his inking work on Mage with Matt Wagner to his memorable contributions to The Sandman alongside Neil Gaiman. From there, we discuss his underrated run on Marvel Comics Presents with Peter David—work that helped define his elastic, expressive style.

Of course, no conversation about Kieth is complete without diving into his creator-owned projects, including The Maxx, Zero Girl, and Four Women—books that blended psychological depth and surrealism in ways that still feel ahead of their time.

Following his passing on March 15 at the age of 63, we take a moment to reflect on Sam Kieth's legacy—a true original, and a voice in comics that can’t be replicated.

Rest in peace.

Forty years ago, comics hit a turning point.

Mainstream and indie publishers alike released a wave of bold, groundbreaking stories that reshaped the medium. This is the first installment in our series, “1986: A Landmark Year in Comics,” and we’re kicking things off with Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli.

On the episode, we dig into the story’s brutal premise, as the Kingpin systematically dismantles Matt Murdock’s life, pushing him to his absolute lowest point before the long climb back.

We also talk about how Miller only agreed to return to Daredevil after his iconic run if Mazzucchelli would pencil the story—and how Born Again helped set the stage for Mazzucchelli’s breakout work just a year later on Batman: Year One.

Along the way, we touch on IDW Publishing’s Artist Edition of Born Again and how Miller’s Daredevil work influenced a generation of writers—including Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, and Chip Zdarsky—who would go on to craft their own celebrated runs with the character.