This weekend, it's the Wild Arts Festival in Portland, Oregon, a 2-day event celebrating books and arts, to benefit the Audubon Society of Portland. And on Sunday, November 20th, the authors of Oil and Water will be signing from 12:00 – 4:00 PM! Meet writer Steve Duin, a columnist for The Oregonian, and editor Mike Rosen, and hear more about the PDX2Gulf trip they took with three Aubudon staffers to the Gulf Coast back in 2010. And make a note in your calendar, 'cause the authors will be back at the Aubudon in February to give a "Nature Night" presentation! …
The Curiously Sinister Art of Jim Flora Exhibit Opens in NYC
An exhibit of Jim Flora's curiously sinister art opens tomorrow night, Saturday, November 19th, in the curiously sinister city of New York, and you do not want to miss this! The Dorian Grey Gallery is proud to present the very first posthumous New York exhibit and sale of Jim Flora original art, curated by our own Flora archivist Irwin Chusid, in conjunction with gallery owner Luis Accorsi and director Christopher Pusey. It's gonna be a doozy: Offerings include temperas on paper; woodcut prints (vintage and new); medium and large acrylics on canvas; pen & ink drawings on paper; fine art…
Up All Night by Michael Kupperman – Time Bum 3
This weekly strip by Snake ‘n’ Bacon and Tales Designed to Thrizzle creator Michael Kupperman runs weekly in the Washington City Paper and here on the Fantagraphics website.
Daily OCD: 11/17/11
Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Picking up immediately following the events of the first Fantagraphics collection, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec Vol. 2 continues the unusual escapades of the novelist title character…. Though the concepts and action propel the tale, the droll heroine with her asides and astute observations drives these fantastic comics. After a second attempt on her life almost succeeds, Blanc-Sec stands among a train wreckage and declares 'I am being taunted!' Tardi frequently breaks down the fourth wall to a humorous effect and his magnificent color art recalls the best of Hergé's TinTin stories."…
Things to See: Shannon Wheeler sketches Occupy Wall Street
Shannon Wheeler has re-donned the comic-reporter hat he wore for Oil and Water, sketching scenes and people from Occupy Wall Street, posted by Cartoon Movement in their "Occupy Sketchbook" feature along with drawings by Occupy Oakland arrestee Susie Cagle and Occupy Chicago participant Sharon Rosenzweig. By the way, folks at Occupy Seattle can check out a few Fantagraphics titles in the occupation's library. [Follow our Tumblr blog for lots more Things to See every day.]
‘Who is this beautiful stranger — huh?’
(click for larger image) Just another Sunday in the swamp. Check out the meticulous composition, line quality and lettering in this amazing Walt Kelly strip. One of 16 original Pogo pieces on display at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery’s 5th anniversary gala on Saturday, December 10. Always a highlight of the holiday season!
Everything’s coming up Kolor Klimax
(not final cover) We're gearing up for the release of Kolor Klimax: Nordic Comics Now, our anthology of current Scandinavian comics edited by Matthias Wivel under the aegis of Nordicomics and scheduled for publication in March 2012. There was a "sneak release" party tonight in Copenhagen — you can learn more about that AND see a preview of the book at Matthias's The Metabunker blog. Dr. Bart Beaty examines an advance copy at The Comics Reporter today, saying: "Seemingly inspired by the size and shape of Kramers Ergot — and sharing some of the same graphic tendencies on the inside…
21: The Story of Roberto Clemente named to Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List
Wilfred Santiago's graphic biography 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente has received a big ol' brand of approval from the Texas Library Association, having been named to the 2012 Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List, a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the TLA's Young Adult Round Table. They recommend the book for grades 6-12, so pick it up for your favorite teen or tween today!
Spiegelman on Schrauwen: ‘extraordinary’
We received a note from Art Spiegelman yesterday with the following to say about The Man Who Grew His Beard by Olivier Schrauwen, which we're excited to share with Art's permission: "Olivier Schrauwen is extraordinary. I'm halfway through his book, savoring its mysteries, and inspired — [he's] the most original cartoonist I've fallen onto since Ware or Katchor." Now that's some praise. If you haven't already looked at the book, check out our previews for a glimpse at what Art is talking about.
Everything Is an Afterthought by Kevin Avery: one of Library Journal’s Best Books 2011
Library Journal Reviews has named Everything Is an Afterthought: The Life and Writings of Paul Nelson by Kevin Avery one of its Best Books 2011: "Chances are, even the most cultivated hipsters under 40 have never heard of Paul Nelson (1936–2006), who pioneered new journalism with noir undertones at Sing Out! and Rolling Stone. This lovingly constructed part biography, part anthology reanimates a self-defeating romantic and uncompromising critic who aspired to live inside his beloved films and music." Avery & Nelson share the list with the likes of J.G. Ballard, Jeffrey Eugenides, Tina Fey, David Foster Wallace… not too shabby!
