Fantagraphics Blog

A great vintage photo of Peter Bagge & an unknown co-conspirator perpetrating some street art, shared by Kaz on Pete's Facebook wall. Pete, you scofflaw!

* Other People's Publications** Yeah, You Know Me.  It's sub-titled "A Love Story," but somehow Mister Wonderful still managed to depress the heck outta me. Such is the power of the one and only Daniel Clowes! Mister Wonderful was originally serialized in the New York Times Magazine back in 2007-8, and it was such an exhilirating weekly ride, that I'm glad someone collected it into a nice little hardbound book, complete with extra bonus material. If you didn't read the online strips a few years ago (I can't even imagine…), the "Mister Wonderful" in question is Marshall, an unemployed divorcé,…

The second printing of our smash hit Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s is in stores now, and the fine folks at Diamond Comics Distributors have posted 9 delightfuly grisly pages from the book on their Previews website. Grab a snack and check it out!

Tim Hensley and Richard Sala are among the artists donating artwork to "Kenji's Light of Hope," an online art sale beginning today with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Igari Music Therapy Research Center, supporting their mission to provide music therapy to individuals with developmental disabilities and the elderly in the quake-stricken area of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The sale "is dedicated to Kenji, a young man with Down syndrome, who is a keen percussionist at Igari MTRC. Kenji's home was badly flooded during the tsunami, and he was rescued with his family after 3 days. Let's ensure that…

In recognition of yesterday's bunny-related holiday and creator Stan Sakai's recent Cultural Ambassador honor, we're offering Usagi Yojimbo: The Special Edition box set at a one-day discount of 25% off, today (April 25, 2011) only! If the Easter Bunny left some extra green in your basket you'll want to hop (yeah yeah) on this special deal!

Holy Moses, look at this magnificent Eleanor Davis-illustrated layout of spring-themed poems from yesterday's New York Times.

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Stephen DeStefano is nominated for the 2011 Eisner Awards for his artwork on this book [Lucky in Love Book 1] and understandably so. […] His style on this book works so well, the feel and mood of the 1940's is dutifully established. The exaggeration in his cartoony style on this book especially with the characters is both hilarious and beautiful. From the linework, to the panel and page design, DeStefano just did an amazing job. Simply beautiful work here. The kind of work that leaves you lingering over every little line or design."…

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: Amazing Facts… and Beyond! with Leon Beyond by Kevin Huizenga: Belligerent Piano by Tim Lane: Ectiopiary by Hans Rickheit: Lucky by Gabrielle Bell: Maakies by Tony Millionaire: Mugwhump the Great by Roger Langridge (at Act-i-vate): Truth Serum by Jon Adams:

As we recently posted, Stan Sakai was honored with the 2011 Cultural Ambassador Award by the Japanese American National Museum last Saturday. Stan sent along these additional photos of him receiving the award trophy at the ceremony and the fancy award certificate. Hip hip hooray!

Writer David Abrams has a weekly "Friday Freebie" book giveaway on his blog The Quivering Pen, and this week he's offering up a "Fantagraphics Threebie" of Unlovable Vol. 1, Castle Waiting Vol. 2, and Special Exits! All you have to do is tell him which of our 2011 releases you're most looking forward to by next Thursday, April 28, and you'll be entered into the drawing. See here for all the details.