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  Advancements in modern technology have rendered the art of the prank phone call to be something of an anachronism. Which is a shame, and all the more reason why I'm rooting for this kickstarter to succeed. Never forget. Once upon a time, Park Grubbs was legendary, if mostly known only via tenth-generation cassette tapes shared through the mail by weirdos and misfits. Longtime Daniel Clowes  fans will remember Grubbs as the esteemed winner of the "Eightball  Prank Call Contest" (surely the Oscar of prank phone call awards). One of the kickstarter rewards is a signed print from longtime Grubbs co-conspirator / Fantagraphics friend…

Friends and family, gather 'round! Ed Piskor is coming to your neighborhood! Ed's coming and his gaggle of comics to Philadelphia and Brooklyn.  SATURDAY, August 16th Piskor will be signing copies of Hip Hop Family Tree Volume 1, Volume 2 and the box set at Locust Moon Comics at 7pm.  SUNDAY, August 17th at 7pm, you can find Piskor at Bergen Street Comics in conversation with rapper Reggie Ossé (also known to many of you as Combat Jack)! Can't imagine how cool that would be? Well check out this video from the Chicago Ideas conference as a little pre-game action.  At both signings, Ed's pal and stellar cartoonist…

Part trash zine, part essay, and part exhibition, SuperTrash is Jacques Boyreau's latest curation of multimedia objects—movie posters, comic strips, illustrations, collages, and more—exploring the relationships between and interplay of art and trash. To get a taste of this singular collection, we've got a downloadable, 26-page PDF preview (5.5 MB). Give it a read, and keep your eyeballs peeled for more upcoming photos and video. Check out the book page for more info and to pre-order yourself a copy!

Thursday, September 4th The beautiful people at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum are hosting a lovely evening with the mad Maakies creator, Tony Millionaire. Beginning at 7 pm in the Jean and Charles Schulz Lecture Hall on the Ohio State University campus. Tony will be in conversation with the library's engagement coordinator, Caitlin McGurk, discussing the only two things worth discussing, life, and cartooning. Millionaire's breadth of work has spanned many years, through many mediums. From original syndicated title Maakies, to the well beloved Sock Monkey series, and the Cartoon Network Adult Swim show, "The Drinky Crow Show". The recently released Sock Monkey…

This week's comic shop shipment is slated to include the following new titles. Read on to see what comics-blog commentators and web-savvy comic shops are saying about them (more to be added as they appear), check out our previews at the links, and contact your local shop to confirm availability.   Jim by Jim Woodring 224-page black & white/color 7.75" x 11" hardcover • $29.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-752-9 "Jim Woodring is one of our greatest cartoonists, and these are some of his greatest comics. There are two or three potential top 25 all-time comics shorts in here." -Tom Spurgeon, Comics Reporter    "Fantagraphics hardcover collection…

Just arrived and shipping now from our mail-order department:  Hip Hop Family Tree Vol. 2: 1981-1983by Ed Piskor 112-page full color 9" x 13" softcover • $27.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-756-7 See Previews / Order Now Book 2 covers the early years of 1981-1983, when Hip Hop has made a big transition from the parks and rec rooms to downtown clubs and vinyl records. The performers make moves to separate themselves from the paying customers by dressing more and more flamboyantly until a young group called RUN-DMC comes on the scene to take things back to the streets. This volume covers hits like…

Just arrived and shipping now from our mail-order department: Megahexby Simon Hanselmann 212-page full color 6" x 8.75" hardcover • $29.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-743-7 See Previews / Order Now Megg is a depressed, drug-addicted witch. Mogg is her black cat. Their friend, Owl, is an anthropomorphized owl. They hang out a lot with Werewolf Jones. This may sound like a pure stoner comedy, but it transcends the genre: these characters struggle unsuccessfully to come to grips with their depression, drug use, sexuality, poverty, lack of work, lack of ambition, and their complex feelings about each other in ways that have made Megg…

Waiting for the Great Pumpkin by Charles M. Schulz 64-page color 5.75" x 5.75" hardcover • $9.99 ISBN: 978-1-60699-772-7 Ships in: September 2014 (subject to change) — Pre-Order Now Linus and his wait for the Great Pumpkin have been a pop culture touchstone for nearly 50 years thanks to the animated television special ("I got a rock"), and it all started in the classic Peanuts strips from 1959-1962 collected in this affordable, fun-sized gift book. Linus's belief and proselytizing that on Halloween, the Great Pumpkin rises from the pumpkin patch and travels the world bringing presents to good little girls…

Friday, August 15th If you're in Athens, GA (or feel like taking a vacation) come celebrate an artist of immeasurable talent with the book release party for the acclaimed work, How to be Happy! From 4-6 pm on Friday the 15th, at Bizarro-Wuxtry Comics, Toys, & Records. Whimsical, sensitive, and earthly real, cartoonist, Eleanor Davis achieves a level of quiet poignancy throughout this collection of comics and short stories that leaves the reader wondering, "how did she know?". Pick up one of the most important books of the year, and head over to Bizarro-Wuxtry to say "Hi!" and other pleasantries.

This week's summery, sun-warmed collection of Online Commentaries and Diversions: Review: Unlovable Vol. 3 by Esther Pearl Watson "Though Watson illustrates Tammy’s life in excruciating, embarrassing detail to often-hilarious effect, her clear affection and empathy for her subject shines through. She universalizes Tammy’s experiences, taking us back to relive our own tortured, giddy, deadly serious, horny, boring, and horribly self-conscious teenage years." – Robert Kirby, The Comics Journal   Review: Twelve Gems by Lane Milburn "This is exactly what summer blockbusters should be, only Milburn’s is a singular vision. He exploits clichés by embracing them, and he busily captures hyperspace…