Andrew Farago, longtime curator of San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum and a well-known pop culture author who also wrote for Batman and The Comics Journal, was arrested earlier this month on 20 counts of invasion of privacy after allegedly hiding a phone to record guests in his bathroom during a birthday party, according to Berkeley police and court records.
What Police Say Happened
Farago, 50, co-hosted the party at his South Berkeley home on May 23.
Days earlier, Farago had posted on social media about celebrating his 50th birthday, and the Daily Mail described the event as his own birthday party.
More than 20 people attended, including six or seven children ranging in age from 3 and older, according to police.
During the gathering, a woman discovered a cellphone concealed and recording video in the bathroom, according to court documents first reported by The Berkeley Scanner.
Berkeley police said the footage showed Farago setting up the phone, hiding it under a towel, and positioning it to record guests as they used the restroom.
He was arrested June 3 on suspicion of invasion of privacy through the use of a hidden camera, police confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
The Berkeley Scanner, citing court papers, reported that the people recorded included both adults and children.
When the woman confronted him, Farago made admissions and said he had deleted the videos from his phone and iCloud, according to police.
Court records also cite an apology email Farago allegedly sent to guests afterward.
In it, he wrote that he had hidden his phone to spy on people he described as his closest friends, called the act an “inexcusable violation” of their privacy and friendship, and said he was prepared to face whatever consequences followed. He added that he had never done anything like it before and did not know what had prompted him.
Police obtained an arrest warrant, took Farago into custody at his home on June 3, and seized roughly a dozen electronic devices, according to court records.
He faces 20 counts of invasion of privacy under California Penal Code 647.
No Longer at the Cartoon Art Museum
A representative for the Cartoon Art Museum confirmed that Farago is no longer employed there, telling KRON4 the organization was “shocked and saddened” by the situation.
His name has been removed from the museum’s website.
Who Is Andrew Farago
Farago served as curator of San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum for nearly 25 years before stepping down last month, overseeing more than 100 exhibitions during his tenure.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he described himself as a globally recognized authority on comic art, animation, and pop culture, and the profile lists work for Marvel on multiple projects.
He received the Inkpot Award from San Diego Comic-Con in 2015 and wrote numerous books on comics and animation, including the Harvey Award-winning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History, The Complete Peanuts Family Album, and The Art of Harley Quinn.
Recently Wrote Obituaries for The Comics Journal
Outside his museum role, Farago was an active contributor to The Comics Journal, where he primarily wrote obituaries for figures in the comics industry.
His most recent byline for the publication was an obituary for artist Sam Kieth, published April 9, 2026, less than two months before his June 3 arrest.
His earlier pieces for the outlet included obituaries for colorist Tatjana Wood in March 2026 and artist Jackson “Butch” Guice in 2025, reflecting a steady run of remembrances he authored for the site.
Authored an Award-Winning Batman History
Among Farago’s best-known works is Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond, a roughly 400-page illustrated history co-written with Gina McIntyre and published in 2020.
The book traces Batman from his 1939 debut in Detective Comics through his decades across comics, television, film, animation, and video games, and was named a 2020 IBPA Award winner.
The book featured a preface by longtime Batman writer and editor Dennis O’Neil and an introduction by Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series.
It also drew on interviews and contributions from figures including Christopher Nolan, Tim Burton, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Mark Hamill, and Michael Keaton.
Farago also co-wrote Batmobile: The Complete History with Mark Cotta Vaz, an illustrated look at the iconic vehicle across more than 85 years of comics, film, television, and video games.
What Happens Next
No formal charges have been filed as the Alameda County District Attorney’s office continues its investigation, according to reports. Farago has not made any public statement beyond the apology email.
The case was first reported by The Berkeley Scanner based on court documents, with the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and KRON4 subsequently confirming details with Berkeley police and the museum.
