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Lan Pitts

@lanpitts

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Comic writer: BOOM! Studios, Image, Heavy Metal, Limit Break, Mad Cave/Maverick.
Pop culture writer.
Comics Director for Nerd Street events.
Atl➡️Bwi

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by @lanpitts

Welcome to 2026's 31 Days of Heistoween, a daily dose of spooky icons, spine-tingling oddities, and — most harrowing of all — memes. Check back every day from now through October 31 for each daily entry!

Every October, I return to the same rituals: carving pumpkins, eating an irresponsible amount of candy, browsing the usual stores for more macabre home decor, and of course, revisiting The Simpsons’ annual Halloween specials. I’ve been watching "Treehouse of Horror" since I was seven, which means I’ve spent most of my life watching Homer die in increasingly inventive ways and treating it as a perfectly reasonable seasonal activity.

The specials have always been one of the show's best excuses to experiment with horror, science fiction, and the occasional deeply weird detour into a pop culture homage. They're a chance to just get weird within the realm of Springfield and a tradition I refuse to give up at this point.

Naturally, "Treehouse of Horror V" (Season 6) tends to dominate conversations about the series, and for good reason. "The Shinning," "Time and Punishment," and "Nightmare Cafeteria" make for one of the strongest lineups in the franchise's history. But returning to the specials year after year has also made me appreciate the segments that don't receive quite as much attention. Some get overshadowed by stronger stories in the same episode; others simply haven't stuck in the cultural memory the way the classics have.

[CONTINUED ON POP HEIST]

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I don’t know how everyone posted #nycc pics so quickly—Old Man Hamilton needed a full week to recover! It was a whirlwind of new readers and old friends. My heartfelt thanks to @madcavestudios & @sandstormcomics for making me feel so welcome!

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I saw so many friends in the halls of #NYCC this year. What a fun (and exhausting) show. #readmorecomics

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That’s a wrap on NYCC 2026! Didn’t take nearly as many pics and selfies as I should’ve but it was a fun few days. I went alone for the first time in like my 10 years coming here but was lucky enough to run into some friends and even made some new ones. (and yet still somehow missed a few of you even though we were standing feet away from each other!)

This year was mostly a humbling experience that made me realize I have a lot more work to do if I want to make it in comics. Had some great convos but I especially wanna give a huge shoutout to the nicest guy in comics David Pepose (@peposed) who gave me some incredibly solid and practical advice that felt like rocket fuel for my future writing endeavors. In a place that busy where most conversations are lightning quick and can sometimes feel transactional, he graciously gave me like 20 mins of his time and a lot to focus on going forward as a comic writer.

And huge thanks to @vongormanart for giving me the original proof for his Superguy cover!!

Shoutout to @gregpaknet @andrewdrilon @steph_i_will @ethanjsacks @alexsegurajr @julioanta @dirkmanning @lanpitts @jimmygaspero @therodneybarnes @jef_uk @thefatmanwholetters @jamesfergusonjr @mistadark @judedeluca @thebraveandtheboys @badaboompodcast @dan_exclaims @fanlightzone @greymetal_art

See ya guys next year @newyorkcomiccon

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#NYCC on my mind. Schedule below—see ya there!

Saturday 10/10
11a-12p Sandstorm Signing @ HB905
2-2:50p Mad Cave/Maverick/Papercutz Signing @4457

Sunday 10/11
11a-1p Sandstorm Signing @ HB905
2-4p Sandstorm Signing @ HB905

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Please stop by the @madcavestudios / @maverick_ogn / @papercutzgn booth at @newyorkcomiccon on Saturday October 10th from 2-2:50 and pick up a signed copy of Penny and the Yeti plus I’ll be with @lanpitts @richardashleyhamilton and @pagesbyari

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Be sure to stop by the Mad Cave Booth on Saturday 10/10 at 2pm and pick up a copy of Penny and the Yeti AND I’ll be there to sign it! Plus you can grab some amazing comics and meet @lanpitts @richardashleyhamilton and @pagesbyari
@madcavestudios @maverick_ogn @papercutzgn

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@newyorkcomiccon is NEXT WEEK?! Say it isn’t so! Well, ready or not, I’ll be there for signings and such—including this one alongside my pals @pagesbyari & @jimmygaspero as well as @lanpitts, whom I haven’t met, but I’m sure is lovely. See ya there! #nycc #nycc2026 #SCOOP #TECTIV #LEODAVINCI

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I had lots of fun at LBCC 2026, and, as per the usual, I also forgot to be social and take an adequate number of pictures.

Huge thanks to Lan (seen here with Treebeardless), Katie, Debbie, Ben, John, the whole LBCC/Nerd St team, and everyone who stopped by to check out our comics and creations!

#LongBeachComicCon #LBCC

Seeing my mug on a banner was a first, and it blew my simple mind!

Another first: seeing a cover of one of my comics on a con badge! (Art by the great Nick Brokenshire.)

It’s always good to share space with my talented pal Douglas Gauthier.

Beware asking Richard Fairgray to take a pic of you at your table…!

Todd reminded me to take pic of folks with my comics, and naturally I only remembered to with him.

Douglas maintains his composure as I’m clearly losing my mind.

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ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I will only be appearing at @longbeachcomiccon on Saturday , September 5… BUT, ALL DAY, ALL ORIGINAL ART and PRINTS will be 20% OFF! VINYL STICKERS are $4 each or 3 for $10, BUT if buy the 3 for $10… you will get 1 FREE!

I’m looking to simplify my Con set up and 90% of the prints I will have at the Con will be retired after! So come by and clear me out! BOOTH 448!

I will have a panel as well, details coming soon!

#hodgesart #longbeachcomiccon #comiccon #art #artsale

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Don’t sue @lanpitts, @therealjimdavis

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