This weekend, it's the Wild Arts Festival in Portland, Oregon, a 2-day event celebrating books and arts, to benefit the Audubon Society of Portland.

And on Sunday, November 20th, the authors of Oil and Water will be signing from 12:00 - 4:00 PM! Meet writer Steve Duin, a columnist for The Oregonian, and editor Mike Rosen, and hear more about the PDX2Gulf trip they took with three Aubudon staffers to the Gulf Coast back in 2010.

And make a note in your calendar, 'cause the authors will be back at the Aubudon in February to give a "Nature Night" presentation! 

The Wild Arts Festival is held at Montgomery Park [ 2701 NW Vaughn, Portland ].

An exhibit of Jim Flora's curiously sinister art opens tomorrow night, Saturday, November 19th, in the curiously sinister city of New York, and you do not want to miss this!

The Dorian Grey Gallery is proud to present the very first posthumous New York exhibit and sale of Jim Flora original art, curated by our own Flora archivist Irwin Chusid, in conjunction with gallery owner Luis Accorsi and director Christopher Pusey.

It's gonna be a doozy: Offerings include temperas on paper; woodcut prints (vintage and new); medium and large acrylics on canvas; pen & ink drawings on paper; fine art and screen prints, and branded Flora paper merchandise. Many of these exhibited works have NOT been previously published in our three Fantagraphics anthologies!

The opening reception is this Saturday night from 6:00 - 9:00 PM, and will include a live music set by the Cracked Latin trio, featuring gallery owner/vocalist Accorsi along with guitarist/vocalist Lane Steinberg and percussionist Charlie Zeleny. Zowie!

The Dorian Grey Gallery is located at 437 East 9th Street (between 1st and A) in New York City.  The exhibit runs through January 8th.

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "Picking up immediately following the events of the first Fantagraphics collection, The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec Vol. 2 continues the unusual escapades of the novelist title character.... Though the concepts and action propel the tale, the droll heroine with her asides and astute observations drives these fantastic comics. After a second attempt on her life almost succeeds, Blanc-Sec stands among a train wreckage and declares 'I am being taunted!' Tardi frequently breaks down the fourth wall to a humorous effect and his magnificent color art recalls the best of Hergé's TinTin stories." – Rick Klaw, The SF Site

• Plug (Video): Westfield Comics' Roger Ash talks up Is That All There Is?, our upcoming collection of Joost Swarte comics — and demonstrates how to pronounce Joost Swarte — in his latest "Westfield Comics Pick" video (stick it out to the end for some amusing outtake Easter eggs)

Shannon Wheeler has re-donned the comic-reporter hat he wore for Oil and Water, sketching scenes and people from Occupy Wall Street, posted by Cartoon Movement in their "Occupy Sketchbook" feature along with drawings by Occupy Oakland arrestee Susie Cagle and Occupy Chicago participant Sharon Rosenzweig.

By the way, folks at Occupy Seattle can check out a few Fantagraphics titles in the occupation's library.

[Follow our Tumblr blog for lots more Things to See every day.]

(click for larger image)

Just another Sunday in the swamp. Check out the meticulous composition, line quality and lettering in this amazing Walt Kelly strip. One of 16 original Pogo pieces on display at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery’s 5th anniversary gala on Saturday, December 10. Always a highlight of the holiday season!

(not final cover)

We're gearing up for the release of Kolor Klimax: Nordic Comics Now, our anthology of current Scandinavian comics edited by Matthias Wivel under the aegis of Nordicomics and scheduled for publication in March 2012. There was a "sneak release" party tonight in Copenhagen — you can learn more about that AND see a preview of the book at Matthias's The Metabunker blog.

Dr. Bart Beaty examines an advance copy at The Comics Reporter today, saying:

"Seemingly inspired by the size and shape of Kramers Ergot -- and sharing some of the same graphic tendencies on the inside -- Kolor Klimax is a head-turning compilation of new graphic tendencies by emerging and well-established Scandanavian artists. If at times the 'something for everyone' tendency causes the book to lose some of its focus, it is clear nonetheless that any reader is going to be astounded by some of the amazing works that were heretofore sheltered from them.... Ultimately, there is no way not to recommend Kolor Klimax. It showcases a wide range of extremely talented cartoonists, and will open your eyes to a whole world of comics that get far too little attention. Something to anticipate for Spring."

Learn more about the book from Nordicomics and, of course, from us. For updates, "like" the Kolor Klimax Facebook page and follow Matthias on Twitter at @Metabunker.

Wilfred Santiago's graphic biography 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente has received a big ol' brand of approval from the Texas Library Association, having been named to the 2012 Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List, a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the TLA's Young Adult Round Table. They recommend the book for grades 6-12, so pick it up for your favorite teen or tween today!

We received a note from Art Spiegelman yesterday with the following to say about The Man Who Grew His Beard by Olivier Schrauwen, which we're excited to share with Art's permission:

"Olivier Schrauwen is extraordinary. I'm halfway through his book, savoring its mysteries, and inspired — [he's] the most original cartoonist I've fallen onto since Ware or Katchor."

Now that's some praise. If you haven't already looked at the book, check out our previews for a glimpse at what Art is talking about.

Library Journal Reviews has named Everything Is an Afterthought: The Life and Writings of Paul Nelson by Kevin Avery one of its Best Books 2011: "Chances are, even the most cultivated hipsters under 40 have never heard of Paul Nelson (1936–2006), who pioneered new journalism with noir undertones at Sing Out! and Rolling Stone. This lovingly constructed part biography, part anthology reanimates a self-defeating romantic and uncompromising critic who aspired to live inside his beloved films and music." Avery & Nelson share the list with the likes of J.G. Ballard, Jeffrey Eugenides, Tina Fey, David Foster Wallace... not too shabby!

Sensational Seattle counterculture cartoonist Peter Bagge will appear in Georgetown at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 25. The book signing will be followed by a performance of his power pop combo Can You Imagine? featuring Steve Fisk next door at the MIX nightclub.

We've recently seen a deluge of books by earnest young rock journalists chronicling the history of Seattle's grunge movement. But nothing quite matches Peter Bagge's authentic observations during that era. Bagge's work went beyond satire to help shape the attitude and aesthetics of the only significant youth movement to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. His comix still resonate today, as a new generation of readers discover his over-the-top, yet totally accessible approach to cartooning. Bagge will sign copies of his iconic Hate comix anthologies as well as more recent work, including his rockin' all ages romp Yeah! Pick up some perfect personalized gifts for a song.

Bagge's signing will be followed by a musical performance at the Mix with Can You Imagine? This mostly female pop combo is eerily reminiscent of the intergalactic rock group depicted in Yeah! Michelle, Rachel and Sue are joined by Bagge and legendary musician and producer Steve Fisk, combining to form a fairly amazing and unexpected delight.

Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale Street in the heart of Seattle's Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00. Phone 206.658.0110.