Fantagraphics Blog FantaBlog

Pull the kids up on your lap, turn up the volume on your computer, and enjoy this performance from cartoonist/musician Archer Prewitt, live on "Chic-A-Go-Go," the cutest all-ages dance show on cable access in Chicago. A COUNTING ERROR by John and Mark from Barry Phipps on Vimeo. And while you're at it, and if the kids haven't squirmed away yet, check out this silly video from John & Mark, featuring artwork by Mr. Prewitt. In fact, it's the same artwork that adorns the album John & Mark's Children's Record on Tight Ship Records. You can even download 16 pages of…

What do you mean we should've broken this story yesterday?

This looks like it's going to be a dazzling art show of John Pham's paintings (and a few sculptures) at GR2 in LA April 10 – May 5. The opening reception is on Saturday April 10, 6:30-10 PM. More info here.

Daily clips & strips — click for improved/additional viewing at the sources: • Kevin Huizenga's new Amazing Facts and Beyond with Leon Beyond strip reminds me how grateful I am that Seattle is mostly free of the phenomenon in question • This week's "I, Anonymous" spot by Steven Weissman • This week's Maakies by Tony Millionaire (and guest writers including Drinky Crow Show co-creator Eric Kaplan) • A blind-in-one-eye California towhee by Debbie Drechsler • A trio of new silkscreen prints from Lilli Carré • It's the last of the Julia Wertz / Johnny Ryan kids-book spoof strips • Speaking…

Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "There are two types of war stories: war as the great human drama, man accomplishing amazing feats in the most horrible of circumstances, or war as the great human tragedy, the ultimate loss of life without any rhyme or reason.  Tardi’s book fits very firmly into the latter category. … Ink-soaked and gory, Tardi’s detailed renderings drive home the grotesquery of the war and the ordeal of the young men fighting in it. …It Was the War of the Trenches creates an aura of loss, regret and terror." – Michael C. Lorah, Newsarama •…

Two of the most accomplished cartoonists in America, Peter Bagge and James Sturm, will speak and sign copies of their newly minted graphic novels at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, April 17, 6:00 to 8:00 PM.   Seattle’s Peter Bagge is the architect of the ubiquitous alternative comics genre. His compelling comic book serial HATE chronicled the exploits of Buddy Bradley and his gang of lovable losers through the rise and fall of the grunge era. Going beyond mere satire, Bagge’s observations helped fashion the aesthetics and attitudes of the only significant youth movement to emerge from the Pacific…

Our Free Comic Book Day offering this year, Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales by Jim Woodring, is an absolute doozy! It features an excerpt of Jim's new graphic novel Weathercraft along with out-of-print and never-before-published "Frank" material, a centerfold of a previously unpublished Woodring charcoal drawing (like the ones in Seeing Things), and other surprises. It's an absolute must-have for any Woodring fan! Believe me — I've seen the proofs and I can't wait to get my hands on the final product. At the FCBD website, you can read an interview with the comic's editor, our own Jason T. Miles,…

A couple weekends back I sat down on a Friday night and read thru printed proofs of Tim Hensley's WALLY GROPIUS and was absolutely blown away. So much so that immediately afterward I emailed most of my coworkers to tell them how much I envied the pleasure that awaited them in reading the book in its entirety. I was so excited by a Fanta book that I was pimping it to my own coworkers. That's like telling your pregnant wife that, boy, she's really going to love that new baby that's on its way. Probably a bit unnecessary. But I couldn't help myself….

Nope, it's not a prank, a jape, a jest, shenanigans or even tomfoolery! Now through the end of the day on Monday, April 5, take 15% off your entire purchase by using the following coupon code at checkout: NOFOOLING And don't forget, we still have a large selection of backlist titles at great discounts of 1/3 to 1/2 off the cover prices in our Clearance Sale and Closeout Deals sections, plus a good assortment of 99-Cent Comics — and you'll get an extra 15% off the discounted prices during this sale!

Daily clips & strips — click for improved/additional viewing at the sources: • At the Cold Heat blog, Frank Santoro (shown) and Ben Jones's layouts for the story in Mome 18 • Paul Hornschemeier's Green Day-on-Broadway illustration (and original line art) for his weekly WSJ spot • At What Things Do, the concluding half of "Look Out for Big Della" from White Flower Day by Steven Weissman • Too many creme eggs? How could I not post a fat bunny by Renee French? • Now that Jon Adams is going to be in Mome I should start featuring his webcomic…