Ian McDowell
@ianmcdowell.bsky.social
Words. Pictures. Novels: Mordred's Curse & Merlin's Gift. Short stories in Asimov's, anthologies ("Geraldine" in Love in Vein). Journalism for YES! Weekly, Yo Greensboro
My love @superamanda.bsky.social & I have walked downtown multiple times in the past few years and never felt unsafe. Nor have I in the over 30 years of doing that before I met her.
My latest article is about how crime statistics do not support the narrative that downtown #Greensboro is disproportionately dangerous. Multiple white men are arguing with this in Facebook comments, often without having read the article.
www.yesweekly.com/business/pol...
www.yesweekly.com/business/pol...
Police, business owners say downtown not dangerous
According to the Greensboro Police Department, violent crime is not more prevalent downtown than elsewhere in the city. Some who live, work, or regularly visit there agree.
www.yesweekly.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:35 PM
My love @superamanda.bsky.social & I have walked downtown multiple times in the past few years and never felt unsafe. Nor have I in the over 30 years of doing that before I met her.
My latest article is about how crime statistics do not support the narrative that downtown #Greensboro is disproportionately dangerous. Multiple white men are arguing with this in Facebook comments, often without having read the article.
www.yesweekly.com/business/pol...
www.yesweekly.com/business/pol...
Police, business owners say downtown not dangerous
According to the Greensboro Police Department, violent crime is not more prevalent downtown than elsewhere in the city. Some who live, work, or regularly visit there agree.
www.yesweekly.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 PM
My latest article is about how crime statistics do not support the narrative that downtown #Greensboro is disproportionately dangerous. Multiple white men are arguing with this in Facebook comments, often without having read the article.
www.yesweekly.com/business/pol...
www.yesweekly.com/business/pol...
I stupidly tagged the wrong man in my skeet about Eric Larson making this reply to Monica Valentinelli on Facebook.
It’s NOT comics artist/writer/publisher Erik Larsen, to whom I apologize.
It’s Eric Larson, whom I believe has been a Fan Guest of Honor at Gen Con.
It’s NOT comics artist/writer/publisher Erik Larsen, to whom I apologize.
It’s Eric Larson, whom I believe has been a Fan Guest of Honor at Gen Con.
February 7, 2026 at 1:12 AM
I stupidly tagged the wrong man in my skeet about Eric Larson making this reply to Monica Valentinelli on Facebook.
It’s NOT comics artist/writer/publisher Erik Larsen, to whom I apologize.
It’s Eric Larson, whom I believe has been a Fan Guest of Honor at Gen Con.
It’s NOT comics artist/writer/publisher Erik Larsen, to whom I apologize.
It’s Eric Larson, whom I believe has been a Fan Guest of Honor at Gen Con.
I did not have DGI President Zack Matheny blaming Ozempic for #GSO restaurant closures on my bingo card. My cover store in the latest YES! Weekly.
@DanDosSantos.bsky.social @SuperAmanda.bsky.social
www.yesweekly.com/business/sor...
@DanDosSantos.bsky.social @SuperAmanda.bsky.social
www.yesweekly.com/business/sor...
Sorry, We’re Closed: Matheny, Mayor, and business owners comment on closures
According to Zack Matheny, president of Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI), there are multiple reasons for recent restaurant closings in the municipal district his tax-funded organization administers.
www.yesweekly.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I did not have DGI President Zack Matheny blaming Ozempic for #GSO restaurant closures on my bingo card. My cover store in the latest YES! Weekly.
@DanDosSantos.bsky.social @SuperAmanda.bsky.social
www.yesweekly.com/business/sor...
@DanDosSantos.bsky.social @SuperAmanda.bsky.social
www.yesweekly.com/business/sor...
Look at this kvetching Karenating killjoy complaining about TCM showing three Marvin the Martian cartoons before William Cameron Menzies’ INVADERS FROM MARS. What a maroon.
#TCMparty #InvadersFromMars
#TCMparty #InvadersFromMars
February 5, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Look at this kvetching Karenating killjoy complaining about TCM showing three Marvin the Martian cartoons before William Cameron Menzies’ INVADERS FROM MARS. What a maroon.
#TCMparty #InvadersFromMars
#TCMparty #InvadersFromMars
Reposted by Ian McDowell
Apparently, it's okay for armed agents of the state to seize a man from a church, but not okay for journalists to report on a protest taking place at a church.
“Terror at a house of God.”
“Our Beloved Church was desecrated by immigration agents who entered our property wearing masks and carrying weapons.”
ktla.com/news/local-n...
“Our Beloved Church was desecrated by immigration agents who entered our property wearing masks and carrying weapons.”
ktla.com/news/local-n...
ktla.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Apparently, it's okay for armed agents of the state to seize a man from a church, but not okay for journalists to report on a protest taking place at a church.
Yesterday, my love @superamanda.bsky.social and I spent hours down this rabbit hole, as they were her childhood environs and I only knew Berkley from reading about it until she took me there. Exploring this time capsule with her was magical.
Halloween 1976 issue of the BERKELEY BARB.
There’s a never-before reprinted short story by Fritz Leiber (clearly the genesis of OUR LADY OF DARKNESS), a history of drag & a feature in which Ursula K Le Guin, Mayor George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Grace Slick say what scares them.
There’s a never-before reprinted short story by Fritz Leiber (clearly the genesis of OUR LADY OF DARKNESS), a history of drag & a feature in which Ursula K Le Guin, Mayor George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Grace Slick say what scares them.
February 1, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Yesterday, my love @superamanda.bsky.social and I spent hours down this rabbit hole, as they were her childhood environs and I only knew Berkley from reading about it until she took me there. Exploring this time capsule with her was magical.
I’m glad that Moshe Feder, who thinks people who use the term “AI Slop” are bigots, is at least semi-retired from Tor.
February 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM
I’m glad that Moshe Feder, who thinks people who use the term “AI Slop” are bigots, is at least semi-retired from Tor.
Halloween 1976 issue of the BERKELEY BARB.
There’s a never-before reprinted short story by Fritz Leiber (clearly the genesis of OUR LADY OF DARKNESS), a history of drag & a feature in which Ursula K Le Guin, Mayor George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Grace Slick say what scares them.
There’s a never-before reprinted short story by Fritz Leiber (clearly the genesis of OUR LADY OF DARKNESS), a history of drag & a feature in which Ursula K Le Guin, Mayor George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Grace Slick say what scares them.
February 1, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Halloween 1976 issue of the BERKELEY BARB.
There’s a never-before reprinted short story by Fritz Leiber (clearly the genesis of OUR LADY OF DARKNESS), a history of drag & a feature in which Ursula K Le Guin, Mayor George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Grace Slick say what scares them.
There’s a never-before reprinted short story by Fritz Leiber (clearly the genesis of OUR LADY OF DARKNESS), a history of drag & a feature in which Ursula K Le Guin, Mayor George Moscone, Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Grace Slick say what scares them.
Reposted by Ian McDowell
The word is Murdered.
ICE murdered an ICU nurse.
ICE murdered an ICU nurse.
January 24, 2026 at 9:58 PM
The word is Murdered.
ICE murdered an ICU nurse.
ICE murdered an ICU nurse.
My cover story about the passing of the civil rights & labor organizer who, after the #GreensboroMassacre, threw herself between Nelson Johnson (who was still bleeding from the Nazi knife thrust through his arm) & the officers kicking him in the head.
www.yesweekly.com/news/a-champ...
www.yesweekly.com/news/a-champ...
A Champion of Justice: Triad Civil Rights Icon, Willena Cannon, dies
“The passing of Willena Cannon is a major loss to all who fight for justice,” said Brigette E. Rasberry, executive director of the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, about the
www.yesweekly.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:46 PM
My cover story about the passing of the civil rights & labor organizer who, after the #GreensboroMassacre, threw herself between Nelson Johnson (who was still bleeding from the Nazi knife thrust through his arm) & the officers kicking him in the head.
www.yesweekly.com/news/a-champ...
www.yesweekly.com/news/a-champ...
A Champion of Justice: Triad Civil Rights Icon, Willena Cannon, dies
“The passing of Willena Cannon is a major loss to all who fight for justice,” said Brigette E. Rasberry, executive director of the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, about the
www.yesweekly.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:38 PM
My cover story about the passing of the civil rights & labor organizer who, after the #GreensboroMassacre, threw herself between Nelson Johnson (who was still bleeding from the Nazi knife thrust through his arm) & the officers kicking him in the head.
www.yesweekly.com/news/a-champ...
www.yesweekly.com/news/a-champ...
Reposted by Ian McDowell
Nope, never made. But it was advertised in VARIETY back in the day!
January 19, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Nope, never made. But it was advertised in VARIETY back in the day!
Reposted by Ian McDowell
3 Prosecutors Quit After Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:43 PM
@patrickzircher.bsky.social is doing my favorite Howard-inspired comics since Barry Windsor Smith left Conan.
#5 Best comic of 2025— Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #4 by @patrickzircher.bsky.social. I’ve revisited this series multiple times this year — it’s just a joy. Top-tier craftsmanship throughout, and Zircher absolutely sticks the landing. Hope he does more of these.
#BestOf2025 #ComicSky #Comics2025
#BestOf2025 #ComicSky #Comics2025
January 5, 2026 at 9:11 PM
@patrickzircher.bsky.social is doing my favorite Howard-inspired comics since Barry Windsor Smith left Conan.
My article about how #Greensboro Mayor removed chair of the Minimum Housing Standards Commission for “disrespectful tone” towards a city attorney. Several commissioners called this “retaliation” for his accusing the city of protecting slumlords.
www.yesweekly.com/news/mayor-r...
www.yesweekly.com/news/mayor-r...
Mayor removes housing chair
At the end of the Nov. 19 meeting of the Greensboro Minimum Housing Standards Commission (MHSC), Chair Franklin Scott described how Durham City Council passed an ordinance making it illegal
www.yesweekly.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:48 PM
My article about how #Greensboro Mayor removed chair of the Minimum Housing Standards Commission for “disrespectful tone” towards a city attorney. Several commissioners called this “retaliation” for his accusing the city of protecting slumlords.
www.yesweekly.com/news/mayor-r...
www.yesweekly.com/news/mayor-r...
#ChristopherLee as Manolo the Uruguayan bartender in The Battle of the River Plate (1956) by #PowellAndPressburger.
#TCMparty
#TCMparty
December 13, 2025 at 5:49 AM
#ChristopherLee as Manolo the Uruguayan bartender in The Battle of the River Plate (1956) by #PowellAndPressburger.
#TCMparty
#TCMparty
Reposted by Ian McDowell
This is the chapter where you either think wtf, or this book is amazing.
I squeezed that sperm till a strange sort of insanity came over me
December 12, 2025 at 3:51 PM
This is the chapter where you either think wtf, or this book is amazing.
Realtor coalition sent outgoing #Greensboro Mayor email urging the removal of housing commissioners’ duties to study rental rates & inspect apartments. In one of their last official acts, outgoing city council voted to do that.
www.yesweekly.com/news/council...
www.yesweekly.com/news/council...
Council removes commission’s power to study rising rents, inspect apartments
On Nov. 18, former N.C. House majority whip Jon Hardister sent outgoing Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan an email from the Triad Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition (TREBIC). In it,
www.yesweekly.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Realtor coalition sent outgoing #Greensboro Mayor email urging the removal of housing commissioners’ duties to study rental rates & inspect apartments. In one of their last official acts, outgoing city council voted to do that.
www.yesweekly.com/news/council...
www.yesweekly.com/news/council...
While I’ve seen several of the other 1970s BBC #GhostStoriesForChristmas, I’d not watched this one until yesterday with @superamanda.bsky.social
Wonderful avenging kitty who kills the corrupt Archdeacon Haynes w/ “death by fluffy pantaloons” in the BBC’s THE STALLS OF BARCHESTER CATHEDRAL (Lawrence Gordon Clark 1971)
This great short film retelling of M.R. James was the inaugural Christmas Ghost Story for the beeb @ianmcdowell.bsky.social
This great short film retelling of M.R. James was the inaugural Christmas Ghost Story for the beeb @ianmcdowell.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 9:30 PM
While I’ve seen several of the other 1970s BBC #GhostStoriesForChristmas, I’d not watched this one until yesterday with @superamanda.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 3:20 AM
My article from 6 years ago includes how we once celebrated Thanksgiving by watching #Godzilla marathons and why the Confederacy condemned the holiday as Yankee abolitionist propaganda.
www.yesweekly.com/news/5-fun-f...
www.yesweekly.com/news/5-fun-f...
5 fun facts for Thanksgiving table talk
*Editor’s note: There was a typo in one of the years in the last Thanksgiving fact. Godzilla and King Kong Day flourished between 1976 and 1985. It has been fixed
www.yesweekly.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
My article from 6 years ago includes how we once celebrated Thanksgiving by watching #Godzilla marathons and why the Confederacy condemned the holiday as Yankee abolitionist propaganda.
www.yesweekly.com/news/5-fun-f...
www.yesweekly.com/news/5-fun-f...
I also asked the Republican-appointed Board of Elections chair about his claim that one has to “be born here” to have constitutional rights.
www.yesweekly.com/news/voting-...
www.yesweekly.com/news/voting-...
Voting not a right, says county election board chair
At the Nov. 18 meeting of the Guilford County elections board, chair Eugene Lester called voting a privilege rather than a right.
www.yesweekly.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I also asked the Republican-appointed Board of Elections chair about his claim that one has to “be born here” to have constitutional rights.
www.yesweekly.com/news/voting-...
www.yesweekly.com/news/voting-...
#AnnaMayWong & #VincentPrice in John Gerard & Lawrence Langner’s Princess Turandot at the Westchester Playhouse in 1937. According to Victoria Price, they were in love, but marriage was illegal under racist US laws.
#TCMparty @superamanda.bsky.social
#TCMparty @superamanda.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 AM
#AnnaMayWong & #VincentPrice in John Gerard & Lawrence Langner’s Princess Turandot at the Westchester Playhouse in 1937. According to Victoria Price, they were in love, but marriage was illegal under racist US laws.
#TCMparty @superamanda.bsky.social
#TCMparty @superamanda.bsky.social
I want to thanks @LordRetail.bsky.social for putting me in touch with #MarkWade , whom I think was right to call #MurphyAnderson the first comic book fan turned comic book pro.
November 20, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I want to thanks @LordRetail.bsky.social for putting me in touch with #MarkWade , whom I think was right to call #MurphyAnderson the first comic book fan turned comic book pro.