Fantagraphics Blog Mike Baehr

Humbug: Limited Signed Edition By Harvey Kurtzman et al. This edition of our highly anticipated, much-lauded archival collection of the classic satirical magazine Humbug, limited strictly to 600 copies, includes a special, limited edition bookplate signed by Jack Davis, Al Jaffee and Arnold Roth. (Click here and here to view front and back.) 476-page duotone/full-color 8" x 10" two-volume hardcover slipcased set with signed plate • $100.00 Add to Cart • More Info & Previews

Castle Waiting Vol. II #14 By Linda Medley The Castle is full of mysterious behavior! Preparations for Jain's housewarming continue apace, and Tolly takes a break from packing to journey outside the hedge to fetch a gift with Simon… though Tolly may have an ulterior motive as well. And what's Henry doing out there too? Meanwhile, a mysterious feline has something to teach Pin, and the normally dour Dr. Fell is still in a festive spirit. All this and more in this issue of Linda Medley's hit series. 32-page black & white 6.75" x 10.25" comic book • $3.95 Add…

• Review: From Publishers Weekly's starred review of Humbug: "MAD's early years have been justly lauded for their japing assault on postwar American culture, but this outstanding two-volume boxed set reflects the history of comedy in the period after staff stars like Kurtzman jumped ship in 1956… for dry cocktail laughs and low schoolboy snorts, it's hard to think of a better pair of books to have at your nightstand." • Review: Comics Bulletin takes a good look at the revelations contained in The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972, concluding "The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972 reprints [some] of what many consider the peak years…

A couple more excerpts from upcoming books are up at ICv2: 4 pages of "Twain & Einstein" from Tales Designed to Thrizzle #5 and a complete 7-page story with art by John Severin from Blazing Combat. Enjoy!

I think I might start posting weekend updates — these Monday roundups are getting bananas… • Review: We received a wonderful endorsement of Supermen! from Bud Plant, which we've proudly placed on the product page • Review: John Mitchell on Supermen!: “Supermen points to a time when comic books were a new and exciting form — admittedly low brow in presentation, but filled with visual and narrative leaps that would affect how we told stories visually for decades to come… This book chronicles the exciting, silly, fun and experimental world in which these kinds of [superhero] characters were forged — fairy…

Now available for preview and pre-order: The Complete Crumb Comics Vol. 4: "Mr. Sixties!" Back in print with the first new softcover edition of this volume in 12 years! This one has Zap #0-1, "Keep on Truckin'," and a bunch more Crumb classics and rarities from the heady hippie days. Essential! This book is scheduled to be in stock in early April and in stores approximately 4 weeks later. View a photo & video slideshow preview embedded here. Click here if it is not visible, and/or to view it larger in a new window (recommended).

Now available for preview and pre-order: the 297th issue of The Comics Journal, featuring extensive interivews with Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois creator (and Sam's Strip writer) Mort Walker and French artist Emmanuel Guibert (Alan's War). Plus a gallery of art by pioneering caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, reviews and many more features. Check out the full table of contents here and in the preview slideshow photo & video slideshow preview embedded below. Click here if it is not visible, and/or to view it larger in a new window (recommended).