Fantagraphics Blog

Today's (and yesterday's — sorry for the interruption) Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Yes, [Special Exits] is a heartbreaking — even harrowing — tale, one made all the more moving and immediate by the creator’s nuanced gift for capturing the essence of her parents on the page. But it’s also a tale told with consummate skill, filled with mordant humor and real compassion, an almost embarrassing amount of candor, and a deep abiding love and respect for its subjects. […] Ultimately, it’s these simple and true moments of mundane magic which marks Special Exits as more than just one…

Following the collection What I Did (Nov./Dec.) and the new album Isle of 100,000 Graves (next Spring), Jason is working on a new as-yet untitled collection of short stories à la Low Moon, and here's the first page of one of the stories (before translation and color). Head to Jason's Cats Without Dogs blog to see a larger version and some brief notes from Jason.

Actor and real-life Old Jewish Comedian Larry Storch will be in attendance at Drew Friedman's book signing for Too Soon? Famous/Infamous Faces 1995-2010 at Desert Island in Brooklyn tomorrow (Oct. 8)! More details at Drew's blog.

Don't miss the festivities at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery this Saturday, October 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM as two extraordinary artists appear to celebrate the publication of exquisite new books. Dave Cooper's BENT features twisted pictures that are simultaneously sensuous and grotesque. The event will feature an exhibition of alluring drawings offered at insanely affordable prices. His recent shows at Jonathan Levine in New York and Billy Shire Fine Arts in L. A. attracted celebrity art patrons. Here's your chance to join them. Also on hand will be Johnny Ryan touring behind the latest installment of his amazing PRISON…

You may have heard that we're in the process of relocating our warehouse and shipping facilities. As we've now reached a crucial point in the transition, no orders will be shipped from October 7 through October 20, 2010. All orders placed during this period will be shipped after October 20 using the slowest method (Media Rate in the U.S., Air Mail for Canada & Mexico, and DHL Global Mail for the rest of the world) — rush shipping will NOT be available. (See our shipping information page here.) To cushion the blow, the good news is that during this period…

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions: • Review: "Emotionally uncompromising and graphically challenging, You’ll Never Know v.2: Collateral Damage stands out as one of the best comics of the year. Tyler reaches deep into herself, showing the unending dominoes of influence that compose a family. Do yourself a favor and check it out." – Michael C. Lorah, Newsarama • Review: "But as powerful as this strain of valorization has been, there have been powerful statements of dissent along the way. The Americanization of Emily, for example, or Catch-22. Lucky in Love: Book 1 (by George Cheiffet, with art by Stephen DeStefano)…

Nate Neal has posted a bunch of photos from his book launch & signing at Desert Island in Brooklyn last week for his new graphic novel The Sanctuary. Looks like a good time!

Michael Kupperman takes on R. Sikoryak, Emily Flake, and David Lappé in a special all-comics edition of Literary Death Match on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 (doors at 7:00) at the Bowery Poetry Club in NYC. More info and links to purchase tickets here.