Fantagraphics Blog Mike Baehr

We received the following message from Small Press Expo executive director Warren Bernard, with permission to share it with our readers: "Yesterday I went up and presented the graphic novels to the Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL) as the final act of the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program. Attached are 2 photos. The first is the Director of the MCPL, Parker Hamilton holding a copy of one of your Love and Rockets books. The second is a picture of the books we donated as well as the people involved. On the far left is your A Mess of Everything and…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Plug: "I’ve only had the brick for two weeks, and I’ve barely made it through one-fourth of it, happily so. For over 30 years, The Comics Journal has been a comics respite from hype and fluff. It keeps the rest of in check and on our toes. I’m a better comics reader because of it (and a reluctantly patient fan)." – Alex Carr, Omnivoracious (Amazon.com) • Plug: "Here’s another hard-boiled Tardi adaptation of a Jean-Patrick Manchette novel. I liked the other one I read, so I assume I will like this one." – Greg…

Tony Millionaire: "I made a t-shirt for my kids school, see how many vaginas you find hidden in the drawing." Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Tony! (Seriously though, I'm kind of coveting this shirt.)

Comics fans in Charlotte, NC, surely Heroes Aren't Hard to Find is your #1 comics shopping destination and surely you keep up with all the happenings there so this is surely not news to you, BUT ANYWAY they are having a discussion group meeting on September 24 to talk about Daniel Clowes's Ghost World, and they're offering a 10% discussion-group discount on Ghost World: Special Edition (which is already available in comic shops at a newly reduced price)! More info & details here.

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Prison Pit Book 3 by Johnny Ryan 120-page black & white 6.5" x 8.5" softcover • $12.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-497-9 See Previews / Order Now Prison Pit blends Angry Youth Comix creator Johnny Ryan’s fascination with WWE wrestling, grindhouse cinema, first person action video games, Gary Panter’s “Jimbo” comics, and Kentaro Miura’s “Berserk” Manga into a brutal and often hilarious showcase of violence like no other comic book ever created. Even the lead character’s name, which is only one letter away from “Cannibal Duckface” (hint: “Cannibal” is correct) is unprintable. Prison Pit is…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Mark Twain's Autobiography 1910-2010 by Michael Kupperman 160-page two-color 6" x 8.25" hardcover • $19.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-491-7 See Previews / Order Now "Here Mister Kupperman," he said, thrusting a manuscript into my hands. "Publish this, and let the world read of my adventures." My name is Mark Twain, and I write these words to you in the good old days of August 2010. "What's that," you say? "Didn't you die a hundred years ago, you old coot?"… The truth is I never died, but the same old rumors got exaggerated and then…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: The Man Who Grew His Beard by Olivier Schrauwen 112-page full-color 8.5" x 10.25" softcover • $19.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-446-7 See Previews / Order Now The Man Who Grew His Beard is Belgian cartoonist Olivier Schrauwen’s first American book after having staked a reputation over the last decade as one of Europe’s most talented storytellers. It collects seven short stories, each a head-spinning display of craft and storytelling that mixes early twentieth-century comics influences like Winsor McCay with a thoroughly contemporary voice that provokes and entertains with subversively surreal humor and subtle criticism…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: The Art of Joe Kubert edited by Bill Schelly 232-page full-color 9.25" x 12.25" hardcover • $39.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-487-0 See Previews / Order Now Joe Kubert is one of the great comic book artists. His career literally traverses the history of comics, beginning in 1938 when he became a professional at age 12, to today as one of the greatest draftsmen working in the field. Kubert is known and respected as much for his sinewy, passionate drawing as he is for his consummate storytelling skills. Over his 70-year career in comics, he…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: The Armed Garden and Other Stories by David B. 112-page two-color 7.5" x 10.75" hardcover • $19.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-462-7 See Previews / Order Now David B., the creator of the acclaimed Epileptic, gives full rein to his fascination with history, magic and gods, not to mention grand battles, in this literate, witty, and absorbing collection of stories — all based on historical fact, or at least historical legend, and delineated in a striking stylized two-color format. “The Veiled Prophet”: During the 8th century (the time of Harun al-Rashid, the Caliph of 1001…

Artwork from the collection of the late SPX Executive Director Jeff Alexander, who passed away last year, is being auctioned to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund this Saturday at 4:30 at SPX. Internet bids will also be accepted via email — see the link for details. Among the pieces being offered in this year's first annual auction are the original Billy Hazelnuts page by Tony Millionaire shown here, a couple of original Roger Langridge pages featuring Fred the Clown, and a Peter Bagge sketch which I couldn't find an image for. Preview the artwork and get more information…