Fantagraphics Blog

• An outtake from Werewolves of Montpellier, plus other illustrations and strips and more film reviews at Jason's Cats Without Dogs blog • From Richard Sala, a classic strip (part 1, part 2) and a vintage illustration • When Laura Park met Julia Wertz and drew some comics with her: portrait, part 1, part 2; also, a new sketch & new prints by Laura • Sketches for book cover illustrations by Anders Nilsen • One of our favorite Portlanders makes a guest appearance (of sorts) in the latest batch of Trubble Club strips (contributed to by some of our favorite…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "…Freeway is often stunning. Kalesniko spent 10 years on the book, and the time and care is evident in the structural complexity. […] One of the unique properties of comics — utilized well by artists like Chris Ware and Richard McGuire — is the ability to connect disparate pieces of information using the page like a chart. Kalesniko doesn’t draw any arrows or experiment with layouts, but he does convey the impression of a man dealing with his daily frustrations by letting every sight, sound, and sensation send him on a trip through…

Here are some great photos of Robert Crumb at the opening of R. Crumb: Lines Drawn On Paper at the Society of Illustrators in NYC last Friday (March 25). The top two are by Rob Sussman; the bottom one, with Bob in a saucy pose with SOI director Anelle Miller, is by Jordin Isip; all were provided by Drew Friedman (thanks Drew!). UPDATE: More great pics by Edel Rodriguez here!

The Beat shares Peter Bagge's cover art for the new issue of Reason magazine.

* Other People's Publications** Yeah, You Know Me.  One of the things I like about this writing this column is getting the chance to spotlight some great titles that Fantagraphics didn't publish ourselves.  But, I'm especially thrilled when I get to present books that are self-published, like this week's spotlighted comic, Thunder in the Building #2!   Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with local artist Margaret Ashford-Trotter until we started carrying her latest comic, that she published herself with funds from the Xeric Foundation.  Her drawing style reminds me a little of Adrian Tomine, and the storyline was certainly gripping, revolving…

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): "Peter Criss Diary" by Steven Weissman (view at original size): — And elsewhere: Belligerent Piano by Tim Lane: Lucky by Gabrielle Bell: Maakies by Tony Millionaire: Mugwhump the Great by Roger Langridge (at Act-i-vate): The Pain — When Will It End? by Tim Kreider (from 1994, with artist's statement): Truth Serum by Jon Adams: Underworld by Kaz & co. (click for animated strip):

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "…I can safely say that this graphic novel [Stigmata] offers a different experience (in a good way) from any I have read before. Lorenzo Mattotti's line-based art is a perfect expression of the mystical, sometimes demonic aspects of this tale. Instead of areas of solid black, he uses dense cross-hatching to create dark areas within frames full of swirling lines which suggest both Bruno's unsettled state of mind and also the very fluidity of experience. Scenes and characters appear and disappear out of these dense networks as if from a dense fog, and…

Seattle Channel Video can be played in Flash Player 9 and up If you're in Seattle, tune in to the Seattle Channel's Art Zone program tonight at 8 PM as they broadcast a feature on Jim Woodring! Check out a preview clip embedded above. If you miss the premiere airing, don't worry, there's a full schedule of repeats to follow, and/or if you're outside the broadcast area, video will be available online too (in fact, I think the player above might play the full episode after it broadcasts).

Here's a brief video profile from 2008 which introduces you to Eye of the Majestic Creature creator Leslie Stein. In it she discusses her creative processes and her comics inspirations, including Charles Burns and Peter Bagge (the latter of whom she'll be appearing with in NYC very soon — stay tuned for an announcement). It's part of a series of "video portraits" created by the website Etsy to spotlight artists who use the site to sell their wares — here's Leslie's page where you can buy her self-published comics and artwork.