Introducing Cease and Desist Comics: The University of Iowa’s New Comic-Focused Literary Magazine

University of Iowa students have taken on the challenge of starting a new literary magazine focused on comics, and the result is Cease and Desist Comics, the only campus magazine of its kind.

The magazine, which originally began as a club, was founded by President C.J. Tunink and other members who saw the potential for student-created comics in the area. Inspired by the success of comic shops in Iowa City, they believed that a comic-focused zine would resonate with the local audience.

Since its inception in the winter of 2023, Cease and Desist Comics has been steadily growing. The club’s vice president, Maggie Militello, expressed the importance of bringing a new form of writing and artwork to campus, filling a gap that other literary magazines may have overlooked.

While the magazine has yet to publish its first issue, the creative teams are hard at work developing their vision for the inaugural release, which they hope to unveil during the fall 2024 semester. The club welcomes artists of all styles and collaborates with anyone who wants to be published, offering a platform for creative expression.

Lead art editor Kian Pfannenstiel shared his passion for comic books and the sense of community he has found within the club. He emphasized the unique storytelling capabilities of comics, where writers and artists have control over the narrative flow and can create emotional connections with readers through artwork and storyline.

Members of Cease and Desist Comics are encouraged to join the magazine and contribute their talents, with plans to hire editors for the next leadership team in the fall. President Tunink envisions the magazine making a lasting impact on campus, hoping to elevate comics as a recognized art form.

With the support of local comic enthusiasts like Jackson Palmer from Daydreams Comics, Cease and Desist Comics is poised to become a prominent literary magazine on campus, offering a platform for students to showcase their creativity and passion for comics.