Ricardo Liniers on Macanudo, Music, and Making Comics a Daily Tightrope Walk
If you’ve ever stumbled across Macanudo, chances are you’ve been charmed by its penguins, witches, or a perfectly odd joke about Back to the Future. This week on Inside the Kingdom, we sat down with cartoonist Ricardo Liniers—fresh from winning his second Reuben Award for Best Newspaper Comic Strip—to talk about how his strip came to life, why he loves mixing pop culture into his comics, and what’s next for him.
For Ricardo, Macanudo started back in 2002 with a simple idea: capture his best thought of the day. That daily practice turned into a strip that fans around the world connect with—whether it’s whimsical one day, poetic the next, or a wry commentary on everyday life. As Ricardo told us, sometimes there isn’t even a punchline: “If I have a good idea, I’m fine with just putting the idea out there.”
Of course, fans know the strip’s cast is what keeps us coming back. The penguins are constant favorites, but Ricardo loves weaving in cultural touchstones too. One of the moments that hooked many readers (including our host!) was his Back to the Future gag that asked the all-important question: why are Marty and Doc casually standing in fire? It’s that mix of humor, heart, and curiosity that makes Macanudo feel so alive.
Ricardo also shared how his love of comics began with his father, who introduced him to Mad Magazine and Argentina’s beloved Mafalda. Those early influences gave Macanudo its unique DNA: part playfulness, part sharp-eyed satire, and always a little subversive.
But Ricardo isn’t just about the comics page. He’s also teamed up with musician Kevin Johansen on a touring live show where he draws while Kevin performs—yes, it’s as cool as it sounds. Their collaboration even became a record and illustrated jacket. Coming up, Ricardo’s working on a new project with musician Cosmo Sheldrake, bringing yet another layer of creativity to his already packed career.
For fans, that means more Macanudo to enjoy alongside these extra projects. You can read Macanudo every day on Comics Kingdom, in newspapers, and in beautiful collections from Fantagraphics.
We’re so glad Ricardo joined us to celebrate his latest Reuben win and share the magic behind his strip. Whether you’ve been reading for years or you’re just meeting the penguins for the first time, this is the perfect time to fall in love with Macanudo.
Want more? Listen to the full conversation with Ricardo Liniers on this episode of Inside the Kingdom:
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