Fantagraphics Blog FantaBlog

We have a stack of copies of this award-winning book which are missing the dustjacket but are otherwise in perfect condition. Rather than having them languish in our warehouse we're offering them at the discounted price of $20.00 — nearly 60% off! Quantities are limited so order quick! B. Krigstein Vol. 1 [Without Dustjacket] by Greg Sadowski 240-page full-color 9" x 11" hardcover • $49.95 $20.00 Ten years in the making, this exhaustively researched tome is a giant biography and career retrospective of one of the most important cartoonists in the history of comics. Following his life from early childhood…

Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Yes, [It Was the War of the Trenches] is an unpleasant book (even extending to the art, which does its job as well as everything else in making the war look ugly, muddy, dirty, and bloody; defining each character well but making sure to show the awfulness of their circumstances), but one that everyone should read, not only for a sense of history, but to see the horror of death and the suffering of those forced to partake in it." – Matthew J. Brady, Warren Peace Sings the Blues • Review: "In terms of…

Join Esther Pearl Watson at Skylight Books in Los Angeles on Friday, July 9 at 7:30 PM for a signing and what is sure to be a hilarious and delightful discussion with what Esther promises to be "an awesome slideshow of inspiration, sketches and behind-the-scenes craziness" for Unlovable Vols. 1 & 2. More info here. (This is a rescheduling of the event that was originally slated for May 12.)

Periodic clips & strips — click for improved/additional viewing at the sources: • Gonked, Glooked & Slurped! share a recently-acquired original Eightball page by Daniel Clowes • A new record-sleeve illustration for Indianapolis band Stand and Deliver by Peter Bagge • Michael Kupperman hijacks Beetle Bailey — according to this recent TCJ article I think Mort Walker would approve • The Paris Review presents a gallery of Robert Crumb self-portraits through the years (via The Comics Reporter) • It's your all-new weekly installment of "Cartoon Boy" from John Kerschbaum • J.R. Williams has zillions of great prints for sale at…

Johnny Ryan, Jordan Crane and Steven Weissman are among the guests at Indy Euphoria, the awesome-sounding "indy comics/DIY/vinyl toy/lowbrow art/music convention" in Sacramento this coming Sunday, June 27! Jeez that sounds fun.

Photos & video from Jim Woodring's appearance at Desert Island in Brooklyn on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Yoinked from Desert Island's Flickr photostream. More pics here.

Don't miss the Hazard Factory's fantastic Power Tool Races this Saturday, June 26 -part of the fabulous Artopia arts extravaganza and Georgetown Music Festival from 2:00 to 10:00 PM. Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid created a demonic chainsaw-powered racer fashioned from an autographed 1991 Daniel Clowes-designed Corey O'Brian Santa Cruz skateboard. Come cheer for our racer (just don't get too close), see dozens of bands (featuring Fantagraphics favorites the Tom Price Desert Classic right outside our space), art exhibitions (including Megan Kelso's wonderful new work inside our store), carnival games, aerial acts, food, drinks, and a special appearance by demented…

Online Commentary & Diversions, back after a short respite: • Review: "Almost to a story, the bits and pieces of Mome [Vol. 18] just suck the careful reader in. Indeed, almost every contribution practically begs for critical examination, not to mention a different frame of mind. … Some of the individual stories are just stunning. … This is great art, good comics, and, in my opinion, odd when taken as a collection." – Jeremy Nisen, Under the Radar • Review: "Right up front let’s admit this: Wally Gropius is a terrifying comic book and everyone reading this should buy it…

iBerkshires.com reports that Comic and Cartoon Art Comes Alive: The Art of Mark Martin will be on view July 31 – August 29, 2010 at the Storefront Artist Project in Pittsfield MA, and "As a precursor to the exhibit, the Storefront Artist Project will be hosting a special United States Postal Service stamp cancellation ceremony… The cancel was created by Martin with his own characters and will be used by the USPS on July 16, 2010 as part of the 'Sunday Funnies' 2010 Stamp Program. A series of related workshops and programs will also be offered to the community in…

It just came to my attention that the silkscreen poster for Grandma Zapp's Rolling Thunderheart Mountain Variety Show, featuring Artichoke Tales artwork by Megan Kelso and lettering by Raleigh Briggs, is still available to order online! 100% of the proceeds go to benefit ZAPP.