Fantagraphics is proud to be one of the sponsors of the 2012 Graphic Novel Panel, held by our friends at the Seattle Graphics Arts Guild! 

On Saturday, January 28th, join us at the Seattle Design Center in Georgetown for a discussion on creating, publishing and marketing the graphic novel.

And who better to be on this panel than longtime queen of the scene, our own Megan Kelso? She'll be joined by Matthew Southworth (Stumptown), Brandon Jerwa (Battlestar Galactica, Highlander, G.I. Joe), Emi Lenox (EmiTown), and Chuck Messinger (owner of Comic Evolution, Editor-in-Chief at Creative Edge Press).

Led in conversation by moderator Mark Monlux (The Comic Critic Presents Seldom Seen Films), they'll discuss:

Writing: structure, how to write a graphic novel, what tools you need to market your ideas.

Artwork: developing a storyboard, what to consider ahead of time, existing guidelines, examples, good & bad

Publishing & Marketing: establishing business, marketing, and production plans, how publishing is changing.

This event is open to the public, and you can get your tickets here. The Graphic Novel Panel runs from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Seattle Design Center [ 5701 6th Avenue South, Plaza Building, Suite 370 ].

And then join us for the after-party at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery from 4:30-6:00 PM.  It'll be a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists, and discuss what you've learned from the panel!

Fantagraphics co-sponsors this event with Emerald City Comicon and AIGA Seattle. See you there!

UPDATE 1/27/12: Our own Kim Thompson joins the panel discussion as a last-minute addition!

Thanks to all the Northwest Tony Millionaire fans who kicked off the new year with us last week by getting your copies of 500 Portraits signed! Here's what's going on this week:

Wednesday, January 11th

• Brooklyn, NY: Join the mighty Mr. Michael Kupperman for a visual presentation on the jacket art he designed for NY-based publisher Solid Objects! He'll be joined by the respective authors of those attractive tomes, Jake Bohstedt Morrill and Jim Shepard, starting at 7:30 PM at Greenlight Books.  Not only will those guys be reading from their books, but Michael will be doing a reading from Mark Twain's Autobiography 1910-2010! It's a jam-packed night of art and literature and, hey, there will even be a wine and food reception! (more info)

And that's it. Stay tuned to the Flog for more excellent events, always!

Flog readers surely know all about Stinckers, the super-fun line of vinyl stickers produced by Steven Weissman & Mats?!.

Well, we're happy to announce that they've just launched an Etsy store as a one-stop shop for uncut production sheets of stincky fun, including designs from Daniel Clowes (as seen above, designed for Meltdown Comics in L.A.) to Johnny Ryan to (well, of course) Steven Weissman! They are quite suitable for framing, and shipping is free!

This one's Steve's stincker sheet...

And heeeerree's Johnny's!

Make it your New Year's Resolution to go out to more comics events! The Fantagraphics Flog can help!

Thursday, January 5th

• Portland, OR:  Floating World Comics proudly presents an art exhibit and a signing with Tony Millionaire! He'll be autographing his latest collection 500 Portraits, along with his other titles, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Heck, we've watched the man sign body parts before, so don't be shy! (more info)

Saturday, January 7th

• Seattle, WA: And it was at Tony's last signing at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery that we watched him sign someone's arm, who then headed down the street to get it permanently tattooed! We hope that person, and all Seattleites, will join us from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for another fun-filled signing, this time for 500 Portraits. We'll be launching an exhibit of work from that collection, plus our Store Curator Larry Reid will debut the short live-action film "Everybody Loves Drinky Crow." (more info)

Sunday, January 8th 

• New York City, NY: This is your last week to check out the Curiously Sinister Art of Jim Flora exhibit at the Dorian Grey Gallery. The 60-year retrospective, curated by our own Flora archivist Irwin Chusid, closes this Sunday. (more info)