John Lees
@johnlees.bsky.social
I write comics! ORLA!, SINK, GRAWLGORE & SHANKS, THE NASTY, THE CRIMSON CAGE, AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE, MOUNTAINHEAD, HOTELL.
Website/newsletter: johnleescomics.com
Online shop: johnleescomics.bigcartel.com
Patreon: patreon.com/johnlees
Website/newsletter: johnleescomics.com
Online shop: johnleescomics.bigcartel.com
Patreon: patreon.com/johnlees
Pinned
John Lees
@johnlees.bsky.social
· Nov 8
I see we're doing (re)intros here as more comics folk migrate to BlueSky, so here goes. I'm John Lees. I'm a writer based in Glasgow, Scotland. Credits include Sink, And Then Emily Was Gone, Hotell, The Crimson Cage, Mountainhead, The Standard, Oxymoron: The Loveliest Nightmare, TMNT and The Nasty.
I’ve said this before, but it really is appalling that the only part of Brianna Ghey’s story that has moved the Government to say, “This is horrible and unacceptable, we must take action so this never happens again” is her being able to find solace and friendship in an online trans youth community.
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
Esther Ghey says daughter’s eating disorder and self-harm had been exacerbated by harmful online content
The mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has urged Keir Starmer to ban social media for under-16s, adding to growing pressure on the prime minister before a crunch vote on the issue on Wednesday.
Esther Ghey wrote to Starmer on Monday explaining in detail how she felt her daughter’s eating disorder and self-harm had been exacerbated by TikTok influencers with whom she had become obsessed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:32 PM
I’ve said this before, but it really is appalling that the only part of Brianna Ghey’s story that has moved the Government to say, “This is horrible and unacceptable, we must take action so this never happens again” is her being able to find solace and friendship in an online trans youth community.
Reposted by John Lees
Brianna Ghey was targeted by classmates who knew her offline. Online, she made friends and a community, and was making content to help other trans kids like her.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
Mother of murdered Brianna Ghey urges Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
Esther Ghey says daughter’s eating disorder and self-harm had been exacerbated by harmful online content
The mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has urged Keir Starmer to ban social media for under-16s, adding to growing pressure on the prime minister before a crunch vote on the issue on Wednesday.
Esther Ghey wrote to Starmer on Monday explaining in detail how she felt her daughter’s eating disorder and self-harm had been exacerbated by TikTok influencers with whom she had become obsessed. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Brianna Ghey was targeted by classmates who knew her offline. Online, she made friends and a community, and was making content to help other trans kids like her.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
This is a grieving mother pushing for legislation that would have further isolated her trans child, that is supported by transphobes.
Reposted by John Lees
Reminder that the mayor of the largest city in the country, in the state Schumer is Senator of, campaigned on all of these things and Schumer refused to endorse him.
NEW: In this interview, Chuck Schumer describes the "five buckets" Dems think are key to their possibly winning a Senate majority in 2026: housing, "the high price of food [and] food monopolies playing a major role there," electricity, "the high cost of childcare," and health care.
Zero Chucks Left to Give
Chuck Schumer now sees a path back to the majority. Can he manage his way through it?
www.thebulwark.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reminder that the mayor of the largest city in the country, in the state Schumer is Senator of, campaigned on all of these things and Schumer refused to endorse him.
Wild that this is going on in America and there are still career politicians who think the way to keep their finger on the pulse of what concerns their voters is to focus on housing, electricity and the cost of childcare.
This is what happened in our neighborhood yesterday. ICE snatched a human being off of our streets, roughed them up badly, and then pepper sprayed legal observers as they documented it all. This is a daily occurrence happening all throughout Minnesota right now.
January 19, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Wild that this is going on in America and there are still career politicians who think the way to keep their finger on the pulse of what concerns their voters is to focus on housing, electricity and the cost of childcare.
Reposted by John Lees
I've long considered Chris Farley to be America's Toshiro Mifune.
January 19, 2026 at 1:16 PM
I've long considered Chris Farley to be America's Toshiro Mifune.
Reposted by John Lees
Democrats should be the ultimate champions of immigration. “We won two world wars and invented the internet because immigrants get the job done.”
Instead they’ve squandered decades chasing the gop on “border security” shit.
Instead they’ve squandered decades chasing the gop on “border security” shit.
January 19, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Democrats should be the ultimate champions of immigration. “We won two world wars and invented the internet because immigrants get the job done.”
Instead they’ve squandered decades chasing the gop on “border security” shit.
Instead they’ve squandered decades chasing the gop on “border security” shit.
If you’re a fan of arse, then ORLA! - from the cheeked-up creative coalition of me, @sallycantirino.bsky.social, @dearbhlala.bsky.social, @letteringbear.bsky.social & @madcavestudios.com - might be the comic for you! Bottoms up on 3rd March!
January 19, 2026 at 12:44 PM
If you’re a fan of arse, then ORLA! - from the cheeked-up creative coalition of me, @sallycantirino.bsky.social, @dearbhlala.bsky.social, @letteringbear.bsky.social & @madcavestudios.com - might be the comic for you! Bottoms up on 3rd March!
Reposted by John Lees
Some people say Keir Starmer has been dealt a bad hand.
We're still in January and he's already signed a defence deal with Palantir - knowing full well how unpredictable and dangerous the US President is.
We're way past the point of giving pleading appeasement speeches.
We're still in January and he's already signed a defence deal with Palantir - knowing full well how unpredictable and dangerous the US President is.
We're way past the point of giving pleading appeasement speeches.
When Trump says "one way or another we're going to have Greenland" - we should sit up and listen.
Time for British leaders to stop burying their heads in the sand.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Time for British leaders to stop burying their heads in the sand.
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Trump's threat to Greenland must be a wake up call for Britain
For too long our politicians have toadied to a dangerous president
www.newstatesman.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Some people say Keir Starmer has been dealt a bad hand.
We're still in January and he's already signed a defence deal with Palantir - knowing full well how unpredictable and dangerous the US President is.
We're way past the point of giving pleading appeasement speeches.
We're still in January and he's already signed a defence deal with Palantir - knowing full well how unpredictable and dangerous the US President is.
We're way past the point of giving pleading appeasement speeches.
Reposted by John Lees
It's almost time for [REDACTED]: Book Two of the Eynhallow Saga!
Here's some sneak peeks to help you get ready (you'll never be ready enough 🗡️🏰🥀)
Here's some sneak peeks to help you get ready (you'll never be ready enough 🗡️🏰🥀)
January 19, 2026 at 10:19 AM
It's almost time for [REDACTED]: Book Two of the Eynhallow Saga!
Here's some sneak peeks to help you get ready (you'll never be ready enough 🗡️🏰🥀)
Here's some sneak peeks to help you get ready (you'll never be ready enough 🗡️🏰🥀)
Not one of these buckets is called “abolish ICE,” which reaffirms my belief that Chuck needs chucked into a big metaphorical bucket of his own.
NEW: In this interview, Chuck Schumer describes the "five buckets" Dems think are key to their possibly winning a Senate majority in 2026: housing, "the high price of food [and] food monopolies playing a major role there," electricity, "the high cost of childcare," and health care.
Zero Chucks Left to Give
Chuck Schumer now sees a path back to the majority. Can he manage his way through it?
www.thebulwark.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Not one of these buckets is called “abolish ICE,” which reaffirms my belief that Chuck needs chucked into a big metaphorical bucket of his own.
Reposted by John Lees
I feel like America plotting to annex Greenland while masked state goons terrorise their own communities at will should encourage British press and politicians to reflect on what happens when you act like "far right" is an unfair slur rather than a necessary descriptor of a real political position.
January 19, 2026 at 8:26 AM
I feel like America plotting to annex Greenland while masked state goons terrorise their own communities at will should encourage British press and politicians to reflect on what happens when you act like "far right" is an unfair slur rather than a necessary descriptor of a real political position.
I really hope It Happens soon.
January 19, 2026 at 8:58 AM
I really hope It Happens soon.
Reposted by John Lees
This is probably the most accurate description.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have basically mobilized into a war economy of mutual aid and non-violent defense. I’ve never seen anything like it, even during Covid. People who barely vote are guarding their schools from ICE and doing the shopping for neighbors in hiding.
This is so smart. I’m so impressed with all the different ways you’re helping your neighbors.
January 19, 2026 at 2:44 AM
This is probably the most accurate description.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Someone in their mid-50s today told me that this is the first time he had thought about or been affected by politics. And that guy is actively guarding buildings and his coworkers from ICE.
Reposted by John Lees
Holy shit a thing just happened with @luisgodoyii.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Holy shit a thing just happened with @luisgodoyii.bsky.social
Reposted by John Lees
I posted about the fifth detained death less than 24 hours ago. Now, ICE reports its sixth detained death of 2026. Call your representatives in Congress now and tell them no more funding for detention. ICE clearly can’t handle it.
January 18, 2026 at 5:45 PM
I posted about the fifth detained death less than 24 hours ago. Now, ICE reports its sixth detained death of 2026. Call your representatives in Congress now and tell them no more funding for detention. ICE clearly can’t handle it.
Reposted by John Lees
LAUNCHING THIS TUESDAY!
Get yourself signed up now!
Get yourself signed up now!
SINK YOUR TEETH IN #1
By @zoewithasword.bsky.social, @laurenknight.bsky.social, @longtalljodie.com, @cerealpancake.bsky.social and me!
Coming to Kickstarter on January 20th!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dea...
By @zoewithasword.bsky.social, @laurenknight.bsky.social, @longtalljodie.com, @cerealpancake.bsky.social and me!
Coming to Kickstarter on January 20th!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/dea...
Coming soon: SINK YOUR TEETH IN #1 - Mature Sapphic Noir Chicago Vampires
An undead PI hunts a missing vamp, facing ancient Mob Families, corrupt cops, & a past she buried to survive. Zoe Tunnell/Lauren Knight
www.kickstarter.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:38 PM
LAUNCHING THIS TUESDAY!
Get yourself signed up now!
Get yourself signed up now!
Reposted by John Lees
Respectfully, I am going to whisper to some of our white comrades a truth that should be more widely known: You definitely have some ancestors to be proud of, ancestors who refused white supremacy, and poured out their lives in many of these struggles over time.
Time to claim your true history.
Time to claim your true history.
January 17, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Respectfully, I am going to whisper to some of our white comrades a truth that should be more widely known: You definitely have some ancestors to be proud of, ancestors who refused white supremacy, and poured out their lives in many of these struggles over time.
Time to claim your true history.
Time to claim your true history.
As grim as it is unsurprising, but the key detail here is “mass AI layoff.” The CEO class will gladly accept a sharp decline in quality as a price to pay for the chance to stiff human beings out of work and pay.
January 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM
As grim as it is unsurprising, but the key detail here is “mass AI layoff.” The CEO class will gladly accept a sharp decline in quality as a price to pay for the chance to stiff human beings out of work and pay.
The thing that gets me about Gavin Newsom is nobody is actually enthused about him as a Presidential candidate. Every post in “support” seems to be some feverish trolley-problem hypothetical of “If Newsom gets chosen over every other candidate you’ll REALLY let fascism win by not voting for him?!”
Ben Shapiro: "Israel did not commit a genocide in Gaza"
Gavin Newsom: "I agree with you."
Gavin Newsom: "I agree with you."
January 18, 2026 at 10:36 AM
The thing that gets me about Gavin Newsom is nobody is actually enthused about him as a Presidential candidate. Every post in “support” seems to be some feverish trolley-problem hypothetical of “If Newsom gets chosen over every other candidate you’ll REALLY let fascism win by not voting for him?!”
Reposted by John Lees
Might fuck around and have a Knights and ladies phase again.
January 16, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Might fuck around and have a Knights and ladies phase again.
Reposted by John Lees
This conspiracy theory makes me feel like I’m losing my mind. The Stranger Things finale was over 2 hours along, about 45 minutes of which was an extended epilogue where they THOROUGHLY wrapped up the story of every major character. In what reality would they make this a fake-out for a REAL ending?
stranger things "there's gotta be one more episode, bro, there's gotta be" conspiracy copeposting is one of my favorite things right now and i had to show you the highlighted bit.
January 18, 2026 at 5:59 AM
This conspiracy theory makes me feel like I’m losing my mind. The Stranger Things finale was over 2 hours along, about 45 minutes of which was an extended epilogue where they THOROUGHLY wrapped up the story of every major character. In what reality would they make this a fake-out for a REAL ending?
Reposted by John Lees
ICE provoking all-out war against the Furries is one of those pivotal fatal flaws that will be studied in military textbooks for decades to come.
January 18, 2026 at 12:23 AM
ICE provoking all-out war against the Furries is one of those pivotal fatal flaws that will be studied in military textbooks for decades to come.
Reposted by John Lees
It's beginning to look like all of those guns Americans buy to keep government in check were only ever bought for school shootings.
January 17, 2026 at 5:16 PM
It's beginning to look like all of those guns Americans buy to keep government in check were only ever bought for school shootings.
Reposted by John Lees
It's a shame more white men over 35 aren't yelling at them then. Get to work.
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
January 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM
It's a shame more white men over 35 aren't yelling at them then. Get to work.