Fantagraphics Blog Eric Reynolds

  I stopped in my local comic shop this weekend (the same expedition I discovered Transit Man on) and stumbled across something kind of cool: FANTASTIC FOUR: THE LOST ADVENTURE by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby (with a little help from their Frenz). I vaguely remember hearing about this coming out but I couldn't swear by it, which is weird, because this should be a Big Deal. As the story goes, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby of course produced 102 consecutive issues of FANTASTIC FOUR and something like six annuals. There was a 103rd story they'd begun in 1970, but never finished for reasons I don't completely understand, although I imagine it had to do…

Read it here. 

Don't forget! We have TWO awesome west coast events with Drew Friedman this weekend. First up is a book signing and exhibition opening at our gallery in Seattle on Thursday night. Then Drew heads down to L.A. for an event on Saturday at Skylight Books.    THURSDAY NIGHT IN SEATTLE:  DREW FRIEDMAN: THE FUN NEVER STOPS!March 27 – May 6, 2008.Opening Reception and Book signingThursday, March 27, 5:00 – 8:00 PMFantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.)Seattle, WA 206.658.0110 SATURDAY NIGHT IN LOS ANGELES:  WHO: Drew Friedman & SPECIAL GUESTS!WHAT: Discussion, Q&A and book signingWHERE: Skylight Books1818 N. Vermont…

Lillian Ross. The New Yorker. "Talk of the Town." Drew Friedman. Friar's Club. More Old Jewish Comedians. Read it already!

It's a beautiful day in Seattle today so this morning I went for a long walk in my neighborhood of Ballard, running a few errands and taking in the sun. I was on the main drag of Market St. when I spotted someone curious across the street, and luckily I had my camera on me: I had to cross the street to get a better look; could Ballard really have it's own superhero? What could it all mean?!? What powers does he have? He obviously can't fly; if he could, he'd been surfing the net from a rooftop somehwere rather…

If you're not a bookseller or librarian, skip this post, but the new issue of Booklist is the annual spotlight on graphic fiction, and there's some very useful stuff for those building a core collection of GNs. The issue includes an interview with James Sturm, an "honor roll of female pioneers" in comics, and a look back at a lifetime reading "the Funnies" courtesy columnist Michael Cart. There are a number of top 10 lists, reviews, etc. as well.  One thing that was particularly gratifying to see was the "Core Collection: Graphic Women" list. Of the 13 books on the list, Fantagraphics published five (including…

  RAY FENWICK has some pretty cool merch available over at the Pantry Press Etsy Shop, the result of his artist-in-residence that ended last month. This has nothing to do with Ray's phenomenal work, which I greatly covet and admire, but looking at Etsy, I am struck by how 'crafting' has seemingly become the new D.I.Y. medium of choice. I wonder if it's because all the zinesters of the '80s and '90s are now in their 30s and 40s and knitting onesies instead of xeroxing Gen X (or L) manifestos? I'm not sure what to make of it. I do like pretty things, but can only…

  The new issue of MAD Magazine includes a giveaway contest for More Old Jewish Comedians, the latest book from MAD regular Drew Friedman. When demographics clash!

One of our favorite lit rags, Minneapolis' RAIN TAXI, has a cool new t-shirt available designed by Joe Sacco. Very nice. 

Osaka Popstar frontman John Cafiero was in attendance at the Friar's Club bookwarming for Drew Friedman and More Old Jewish Comedians, and has a MySpace blog post up about it with a slew of photos.