Fantagraphics Blog Mike Baehr

At his blog, Blake Bell reveals that Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives Vol. 1 will soon be available in a Spanish-language edition from Diabolo Ediciones, and provides this glimpse of one of the translated pages. (Post title explained for non-New Pornographers fans, if any.)

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Profile: At the ABC News website, the AP's Matt Moore talks to Robert Crumb during his recent visit to New York City for his Society of Illustrators exhibit opening: "'It was never intended for that purpose, so it's always odd to see it on a wall, or under glass; it was intended for printing and books. It wasn't made as a wall hanging piece,' Crumb said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'For me, the printed copy is the magic moment. When I see it in print — that was the whole purpose…

Here comes another all-star issue of the always-awesome Smoke Signal from Desert Island! This one's a split issue with the Finnish comics newspaper Kuti so there's sure to be some great stuff to discover by the Finns. Above, the cover by Lilli Carré (the flip cover is by Aapo Rapi); inside you'll find stories and strips by Sami Aho, Gabrielle Bell, Marc Bell, Lilli, Michael DeForge, Roope Eronen, Glynnis Fawkes, Nathan Gelgud, Sam Henderson, Keith Jones, Paul Karasik, Ina Kallis, Tim Lane, Jarno Latva-Nikkola, Blaise Larmee, Mikko Luostarinen, David Mazzucchelli, Jesse McManus, Tommi Musturi, Jyrki Nissinen, Jaakko Pallasvuo, Ville Pirinen,…

Citrus C.B. hangs out with Crow, Tom Servo & Boba Fett in this photo from the offices of W.W. Norton as posted on their Tumblr blog. We love our distributors.

Ghost World’s Rebecca & Enid as Scooby Doo’s Daphne & Velma, a "mush-up" by Beasts! artist Mr. Ed. Also don't miss his Wilson-as-House. (Hat-tip to Jacob!) (Psst… the Ghost World softcover is part of our April Ship of Fools Weekend Sale!)

Steven Brower will be at the Spring 2011 WildPig Con in Somerset NJ this Sunday, April 3, to sign his books including From Shadow to Light: The Life and Art of Mort Meskin — don't miss it if you're in the area!

We're bailing out our warehouse! We have a lot of brand new books coming in over the next couple of months (like, a LOT) and our warehouse manager has put together a nice big list of primo books for us to clear out to make room. From all-time classics to recent favorites to hidden gems, we've got nearly 100 titles on sale for at least 30% off from now through the end of the day Sunday (April 3)! (Sale prices not valid at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery.) There's too many to list here — go check it out and shop…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review/Interview: It's baseball's opening day, and The Comics Reporter's Tom Spurgeon notes the occasion with his look at 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente and chat with the book's creator, Wilfred Santiago. Spurgeon's comments on the book: "Santiago brings the same playful complexity to the story of the Puerto Rican baseball slugger and humanitarian that he's put on thrilling display in previous comics. Many of the pages are to die-for gorgeous, and Santiago routinely finds compelling visual solutions to communicating the physicality and grace of a player whose heyday was long enough ago we…

Turn Handle by Gary Panter, part of the Gumption art show at the ZieherSmith gallery opening tonight. (Via Gary's blog.)