FLOG! Entries for Mike Baehr - August 2008

Mome Vol. 26

mike

As envisioned by Kurt Wolfgang. (Normally Eric would post this, but he's out chauffeuring Mr. Clowes right now.)

Blogosphere roundup for 8/29/08

mike

Here's what people on the web are writing about our books this week:

• Futurismic, German site Nerdcore and Canada's SEE Magazine (which wins for best article title and best writer name) take note of Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko by Blake Bell; the latter article sparks debate between Steven Grant and Jarett Kobek

• The Onion A.V. Club's latest "Comics Panel" roundup includes a B+ review for Tim Lane's Abandoned Cars; Sequart takes a good look at the book too

• Chris Mautner at Blog@Newsarama gets the first word in on The Portable Frank by Jim Woodring (below the Steve Canyon review)

• For The Washington Post, Douglas Wolk looks at Explainers by Jules Feiffer and Bottomless Belly Button by Dash Shaw

• Guided by Voices fan blog Pop Zeus plugs Robert Pollard's Town of Mirrors

• Tripping Toward Lucidity looks at Mail Order Bride by Mark Kalesniko

• Mexican site Comiquero recommends The Last Lonely Saturday by Jordan Crane (albeit with art from a different story)

• Sequart examines Where Demented Wented: The Art and Comics of Rory Hayes, while The Village Voice pairs Demented with Herbie Vol. 1

• Comic Book Resources compares Mome Vol. 12 to two other recent anthology releases and declares it "the best deal for your anthology pleasure this summer." Take that, Tori Amos!

• Boing Boing spotlights Love and Rockets: New Stories #1

• Sequart continues their detailed examination of the original run of Love and Rockets comics with a look at issue #35

• Demon Art recommends Malicious Resplendence by Robert Williams for hot rod lovers

• Dick Hyacinth updates his ongoing "Best of 2008" list with 5 more of our titles

• Indie Pulp looks at Jason's Pocket Full of Rain and Other Stories

• PLAYBACK:stl on Daddy's Girl by Debbie Drechsler

And in other links...

• If you fall on that part of the Venn diagram where "alt-comics fans" and "Sims 2 players" overlaps, Kinemortophobia has some virtual posters featuring our book covers for you to download

• Richard Grayson of Dumbo Books reports from last Friday's Michael Kupperman signing at Desert Island in Brooklyn

• Tom Spurgeon of The Comics Reporter makes a suggestion for The Comics Journal #300 (due next year). It's been a while since we did a flip cover like that.

• Via Spurge, and from Electric Politics, three words that you might not ever expect to go together: Robert Crumb podcast

• Another great theme sketchbook: Calvin and Hobbes, with Jordan Crane, Jim Woodring and others

• Bob Levin offers some additional thoughts on his book Most Outrageous

• Screenwriter and blogger Todd Alcott dishes on successfully pitching a Maakies gag to Tony Millionaire, and, with Tony, unsuccessfully pitching a Sock Monkey movie to Hollywood

• Spanish-language blog Little Nemo's Kat discusses the acquisition of a page of original Gilbert Hernandez art from Luba #3

• Leon Beyond takes on Krazy Kat, courtesy of Kevin Huizenga

And in anticipation of comics events in Seattle this weekend:

• Seattle Weekly profiles Ivan Brunetti

• Don't miss Ellen Forney at Bumbershoot tomorrow

• The Daily Herald of Everett, WA has a profile and short interview with Daniel Clowes

• The Stranger recommends that you come see Dan at our storefront tonight

TONIGHT! Daniel Clowes! Seattle! Ghost World!

mike

TONIGHT! SEE Daniel Clowes in a rare in-store appearance! GAZE upon an exhibit of original art from Ghost World! HEAR Dan answer questions from our fearless leader Gary Groth! MEET other special unannounced guests! PURCHASE the very first copies of Ghost World: Special Edition and our special signed limited-edition silkscreen exhibit poster (VERY limited quantities of both - get there EARLY to secure your copies)! GET your Clowes books and paraphenalia signed! CLICK here for more details!

It all happens from 6 to 9 PM TONIGHT at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 1201 S. Vale St., Seattle WA USA. Phone 206-658-0110.

Chocolate Cheeks for 8/29/08

mike

Time for a new installment of Steven Weissman's in-progress pages from "Blue Jay," an epic 32-page story from Chocolate Cheeks, the next collection of the Yikes! gang's adventures. In this week's episode: Elzie Crisler (the world's cutest monster dog) is in deep, deep trouble. (Remember, you must be registered and logged in to read.)

Ridiculously cheap McSweeney'ses

mike

I don't know if I'll get in trouble for plugging another publisher here on our official organ, but good gravy: our esteemed colleagues at Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern have put nearly all of their available back issues (including the Chris Ware-edited all-comics #13) on sale for just $5 each through tomorrow.

Now in stock: Krazy and Ignatz 1943-1944 (plus 1935-1936 New Printing)

mike

Krazy and Ignatz 1943-1944
By George Herriman

Krazy and Ignatz 1943-1944: "He Nods in Quiescent Siesta" covers the last two years of Herriman’s masterpiece. With this volume, Fantagraphics and its precursor Eclipse have reprinted the entire 29-year run of the Krazy Kat Sundays! Like Charles Schulz, George Herriman was a cartoonist to the very end. Aside from collecting the last masterful year and a half of Krazy Kat, this new volume offers a retrospective look at Herriman’s life at the drawing table, offering many never before seen samples of his original art (which the cartoonist often lovingly hand-colored for friends). Gathered from many scattered collections, these pages testify to Herriman’s invererate passion for drawing. Rounding out the volume are scores of Krazy Kat daily strips also from Herriman’s last years, further testament to the cartoonists vitality. Series editor and veteran comics historian, Bill Blackbeard, also provides a concluding, wide-ranging essay on the life and art of Herriman. More than a simple reprint collection, Krazy and Ignatz 1943-1944 portrays the full range of a cartoonist who remained an artist all his life.

120-page full-color 9" x 12" softcover • $19.99
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Krazy and Ignatz 1935-1936 (New Printing)
By George Herriman

The heretofore black-and-white Sunday Krazy Kat returned in full spectacular color in June 1935, collected here from then through 1936, with a flood of rare color extras and a revelatory essay by Jeet Heer.

120-page full-color 9" x 12" softcover • $19.95
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New Comics Day 8/27/08

mike

After the wallet-busting deluge last week, you might be relieved to know that we have exactly nothing arriving in comics shops today. (We just didn't want to have to go up against Barb Wire Omnibus Vol. 1.)

We do have a couple of new books in stock today for direct orders, though... sit tight...

20 French Cartoonists Who Dragged Eurocomics into Adulthood

mike

Kim Thompson has posted an annotated list of the 20 artists featured in his "Vingt sur 20" slide lecture (given at the Alliance Française on July 16, 2008) on The Comics Journal message board for your reference and discussion.

We hinted that we might be bringing you audio of Kim's talk, but Kim will be presenting an improved version at SPX this Fall, so we're going to wait for that!

Preview video/slideshow: Ghost World: Special Edition

mike

Wondering what's so Special about Ghost World: Special Edition by Dan Clowes? Watch this video/photo slideshow teaser and find out! (Hint: snazzy hardcover format, complete graphic novel and film screenplay, extensive extras including new annotations and rare/never-seen artwork...) Click here if the slideshow doesn't appear above. (And don't miss our pre-order poster giveaway contest!)

Ghost World poster giveaway contest!

mike

Announcing our Ghost World: Special Edition poster giveaway contest! Pre-order Ghost World: Special Edition by Daniel Clowes directly from Fantagraphics.com and your name will be placed in a random drawing to receive a signed copy of the ultra-limited-edition silkscreen show print (shown below) for the Ghost World: Special Edition exhibit opening this Friday, August 29, at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. (The poster will be available for purchase ONLY in person at the FB&G and is sure to sell out.)

Some rules: limit one entry per person (multiple orders, or ordering multiple copies, while appreciated, will not increase your chances); to be eligible for the drawing, orders must be placed via the Fantagraphics.com website and received before midnight Pacific time the night before Ghost World: Special Edition is listed as "in stock" on the New Releases page of Fantagraphics.com (currently expected to be the week of September 15, but this is subject to change up until the last minute); if you've already placed your order, YES, you're automatically eligible for the drawing; we only have one (1) poster to give away; the winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!

Preview video/slideshow: Sublife Vol. 1

mike

Today we're pleased to bring you this multimedia teaser of Sublife Vol. 1, the first installment in a serialized one-man anthology by John Pham. Be sure to check out the photos for the super-spiffy printing details, like the silver metallic spine. Click here if the slideshow doesn't appear above.

Now in stock: Town of Mirrors

mike

Town of Mirrors: The Reassembled Imagery of Robert Pollard
By Robert Pollard

Robert Pollard is the Dayton, Ohio singer-songwriter, who was the leader and creative force behind the legendary indie rock group Guided by Voices, one of the most influential bands of its generation (SPIN magazine recently named Pollard one of “The Top 50 Rock & Roll Front Men of All-Time”). After the dissolution of Guided by Voices in 2004, Robert Pollard launched his official solo career with the release of From a Compound Eye in 2006.

In addition to being a prolific songwriter/recording artist, Pollard is a gifted and prolific visual artist, working mostly in the medium of collage (not surprising, given his interest in sound collage as a recording artist). His work has been exhibited at Michael Imperioli’s Studio Dante in New York and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. He has created the covers to almost every Guided By Voices record and countless other Pollard-related releases. Town of Mirrors collects the very best of Pollard’s visual art and lyrics/poetry.

Featuring over 175 of Pollard’s favorite collages, hand-picked by the artist, as well as over a dozen new collages produced exclusively for this collection, Town of Mirrors is the first comprehensive collection of Pollard’s visual art ever released. Pollard’s collages are the visual equivalent of his poetic and imagistic lyrics, surreal and reminiscent of the collages of artists ranging from Jack Kirby to Winston Smith.

144-page full-color 10" x 10" hardcover • $29.99
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Georgetown Radio

mike

A couple of Friday night videos for your enjoyment, consisting of footage filmed in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood (where our Bookstore & Gallery resides) in the early 1990s, and featuring sound design (and a cameo) by our own Nico Vassilakis. These are very cool. (If they don't display below, click for Part 1 and Part 2.)

Chocolate Cheeks for 8/15 & 8/22/08

mike

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Has it really been 3 weeks since we brought you the last installment of Steven Weissman's in-progress pages from "Blue Jay," an epic 32-page story from Chocolate Cheeks, the next collection of the Yikes! gang's adventures? Indeed it has. For the record: Steven skipped 8/8, and then I missed putting up last week's installment due to various meshugaas. To make up for it, this week we're giving you a double dose! WARNING: Possibly upsetting for the very sensitive (you know who you are)! (Remember, you must be registered and logged in to read.)

Blogosphere roundup for 8/22/08

mike

Reviews that popped up on our radar this week:

• Matthew Brady takes a good look at Pocket Full of Rain and Other Stories by Jason

• Tim Lane's Abandoned Cars is a Pick of the Week at the fictional comic shop in the webcomic The Rack

• Sequart on Grotesque #2 by Sergio Ponchione

• Abhay Kholsa at The Savage Critics looks at the first two issues of Sammy the Mouse by Zak Sally

• Jog and Sequart both delve into Mome Vol. 12

• Jarett Duncan says the works of Dave Cooper are "Worth Your Time and Dollar"

• Blog@Newsarama highlights a bunch of our releases that arrived in comic shops this week

• Sean T. Collins on Where Demented Wented: The Art and Comics of Rory Hayes

• Comics-and-More loves Bottomless Belly Button by Dash Shaw; Matthias Wivel at The Metabunker digs it too

• Wired looks at Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko by Blake Bell

• Jarett Kobek's examination of Strange and Stranger includes this intriguing quote: "My guess would be that if Ditko's creator-owned work were being judged independent of What Came Before, it wouldn't be spoken of as a Decline, but rather in the same way that we have begun to discuss an outsider artist like Rory Hayes. (Note: not likening Ditko's work to that of Hayes.)"

And...

• The Vancouver Courier profiles Kim Deitch

• We've got a fingernail-buffing 17 slots on Alan David Doane's "100 Must-Read Graphic Novels" list, with 3 in the top 10 (plus two collections of comics originally published by us)

• Boing Boing is excited for our upcoming Boody Rogers book

• ICV2 writes about The New York Times writing about Blake Bell writing about Steve Ditko in Strange and Stranger

• At The Comics Reporter, Tim Lane addresses Frank Santoro's question about the future of Lane's serialized story "Belligerent Piano"

• A customer at our bookstore alerted us to the fact that musician Ryan Adams has been blogging about Leah Hayes' Holy Moly and made a video for her band Scary Mansion

• From the Strange Bedfellows Department, a sentiment we can certainly get behind (more info here, via E&P):

Preview video/slideshow: The Complete Crumb Comics Vol. 14 (New Printing)

mike

Here's another multimedia preview of a recent release: the new printing of The Complete Crumb Comics Vol. 14: The Early '80s & Weirdo Magazine. (Actually, shhh, the video and photos are of a copy of the previous edition... see if you can catch me covering up the old cover price with my thumb!) Click here if it doesn't appear above.

We've got some teasers of upcoming releases that we'll be unleashing next week, so watch this space...

Preview video/slideshow: The Comics Journal #292

mike

Enjoy this look at the new issue of The Comics Journal, featuring the definitive mega-interview with the Deitch clan. Tip: For a closer look with legible text (in other words, to actually read the preview), click through here to the photoset, select an image, click "All Sizes" at the top of the photo, and then click "Original." Click here for the slideshow if it doesn't appear above.

Friday! Kupperman! Desert Island! Thrizzle!

mike

Michael Kupperman signs copies of Tales Designed to Thrizzle, including the new 4th issue, at Desert Island Comics in Brooklyn, 6-9 PM Friday August 22nd - that's practically today! Also available: the silkscreen print shown above. How do I get one?? Here's the Facebook invitation.

Preview video/slideshow: The Portable Frank

mike

We've got a new way to bring you previews and teasers: Flickr just launched this embeddable combination video/photo slideshow thingy. It's pretty sweet, especially when you make it full-screen by clicking the icon at bottom right. Here's The Portable Frank by Jim Woodring; click here if the slideshow won't display above, or just to see a larger version.

Now in stock: The Portable Frank

mike

The Portable Frank
By Jim Woodring

A Visionary work of comic art for all-ages! Readers who haven’t discovered Jim Woodring’s Frank stories have a colossal treat waiting for them in this all-ages gem collecting the character’s greatest adventures.

Frank is a unique, visionary comic, exquisitely drawn and so fully realized that adults and children alike find themselves drawn deeply into Woodring’s hallucinatory mindscape. The stories, almost entirely wordless, are told with brilliant, candy colors that people of all ages find alluring. The stories themselves unravel like a good puzzle, rewarding re-reading, providing an experience as immersive as that first love affair, that first samadhi, or that first breath. Simply put, the world of Frank must be experienced to be understood.

Frank is an 11-year-old generic anthropomorph who lives in a force-laden landscape called the Unifactor. He is curious but not smart, naïve but not noble, and his most outstanding character trait is his ineducability. Along with Pupshaw, Frank’s semi-subservient housedog-like godling, the two traipse across their surreal landscape, occasionally encountering Manhog, the bloated bladder of sin with a heart of radiance who exists to thwart their prosperity. And then there’s the platonic Jerry Chickens, and the lachrymose Lucky, as well as Frank’s Real Pa and Faux Pa, each a part of one of the great cartoon achievements of the 20th century.

For all its mystery, the world of Frank is a simple, delightful, mesmerizing example of world-building at its most fanciful, surely to delight parents and children alike.

200-page black & white 6.25" x 8.75" softcover • $16.99
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