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“[Virgil Partch] was among a half-dozen or so cartoonists who had an absolutely distinctive style … He was in a class by himself.” — Chuck Jones “I wanted to become a professional cartoonist because of Virgil Partch. Cartoons were all sort of the same [at the time], and suddenly this man came along, drawing both eyes on one side of the face and pointed noses and lines that continued in a roll … he was sensational! Virgil Partch was a big discovery for me.” — Sergio Aragonés “Virgil Partch was one of the most influential cartoonists of his day. And…

I'm going into this hoping that less is more and that a little convention report goes a long way with most folks. I know that's true of myself. I have yet to meet a comic book convention that I want to read more about than, say, WWI, despite how many con reports endeavor to prove me wrong. What I'm really saying is, I didn't take as many pics as I should, especially as the weekend wore on. I flew down Friday afternoon, this time attended by my girls (wifey Rhea and 5YO child unit Clem), which was a rare treat…

Just arrived and shipping now from our mail-order department: Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Color Sundays Vol. 2: Robin Hood Rides Again by Floyd Gottfredson 280-page full-color 10.5" x 8.75" hardcover • $29.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-686-7 See Previews / Order Now   He's faster than a speeding arrow… more powerful than the Sheriff of Nottingham… able to leap high taxes in a single bound! He's Mickey Mouse! He's back in color – and traveling back in time: battling evil medievals in our second book of Floyd Gottfredson's Sunday classics. Donald Duck, Goofy, and mischievous Morty and Ferdie are invited along too… if they dare!…

The last month's issue of Booklist reviewed recent releases by Fantagraphics creators, excerpted below:  Lost Cat by Jason "…maybe the most romantic mystery scenario his lean, animal-headed personae have ever performed…Delicious…heartwarming, too." –Ray Olson  Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Color Sundays, Volume 1: Call of the Wild by Floyd Gottfredson   "The high-spirited, adventure-seeking mouse in these vintage strips-a far cry from today's bland, domesticated version-makes it clear why Mickey captivated Depression-eraAmerica." –Gordon Flagg    The Children of Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez "Hernandez's absence from Palomar hasn't dimmed his ability to bring its beloved characters to vivid life, and his visual approach, a skillful blend of cartooning…

Just arrived and shipping now from our mail-order department: Walt Disney's Donald Duck: Christmas on Bear Mountain (The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Vol. 5)by Carl Barks 216-page full-color 7.5" x 10.25" hardcover • $28.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-697-3 See Previews / Order Now   Here it is! The historic first-ever appearance of Donald Duck's Uncle Scrooge! A true landmark in Disney history, "Christmas on Bear Mountain" introduces Scrooge with a crafty holiday scheme to test Donald's mettle — only to find himself astonished by the unexpected result! For more Christmastime comedy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie try their very best to be good for…

Ed Piskor is heading to Miami Book Fair International the week before Thanksgiving to give them ol' whatfor on a Making Music with Comics panel.  He'll be joining the likes of Fantagraphics' Peter Bagge, Paul Pope and Vivek J. Tiwary at 11am on Saturday, November 23rd to rock your socks off while jawing on about Hip Hop Family Tree.   Details to come on their website soon but feel free to grab your day planner, smart phone or recently shaved dog to jot down the details:    Saturday, November 23Centre Gallery (Room 1365-Building 1, 3rd Floor)11 a.m.Making Music with ComicsED PISKOR on Hip Hop…

Seven years ago this weekend, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery quietly opened for business in Seattle. (Following a 6-week shakedown, we hosted our grand opening gala in December 2006.) Featuring challenging contemporary comix, graphics, illustration, experimental music and other marginalized media, the space was quickly woven into the cultural fabric of the region. We have since attracted a remarkable array of artists and patrons from across the country and around the world. Thank you all so much! Please come visit the store and see the astonishing new exhibition by Jim Woodring. (Yes. He really drew them with the giant pen.) Peruse…

If you live in Pasadena, you better attend this! Quoted directly from their press release: Jaime Hernandez, co-creator of the famed Los Bros Hernandez's alt-comic Love and Rockets, is a legend with fans everywhere. Among the most notable is Pulitzer Prize-winning author (and comics and graphic novels lover) Junot Diaz, who's cited Los Bros as a major influence on both his writing and his sensibilities. This month the much-anticipated deluxe edition of Diaz's short story collection, This Is How You Lose Her, comes out. But the buzz hasn't been about the stories, because this time the big story's actually been…

Start spreadin' the news, New York! For one weekend this fall, author Pat Thomas is bringing Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975 back to town. Join him at the appropriately-named Revolution Books [ 146 West 26th Street ] on Monday, November 4th at 7:00 PM.  And then cross the bridge on Tuesday, November 5th for a reading at the "Student Center" [ at East 27 Street and Campus Road ] of Brooklyn College, CUNY at 2:15 PM. At both events, Pat will be spinning discs, lecturing via a multi-media presentation, and signing both the book and…

Just arrived and shipping now from our mail-order department: The Secret History of Marvel Comics: Jack Kirby and the Moonlighting Artists at Martin Goodman's Empire by Blake Bell & Dr. Michael J. Vassallo 304-page black & white/color 7.25" x 10" hardcover • $39.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-552-5 See Previews / Order Now   Marvel Comics — home to virtuous heroes like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and The Avengers – has a hidden sordid past, stretching back to long before the first Marvel Comic rolled off the presses. Authors Blake Bell and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo pull back the curtain on the real-life…