Fantagraphics Blog

Just arrived in our warehouse and ready to ship: Conceptual Realism: In the Service of the Hypothetical (Softcover Edition) By Robert Williams Conceptual Realism: In the Service of the Hypothetical is a catalog accompanying Robert Williams’ Fall 2009 solo exhibition of new work at New York City’s prestigious Tony Shafrazi Gallery; the show will continue on in 2010 to galleries in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and elsewhere. (See photos of the NYC opening reception and exhibit at the Arrested Motion blog.) The book features approximately 25 new paintings, complete with essays on each piece by the artist, insights into the…

The 1975-1976 volume of The Complete Peanuts is still a few months away (March 2010) but we just can't wait to bring you this first glimpse of the volume after that, 1977-1978, featuring cover star Patricia "Peppermint Patty" Reichardt (yep, that's her full name, as revealed in 1971-1972). Design, as always, by Seth. Note that this is a preliminary version and that some details may change between now and next Fall when the book is released. Hey, let's have some fun: the first person in the comments to correctly guess the cover star for the 1979-1980 volume wins a copy…

When these Online Commentary & Diversions posts get long enough I get an error message in our blogging interface; this is one of those, so buckle in: • List: Heeb's Graphic Novel Gift Guide includes Popeye Vol. 4: "Plunder Island", which editor Jeff Newelt says contains "heartfelt masterpieces of illustrated slapstick adventure." (via Robot 6) • List: Design Observer's recommended Holiday Books 2009 includes Abstract Comics: "…[T]his arresting book is like a scoop of primordial narrative, representational mud. Which is to say, it has vitaminic powers." • List: Jason's Low Moon and Michael Kupperman's Tales Designed to Thrizzle Vol. 1…

The technical difficulties we reported yesterday have been cleared up and we are now receiving email again — and as a bonus, if you placed an order with us any time this year, your order confirmation email was re-sent to you.  If you receive one, just ignore it and do not panic, we have not processed your order twice — it was just an email glitch! Fun times!

Dook dook dook dook dooook, dook dook dook dook! Go to maakies.com and then follow the trail to the larger version at "The Dook Dook Dook Party." Print, color & hang! Festive!

'Atsa good Online Commentary & Diversions: • List: On her Pop Candy blog, USA Today's Whitney Matheson gives The Brinkley Girls the #10 spot on her Top 10 comics/graphic novels of 2009, saying "this beautiful book introduced me to a new heroine: Nell Brinkley, an early 20th century newspaper cartoonist. Her drawings of flappers and glamour gals are sexy, strong and ahead of their time. I can't believe I hadn't seen her work before, but I'm so thrilled to know it now." Matheson also lavishes praise on Lilli Carré, who "continued making must-see work" and lands at #69 on Matheson's…

The Schulz's Beethoven: Schroeder's Muse exhibit mounted by the Charles M. Schulz Museum last year has now opened in its new online iteration. This interactive exhibit allows you to listen to the excerpts of music in the strips as you read, plus experience more Beethoven performances, clips, and background information. This really is a must-see for any Peanuts fan.

How could we not re-post this image? Ellen Forney encourages you to have a Lust-ful holiday. Makes a great stocking stuffer! Get it?! Photo from Sin in Linen. (No, that's not Ellen.)

We're currently experiencing some technical difficulties with e-mail here in the Fantagraphics office, so if you are trying to reach us today, your best bet is to pick up the phone and call us (1-800-657-1100 or 206-524-1967). We apologize for the inconvenience and we'll update when things are back to normal. Thanks.