Fantagraphics Blog

This week's tasty jubilee of Online Commentaries and Diversions: Review: Twelve Gems by Lane Milburn "This excellent, retro space opera reads like a funny, alternative Infinity Gauntlet meets Guardians of the Galaxy – but way cooler than both." – Benn Ray, Largehearted Boy "The story — involving a winged genius dog, a pig monster, a sultry space warrior in leather lingerie, a mad scientist, a quest for a dozen mystic rocks and the cyber-future of sex dolls — is dumb, convoluted and perfect! " – Jake Austen, Chicago Tribune   Interview: How to Be Happy by Eleanor Davis "I tried…

 Awww, yeah, our digital library groweth. Twelve Gems by Lane Milburn is a sci-fi epic taking place somewhere in the outer cosmos, beyond reckoning or observation. The mysterious Dr. Z has enlisted three space heroes to search the galaxy for the fabled Twelve Gems of Power: the hulking alien-brawn Furz; the beautiful and deadly sabre-wielding Venus; and the soft-spoken canine technician, Dogstar. They meet many strange and storied characters on their journey, but none so strange or sinister as their dear benefactor himself. With a heavy dose of humor and wall-to-wall action, this is one of the most action-packed and funny books of…

It's a double delight: the advance copies of our two new Peanuts gift books are here! These books are sure to make great holiday presents for everyone in the family. In Waiting for the Great Pumpkin, we've collected all the best strips featuring Linus' fervent idolatry and proselytization of the Great Pumpkin — a mythic character believed to rise from the pumpkin patch every Halloween to dole out gifts to good boys and girls. In Snoopy's Thanksgiving, Snoopy and his dearest friend Woodstock both approach the impending holiday with varying degrees of dread, disappointment, and expectation management. Great Pumpkin and…

It is our great pleasure to reveal the final cover artwork for Tim Lane's upcoming book, The Lonesome Go, wherein he continues to explore the Great American Mythological Drama that he began with his first, award-winning book Abandoned Cars. Haunting, rich, gritty, and filled with the familiar imagery, mythologies, and icons of middle America, The Lonesome Go is best described as a tapestry of loosely connected stories, tied together by the experience of wandering. We're anticipating an August 2014 release for the book, though of course you can pre-order your copy now!

The How to Be Happy tour is most likely a-comin' to you West Coast. This ain't no flim-flamy snake oil juice we're forcing you to swallow, cartoonist Eleanor Davis KNOWS the secret to happiness and more. Start out the fun in Portland, OR at Floating World Comics on Wednesday, July 9th from 6-8pm with a presentation at 7pm. Next stop? The Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Sunday, July 13th from 3-5pm with Esther Pearl Watson. Seattle's always got the best cartoonists visiting and this event coincides with the Georgetown Garden Walk (more details here). Head straight south to Mission Comics on Monday, July 14th from…

Every three months, Seattle's tony cultural journal City Arts awards cash prizes for the best artworks exhibited in local galleries. A panel of three guest jurors nominates finalists each quarter. Winners will be chosen by popular vote this Thursday, July 11 at the Summer Art Walk Awards party. Max Clotfelter's story from the Intruder 10 exhibition in April at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is up for an award. Show up at Sole Repair by 9:00 PM, have a drink, carefully consider all the nominated work, then vote for Max!   The new Intruder 11, a comix tabloid edited by our own Marc Palm,…

Paste a smile on your face, Portland. Fantagraphics Books and Floating World cordially invite you to Floating World Comics on Wednesday, July 9th, 2014, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM to meet THE Eleanor Davis. She'll be signing copies of her new comic collection from Fantagraphics entitled How To Be Happy. Her polished line work and alluring palette perfectly complement her compelling stories and she's done work for everyone from Lucky Peach to The New Yorker. Please note that her book will not actually instruct you on how to live a happier life but reading it will put you in the perfect mindset. Please join…

A friend and local artist from our Short Run exhibit, Noel Franklin, is seeking Patrons via Patreon.com! Her first mini-comic, Gone Girls Comics, was well-received and is the focus of her future work. Check out her Patreon page here, and learn more about Noel at her site here.

How are you celebrating World UFO Day today? Rewatching The X-files? Wearing your favorite tin hat? Gazing at the sky? Why not pick up a sci-fi title or two as well? We've got some delectable tales, new and old, that explore humankind's fascination with space and aliens. From the kid-friendly to the delightfully perverse, we have plenty of recommendations to help you celebrate this (actual) holiday! Twelve Gems by Lane Milburn New Release Somewhere in the outer cosmos, beyond reckoning or observation, the mysterious Dr. Z has enlisted three space heroes, Furz, Venus, and Dogstar, to search the galaxy for the…

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.    Twelve Gems by Lane Milburn 248-page monochrome 5.75" x 8.5" softcover • $19.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-751-2 "For fans of pulpy storytelling, fans of silly action, and fans of fans, this book is the gem you must seek." – Jake Austen, Chicago Tribune  "It's '80s-indie black-and-white space-opera action as you like it!"– Robot 6   …