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UPDATE: Regrettably, this event is canceled for now. Join Esther Pearl Watson at Skylight Books in Los Angeles this Wednesday at 7:30 PM for a signing and what is sure to be a hilarious and delightful discussion with "an awesome slideshow of inspiration, sketches and behind-the-scenes craziness" for Unlovable Vols. 1 & 2. More info here.

Squeaking in under the wire yet again… Life during wartime in this week's The House of No by Derek Van Gieson… …an honest day's work in this week's Blecky Yuckerella strip by Johnny Ryan… …and the President gets the week off as Steven Weissman presents something a little different based on a print that's for sale at the Butter and Blood art show, with added dialogue by guest writer Charles Weissman.  

Without the title on there I'd have thought that Alex Ross was doing Prison Pit fanfic.

This is huge — EVERY issue of The Comics Journal is now on sale! All available issues through #287 are HALF OFF and #288-300 are 1/3 OFF! Plus, all Comics Journal Library books and Comics Journal Special Editions are also HALF OFF!   In preparation for the sale we scoured our warehouse and discovered two classic old issues from deep in the past which were previously thought out of print: The landmark #38 from 1978, named a Top Ten Issue of TCJ by Love & Maggie and a personal favorite of Kim Thompson's, features coverage of DC Comics' cover-price increase,…

Daily clips & strips — click for improved/additional viewing at the sources: • A new Amazing Facts and Beyond with Leon Beond strip by Kevin Huizenga • From Steven Weissman, this week's "I, Anonymous" and the piece that gives the Butter and Blood art show at GR2 its name • At last, those misty color backgrounds that Frank Santoro's been posting make sense • A midday visit to the lake by Debbie Drechsler • Two new illustrations by Sergio Ponchione, including… the world's first Muslim online sex shop? (completely SFW) • It's Paul Hornschemeier's new weekly t-shirt design for his…

Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Is your brain drained? Is your soul cold? Does your ticker need a snicker?  Then arrange your face with a grin in place. Read The Culture Corner by Basil Wolverton. Fantagraphics has just published this comprehensive collection of a rare and genuinely silly strip by a great cartoonist. … The collection will crack you up, especially if you enjoy goofy phrases. Wolverton was a master of the craft…. It’s a must-have for any fan of cartooning." – Beth Davies-Stofka, Super I.T.C.H. • Review: "If someone tries to tell you Fletcher Hanks was a genius,…

Yes! For the first time ever, Fantagraphics will be heading to the great white north for this year's Toronto Comic Arts Festival.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, and yes, I'll confess, I'm looking forward to trying one of those Canadian donuts I've heard so much about. Yours truly will be manning the table, along with Denise and Helen from esteemed establishment The Beguiling. So, let me answer you now, "No, Eric, Gary, and Kim are not here," and "No, we're not accepting submissions, but please visit our website for details on how to submit your work…" We'll be bringing…

Come on down to Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday, May 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM to welcome gifted cartoonist Michael Kupperman to Seattle. He’ll be signing copies of the brand new issue of his sensational TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE comic book and other publications. The appearance includes an exhibition of his dazzling original art and a continuous screening of the animated “Snake ‘n’ Bacon” pilot episode. Kupperman’s unique graphic sensibility combines elements of anachronistic pulp detective magazines textured with references to contemporary art and popular culture. This results in singularly seductive and hilarious comics. Michael Kupperman’s appearance coincides with the…

Anders Nilsen is part of a group art show at Home Gallery in Chicago, opening this Saturday May 8, 2010 at 6 PM, with a closing brunch on Sunday May 30, 2010, at noon. More info and show previews here.

Daily clips & strips — click for improved/additional viewing at the sources: • Stephen DeStefano announces that his graphic novel Lucky in Love (coming this Summer from Fantagraphics) is in the can and reveals these character designs for the sequel, already in progress • The Esther Pearl Watson 's Unlovable Fan Page on Facebook presents a classic Tammy strip as it first appeared in Bust magazine • Steven Weissman continues to tease his pieces in the Butter and Blood art show at GR2 with "Wah! Wah! I Wanna" • Nut shot! It's this week's Belligerent Piano by Tim Lane •…