Fantagraphics Blog

Let's see what Online Commentary & Diversions popped up over the weekend: • Review: "Abstract Comics: The Anthology is an impressive collection of old and new work with unique pages covering exactly what the title says… bold… intriguing… This is a book for readers who like fine art or those who would like to expand their sequential art experiences. A hearty slap on the back for Fantagraphics for choosing to create this marvelous example of a widely unknown artistic expression." – Kris Bather, Comic Book Jesus • Review: "I had always equated [Prince] Valiant with everything that is dull and…

Here's a glimpse of Kevin Huizenga & Matthew Thurber's contribution to The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror #15, from Kevin's blog.

  Strips, Scripts and Scapes: Contemporary Comix in Southern California June 22 – August 22  I missed this Riverside Art Museum show in time to post for the opening, but the show includes Sammy Harkham, Johnny Ryan, John Pham, Mike Bertino, Travis Millard, Rusty Jordan, Souther Salazar, Brent Harada, Walt Holcombe, Martin Cendreda, Mary Fleener (story by Harvey Pekar), Taylor McKimens, Roberta Gregory, Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson, and Megan Whitmarsh. 

Seattleites: don't miss Peter Bagge's band, Can You Imagine?, this Wed. in Seattle in support of the great local comedian Paul Merrill!

This looks like an incredibly fun show.  More HERE and HERE. 

I've yet to turn out to Capitol Hill Block Party but for a set of only Built To Spill fan favorites there's a good chance I will. Using the internet to its best effect, BTS are performing a set list decided by public opinion. I voted Dystopian Dream Girl but it's looking pretty iffy.  (*The old Fantagraphics benefit poster pictured above is unrelated but available from our pals at Patent Pending.) 

Jon Vermilyea murders the universe with these poster & t-shirt designs he did for Fantastic Fest: If you have some special kind of glasses this poster is 3D — !!! What do they mean they're not on sale yet?!?!

Desert Island says, "These amazing handmade screenprints are 12" X 16" and will be signed and available on July 10th when Mr. Kupperman appears at Desert Island to celebrate the release of Tales Designed to Thrizzle Vol. 1." We should have a formal announcement of this event in the near future; in the meantime, here's the Facebook invitation with some more details, and you can pre-order a signed print here.

Drew Friedman notes that he's had occasion to draw Michael Jackson several times over the years; find out why he chose this image (from the NY Observer) to commemorate Jackson (and see it a bit bigger) on his art blog.

Thanks to fan Jose M. Mendez for sharing his terrific photos of April's Humbug event at the Strand Bookstore with us on Flickr! That's Arnold Roth & Al Jaffee above; check out the whole set of photos right here.