The second issue of this oversized broadsheet newspaper comics anthology (take that, Wednesday Comics) published by Desert Island is out now. Cover by Dash Shaw, with strips by Gabrielle Bell, Michael Kupperman, Frank Santoro, our own Jason T. Miles, and over 30 more contributors. Available for free in person at Desert Island in Brooklyn or $3 postpaid.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 4 p.m. 2009
Abstract Comics Panel Discussion
Admission: $5 | Free for MoCCA Members
Featuring
Derik Badman
Richard Hahn
Patrick McDonnell
Andrei Molotiu
Anders Pearson
Henrik Rehr
Alexey Sokolin

Join MoCCA for a discussion about Abstract Comics: what they are, who is making them and why. Abstract Comics explores what is essential to the medium of comics - panel rhythm, page layout, the sequential arrangement of formal elements - and tells us what comics are and where they can go. This talk is held in conjunction with the exhibition Silent Pictures at James Gallery, CUNY and the new book from Fantagraphics Books.

Appropos of nothing comics, Beasts! contributor Heiko Mueller has an art show coming up here in the States this fall and "Gangland II" (pictured here) seems to be a culmination of everything that's inspiring about Heiko's work. I couldn't talk about this piece without talking about every anxiety and fixation on death that I have about the passage of time. I'd have to tell about the ghosts I had in my room as a child and nobody wants that here. Heiko captured time itself like I've never seen it captured. Check out his Flickr page HERE.

Not-to-be-missed Jon Vermilyea show opens Friday night in Los Angeles. I lifted this info straight off the Secret Headquarters site:

I believe Jon told me this show is all prints he drew reinterpreting the infamous "Mars Attacks" trading cards from the 1960s.  Jon's old silkscreen book was a jewel of pop culture sickness that mashed-up the legend of Hercules' Trials with He-Man's life in Eternia. Like a Saturday Morning cartoon made by an acid-tripping Basil Wolverton, these Vermilyea interpretations should be amazing in person.

Meanwhile, in case you need a meat shirt, find one here. Or a print. Whatever. 

Note to Jon: More "Princes of Time" soon please.

Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "Monte Schulz proves that his father was not the only talented storyteller in the family.... Monte has carved out his own stake with This Side of Jordan, the first novel of a planned trilogy.... Even though there are moments of brutal violence in the vein of Cormac McCarthy, Jordan is more about the young man facing his future with uncertain terms.... You’ll find yourself enraptured by his style, fittingly written in honor of his father." - Bruce Grossman, Bookgasm

• Review: "Overall, I liked West Coast Blues quite a bit, enough so that it makes me want to search out Manchette's novels that have been translated into English. If you enjoy hardboiled crime graphic novels, you should certainly give this one a try." - James Reasoner

• Review: "Boody’s absurdism is patently blue-collar. There is nothing heady or cynical or mean-spirited in these strips. They owe far more to the tradition of wives tales and folk legends than Kafka. As their syndication would likely demand, Boody’s bizarre comics are Golden Age nuggets of an off-kilter author who found a particular release in his medium." - Erik Hinton, PopMatters

• Review: "Chusid and Economon once again prove to be wise stewards of the Flora archives. [The] Sweetly Diabolic [Art of Jim Flora] reveals many largely unknown aspects of his work, but also fruitfully revisits his classic Columbia-era work. Thanks to the quality of the reproductions and design of the book itself, the vitality of Flora's art comes through on each page. An effective introduction to Flora's art and a satisfying crowd-pleaser for his established fans, Diabolic is another richly entertaining treasury of Flora's 'baroque and subversive' art." - Joe Bendel, J.B. Spins

• Profile: John Mesjak of my3books looks at the works of Jason, with a focus on his "beautiful" new book Low Moon

• Things to see: Frank Santoro shares one of his page layouts for the "Cold Heat" story by himself, Ben Jones & Jon Vermilyea in the upcoming Mome Vol. 16

• Things to see/events: Here's a big ol' update on various products and activities from Dame Darcy

• Oddity: The Village Voice's "Crap Archivist" asserts "no hero inspired me more in my years of temping than Fletcher Hanks' Stardust"

Well looky here, the new New Yorker has a cover illustration by Ivan Brunetti!

The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack continues to present provocative visual, performing and applied arts throughout Seattle's most colorful creative community on September 12. The monthly Art Attack promotion is intended to raise regional awareness of the historic Georgetown industrial/arts district with the purpose of generating public sentiment toward preserving this valued civic asset. Aside from all that, it's a heckuva lotta fun!

Among the highlights of the September 12 installment: An exhibition of underwater photography by Tom Radio and a musical performance by the Abiders at Calamity Jane's; A punk rock Elvis tribute featuring The Kings at the MIX; An exhibition of mixed media art by Kim McCarthy together with new work inspired by 6os mod and Japanese street fashions by designer Lady Konnyaka at FRIDA/Georgetown Tile Works; "Comics Savants," an exhibition of 13 Seattle-based alternative cartoonists featuring a one day storewide "Back to Skool" sale at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; A group exhibition of members of the Twilight Artists Collective at the Stables; An outdoor performance by Georgetown's resident reggae ruffians Dubcar; and the general joviality associated with this lively and diverse cultural event.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly production of the Georgetown Merchants' Association. For more information contact Art Attack coordinator Larry Reid at the numbers above. For a map of participants and related information please visit: www.georgetownartattack.com.

Skylight Books
1818 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Tel: 323.660.1175

We're cleaning house! We've just marked down 239 comic book back issues to a low, low $0.99 -- up to 80% off the cover price! Load up on Hate and other Peter Bagge classics, Love and Rockets and related titles by the Hernandez Brothers, Jim Woodring's Frank and Jim, our great '90s anthology Zero Zero, some great old obscurities and much, much more! Browse 'em all in their own category right here.

And it doesn't stop there! We've also marked down over 75 additional books 1/3 to 1/2 off and added them to our Clearance Sale and Closeout Deals categories -- we now have well over 200 bargain items to choose from. You're certain to find something you want at a great price! Some of these items are down to our last few copies, so don't hesitate to get your order in — and then tell your friends!

This just in from Peter Bagge:

The first issue of Marvel's new 3 part anthology mini-series, STRANGE TALES, is in comic shops this week. It features my long-delayed "Incorrigible Hulk" story, which has been broken up into 3 parts, with one part in each issue.  My original cover will also serve as the cover of ST #2 (see above).

This mini-series also features many indy comics superstars,all of whom get to interpret one or more of Marvel's well known characters in their own style. Each issue is also 48 pages long and only $3.99. Quite a deal!

As if we need to remind you, the series also includes contributions from Jason, Michael Kupperman, Tony Millionaire, Johnny Ryan, Stan Sakai, Dash Shaw and many others. I'm heading to my LCS after work to pick up my copy!