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The Journal

259: Feb/Mar 2026

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In this highly anticipated new issue, we encounter brilliant examples of what writing can do in a hypernormal time – whether that's Benjamin Gready on the absurdity of fieldwork on land under active occupation or Zahid Gamieldien's short story about a dancing rat who finds itself enmeshed in systems too shadowy to be true. But, as with the emotional cycles of resistance, hope and snark are features too. Dan Hogan considers the lawn as a class obsession, and π.ο. asks a question: why people hate poetry? We also read about a rakhasa family who passes on wisdom to their young kin, a story by Shefali Mathew. And you’ll find new poetry by Eli McLean, Fiona Hile and Sol Chan, among others, as well as a comic by Safdar Ahmed, plus heaps more. Co-editors Evelyn Araluen and Jonathan Dunk write in the editorial, "Writing always matters, but it matters most directly in the face of this kind of thuggish assault on language, our first and last commons. We can’t let the bastards have it.”

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Overland literary journal > Latest > Cartoons > Merle Creek
Published 22 May 202323 May 2023 · Cartoons / ecology

Merle Creek

Sofia Sabbagh

Sofia Sabbagh

Sofia Sabbagh is an illustrator and comic artist of Irish and Palestinian descent, based on stolen Wurundjeri land.

More by Sofia Sabbagh ›

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places.

If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate.


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6 March 202610 April 2026 · CoPower

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I'm trying really hard not to make a comic about critical minerals. 'Cos I know, my mum tells me, "it just doesn't resonate". Unless it's a personal story, critical minerals seem too far removed from our lives.

Sofia Sabbagh

Sofia Sabbagh is an illustrator and comic artist of Irish and Palestinian descent, based on stolen Wurundjeri land.

More by Sofia Sabbagh ›

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259: Feb/Mar 2026

Buy/subscribe now Browse the issue

In this highly anticipated new issue, we encounter brilliant examples of what writing can do in a hypernormal time – whether that's Benjamin Gready on the absurdity of fieldwork on land under active occupation or Zahid Gamieldien's short story about a dancing rat who finds itself enmeshed in systems too shadowy to be true. But, as with the emotional cycles of resistance, hope and snark are features too. Dan Hogan considers the lawn as a class obsession, and π.ο. asks a question: why people hate poetry? We also read about a rakhasa family who passes on wisdom to their young kin, a story by Shefali Mathew. And you’ll find new poetry by Eli McLean, Fiona Hile and Sol Chan, among others, as well as a comic by Safdar Ahmed, plus heaps more. Co-editors Evelyn Araluen and Jonathan Dunk write in the editorial, "Writing always matters, but it matters most directly in the face of this kind of thuggish assault on language, our first and last commons. We can’t let the bastards have it.”

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places.

If you like the pieces you read — or want to support Overland’s work in general — please subscribe or donate.

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