Fantagraphics Blog

We're excited to announce that Dutch artist and designer Femke Hiemstra is returning to Seattle for a show at Roq La Rue, opening this Friday, November 11th! The show is entitled "The Timid Cabbage," and features a series of brand new drawings, including an illustration of a poem by Seattle's own Charles Krafft!  She will also be joined by artist Ryan Heshka. The reception runs from 6:00 – 9:00 PM, so drop by Roq La Rue [ 2312 2nd Avenue, Seattle ] and say hi to Femke for us!

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Gottfredson is in much stronger form here [in Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Vol. 2: Trapped on Treasure Island] than in the first volume, drawing upon the early Mickey cartoons for ideas — mad scientists, treasure hunts, mail pilots — but then expanding and developing them in a way those early Disney shorts were incapable of doing. Over time, Mickey’s personality becomes more refined as well; scrappier, tougher and more determined to seek justice (or an adventure) regardless of the odds. Again, part of the enjoyment for me with this series is the rich amount…

Our weekly strips from Kupperman & Weissman, plus links to other strips from around the web: — Up All Night by Michael Kupperman (view at original size ): Barack Hussein Obama by Steven Weissman (view at original size): And elsewhere: The All-New Cartoon Boy Adventure Hour by John Kerschbaum at ACT-I-VATE: Belligerent Piano by Tim Lane: Forming by Jesse Moynihan: Humblug by Arnold Roth (3 new strips this week): Maakies by Tony Millionaire: Les Petits Riens by Lewis Trondheim (scroll down at the link for a couple more updates): Truth Serum by Jon Adams: What's in the Backpack by Victor…

Kevin Avery, author of Everything Is an Afterthought: The Life and Writings of Paul Nelson, will be Dave Marsh’s guest on the second hour of his radio show, Kick Out the Jams, Sunday Nov. 6 at 11 AM (EST). The show runs from 10 till noon. Kick Out the Jams plays on The Loft (Channel 30). They’ll be spinning some of Paul Nelson’s favorite tunes and talking about all things Paul (and plugging their upcoming appearance at the Strand, of course). Tune in!

The Minneapolis Indie Xpo takes place this Saturday and Sunday at The Soap Factory, 514 2nd St. SE in (duh) Minneapolis! I don't think you need us to tell you this is a must-go. Appearing will be Kevin Huizenga, Tom Kaczynski (whose art adorns the poster above), Anders Nilsen, Jim Rugg, Zak Sally, Noah Van Sciver, and lots more of our friends and colleagues! Say hi to 'em for us.

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "A powerful eco-report, Oil and Water also manages to be a report on the gap between classes that isn’t about who has what, but rather about what 'having' means to different groups of Americans…. The large black-and-white images are realistic and create individual characteristics for the cast; its smudged texture is an excellent vehicle for the intrusion of oil on beaches, birds, livelihoods, and prospects for the future. Quick to read, but of lasting weight for readers from either side of the divide." – Francisca Goldsmith, School Library Journal • Review: "…Nelson wrote…

Can you think of a funny caption for this Gahan Wilson cartoon? Enter this week's New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest! [Follow our Tumblr blog for lots of new Things to See every day.]

There’s an update to this amazing bit of Tony Millionaire lore.

Walt Disney's Donald Duck: Lost in the Andes by Carl Barks 240-page full-color 7.5" x 10.25" hardcover • $24.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-474-0 Ships in: November 2011 (subject to change) — Pre-Order Now Carl Barks's Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge comics are considered among the greatest artistic and storytelling achievements in the history of the medium. After serving a stint at the Walt Disney studios as an in-betweener and a gag-man, Barks began drawing the comic book adventures of Donald Duck in 1942. He quickly mastered every aspect of cartooning and over the next nearly 30 years created some of the most memorable…