Fantagraphics Blog

I'm not uploading pictures today. Blogger is an ass. Frank Santoro is a very insightful and concise writer of complex ideas in comics. I consider it a failing that I don't 'get' his work so much. Read this thread. Giant Robot Biennale: 50 Issues is opening at the JANM this Saturday (L.A.). I love the paintings of Alexia Stamatiou. If you're in Boston, she has a show opening tonight at the Allston Skirt Gallery. I was totally unfamiliar with Dash Shaw until his 720 page graphic novel showed up on my desk (to be published by Fantagraphics next season). And…

Hear Joe Sacco's entire half-hour discussion of Palestine: The Special Edition and his other works at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery last weekend by downloading this 20 MB MP3. (Pardon the low-fi quality; the tape recorder had a few glitches and speed issues, and I think some of the quieter moments might have been dropped, but I tried to correct what problems I could and de-chipmunk it as much as possible.) Photos and video clips can be seen on this page.

I just received this email from Carol Tyler: . "Please spread the word: Justin had a sketchbook stolen – it was about half full, containing rough sketches and writings. He was giving a demonstration at the college where I teach [in Cincinnati] and someone walked off with it. It went missing on October 17. I've notified the authorities. I want those who buy and collect comic art to know about it being stolen property. Keep our eyes on ebay." If anyone has any information regarding this, please contact fbicomix@fantagraphics.com. UPDATE: Carol Tyler tells me that the sketchbook was returned anonymously!…

It's Steve Ditko's 80th birthday today, and we'd like to take the opportunity to make the following announcement:

COMING IN JUNE 2008… STRANGE & STRANGER: THE WORLD OF STEVE DITKO

Fantagraphics Books is proud to announce the June 2008 release of the first critical retrospective of Steve Ditko, the co-creator and original artist of the Amazing Spider-Man.

In the wake of the astonishing success of Sam Raimi's three Spider-Man movies, Steve Ditko's status as a driving force behind the pop culture icon has been revealed to an audience the world over. But, in the context of Steve Ditko's 50-year career in comics, his creative involvement with Spider-Man is merely the tip of the iceberg.

JIM WOODRING'S IVORY TOWER ART OUTLET is offering a slew of new paintings and drawings for sale at great prices. So great, in fact, that my wife and I just decided to buy this one for each other for Christmas: Jim Woodring is cooler than Santa Claus.

I'm very pleased to be a part of the AIGA speaker series at my alma mater next Tuesday evening. I'll be talking about my adventures in graphic design and giving helpful advice on what I've learned through costing my employers thousands of dollars via production screw ups. (My personal low: Typing the wrong contact information on every single page of an international sales catalog while, apparently, the copy editors slept.) Tips on nepotism, back-stabbing, and charming self-deprecation to follow in the Q & A portion. If you're in the area please come out. I'm begging you. [Note: Eric, please stop…

The Forbidden Planet blog reports that Igort will appear on the "Clear Spot" program on Resonance FM at 8 PM (presumably UK time) tomorrow, discussing his personal themes and techniques. Check the above links for more details.

Mark Todd has a great looking exhibit opening tomorrow at La Luz de Jesus in LA. Shake the artists hand and enjoy his Marvel homages. I love his weird The Thing egg (or origin story if you will). [For now I can't get images to load. Damned Blogger.]