Fantagraphics Blog FantaBlog

An early update for our weekly strips today? Sure why not: I think I can guess why this week's The House of No by Derek Van Gieson was rejected by The New Yorker… …hobo murder makes a happy Blecksgiving in this week's Blecky Yuckerella strip by Johnny Ryan…. …and Steven Weissman is taking the day off from the Obama strips but would like you to know that he's having a 20% off sale on his artwork and prints at Comic Art Collective. Take it from me, Weissman artwork really spruces up a home!

Online Commentary & Diversions observes the U.S. holiday tomorrow and returns on Friday: • Review: "Children of the early Cold War who grew up with a pre-Spider-Man Ditko will find plenty to love in these restorations… Contemporary fans will no doubt find a lot to like in this volume, as well, both as a piece of mid-century pop-art, and as a first-hand look at the singularly warped sensibilities of one of the artists that would go on to shape the modern superhero book as we know it. Ditko clearly revels in his pre-Code world, constructing giant man-eating worms, and serial…

Paul gives a reading at Chicago's venerable Quimby's on 11/11/09 on his book tour with Jay Ryan (YouTube link; Paul's blog commentary):

Official announcement follows:   FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY CELEBRATES THIRD ANNIVERSARY ON DECEMBER 12 WITH ART, MUSIC, COMIX & MORE! November 25, 2009 – SEATTLE, WA. The third anniversary celebration for Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, December 12, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, promises to be an unforgettable affair. The event features appearances by an international cadre of compelling cartoonists and artists as well as the world premiere of PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE with editor Jacques Boyreau. An entertaining panel discussion will be held the following Sunday afternoon, December 13. PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE: The Lost Art of the VHS Box collects colorful…

Tiny Showcase has their "10 Beasts!" print set on sale for the holidays (along with most of their many other prints). At half price, it's a steal for ten pieces from ten great artists.* It should be noted that unlike most of the TS prints, these are letterpressed and done so in many colors. Heck, if you don't mind breaking up the set you can give a print out to ten lucky pals for the holidays or, if you're one of those "prepared" people, you could always have ten gifts on hand for those birthday announcements that pop up on…

I'll quote from the source: "If you've ever wanted to hear Linus's song 'My Blanket and Me' done in the style of a '70s cop show theme, you now have your wish." 

  Things that are *always* worth a read: an interview with Joe Sacco.

…in Denmark, under a different title (Alkymisterne), from our pals at Aben Maler (co-publishers of From Wonderland with Love — ooh, they've got previews). Jim Woodring shares his thoughts on the occasion on his blog, along with a link to this translated review from tegneseriesiden.dk ("To go into [Weathercraft] is like sticking your head deep in a witches' pot and letting your brain cook slowly. It is an attack that has the ability to flush from the visual into your other senses, it is like to smell and hear and above all feel with the eyes, synesthesia in cartoon form")….