Fantagraphics Blog

 The newest Online Commentaries and Diversions: •Commentary: Ron Richards of iFanboy writes a con review and 1/2 of his swap was Fantagraphics fun, "I did a little dance when I saw [Love and Rockets: New Stories #5] was available . . . After the amazing #4 of this series, I can’t wait to see what Los Bros Hernandez come up with this time out" •Commentary: Heidi MacDonald and Cal Reid finalize their digital SDCC thoughts on Publishers Weekly: "Comixology announced [many] new e-book distribution deals . . . .  and perhaps most significantly, Fantagraphics, which had been a staunch hold…

  Professor Van Sciver has chosen to examine a young Mary Todd, the future Mrs. Lincoln (hubba-hubba), in his Lincoln Lessons. "Mary could impress Abraham with her political erudition, and her passion for great literary works and poetry, specifically their mutual love for Shakespeare of which they could quote pieces from heart" says Van Sciver but she was also bogged down by untimely migraines and possibly depression. Find out more by reading Noah Van Sciver's full article and pre-order your copy of The Hypo today!

My very first Comic-Con International at San Diego was rather fan-freakin'-tastic. It is easier than people make it out to be but I imagine that if it started on TUESDAY night instead of Wednesday, we all would have died. This pictures are my con pictures so if that are mostly different than our previous CCI photo diaries. The caveat train is pulling away from the station! Wednesday: I showed up the morning times with PR Director Jacq Cohen and our co-workers, Mike Baehr and Janice Headley had the table set UP! Aside from our many new releases we were thrilled…

Given the 30 Anniversary celebration of Love and Rockets this week, our article and fact-making robot decided we should have a separate post on all the goings-on. If we missed your 30th Anniversary coverage, please let us know. Commentaries and fun memories below: •Interview: Heidi MacDonald interviews Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds on going digital with comiXology starting with Love and Rockets: New Stories. On THE BEAT Reynolds notes, "When the notion of 'digital comics' first became a reality, I’ll admit that many of our authors and many of us in the office actively resisted the idea and pretended to tell…

  Fantagraphics and comiXology are proud to announce their second digital release following the groundbreaking news that Love and Rockets was going digital. Michael Kupperman's critically-acclaimed humor series Tales Designed to Thrizzle #1 and #2 are now available for download at $2.99 each. The next month is designed to thrizzle with the release of all eight issues of Tales rolled out two per week over the next four Wednesdays. Download the sold-out Issue #1 and 2 right now! Issues 3 and 4 will be released Wednesday, July 24th; issues 5 and 6 on August 1st and issues 7 and 8th…

The newest and week-old pre-SDCC stinky socks found under your bed-style Online Commentaries and Diversions minus the hullabaloo about Love and Rockets: •Interview (video): Noah Van Sciver is interviewed by documentary film maker Dan Stafford on his upcoming book about Lincoln's depression, The Hypo, coming out this fall. "Lincoln battled things his whole life. He battled with poverty in his youth; the part that I cover, battling with depression; the struggle of his own fate followed by keeping the nation together, how we know him best." •Plug: Flavorwire takes the Flavorpill by Tucker Stone. 4 of the 10 most anticipated…

  At the shortest Eisner Awards ceremony known to Comic Con International in San Diego, Fantagraphics walked away with 10 nominations in 8 categories and one solid win. Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Vol. 1 and 2 by Floyd Gottfredson (edited by David Gerstein and Gary Groth) took the Eisner for Best Archival Collections/Projects for Comic Strips, beating out our own Prince Valiant #3 – 4 by Hal Foster (edited by Kim Thompson) and other smashing works like Tarpe Mills' Miss Fury.   We sincerely thank everyone for their support and love of this excellent material. Gottfredson was a master of…

Sights from the Comic-Con home stretch! Starting the day with Gilbert & Jaime Hernandez (later joined by Natalia & Mario) — what could be better? A couple of real horrorshow droogs checking out the merchandise. Careful with those codpieces, boys. Eric & Jacq surround Ruben Bolling to cut off any possible escape. Bob Burden gets his paws on some original Gilbert Hernandez art. Johnny Ryan barely tolerates my picture-taking while Steven Weissman wheels & deals. Diana Schutz of Dark Horse visits with Mario & Gilbert while Jaime keeps his nose to the grindstone. Citizen Rex sequel, anyone? Steven Weissman &…

Fell a little behind on my photo blogging but here are some sights from the floor at Comic-Con International yesterday: Sweet Maggie ink! Jaime was impressed with this one (as were we all). The line for the Gilbert Shelton & Dave McKean signing stretched all the way around the booth. Dave McKean and his cool watch (and hey, it's Anthony Vukojevich, Mome vet Rob Goodin and Tom Neely in the background). The dapper Mr. Shelton (and those guys again). Monte Schulz dropped by to chat with Gary. The No Straight Lines signing with Ed Luce, editor Justin Hall, Dylan Edwards…

COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2012: FANTAGRAPHICS and COMIXOLOGY ANNOUNCE DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT  Love and Rockets: New Stories #1-4 Available NowTo Help Celebrate30 Years Of The Hernandez Brothers’ Groundbreaking World July 14th, 2012 – San Diego, CA. / New York, NY. — Today in a wide-ranging panel celebrating the 30th anniversary of publishing the Hernandez Brothers’ groundbreaking Love and Rockets series co-publisher Gary Groth, president of the 36 year-old publishing house, announced Fantagraphics Books’ entrance into the digital age through a brand new digital distribution agreement with comiXology, the revolutionary digital comics platform with over 75 million comic downloads to date and a…