This week’s digital releases are crazy good and there’s plenty of them, so no time to waste . . . We’ll kick off this week with Love and Rockets Vol. IV #3. The Locas girls’ punk reunion has come to a close, but the evening has just begun. The Animus situation has gotten out of hand. Plus, some classic Palomar characters are awkwardly reunited. Catch this brand-new issue digitally through comiXology. Right before the television drama based on the book comes to Netflix, rediscover Charles Forsman’s The End of the Fucking World. Originally released to…
Surf’s Up at Fantagraphics Bookstore on August 12!
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts the book release celebration for Michael Dormer and the Legend of Hot Curl with surf sounds by Pleasure Island on Saturday, August 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The late Michael Dormer is synonymous with the California surf counterculture in the 1960s and 70s. The post-World War II influence of Beatnik poetry, jazz, and art on the California Coast created a revolution in the Orange County surf world, and no one defined the visual style of this movement more than Dormer. His career as an artist took off when he created “Hot Curl,” the mop-haired,…
Re/Read: Peter Bagge’s Buddy Does Seattle
Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid examining books you may have missed or merit more attention. In light of the tragic events recently afflicting Seattle’s music scene, it’s a good time for a lighthearted look at the good times in Peter Bagge’s classic, Buddy Does Seattle. Seattle’s sensational grunge era of the 1990s is often viewed through the gloomy lens of Northwest Noir. Peter Bagge’s Hate comic book serial adds levity to that perception. Protagonist Buddy Bradley and his crew of lovable losers provide a perfect allegory for the lively youth movement…
Fantagraphics at SDCC 2017: Staff Picks
Here at Fantagraphics we realize that we publish sometimes upwards of 70 books a year, and that it can be a struggle to keep up with all the titles. For those of you going to San Diego, and for those avoiding it all in the comfort of their homes, we’ve put together a handy list of new and newish books that we’ve taken a shine to. RJ Blubber by Gilbert Hernandez Through his comics, Gilbert Hernandez has changed the way I view art and has made me a better reader. Just when you think (or hope) he goes one way,…
Fantagraphics at SDCC 2017: The Debuts
More debuts than you can shake sticks at, make sure you hit booth 1721 for some of the only actual comics you’ll find at Comic-Con! Otherworld Barbara Vol. 2 by Moto Hagio Nanami had sworn to never see her granddaughter, Aoba, again. A despairing Kiriya had rejected his father, Tokio. Yet now both are traveling with Tokio to Engaru, where Aoba has slept and dreamt of the island of Barbara for seven years. The poltergeist phenomena become more intense. Aoba seems desperate. Is her world coming to an end? And does that end mean the end of the world, one…
Fantagraphics at SDCC 2017: Signing Schedule
We bring you the guests, the artists, the signings! Special Guests Simon Hanselmann New York Times Best-Selling cartoonist Simon Hanselmann (Megahex) was born in Tasmania, Australia and currently resides in Seattle, WA. He spends his days meticulously watercoloring each page of comics he hand draws. Simon has found international success with his stoner witch comics, which have been translated into over a dozen languages. When not makes comics, Simon can be found smoking cigarettes and walking a one-eyed dog. Liz Suburbia Liz Suburbia is the creator of Sacred Heart, the ALA/YALSA Alex Award-winning graphic novel from Fantagraphics, as well as the…
Fantagraphics at SDCC 2017: The Panels
We give you The Panels of San Diego Comic-Con 2017! Thursday, July 20 A Bunch of Jews (A Minyen Yidn) 12:30pm – 1:30pm Publisher Hope Nicholson, creator Trina Robbins (Pretty in Ink), and contributing artists Jen Vaughn, Elizabeth Watasin, Miriam Libicki, and Willy Mendes discuss the creation of the anthology A Bunch of Jews (A Minyen Yidn) and portraying Jewish characters from within and outside of the culture. Essential Deserted Island Comics 4:00 – 5:00pm So you’re stranded on a deserted island. But good news-you can pick your favorite comics to get stuck with for the rest of your life! What essential comics will you be reading and rereading? You might…
What’s in Store: Seattle’s Biggest Little Book Fair
We were flattered by the Seattle Weekly headline describing Saturday’s 3rd annual Hot Off the Press Book Fair as “Seattle’s Biggest Little Book Festival.” This effort demonstrates our continuing commitment to the local comix community. This year’s installment includes tables of handcrafted publications by cooperative presses and comix collectives, as well as feature presentations by Simon Hanselmann and Coin-Op Books. Complimentary beverages and pizza from Sizzle Pie will be served. Come out and support independent artists from Seattle and beyond. The book fair runs from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on July 8 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Arrive…
Digital Translations and More Backlist Titles!
This week’s digital releases feature translated comics from Italy and the Netherlands, as well as plenty of backlist wonders to tide you, and your tablet, over for the week. And away we go… Zanardi presents the work of Andrea Pazienza to English-speaking audiences for the very first time. Pazienza portrays a lost generation of late 1970s/early 1980’s teenagers coping with family issues, school, sex, and drugs. A true outrageous visionary, Zanardi collects Pazienza’s work into one handsome volume and is now available through comiXology and Google Play. In the Pines is a collection of Dutch cartoonist…
What’s in Store: Hot Off the Press Book Fair!
Please join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery for our 3rd annual Hot Off the Press Book Fair on Saturday, July 8. This year’s edition features an array of accomplished regional, national, and international artists in the fields of comix, printmaking, and graphic art. Participants will engage in interactive art activities inside and outside the bookstore from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. The festivities will include an exhibition and book signing by bi-coastal siblings Peter and Maria Hoey of Coin-Op Books. Their postmodern approach to comix and graphic art combines elements of Art Deco, Dada, and Pop Art with current indie…
