Fantagraphics Blog

Wilfred Santiago signs 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente. It was a slam dunk when artist Wilfred Santiago stopped by the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery earlier this month with a touchdown on his new book 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente, and I… I… I don't know anything about sports. But that's what made the talk so interesting and informative for me. Santiago sat down with local best-selling author Rob Neyer, national baseball editor for SBNation.com, and together, they introduced me to this inspirational athlete, whose accomplishments during his short life extended way beyond the dugout. Wilfred Santiago talks with…

I can say, without a doubt, that was the Best TCAF Ever!  …Okay, fine, so Fantagraphics has only done the Toronto Comics Art Festival twice, but it truly was an amazing year! Thank you so much to Christopher, Peter, Miles, Andrew, Gina, and all the fantastic volunteers of TCAF! And, of course, one of my favorite things about TCAF? Canadian donuts. Oh yeah. Mike and I woke up bright and early to set-up our table. There was a momentary panic when I realized one of our display racks didn't arrive from Seattle, but the stellar staff at the Toronto Reference…

Pittsburgh residents are in for treat as artist Wilfred Santiago will be signing 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente this Saturday, May 21st at Phantom of the Attic. This signing is especially poignant, as Clemente found fame with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and locals are sure to recognize some landmarks in Santiago's excellent artwork. And with The Clemente Museum based in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, you could make an entire day of it, and celebrate this great man! Wilfred Santiago signing 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente. Phantom of the Attic is located at 411 S. Craig Street, Second Floor….

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Yeah! written by Peter Bagge; art by Gilbert Hernandez 224-page black & white 7" x 10.25" softcover • $19.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-412-2 Previews & Ordering Info Move over, Josie & the Pussycats! At last, a girl-centered comic book that actually appeals to girls (and even their parents)! Co-created by comics living legends Peter Bagge (Hate) and Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets) on writer and artist duties respectively*, Yeah! is a unique masterpiece of all-ages fun. Originally published as a nine-issue comic book series from 1999-2000 by DC’s Wildstorm imprint, this all-ages gem (approved…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Take a Joke: Vol. 3 of the Collected Angry Youth Comix by Johnny Ryan 128-page black & white/color 7" x 10" softcover • $18.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-464-1 Previews & Ordering Info Johnny Ryan’s transgressive masterpiece Prison Pit has been the talk of altcomics circles since its debut in the summer of 2009. But before Prison Pit, Ryan garnered a considerable following via his one-man humor anthology (which doubled as a one-man War Against Political Correctness), Angry Youth Comix. Take a Joke collects many of the best stories from this inimitable series as well…

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Approximate Continuum Comics by Lewis Trondheim 160-page black & white 6.75" x 10.25" softcover • $18.99ISBN: 978-1-60699-410-8 Previews & Ordering Info One of the very first autobiographical graphic novels to come from France, Lewis Trondheim’s Approximate Continuum Comics set the standard for the honest, often hilarious chronicling of a cartoonist’s life. Trondheim’s typically graceful, confident cartooning shows him wrestling with his own demons (sometimes, in dream sequences, literally) and an often malevolent world, while trying to maintain his rising career as one of Europe’s most beloved cartoonists. Approximate Continuum finally brings…

This Stan Sakai Usagi Yojimbo/Wolverine mashup sketch cover is on auction to benefit the Inkwell Awards, and — how perfect is this — the Japanese American National Museum is having an exhibit and benefit sale of customized Labbit toys this summer for the Year of the Rabbit and Stan (recently honored by the museum) has contributed the adorable customized Usagi Labbit below.

Two weeks to catch up on! • Percy Gloom changed his Facebook profile picture to this portrait I hadn't seen before • Andrei Molotiu posted a big batch of sketchbook drawings to his blog • A new image from Ben Catmull's current project • Matthias Lehmann shares a few pieces from his current art show and some photos of the installation • Dig Paul Hornschemeier's new logo for the Comedy Bang! Bang! (formerly Comedy Death Ray) podcast/comedy show • A newly-drawn splash page (along with the original version from 15 years ago) by Tim Lane for the upcoming 3rd issue…

The Online Commentary & Diversions hamster wheel started spinning a little too fast, but I think I've got it back under control now: • Feature: For Largehearted Boy's "Book Notes" feature, Wilfred Santiago creates a musical playlist for 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente: "Golden age animation has been a big influence on my work and the graphic novel itself is very musical. It would be interesting to see the shape that it would take as a feature film. So here is what the 21 soundtrack would sound like." (The following links are via the Largehearted Boy link above:) •…

Shannon Wheeler recently tweeted this photo of his drawing table with pages in progress of our upcoming book Oil & Water. Learn more about the book at the link.