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Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez happened to be together in L.A. recently for the launch of the Daniel Clowes art book at Meltdown Comics and the folks there seized the opportunity to have the brothers sit down for an enjoyable chat on the Meltcast 2.0 video podcast. Topics include formative comics reading experiences, favorite superheroes, inspiration for their characters, and of course Dan: "The guy knew Mexican monster movies, like us, so why not be his friend?"

Hey, remember that exhibit I told you about last month? The one curated by our own Eisner Award-winning graphic novelist, artist and editor, Paul Karasik? Over at the Northern Illinois Unversity Art Museum in DeKalb, IL? Yes, “Graphic Novel Realism: Backstage at the Comics,” that's the one! The show is still open through Friday, May 25th, but if you can't make it to Dekalb (me neither), check out this video Paul shot featuring a walk-through of the exhibit! You'll spot source materials, sketches, and finished work by Joyce Farmer, Jaime Hernandez, Mark Newgarden and Megan Montague Cash, as well as…

Still from "In Suspense" by Lilli Carré A "moving hold" is an animation technique that involves cycling several drawings of a stationary character, giving the drawn lines a sense of vibration and energy. And it's also the title of the Lilli Carré exhibit opening in Chicago this week! Moving Holds opens this Friday, April 20th at Western Exhibitions. For the show, Carré has created three different sets of work that all incorporate moving holds, as an idea, a technique, or both. Don't miss the opening reception from 5:00 to 8:00 PM this Friday! Western Exhibitions is located at 119 N…

Now available for immediate shipment from our mail-order department: Castle Waiting Vol. II #16 by Linda Medley 24-page black & white 6.75" x 10.25" comic book • $3.95 – Order Now! Linda Medley returns with the first of a handful of issues that wrap up the second volume of the Castle Waiting saga! In this issue, our heroine Jain gets an unpleasant surprise as she moves into her new room, while Sister Peace has an awkward moment at the housewarming party; baby Pin surprises Jain and Chess with his amazing new ability; and mischief is brewing with Castle’s supernatural residents!…

This week's comic shop shipment is slated to include the following new titles. Read on to see what comics-blog commentators and web-savvy comic shops are saying about them (more to be added as they appear), check out our previews at the links, and contact your local shop to confirm availability. Castle Waiting Vol. II #16 by Linda Medley 24-page black & white 6.75" x 10.25" comic book • $3.95 "Cue the 'they don't call it that for nothing' jokes. Linda Medley puts out an issue of this relaxed, good-natured fantasy series when she feels like it and not a minute…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • List: Time Out New York names the "50 Funniest New Yorkers," and coming in at #16: "Cartoonist Michael Kupperman transports his readers to another world altogether. In the recurring comic Tales Designed to Thrizzle and book-length parody Mark Twain's Autobiography 1910–2010, Kupperman perverts antiquated cultural signifiers into a jungle of foreplay robots, nut bras and absurd character concoctions such as the Mannister (a man whose superpower is turning into a bannister). Even in his live appearances — during which he occasionally appears as Twain — Kupperman has the same sort of folksy okey-doke quality…

This is one plague you'll want to be infested by! Yes, the countdown continues with the latest beer in our 12 Beers of the Apocalypse series, a collaboration with our friends at the Elysian Brewing Company in Seattle. And on this Saturday, April 21st, they'll introduce you to Peste, a chocolate chili ale sure to swarm your taste buds!  Peste will be available on cask, draft and in bottles with labels featuring the artwork of the great Charles Burns from his weirdly apocalyptic Black Hole series. The official tapping of Peste begins at 2:00 PM, followed by a brand-new survival…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship to our mail-order customers: Cruisin' with the Hound: The Life and Times of Fred Tooté by Spain Rodriguez 136-page black & white 7.5" x 10.25" softcover • $19.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-461-0 See Previews / Order Now "They were all there, the pimps, the fags, the whores, the curious, the alcoholic, the weird of the late ’50s… blues lovers, Canadian bikers, thrill seekers, junkies, insomniacs, hepcats…” So begins “Down at the Kitty Kat,” one of the 20-plus never-before-collected memoirs and yarns by Spain Rodriguez, one of the original gang of Zap Comix provocateurs. Although…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Here’s the thing about Pogo. There’s never been anything like it. It’s utterly unique and individual in the same fashion that Peanuts, or Calvin and Hobbes or Little Nemo or any other of the great 20th century comic strips are…. It’s a much weirder strip than I think most people give it credit for and that is certainly something worth both recognizing and admiring." – Chris Mautner, Robot 6 • Review: "I highly recommend anyone who has an interest in LGBT issues to pick up Wandering Son, regardless of whether or not you read…

We're busy as bees getting ready for our Spring conventions! MoCCA! Stumptown! TCAF! Here are some other fine events to keep you busy in the meanwhile: Tuesday, April 17th  •  New York City, NY: The legendary Gahan Wilson will be teaching a Master Class in Cartooning at MoCCA! (more info) Still from "In Suspense" by Lilli Carré Friday, April 20th  • Chicago, IL: Lilli Carré launches her exhibit Moving Holds at Western Exhibitions! More information about this show is coming to the FLOG this week!  Saturday, April 21st • Boston, MA: The 2012 Boston Comic Con kicks off today, with…