As great as the new cover for the forthcoming paperback edition of Strange Suspense: The Steve Ditko Archives Vol. 1 looks on screen, it looks even better in person as we ogle the advance copies fresh out of the box today. And, of course, the guts are still phenomenal, collecting Ditko's earliest pre-Code horror and suspense work, expertly restored in full lurid color, and compiled by acclaimed Ditko biographer Blake Bell. If you missed out on the hardcover edition of this volume, be sure to snap up this version right away — you can reserve your copy, and read an…
Cake Frame 2 show this Sunday
Preparing for next month's Chicago Alternative Comics Expo aka CAKE, the organizers have an excellently curated art auction on Sunday, April 20th! CAKE FRAME 2: Live Art Auction and Brain Frame Comics Performance Event directly benefits CAKE. Doors open at 6pm, show at 7pm. Artwork up for auction included works by Ivan Brunetti, Lane Milburn, Chris Ware, David Alvarado, Kevin Budnik, Andy Burkholder, Neil Brideau, Danielle Chenette, Anya Davidson, Jo Dery, Nick Drnaso, Krystal DiFronzo, Keith Herzik, Lyra Hill, Nicole Hollander, Edie Fake, Rebecca Mir Grady, Steve Krakow, Bret Koontz,,Brett Manning, Ben Marcus, Max Morris, Paul Nudd, Peanut Gallery, Onsmith,…
Hip Hop Family Tree Vol. 2 by Ed Piskor – Excerpt
The potent combination of Ed Piskor's deft cartooning skills and deep obsession for endlessly rich true-life subject matter has rocketed Hip Hop Family Tree off the shelves and onto the New York Times best-seller and 2014 Eisner Award nomination lists. (The fresh packaging and all-around general coolness don't hurt either.) Get ready for another dose of knowledge this summer, when Vol. 2: 1981-1983 drops. Episodes in our downloadable preview: beatboxing pioneer Doug E. Fresh is introduced; the story of Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde's hit "Genius Rap"; a famous pro baseball star threatens Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five backstage;…
Unlovable Book 1 Issue 3 at comiXology
Tammy Pierce is ready BACK with a new digital issue on comiXology, Unlovable Book 1 #3 "Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Esther Pearl Watson. From the pages of Bust magazine and Unlovable Book 1, the sometimes ordinary, sometimes humiliating, often poignant and frequently hilarious exploits of '80s teen underdog Tammy Pierce: big hair, boogers, boys and other high school pitfalls. Learn how to kiss using household objects, shoplifting do's and don'ts PLUS the effects of raspberry wine coolers. These 106 pages of fun in the sun are only $4.99! Time to laugh until that wine cooler squirts out your…
witzend by Wallace Wood and various artists – First Look
Like a monolith, the formidable witzend box set rises from the corner of my desk. With two hardcover volumes in a slipcase collecting the complete run of Wallace Wood & company's landmark anthology series, featuring incredible artwork and scintillating stories from a murderers' row of creators, it's a monumental package, a must-have for the comics cognoscenti, and a guaranteed toe-crusher if you drop it on your foot. This bastion of freedom of expression and independence from commercial and editorial restraint should be on shelves before Independence Day and available through our mail-order a bit sooner. If you haven't already, browse…
Sequential rolls out more Gilbert Hernandez
Digital comics app Sequential is now filled to the gills with Gilbert Hernandez comics. You can fill your digital shelves with his Love and Rockets' Palomar series with Heartbreak Soup, Human Diastrophism and Beyond Palomar or revel in his genius with the collected The Children of Palomar or the pulpy B-sci-fi movie of Maria M. You'll be reading the best comics digitally in no time! "I don't think there's ever been a greater cartooning talent in terms of what he brings the serial comic book form." – The Comics Reporter "Gilbert Hernandez created some of the most memorable characters in…
Fantagraphics 2014 Eisner Nominations
Once again, we are so very pleased and excited for all our Eisner Award nominations. Our many cartoonists, editors, designers, translators and interns really rocked it this last year and it is an honor just to be nominated. Haven't read all of them? Here's a handy shopping list! You can also check out many of these comics digitally via comiXology. Vote for your favorite comics soon and make sure to do so by June 13th, 2014. Best Single Issue (or One-Shot): Love and Rockets: New Stories #6, by Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez Best Short Story: "Untitled," by Gilbert Hernandez,…
How to Be Happy by Eleanor Davis – Excerpt
Eleanor Davis won the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer award at the 2009 Eisners, and her illustration work won her a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators last year, further cementing her status as a major young creator. Now, we present How to Be Happy, the eagerly awaited collection of Davis's comics going back to 2007, coming this Summer. Our downloadable preview includes portions of the stunning painted stories "In Our Eden" and Best American Comics selection "Nita Goes Home," plus a couple of Davis's looser but no less impactful sketchbook strips. Everyone will be talking about How to…
Linework NW 2014 Photo Album
Linework NW was this weekend and yes, yes, yes fantastic. And if you're wondering where photos are of the two dudes in charge, François Vigneault and Zack Soto, they just never stopped moving long enough to photograph! (Photo above by official Linework NW photographer, Caroline Smith) At the Opening Party (at Reading Frenzy) Ed Luce tells Edie Fake a secret.The back gallery held a lot of gorgeous Jim Woodring and Michael DeForge art.Shannon O'Leary (of Publisher's Weekly and the Big Feminist But) finally meets cartoonist Annie Murphy, who is also in No Straight Lines.Sam Alden sees his first comic 'with…
Cork High and Bottle Deep by Virgil Partch – First Look
It's nearly time to raise a glass and tie one on with our classy-looking, fun-sized hardcover gift book Cork High and Bottle Deep by Virgil Partch. Vip's booze cartoons are hilarious even if you're not three sheets to the wind. Our research department has not yet read the book while in their cups — we need to beef up our safety equipment first — but we now have our advance copies ready for the lab. OK, before I pull a muscle on this metaphor, check out our excerpt and pre-order your copy of the book (for delivery in a bit…
