Fantagraphics Blog FantaBlog

Rob Walker, co-founder of the Significant Objects project, was a guest on today's episode of Public Radio International's Studio 360 with host Kurt Andersen (who also happens to have contributed a story). Andersen interviewed Walker on location at Vintage Thrift in Manhattan and the two chose three new Objects for listeners to assign Significance to in Studio 360's Significant Objects story contest. Listen to the segment here or embedded below: And hey, designer extraordinaire Jacob Covey just finalized the two — yes, two! — covers for the book. That's right, because we're crazy, we're publishing the book collection with two…

Join our own Gary Panter at Shelf Life 2, a one-day event in Los Angeles featuring panels, workshops, a bazaar, and more!  This "big day for small press" is tomorrow, Saturday, March 24th at the University Park Campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Gary is teaming up with graphic designer Chip Kidd for a special panel, moderated by Byron Coley. That kicks off at 12:30 PM in the Gin D. Wong Auditorium (Harris Hall 101). And then stick around to check out all the small press exhibitors, and take some workshops on everything from bookbinding to…

You know, Trubble Club, the weird and wonderful jam comics produced by a Chicago-centric collective of the same name that includes Fanta-family folks Lilli Carré, Laura Park and Jeremy Tinder among many others. After 4 minicomic collections they've put together a doozy of a package for Vol. 5: a full-color Sunday funnies-style newspaper of all-new strips. They've brought in a few ringers to participate in addition to their regulars, AND it comes with a silkscreen print. You can buy a copy for 8 bucks from The Post Family online shop. Chicagoans can buy it at Quimby's. I got my order…

What happens when you have to miss a couple of days of the comics internet is that it takes you almost the whole rest of the week to get fully caught up on Online Commentary & Diversions: • List: Library Journal's Martha Cornog gives a nice shout-out to Carl Barks and recommends Oil and Water by Steve Duin & Shannon Wheeler as one of "30 Graphic Novels for Earth Day 2012": "Wheeler’s atmospheric, ink-washed greys capture eccentric residents from crabbers to a pelican-rescue team, and Duin’s script catches the ironic resiliency of people exploited by the very industry that feeds…

Due to privacy concerns I'm slightly uneasy about posting photos of other people's babies, but this is too good not to share, so I'll just leave it anonymous and say that it came via Kevin Huizenga, who says "Wanted: more readers like [this]."

A Real Comet Press catalog, designed by Art Chantry Our beloved Store Manager/Curator Larry Reid has already written about our phenomenal opening night for the Real Comet Press Retrospective, but I couldn't resist sharing a few more photos, and some video that Mike captured: A sampling of Real Comet Press publications. What?! Not only did she run a publishing house, but she ran a club? Stop being so cool, Cathy! Matchbooks designed by Lynda Barry. Rad flipbooks by Ruth Hayes. Michael Dougan shares a Texas motto. I am so grateful to Larry for bringing Real Comet Press into the spotlight,…

I just had to cross-post this from our Tumblr blog because it's too, too good: Jason pays homage to Moebius and George Herriman, saying "I should have been working on my new book. Instead I drew this." We forgive you, Jason. (Curiously, Max also has a pretty great Moebius/Herriman tribute.)

Another huge honor for Young Romance: The Best of Simon & Kirby's Romance Comics editor Michel Gagne and his video game creation Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet: last week the game picked up the GAME British Academy Video Games Award for Best Debut Game! (You may recall that just last month it won the 2011 International Animated Film Society Annie Award for Best Animated Video Game.) You can read an interview with Michel at the BAFTA Guru website and see a video clip of the game's victory at the award ceremony here. And if you're in Seattle you can congratulate Michel…

For our hometown convention, Fantagraphics Books is showcasing our vibrant local comix scene at the 10th Annual Emerald City Comicon! Visit us at Booth 704 from Friday, March 30th through Sunday, April 1st at the Washington State Convention Center.  We're bringing a special collection of titles from seminal Seattle names like Peter Bagge, Megan Kelso, and Charles Burns.  And joining us will be some of those brilliant talents from right here in the Northwest, from artists to editors! Special guests include: Ellen Forney: Named "Best Local Cartoonist" last year by the Seattle Weekly! (top left / photo by Mike Urban)…

Last-minute beer alert! Elysian Brewing Company debuts Fallout, the third in the series of 12 Beers of the Apocalypse featuring the artwork of Charles Burns, tonight at their Elysian Fields location in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle! Click the flyer above for legible details.