Fantagraphics Blog Mike Baehr

The Comics Journal is proud to announce the relaunch of TCJ.com with new editorial oversight. Redesigned, reorganized, with an incredible lineup of new contributors — it's pretty amazing. Read a welcome message from new editors Dan Nadel and Tim Hodler (formerly of Comics Comics) here; our press release is here. There's a lot to see already.

In their March 15 issue, Booklist announces their Top 10 Graphic Novels in Adult and Youth categories. We're honored that they've chosen the following books in the former category: Artichoke Tales by Megan Kelso A Drunken Dream and Other Stories by Moto Hagio It Was the War of the Trenches by Jacques Tardi And in the latter category: Set to Sea by Drew Weing The issue also includes the reviews excerpted below: The Arctic Marauder by Jacques Tardi: "A strong Jules Verne flavor dominates the story’s stew of mystery farce and sci-fi adventure, from the ship named the Jules Vernez…

News comes via the Chicago Comics newsletter that the wonderful Ivan Brunetti will be making a rare public appearance at the Chicago Comics store on April 1st 5:00 – 7:00 PM to promote the new edition of his book Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice. Unless you're somehow debilitated, you'll certainly not want to miss that!

We're having a sale on books in our Art & Illustration category! Save at least 30% on art books, illustration collections, exhibit catalogs, sketchbooks, pin-ups and more. Featuring artists such as Nell Brinkley, Al Columbia, Dave Cooper, R. Crumb, Jim Flora, Drew Friedman, Femke Hiemstra, Paul Hornschemeier, Robert Williams, Barry Windsor-Smith, Basil Wolverton, and Jim Woodring; anthologies like Arf, Beasts!, and Blab!; and much much more spanning vintage classics and cutting-edge contemporary work — save on dozens of our best and most beautiful books! It runs 3 days only — March 7-9, 2011 — so don't miss out!

Ray Fenwick is documenting his residency at Struts Gallery in New Brunswick on a Tumblr blog he's dubbed Le Moat Juice. Follow along!

Here's this week's Weissman, plus links to other strips from around the web: — Barack Hussein Obama by Steven Weissman (view at original size): — And elsewhere: Amazing Facts… and Beyond! with Leon Beyond by Kevin Huizenga: Ectiopiary by Hans Rickheit: Maakies by Tony Millionaire: Mugwhump the Great by Roger Langridge (at Act-i-vate):

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Interview: Comic Book Resources' Alex Dueben talks to Carol Tyler about You'll Never Know: "I believe the damage leveled upon an entire generation of (primarily) men by WWII absolutely defined our Baby Boom generation. All that so called indulgence we've been accused of. Emotionally shut off children love hula-hoops! And drugs! Look at the bloody trail of bad relationships and general self-destructive behaviors we got into. Book I says, 'I hurt you to harm your children.' This is the legacy of war." • Commentary: No list of "great non-superhero comic book fights" would be…

Fresh from art director Jacob Covey come these images of the upcoming paperback edition of Willie & Joe: The WWII Years by Bill Mauldin. This edition compiles the two-volume hardcover set into one massive tome. This and the follow-up volume, Willie & Joe: Back Home, are scheduled to be out in June.

We're open for business at Emerald City ComiCon! Our table is heaving under the weight of all these great books and comics so come on down to table 808 and buy buy buy! (Special thanks to super-volunteer Gavin Lees for unexpectedly showing up to help with setup!) We've got Portable Grindhouse editor Jacques Boyreau joining us at 4:00 to sign and talk trash cinema. See here for our whole weekend of ECCC events! UPDATE: Jacques is running late and will arrive at 5:00! UPDATE 2: Unfortunately Jacques got stuck in I-5 traffic and will miss his signing tonight but has…

Justin Green (above) and Kim Deitch (below) have given us permission to sell their original artwork from last December's Medieval Thinkers exhibit at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on eBay. Bid on Justin's piece here and Kim's piece here, and see additional images here and here. Don't miss your chance to own these incredible pieces by two of underground comix' all-time greats!