Fantagraphics Blog Mike Baehr

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Literally, I could not put down this book once I hit the second half. Every story is fantastic, because it takes these interesting genre detours and makes them seem just as more true than you could possibly imagine. …I think sometimes people overlook the sheer potential that human conflict can give. Moto Hagio's A Drunken Dream, if nothing else, is a reminder of that, giving a plethora of all-too-human situations under the occasional sci-fi or fantasy trope. If you're looking for a densely-written change of pace that gives great insight into the career…

Starting now for a limited time, order Fire & Water: Bill Everett, the Sub-Mariner and the Birth of Marvel Comics by Blake Bell and From Shadow to Light: The Life & Art of Mort Meskin by Steven Brower together for just $51.99 — that's 35% off the combined cover prices! (If you have already pre-ordered both books separately, please let us know and we will adjust your invoice.)

Thanks to Dash Shaw for sending us this bit of YouTube gold: Gary Groth appearing on the Canadian TV program The Anti-Gravity Room sometime in the early 1990s! Following Gary in this clip: Peter Kuper.

This photo of original art for a 1988 collaborative strip from The Daily Texan by Chris Ware and Bart Farar was recently posted on Flickr by Domy Books. See it in more detail here.  

Head over to ICv2 to check out an exclusive 5-page excerpt from Rip M.D., the all-ages graphic novel written and drawn by Mitch Schauer, inked by Michael Vosburg and produced by the creative forces at Lincoln Butterfield, coming later this month from Fantagraphics.

Online Commentary & Diversions returns from the U.S. holiday: • List: About.com: Manga places Moto Hagio's A Drunken Dream and Other Stories at #19 on their list of "50 Essential Manga for Libraries": "Collected for the first time in a gorgeous hardcover edition, A Drunken Dream offers a rare glimpse into the work of one of Japan's most distinctive and influential creators in shojo manga, and heck, manga, period. Worth recommending to both older teen and adult readers alike." • Review: "Hagio draws these stories as if a full symphonic score were playing in the background. Her delicate, razor-thin pen…

At the Abstract Comics blog Andrei Molotiu announces his appearance and art show at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana tomorrow evening. His lecture "My Abstract Comics" begins at 7 PM, followed by an opening reception for his "Ruins and Other Narratives" exhibit.

A heads-up to all of our mail-order customers: We are currently in the process of packing up our fabled warehouse and relocating our shipping operations to a new facility. Orders are still going out but our shipping staff is a bit overtaxed with the move, so for the next 2 months or so, orders may take longer than usual to arrive — around the high end of the estimated shipping times listed on our shipping information page — with the exception of rush orders, which continue to be processed normally. We'll keep you updated on any other developments which might…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "The real reason to read Lucky in Love, of course, is DeStefano's art, which is intensely expressive and cartoony, among his best work, with fabulous panel designs, wonderful grotesque characters, and amazing energy throughout." – Andrew Wheeler, The Antick Musings of G.B.H. Hornswoggler, Gent. • Review: "The Book of Mr. Natural by the legendary and infamous… R. Crumb is a gorgeous mini-coffee table comic book published by Fantagraphic Books. […] This book is for Mr. Natural’s legions of cult followers, 60’s believers, as well as new and younger readers who can hack the…

Periodic clips & strips — click for improved/additional viewing and possible artist commentary at the sources: • Michael Kupperman illustrates a New York Times op-ed piece written by William Gibson • This video posted by Jim Woodring has a surprise ending • At Comics Comics, Jeet Heer reminds us of Kevin Huizenga's tribute to Floyd Gottfredson in Or Else #2 • Another stage in Matthias Lehmann's scratchboard work in progress • An unpublished 1987 Bob Fingerman drawing of young zombies in love • The cover of the first comic Jason ever made, circa 1979 (it means Tim and Tom On…