Legalization Nation

I’m still trying to process the 80th Annual Reuben Awards. For three days in Columbus, Ohio; cartoonists, illustrators, wirters, animators, editors, and fans came together to celebrate the people who make this art from so special. The National Cartoonists Society was founding in 1946, and there was something really meaningful about marking 80 years in a city with such a deep connection to cartooning history. Columbus was an amazing host. Between the National Cartoonists Society conference, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, and the energy around Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, the whole weekend felt like a love letter to the craft. And honestly, I felt like a kid in the candy store! Working with King Features means I get to be around some truly legendary creators, but imposter syndrome definitely creeps in sometimes. Then you find yourself standing in a room with cartoonists whose work you’ve admired for years, talking shop, sharing a laugh, or watching them draw for a crowd, and it all becomes altogether rewarding. King Features was proud to be represented by an incredible group of nominees: Ricardo Siri, better known as Liniers (Macanudo), Ricardo Martinez (Goomer), […]

On this episode of Inside the Kingdom, we sit down with award-winning cartoonist Brian “Box” Brown about his Comics Kingdom series Legalization Nation—a comic strip that cuts through the confusion surrounding cannabis policy, business, and culture. Best known for nonfiction graphic novels like Andre the Giant and Is This Guy for Real?, Brown has long been drawn to true stories. But Legalization Nation marks a shift toward weekly, journalism-driven comics. The strip breaks down complex issues such as regulation, safety, and corporate influence in a format that’s accessible, engaging, and free of fear-based narratives that often dominate cannabis coverage. Brown’s journey to nonfiction comics began when he discovered autobiographical and alternative comics in the mid-2000s. Inspired by creators like James Kochalka and Craig Thompson, he realized that comics could tell real-life stories with depth and intimacy. After years of biography work, and writing Cannabis: The Illegalization of Weed in America, he found himself wanting a faster, more responsive creative outlet. That instinct, paired with frustrations around cannabis misinformation, sparked Legalization Nation. Today, the strip reaches industry insiders, casual readers, and even policymakers—some of whom use Brown’s panels to explain issues […]