Please sign up for the Tom the Dancing Bug subscription service, the Inner Hive, and join the team that supports Tom the Dancing Bug’s very existence. Joining HERE is easy and fun.
And if you’re interested in exploring options, there are a number of ways you can choose to join: Info here.
I’ll be spending a couple of hours at the MoCCA Arts Fest in NYC, a very cool alternative comics festival, this Sunday, signing/sketching/selling books*, palling around, chin wagging, fist-bumping, moonwalking, kissing babies, and toasting beers (you bring the beers, and we’ll toast!)
As always, check my Bluesky account just in case there are any last minute changes.
Sunday, March 29 11am-2:30pm, Table 68 (National Cartoonists Society Table) MoCCA Arts Fest 125 West 18th Street, NYC
Admission required *Signed/sketched books sold at cover price
Okay, if you’ve ever thought of signing up for Tom the Dancing Bug’s Inner Hive, doing it now would do some extra good.
From now (Tuesday, 3/10/26, 4pm ET) until midnight, the night of 3/27/26 (ET), if you sign up for any annual Inner Hive membership, I’ll donate $33* to theDemocracy Defenders Fund.
“At Democracy Defenders Fund, we take action to ensure we will keep—and strengthen—our republic and democratic institutions. We are leading the fight to defend the rule of law, end corruption, and protect democracy.”
These guys are constantly litigating, successfully, to protect Americans’ Constitutional rights, including the right to vote. They’ve sued the Trump administration 265 times.
More about what they’ve done and what they are doing can be found below. But first:
👉 You can purchase an annual membership on Patreon here (Toggle the “Pay annually” switch, then choose a Tier).
👉 You can purchase an annual membership on Substack here. (Hit the Subscribe button, and choose a paid annual membership).
Members of the Inner Hive get each week’s Tom the Dancing Bug comic emailed to them at least a day before it’s published, plus extra comics, commentary, exclusive info, jokes, puppy pics, process photos, inside scoops, juicy celeb gossip, etc., etc.
So, join the Inner Hive today, and you’ll not only join the team that supports Tom the Dancing Bug’s very existence and get exclusive Tom the Dancing Bug comics and content, but the base rate* of an Inner Hive membership will be donated to fight the Trump Administration’s anti-American, anti-Democracy fascism.
And here is more about what the Democracy Defenders Fund has done and is continuing to do:
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*$33 (comes to $2.79 per month) is the base price of an annual Inner Hive membership on Patreon.
(If you want to avoid automatic recurring payments and third-party corporate subscriptions, you can join the Inner Hive on a two-year non-recurring membership, directly from me. Joining on this type of membership will also trigger the donation.)
I will be attending my second Phil Collins Day this year in Brooklyn, on February 14. Phil Collins is a beloved Tom the Dancing Bug character, and this year, I’ve named myself Grand Marshall of the event, so I’m deeply honored.
You might ask: What is Phil Collins Day? And is Phil Collins himself involved? And the answers are: It’s complicated. And No, not even a little.
If you’re in or near NYC and would like to join me in a celebration of the Chiswick Charmer*, please do. I’ll be wearing a yellow baseball cap; say Hi, and we’ll exchange fist bumps and maybe some Phil Collins anecdotes. I’ll be giving away some little Tom the Dancing Bug souvenirs to any Tom the Dancing Bug readers in attendance.
I plan to attend for most of the event; check @rubenbolling on Bluesky for updates the day of the event.
I’m also donating a sketched/signed Tom the Dancing Bug book to be raffled off at the event, which benefits Education Through Music. I’ll also bring an extra book or two in case anyone wants to buy one (cover price, signed etc.).
By the way, full info is here, but to clarify: Berry Park is not a park, but is an indoor bar/music venue.
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*Yes, The Chiswick Charmer is the new nickname I just made up for Phil Collins, born in Chiswick, London.
I rarely sell original artwork, and haven’t done so for years. But I decided to put last week’s comic up for sale. It’s only been out one week, and it’s already one of the most popular comics I’ve ever done.
It’s a Richard Scarry homage: “A Busy, Busy Immigration Enforcement Action”
Finished piece:
You can bid $3,000 or more by sending an email to tomdbug at gmail dot com, subject: BUSY ORIGINAL, by Monday, 1/26/26.
Purchaser also gets a high-resolution file of the finished comic, for printing. In the case of a tie, or a virtual tie, high bidders will be given a second chance to bid. Purchaser pays $50 p/h. Result will be kept confidential. I will sign per purchaser’s instructions. Purchaser chosen by me in my sole discretion.
Having completed the Daily Countdown on social media in these final days of 2025, I present here, in one virtual space for your reading convenience, the scientifically accurate, objectively unassailable list of THE TOP TEN TOM THE DANCING BUGS OF 2025.
Please do follow along with Tom the Dancing Bug in 2026, in your local newspaper (if you live in one of the few geographic locations that still sees the comic strip in print), on one of its fine online clients, on social media, or, best yet, join the team in the Inner Hive.
1️⃣0️⃣ THE NUMBER TEN TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
“Strike Force Five,” from the week of September 22, when Jimmy Kimmel was suspended
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9️⃣ THE NUMBER NINE TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
“MAGA Goggles,” from the week of July 21
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8️⃣ THE NUMBER EIGHT TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
Elon Musk and His Doge Pals, in “Auto Graft,” from the week of March 10
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7️⃣ THE NUMBER SEVEN TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
SeverVance, from the week of March 31
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6️⃣ THE NUMBER SIX TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
“A Trumpian Christmas,” from the week of 12/15/25
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5️⃣ THE NUMBER FIVE TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
Q-Nuts, in “All Hail the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” from the week of 4/28/25
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4️⃣ THE NUMBER FOUR TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
Hollingsworth Hound, in “The Devil Went Down to HoundCo,” from the week of August 11
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NOTE: The Top Three Tom the Dancing Bugs of 2025 were submitted to the definitive wisdom of the intrepid Inner Hive, and their exclusive vote, one of the many privileges of their membership, determined this final TOP THREE ORDER:
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3️⃣ THE NUMBER THREE TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
“A Busy, Busy Day in Washington, D.C.” from the week of September 29
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2️⃣ THE NUMBER TWO TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
“Know Your ICE Agent,” from the week of June 30
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And
1️⃣ THE NUMBER ONE TOM THE DANCING BUG OF 2025
“The N-Word Is Back!” from the week of March 24
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Thank you for your readership, support and enthusiasm in 2025. You can’t read these comics and fail to realize what a horrible year it was. Sticking together and fighting the oppression, through communication, commiseration, and humor, but also very real protest and democratic mechanisms, is our only hope. Let’s hope for more of that in 2026.
You may purchase the entire 2025 run of Tom the Dancing Bug, top ten and bottom forty, in the form of this handsomely bound pdf, THE 2025 TOM THE DANCING BUG ANNUAL.
Wishing you all a healthy, safe, and prosperous 2026, from all of us (i.e., me) here at Tom the Dancing Bug.
For the first time since their triumphant (and then disastrous) 1995 world tour, Null and the Void tour t-shirts are available, featuring Charley the Australopithecine, the front man for the pioneers of Scream Rock.
They are available in two options (with numerous colors and styles within each):
This holiday season, you can give that special someone(s) a Gift Membership(s) to Tom the Dancing Bug’s INNER HIVE.
That’s right, you can give a loved one / friend / frenemy a membership to the INNER HIVE, and they will receive the weekly INNER HIVE emails EXCLUSIVELY containing:
👉 that week’s Tom the Dancing Bug comic, at least a day before it’s published anywhere online; and
👉 exclusive commentary, extra comics, contests, giveaways, word-find puzzles, advice for the lovelorn, juicy celeb gossip, jokes, palindromes, puppy pics, etc.
👉 and all other benefits and privileges of membership conferred.
How can you give an Inner Hive membership as a gift? Let me count the ways:
✅ You can give a one-year gift Inner Hive membership through MailChimp / CampaignZeehere.
✅ You can give a gift Inner Hive membership at various tiers for up to one year through Patreonhere. You’ll get a link, which you can send to the recipient when you like.
✅ You can give a monthly or annual gift Inner Hive membership through Substackhere, and you can even set a start date.
Yes, it’s the perfect stocking-stuffer! You can give a Tom the Dancing Bug Inner Hive membership, the gift the keeps on giving, every ding-dong week, from the comfort of your own cozy armchair by the fire, with the mere press of a button.
Yes, Black Friday lasts two weeks in Tom the Dancing Bugland.
For a limited time, from now until December 9 (subject to my pulling the plug, at my sole discretion), you can purchase either, or both, of two sets of Tom the Dancing Bug books:
🎁 Holiday Six-Pak
Six of the published books in The Complete Tom the Dancing Bug Library, personalized (if requested) and signed by me, Ruben Bolling, for the low, low price of $199.99. (Cheap.)
You’ll get:
On the Trail of Tom the Dancing Bug, Volume 3, collecting all comics from 1999-2002
Tom the Dancing Bug: All-Mighty Comics, Volume 4, collecting all comics from 2003-2006
Tom the Dancing Bug: Eat the Poor, Volume 5, collecting all comics from 2007-2011
Tom the Dancing Bug Awakens, Volume 6, collecting all comics from 2012-2015
Tom the Dancing Bug: Into the Trumpverse, Volume 7, collecting all comics from 2016-2019
“It’s the Great Storm, Tom the Dancing Bug!” Volume 8, collecting all comics from 2020-2023
You’ll also get two (2) handsome stickers: one for On the Trail, and one for It’s the Great Storm.
🎁 Super Fun Two-Pak
The two companion books for The Complete Tom the Dancing Bug Library, personalized (if requested) and signed by me, Ruben Bolling, for the low, low price of $89.99. (Cheap.)
You’ll get:
The super rare, instantly out-of-print Super-Fun-Pak Comix Reader, collecting all Super-Fun-Pak Comix from its inception in 1997 through 2019
Tom the Dancing Bug, Without the Bad Ones, the very best of Tom the Dancing Bug, 1990-2021
👉 About both packages
Because of the holiday crunch, all orders placed by December 2 are guaranteed to be sent out by USPS media mail ASAP, but no later than December 5. Orders received by December 9 are guaranteed to be sent out no later than USPS media mail by December 12. In my experience, USPS takes 4-8 days, but this holiday season may be unusual, so I suggest you place your order quickly. (Apologies to valued and esteemed non-U.S. readers, but this offer is only good for deliveries within the U.S.)
Yes, you and your loved ones can bask in the warm glow of Tom the Dancing Bug this holiday season!
To buy the Tom the Dancing Bug Holiday Six-Pak, enter the name you’d like the books signed to (if any), and click Buy Now:
$199.99, plus $15 s/h
DEAL EXPIRED
To buy the Super Fun Two-Pak, enter the name you’d like the books signed to (if any), and click Buy Now:
$89.99, plus $7 s/h
DEAL EXPIRED
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👉 Or: SKETCHED books!
And of course, you can still purchase any or all of these books not only personalized and signed, but with a hand-drawn (what other appendage would I use?) SKETCH!Link is here!
Volumes 1 and 2 of The Complete Tom the Dancing Bug have Kickstarted!
UPDATE 11/21: THANK YOU to every one who backed this Kickstarter and made it such a success. We raised TWENTY TIMES the Kickstarter’s goal, and with all these pre-orders in our arms, we are moving to the printing process to get these books in your hands!
As always, you guys have shown why Tom the Dancing Bug readers are the best group of people who have ever walked the face of this planet.
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Volumes 3 through 8 of the Complete Tom the Dancing Bug have been published, but as of today, you can finally pre-order Volumes 1 and 2. These volumes will make The Complete Tom the Dancing Bug… complete!
The Complete Tom the Dancing Bug Library
The volumes are published by Clover Press, and can be pre-ordered only through a limited-time Kickstarter, starting TODAY (10/28)!
The window to get these books closes November 20, 9pm PT.
👉 👉 CLICK HERE <<offer expired>> to get information and/or pre-order Volumes 1 and 2 on Kickstarter!
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! ACT NOW, and you could get this new comic book with your Kickstarter order!
The Trump You! Tom the Dancing Bug comic book
TRUMP YOU! will be a 24-page comic book (not a trade paperback) containing a selection of Trump-related Tom the Dancing Bug comics from 2024 and 2025. The Kickstarter also offers many other bonus items!
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About Volumes 1 and 2:
VOLUME 1
TOM THE DANCING BUG: SECRET ORIGINS
Compiling every Tom the Dancing Bug comic, 1990-1994
APX. 232 PAGES
This volume compiles the weird and wild beginning of Tom the Dancing Bug, in which new characters and formats kept percolating up, including: Harvey Richards, Lawyer for Children; Max & Doug; Charley the Australopithecine; Games Louis Plays; and Bob. The very first months were bizarre and experimental, including comics from various abandoned never-before-seen projects. Witness the comic strip coalesce, by the end of the first year, into something more consistently resembling the award-winning Tom the Dancing Bug that has run for 35 years. Also included is the 1991 Harvey Richards comic that ran in National Lampoon magazine.
VOLUME 2
SEX, TOM THE DANCING BUG, AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Compiling every Tom the Dancing Bug comic, 1995-1998
APX. 200 PAGES
This volume resumes the adventures and misadventures of the characters introduced in the early ‘90s, and continues to add new ones, such as Sam Roland, The Detective Who Dies; and God-Man, The Omnipotent Superhero. It also includes two multi-part stories featuring Charley the Australopithecine: “Monkey Business;” and the Scream-Rock epic “Null and the Void.” Also in the volume is the celebrated expansion of the “News of the Times” format and the launch of “Super-Fun-Pak Comix.”
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UPDATES:
Here is some of the press the two new books have generated:
More samples from the upcoming Volumes 1 and 2 than you can shake a stick at!
Assuming you have limits to your stick shaking capabilities…
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Part one of the Null and The Void Saga:
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Complete your Complete Tom the Dancing Bug Library!
Volumes 3-8, compiling every Tom the Dancing Bug comic from 1999-2023, can be purchased as part of this Kickstarter campaign, or at your local bookstore or online retailer, or from Clover Press, or signed and sketched directly from me.
Okay, if you were thinking of signing up for the Inner Hive, doing it now would do some extra good.
From now (Tuesday, 9/16/25, 4pm ET) until midnight, the night of 10/3/25 (ET), if you sign up for any annual Inner Hive membership, I’ll donate $33* to Immigration Law & Justice New York. (In addition to my own personal, non-Inner Hive related donation.)
“We advocate for and provide free or low-cost legal services to people of every race, nationality, religion, age, gender, and sexual orientation who have come to the United States seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity.”
👉 You can purchase an annual membership on Patreon here(toggle the “Pay annually” switch).
👉 You can purchase an annual membership on Substack here. (Hit the Subscribe button, and choose a paid annual membership).
Members of the Inner Hive get each week’s Tom the Dancing Bug comic emailed to them at least a day before it’s published, plus extra comics, commentary, exclusive info, etc.
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*$33 (comes to $2.79 per month) is the base price of an annual Inner Hive membership on Patreon.
(If you want to avoid automatic recurring payments and third-party corporate subscriptions, you can join the Inner Hive on a two-year non-recurring membership, directly from me. Joining on this type of membership will also trigger the donation.
