Is 'Steven Universe: The Movie' the end? OK by us!
Spoiler alert: it isn't. Plus, dive into the history of our absorbent, yellow, pal, SpongeBob Squarepants, and get some watching recommendations from Spoons, Toons & Booze.
Welcome back to another edition of our newsletter, baby! Kick back and relax, because it’s all toons from here on out. We’ve got Steven Universe! We’ve got Archer! And you’ll want to take extra care to scroll all the way down for a special treat from Spoons, Toons & Booze maestros Michael Austin and Nell Casey.
What’s news, pussycat?
The latest pieces published on our site.
Steven Universe: The Movie Is Out, and WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT
This film delivers in enchanting, masterful ways. Rebecca Sugar promised us something special and gave us everything we could have hoped for but never imagined. Get comfy and settle in with some tea to read this piece from editor-in-chief Eric Vilas-Boas on Steven Universe: The Movie.
The Voices of Carole & Tuesday Speak Up
One of the latest animes to drop on Netflix, Carole and Tuesday, is just as good as we’d expect any new offering from Cowboy Bebop director Shinichirō Watanabe to be. Writer Christopher Inoa spoke with Nai Br.XX and Celeina Ann, the singers at the center of the series, to discuss their work on the show.
Rest in Peace to the Animator Behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit
This year, cancer claimed the life of the legendary animator behind the vibrant cartooning in Who Framed Roger Rabbit and other masterworks, but Richard Williams’s legacy lives on, writes Eric Vilas-Boas.
[Read more of our latest posts here.]
But it ain’t me, babe
Great reporting on toons from sites that aren’t the Dot and Line!
The Young Man and the Sea Sponge [Longreads] Spongebob Squarepants turned 20 this year. But how did the whole story begin? Check out writer Darryn King’s deep dive into the history of the porous yellow fellow for the answer.
Critics Love Makoto Shinkai’s New Film [Rotten Tomatoes] Weathering With You, the follow-up to the director’s runaway hit Your Name, just premiered and, for now, is sitting pretty on a 100% rating on RT.
Retta Scott, Disney Legend [A Woman to Know] In one of our personal favorite newsletters, writer Julia Carpenter discusses Retta Scott, who animated classics like Fantasia and Bambi.
The Awesome Toy Store Robin Williams Frequented [SFGate] Before he passed away, the brilliant actor (and iconic voice of Aladdin’s Genie) Robin Williams lived out his love for cartoons and toys in consistent trips to an amazing store, Heroes Club, in San Francisco, writes Dan Gentile.
Keiichi Hara’s Latest Film Comes to the States [Anime News Network] The Wonderland, the director’s eagerly anticipated follow-up to Miss Hokusai, made its US debut at Crunchyroll Expo.
Botanist Rescues Abandoned Coyote Pup [YouTube] Okay, okay, this one isn’t about cartoons, but we eagerly await the animated adaptation:
Happy birthday to toons
Every day brings another oppor-toon-ity for another classic’s anniversary.
The Beloved Cartoon Shorts Series Silly Symphony Turns 90
Before Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies, another stellar series of shorts thrived. Silly Symphony is celebrating 90 years. It’s hard to overstate the impact the series had on American animation, which editor-in-chief John Maher explains in this piece that highlights its glorious history.
Archer‘s Homage to Its Espionage Roots
It’s time to celebrate both Bond, James Bond, and his comrade-in-spying: Archer, Sterling Archer. Writer Kevin Conway takes a look at the the seven ways Archer and the rest of his jolly gang owe something to the ultimate cinematic spy.
More anniversaries: Archer, 10 - Howl's Moving Castle, 15 - Redwall animated series, 20 - The Magic School Bus, 25 - The Tick, 25 - Beetlejuice animated series, 30 - Muppet Babies, 35 - The Transformers, 35 - Voltron, 35 - Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, 40 - Hong Kong Phooey, 45 - Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, 50 - The Pink Panther Show, 50 - Jonny Quest, 55
Throwing it back
Revisit some favorites from our archives.
Why Cartoons Matter for Students, Explained by a Teacher
Cartoons don’t just matter in the school of life, friends. They also matter in the school of school. In this throwback, writer Rob Ryan interviews teacher Amy Hysick on how animation helps teach lessons that stick with students for life.
Poems for Pokémon
Become enthralled in the most wildly important poetry about one of the most important and influential animations of the last two decades. Yes, you read right. Poetry about Pokémon, by writer Meg Eden.
The Last Unicorn Still Outdoes Itself, Even Now
Calling The Last Unicorn “visually breathtaking” doesn’t even begin to do it justice, writer Christina Sterbenz explains. This instant classic has everything from Jeff Bridges singing about his love for a unicorn woman to Angela Lansbury laughing hysterically when her pet harpy descends upon her.
What are we watching? What are YOU watching!?
This week we have special newsletter-exclusive recommendations from our friends at Spoons, Toons & Booze!
Spoons, Toons & Booze creator Michael Austin is watching…She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: This is the ‘80s reboot we didn’t know we needed. It’s queer a.f. and presents it in a refreshingly adult way for what appears on the surface as a children's cartoon. No more post-episode lessons or very special episodes...just a this is how the world is (and should be) outlook with representation from all over the spectrum. It takes a one-note cheesy ’80s cartoon (that I enjoy nonetheless) and reimagines it as a hopeful, complex examination of the forces of good, evil, and gender identity. The only thing worse than season three being only seven episodes long is season three is only six. I need more She-Ra, Netflix!
Spoons, Toons & Booze co-host Nell Casey is watching… King of the Hill: I didn't watch this Mike Judge gem when it was on TV, but I've recently been encouraged to do so by someone who shares in my delight of Judge's more recent offering, Silicon Valley. I'm very pleased that I agreed. The everyday interactions between the Hill family and their neighbors are hilarious, but the show's heart lies in its depiction of the fraught relationship between father Hank and son Bobby. They may be polar opposites in how they view the world, but there's genuine care and concern in every "Got-dang it, Bobby!" that comes out of Hank's mouth, a reminder that love can't—and shouldn't—come with any terms or restrictions. (Also: "bwaaa!" is the perfect reaction to any shocking situation!)
Aaaaand…that’s all, folks!
Thanks so much for reading our newsletter, which is produced by Elly Belle! If you have any notes, feedback, or tips on what to watch next, email us at thedotandline@gmail.com. And if you like what we do, forward this to your friends and yell in their faces until they forward it to all of their friends. Until next time!
Love,
The Dot and Line