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New Dutch newspaper comic and exhibition pays tribute to the “Sunday Funnies” of yesteryear

By John Freeman on March 3, 2023

Amsterdam-based cartoonist Chad Bilyeu has revived the “polychromatic effulgence” and sheer huge broadsheet impact of classic American Sunday comic strip newspaper supplements with his latest project. Megillah Sunday Funnies, a print newspaper and exhibition at Openbare Bibliotheek, Amsterdam, evokes memories of the Sunday strips of “Gasoline Alley”, “Little Nemo in Slumberland”, “Popeye”, “Krazy Kat” and more.

The exhibition opens today, Friday 3rd March and runs until Friday 26th May 2023.

“I thought it would be a great idea to bring back the full-page, full-colour comics that were once the norm in the Sunday comic section,” says Chad. He’s curated an international array of 35 artists who have created new and original artwork in the same format as the renowned classics rendered in contemporary styles with a modern spirit.

Contributors range from Audra Stang, Jay Stephens, Rich Tommaso, Gary Dumm & Laura Dumm and Yvan Guillo, alias ‘Samplerman’, to Bernie Mireault, Typex and Britain’s Michael Kennedy.

Alongside the exhibition, 2000 copies of the Megillah Sunday Funnies have been printed in colour on newsprint.

“’There are two ways to get a physical copy of this complimentary newspaper,” says Chad. “Either visit the exhibit and pick up a free copy, or get a free copy sent with any order from my storefront, Bistro Books.

“Once the 2000 physical editions are gone, they are gone forever; one run and then we’re done.”

• Megillah Sunday Funnies, exhibition at Openbare Bibliotheek, OBA Oosterdok, Oosterdokskade 143, 1011 DL Amsterdam, Friday 3rd March and runs until Friday 26th May 2023 | Launch event details on Facebook | Web: oba.nl |

• Get a copy of the newspaper by ordering items through chadinamsterdam.nl/ – while stocks last

• Follow Chad Bilyeu on Twitter @chadinamsterdam | Facebook | Instagram

Here’s the line-up of all 35 contributors:
Audra Stang • Bernie Mireault • Boyane One • Chris Visions • Delicious Brains • Dido Drachman • Dotsy • EKS graphics • Eryc Why • Gary & Laura Dumm • Gees Voorhees • George Adegite • Gnartoons • James Corcoran • Jay Stephens • Jeroen Funke • John G • Joost Halbertsma • Lae Schäfer • Larie Cook • Michael Hacker • Michael Kennedy • Monica Gallagher • Peter van den Hoogen • Rachelle Meyer • Raeghan Buchanan • Remco Lee Polman • Renate Stuger & Sai Rodrigues • Rich Tommaso • Ryan Heshka • Samplerman • Schwantz • Sterric • The Unividuals • Typex

With thanks to James Corcoran and Paul Gravett

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.