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Raise a glass: Tim Lane's self-published comic book series Happy Hour in America is about to make its triumphant return! The long-awaited third issue will soon be available through John Porcellino's Spit and a Half distro (where the first two classic issues are still available), and right now, as a tribute to the 10-cent origin of the comic book, Tim is offering the first 10 copies for one thin dime to the first 10 individuals who request one! Get on it, if it's not already too late!

Apparently, we're not the only ones with the '90s Riot Grrrl movement on the brain! Our friends at Poketo have just released a new series of wallets entitled "You're a Riot, Grrrl!" — each wallet featuring artwork by bold female artists, like Lisa Hanawalt, Hellen Jo, and our very own, Esther Pearl Watson!  I got the "Unlovable" wallet at San Diego Comic-Con, and lemme tell ya, so far, it's been quite lovable! The inside design boasts the truth "1978 Honda Hatchbacks are sexy" (damn straight) and it comes with a 1" Tammy Pierce button. Poketo even did an illustrated interview…

At his blog, Jason writes "My German publisher, Reprodukt, is celebrating their 20 years of existence by having an exhibition in Berlin. They have asked their artists to draw a page from one of the books that have been published, a book by another artist. I chose to do a page from Daniel Clowes' Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron." That sound you just heard is me and a few thousand other comics nerds collapsing with the vapors.

The Art of Joe Kubert edited by Bill Schelly 232-page full-color 9.25" x 12.25" hardcover • $39.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-487-0 Ships in: September 2011 (subject to change) — Pre-Order Now Joe Kubert is one of the great comic book artists. His career literally traverses the history of comics, beginning in 1938 when he became a professional at age 12, to today as one of the greatest draftsmen working in the field. Kubert is known and respected as much for his sinewy, passionate drawing as he is for his consummate storytelling skills. Over his 70-year career in comics, he has worked as an…

Wilfred Santiago is offering up this magnificent original page from 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente (page 179, to be exact) over on the eBay. The page depicts Clemente standing on second base saluting the crowd at Three Rivers Stadium after his historic 3000th base hit. Go, bid!

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Even More Old Jewish Comedians by Drew Friedman 36-page full-color 10" x 10" hardcover • $16.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-489-4 See Previews / Order Now Master caricaturist/portraitist Drew Friedman’s spectacular visual tribute to, well, old Jewish comedians returns with a third and concluding installment that throws its net a bit wider to include a few women (Olive Oyl voice Mae Questel, Ed Sullivan show regular Jean Carroll, and The Rise of the Goldbergs creator Gertrude Goldberg); a handful of more contemporary figures (Richard Belzer, whose Law & Order: SVU gig has eclipsed his stand-up…

Our weekly strips from Kupperman & Weissman, plus links to other strips from around the web: — Up All Night by Michael Kupperman (view at original size): Barack Hussein Obama by Steven Weissman (view at original size): And elsewhere: Belligerent Piano by Tim Lane: Forming by Jesse Moynihan: Humblug by Arnold Roth (3 new udpates!): Keeping Two by Jordan Crane: Maakies by Tony Millionaire: Truth Serum by Jon Adams:

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "The initial cartoons in [Willie & Joe: Back Home] show Willie and Joe struggling to adjust to civilian life and usually failing, albeit not without letting out a sardonic quip…. Eventually Willie and Joe faded into the background, however, as Mauldin started focusing more on other problems facing returning grunts — a housing shortage, trouble finding work — and then rather savagely (and rather bluntly) went after racists and right-wing extremists…. The end result is a collection of cartoons that both read like the work of someone desperate to rage against perceived injustices as loudly…

(click for larger version) We were very sad to learn of the death of F. Solano López, the great Argentine cartoonist whose many contributions to Fantagraphics over the years included the graphic novel Ana, the Jim Woodring-penned Freaks adaptation, and many, many pages of delightful X-rated comics for Young Witches and Sexy Symphonies. I will be penning a full obituary/appreciation of Solano for TCJ.com over the weekend; in the meantime, courtesy of Jim W., here is a bona fide Solano López oddity, the first page of an aborted adaptation of the 1959 movie The Wasp Woman created by the Freaks…

Every time I visit Fantagraphics office I damn near trip over Julie Doucet's cat carrier, which has been at the foot of the back stairs since she resided in the apartment upstairs in 1993. I worked as Fantagraphics beer tech back then – the "Summer of Hate" in Seattle. A blur of rock shows, cartoonist signings, art events, and parties. This was before the grunge movement had been corrupted by corporations and devastated by drugs. Great fun! I wish I could remember it. Occupational hazard, I suppose. I wonder what happened to Julie's cat. (Has anybody looked inside the carrier?)