Martin Bland sound art, Spring Cleaning Sale at Fantagraphics

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY HOSTS “MARTIN BLAND’S RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIALS” ON SATURDAY, APRIL 12 Fantagraphics Books’ resident genius will present his recent experimental sound project, “Martin Bland’s Randomized Control Trials,” on Saturday, April 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. This event coincides with the colorful “Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack.” The bookstore will also offer a huge “Spring Cleaning Sale” with hundreds of graphic novels marked at 50% off from April 11 though April 13. Fantagraphics Bookstore employee Martin Bland has an impressive musical pedigree. He was the drummer for Australia’s legendary psyche-garage band Lubricated…

Comics Forum: “R. Crumb’s Underground,” March 27, 2008 (audio)

On Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, moderator Gary Groth was joined by Peter Bagge, Ellen Forney, and Jim Woodring for a lively discussion about Robert Crumb and a range of related topics. Download the complete audio of this event (24.5 MB MP3) or stream it here: {audio}images/stories/artists/interviews/01%20Comics%20Forum%2003_27_08.mp3{/audio} More photos can be seen on Flickr, in regular and slideshow formats. Related books (click covers for complete product details) {product_snapshot:id=400,true,false,true,left} {product_snapshot:id=173,true,false,true,left} {product_snapshot:id=735,true,false,true,left} {product_snapshot:id=1127,true,false,true,left}

Most Outrageous – Introduction by Bob Levin

{product_snapshot:id=1469,true,false,true,left} I had no idea what to do next. For fifteen years, while practicing law in Berkeley, I had been writing about cartoonists for The Comics Journal. It had become apparent early on that the more off-beat the cartoonist was in his life or art, the more I would be drawn to him. Once my bias had become clear, someone at the Journal would have another cartoonist for me: a schizophrenic and an alcoholic and a speed freak and a suicide and a misanthrope and one fellow whose career off-tracked when he became a woman. Their work was often grotesquely…

Drew Friedman Show Opens March 27 at Fantagraphics

“THE FUN NEVER STOPS!” WITH DREW FRIEDMAN AT FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY IN SEATTLE, OPENING MARCH 27. Drew Friedman is among the most notorious illustrators and cartoonists in America. According to Entertainment Weekly, “He holds a marvelously warped lens up to crusty politicians and debauched celebrities. A good-natured misanthrope with an obsessive style and a sardonic tongue, Drew Friedman is one of the country’s sharper political artists.” Friedman will appear in Seattle for the first time at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery for a book signing and exhibition of his original artwork on Thursday, March 27 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM….

Drew Friedman at Skylight Books 3/29 with Special Guests

DREW FRIEDMAN AT SKYLIGHT BOOKS: MORE OLD JEWISH COMEDIANS • MARCH 29th WITH BEN SCHWARTZ & SPECIAL GUESTS WHO: Drew Friedman WHAT: Discussion, Q&A and book signing WHERE: Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont Ave. • Los Angeles, CA 90027 • 323.660.1175 tel. WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 5PM “Drew Friedman isn’t just a brilliant artist. He takes you to a place. He takes you back in time. He makes you smell the stale cigarettes and cold brisket and you say thank you for the pleasure.” — Sarah Silverman Join cartoonist DREW FRIEDMAN along with BEN SCHWARTZ and other special guests (TBA)…

Interview – Hate Q&A with Peter Bagge (1997)

This interview was originally conducted circa 1997, and annotated in February 2008. Q: Why did you kill Stinky? A: Everybody has asked for me to bring Stinky back to the fold, but when I would think about it I couldn’t see Buddy allowing Stinky to be a part of his life again. Buddy’s an evolving character, while Stinky is one of those people who never changes, and it just didn’t make sense that Buddy would hang out with Stinky anymore. I had this story that began in Hate #26 where basically all of Buddy’s loser guy friends are brought together…

Fantagraphics Publication Dates for April-May 2008

These are release dates to the bookstore market. Release dates in the direct-sales (comic book store) market may occur a couple of weeks earlier. Dates are not final and subject to change; please direct press inquiries to Eric Reynolds. WEEK OF APRIL 9 The Clouds Above softcover edition by Jordan Crane Daddy's Girl by Debbie Drechsler The Education of Hopey Glass by Jaime Hernandez Most Outrageous by Bob Levin WEEK OF APRIL 23 Funeral of the Heart by Leah Hayes Willie & Joe: The WWII Years by Bill Mauldin The Complete Peanuts 1967-1968 (Vol. 9) by Charles Schulz Hall of…

Deitch & Woodring in Seattle March 8!

FRIENDS OF THE NIB COMICS JAM WITH SPECIAL GUEST KIM DEITCH AT FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY ON SATURDAY, MARCH 8. The public is invited to join a stellar group of accomplished cartoonists in the "Friends of the Nib Comics Jam" at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, March 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Celebrated cartoonist and visual artist Jim Woodring will preside over the activities, which will include a guest appearance by New York underground comix legend Kim Deitch. Aspiring cartoonists of all ages are encouraged to participate in this lively session, which will include a rare screening of Deitch's 1960 short film "Dial…

Leah Hayes Hits New York & Austin with New Book & CD

Presenting FUNERAL OF THE HEART, the new graphic novel by LEAH HAYES and Scary Mansion’s debut CD, EVERY JOKE IS HALF THE TRUTH. WHO: Leah Hayes WHAT: Art Exhibition and Book Signing WHERE: Rocketship WHERE: 208 Smith St. WHERE: Brooklyn, NY 11201 WHERE: 718.797.1348 tel. WHEN: Friday, March 7, 8PM WHO: Leah Hayes & Scary Mansion WHAT: South By Southwest Music Festival Showcase WHERE: The Hideout WHERE: 617 Congress Ave. WHERE: Austin, TX 78701 WHERE: 512.443.3688 tel. WHEN: Wed., March 12, 10PM WHO: Leah Hayes & Scary Mansion WHAT: In-Store Music Performance and Book Signing WHERE: Austin Books WHERE: 5002…

Exclusive Flog interview with Drew Friedman

This interview originally appeared on FLOG! The Fantagraphics Blog. Above: Photo of Drew Friedman, in his studio. © 2008 David Burd. Drew Friedman is, along with Daniel Clowes and Chester Brown, one of the primary reasons I am working in comics today and didn't abandon my juvenile love for the medium long after most boys have discovered girls and sports. So when we decided to start conducting some exclusive author interviews for Flog!, it didn't take me long to decide I really wanted to spotlight Drew, especially as we are on the cusp of releasing his new book, MORE OLD…