Our own, beloved Gene Deitch weighs in on the future of animation and the influence of motion-capture technology on his field over at Animation Magazine.
Mister Wonderful, Chapter 18
Chapter 17 of Daniel Clowes' New York Times strip so masterfully built tension into such small space, and Chapter 18 is even more powerful and devastating. I'm actually sad this is ending in just a couple weeks, I don't think I've ever enjoyed a weekly comic more. We're pullin' for ya, Marshall.
Explainers by Jules Feiffer – Introduction by Gary Groth
{product_snapshot:id=532,true,false,true,left} {mosimage}{mosimage} In 1956, Jules Feiffer was a 27-year-old aspiring cartoonist with lofty goals and a hunger to see his work in print. He had previously apprenticed with Will Eisner for six years (1946-1952), eventually writing Eisner’s “Spirit” strip — and, even, in 1949, securing a gig writing and drawing a one-page kid strip, “Clifford,” that ran in the same comics supplement that featured “The Spirit.” Aside from this one pro bono slot (Eisner did not consider it worth paying for), he went unpublished until 1956, discovering in the interim that book publishers were not receptive to the kind of…
Comixtravaganza photos
The "Comixtravaganza" event at the Seattle Public Library was a big, well-attended success! Top to bottom: David Lasky leads a comics workshop; the "Getting Into Comics" panel with our own Eric Reynolds at far right; and Ellen Forney meets fans and signs books after her performance. Click each photo for more details in our Flickr stream and click here for the entire set of photos.
Last-minute Bagge alert
So I'm flipping through this week's Stranger and I come across this, highlighting a "Celebrity Open Mic" comedy event including Peter Bagge taking place tonight in Seattle! What will Pete be doing? Stand-up? A comics reading? If you attend, please give us a report in the comments.
New Website Feature of the Day: Online Comics
It's Friday, which means it's time for a new installment of Steven Weissman's "Chocolate Cheeks" chapter in his ongoing Yikes! stories! Check back every week for the newest adventure of Li'l Bloody, Sweet Chubby Cheeks and the whole gang. Our new and soon-to-be-expanded Online Comics section is totally FREE and available ONLY to registered, logged-in Fantagraphics.com users… yet another great reason to sign up if you haven't already! Coming soon: Martin Kellerman's Rocky.
Tom K.’s “Million Year Boom”
One of my favorite newer cartoonists is Tom Kaczynski, a regular contributor to MOME. His 14-page story in the forthcoming Vol. 11, "Million Year Boom," just might be his best story yet. Here's a couple of lovely panels. Can't read 'em? Sorry, you'll have to buy the issue! By the way, have I mentioned who's on the cover of Vol. 11 yet? He also has a fantastic 12-page story in the issue, as well.
Smashy smashy!
It's a big weekend for comics events in Seattle! In between Crumb at the Frye Museum, Comixtravaganza at the Seattle Public Library, and Persepolis at the movies, why not head on down to Georgetown to shop at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and marvel at the demolition of the Rainier Brewery cold storage building right across the street?
Thoughts on convention sales.
I've been reluctant to weigh in on the ComicsPro position paper that has been generating a lot of discussion of late but since we have been one of the publishers who have sold advance books at shows, several folks have asked us for comment so here we are. I know it's probably difficult for retailers to believe, but I actually do very much see both sides and have never quite been able to reconcile them. I will try to explain this…
Bechdel plugs Lust
On her blog, Ellen Forney points out a nice plug Alison Bechdel gave Ellen's new book Lust, saying "It's stunningly drawn, and most educational." What really makes it worth re-posting, though, is the accompanying photo:
