Go listen: Paul Hornschemeier on the venerable Inkstuds radio program out of Vancouver, BC. 

Read it here. (Thanks, Dirk.) And if you haven't read Gilbert's Speak of the Devil miniseries from Dark Horse, do. I read the first four last night and it's just great. Quintessential Gilbert, but at his most accessible. A good one for those unfamiliar with his brilliance.

In the last two days, I've read: Speak of the Devil #1-4, Omega the Unknown #1-4 by Lethem & Dalrymple, The Education of Hopey Glass by Jaime Hernandez, ACME Novelty Library #18 by Chris Ware, Mister Wonderful by Daniel Clowes, The Maakies with the Wrinkled Knees by Tony Millionaire, a rough draft of our forthcoming Unlovable collection by Esther Pearl Watson, and half of Julie Doucet's 365 Days. It occurred to me that I'm not sure I've ever read so many good comics in such a short amount of time. It's an embarrassment of riches 'round these parts for us funnybook aficionados.

 

I was sorry to hear from my friend Andrew Monko this weekend that after 14 years, the print incarnation of Seattle's Resonance Magazine has folded. The final,  current edition is available as a free download and the plan is to re-launch the magazine online in 2009. Resonance has been one of Seattle's strongest supporters of the independent arts since it launched, whether it be local print like Fantagraphics or local music from SubPop, Barsuk, Light in the Attic, etc. If you've never read the magazine, check out the download, because it was a good one, and we'll look forward to the relaunch next year.

A recorded tribute to Ted Stearn's Fuzz & Pluck. Listen here. Courtesy the Pohjolas. Here's the full lyrics. By the way, the final issue (#5) of Fuzz & Pluck: Splittsville will be out in just a few weeks!

Nationally recognized artist and Fantagraphics fan Mike Leavitt included this stunning rendition of our storefront in his "Penny Places" series, on view through March 5 at Gallery 6311 in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. Check it out.

More from the files...

A couple of rejected panels by Al Columbia: 

  
 

A 1997 WonderCon jam sketch by Jaime Hernandez and Daniel Clowes:

Another 1997 WonderCon jam sketch pencilled by Gilbert Hernandez & inked by me:

A 1991 convention sketch I obtained from Dan Clowes while I was in college, three years before working at Fanta:  

A 2004 wedding present from Chris & Marnie Ware:

The back:

A beautiful Chuckling Whatsit pin-up scored at APE several years ago from Richard Sala:

It was a wild time down at our store on Saturday night at the opening party for Ellen Forney's LUST exhibit. Here's a brief clip of her slideshow presentation (NSFW language, or, as someone in the audience shouts, "Dirty!"):

Below, a few photos; for many more, see our photoset on Flickr. Our pal Ben Haley has some great shots on Flickr too.

Another benefit of registering on Fantagraphics.com: access to exclusive previews! We offer downloadable excerpts from upcoming books absolutely FREE to registered users. We'll be posting a new preview every week, starting today and usually on Wednesdays starting next week. Today's installment is a 12-page excerpt from The Education of Hopey Glass, the newest Love and Rockets collection from Jaime Hernandez. Make sure you're signed up and logged in!

(Psst... want to see these previews before everyone else? Join the 20/20 Club and we'll email you exclusive links a full 2 weeks earlier than we post them on the website, plus extra exclusive savings offers on top of the usual 20% off!)

Fun Funhouse poster by Fantagraphics friend Tim Silbaugh. Bellingham-based DT's features fabulous front babe Diana Blanchard (wife of cartoonist Jim). Tom Price Desert Classic includes Fantagraphics alum/guitar hero Price and Fantagraphics resident genius Martin Bland on drums. Both acts have destroyed our store at recent events. Be there or be sober. 

Jeet Heer posts an excerpt of his introductory essay from Krazy & Ignatz 1941-1942: "A Ragout of Raspberries" along with some additional tidbits and thoughts. (Hat tip to Spurge.)