“I fell madly in love with Cathy Malkasian’s beautiful Percy Gloom graphic novel a few years back, which was as beautiful as it was unexpected, so there is little to no way that I am not eagerly anticipating this follow-up. For those who like gorgeously-illustrated, melancholy and touching books: This is for you.” – Graeme McMillan, Robot 6
Cathy Malkasian's second Percy Gloom graphic novel is another fable that the author brings to vivid life through her lush and detailed pencil renderings, surreal humor, absurdist characters, breathtaking landscapes, and luminous storytelling.
Kindhearted, Candide-esque Percy wakes up from a 200 year nap and finds himself in a strange new land. Searching for his mother, lamenting his long-lost love and soul-mate Miss Margaret, Percy meets bizarre, wise, naive, and sometimes dangerous characters, encounters inspired inventions, and forges friendships, discovering a few unexpected verities along the way.
Not to mention the singing goats and furniture parades.
Cathy Malkasian is back with Wake Up, Percy Gloom!, the sequel to her award-winning 2007 graphic novel Percy Gloom, which charmed and beguiled readers of all stripes (with the equally amazing Temperance in between). Don't just take our word for it; listen to two of comics' greatest world-builders and creators of lovable iconic characters:
"Cathy Malkasian's Percy Gloom shines a light on a hidden world, using language and ideas that are daringly naked and vulnerable, evoking something real, rare, and relevant. Such exquisite drawing, in the service of such rich ideas, sustained for such a long, lovely dance! The world looked differently to me after I'd finished reading it." – Jim Woodring
"I love this book! Cathy Malkasian's Percy Gloom swirls with echoes of cartoon landscapes from the past and present. You can almost hear Percy Gloom's meek, docile little voice. Her writing is so full of wit and charm that we, like the title character, walk dutifully to the edge and fall in. And like Percy, we are rewarded equally with night terrors and secret treasures." – Jeff Smith
This all-new story, due out in the second half of May, expands Percy's world with new sights, new mysteries, new delights, and new dangers. On our pre-order page we have a 17-page excerpt for you to read and a fun animated "commercial" created by the artist, and we have more previews to come. And for the full Percy package you can buy both books together for a nice discount!
Cathy Malkasian's debut graphic novel Percy Gloom netted her the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award at the 2008 Eisner Awards. Now we're pleased to present the sequel, Wake Up, Percy Gloom! In it, our diminutive, bulb-headed hero seemingly pulls a Rip Van Winkle. Awakening in an unfamiliar land, he embarks on a quest to find his mother; fantastical happenings ensue. Whether you were beguiled by the first book or you're meeting Percy for the first time, you'll be sure to find his gorgeously-illustrated new adventure full of delight, wonder, humor and pathos. The book's at the printer for release later in Spring. We have a 17-page teaser for you, and you can pre-order a copy right here.
Callin' out to Percy Gloom fans! While we all eagerly await Cathy Malkasian's follow-up Wake Up, Percy Gloom (due out next month), we can dial up this great Percy iPhone cover from RedBubble.com. Wake Up, indeed -- it's for you!
Yesterday, Publisher Gary Groth's interview with the team from Tell Me Something I Don't Know went live on Boing Boing. Jason Lex, Jim Rugg, and Ed Piskor asked for some of Gary's Fantagraphics recommendations. Here are the quick descriptions and links to the books Gary mentioned.
Good Dog by Graham Chaffee is a beautiful black and white graphic novel that chronicles the tales of stray dog, Ivan, on his search for a home, friends and more. Ivan is a good dog - if only someone would notice. Chaffee combines illustrative gravitas with cartooning verve for a richly textured, dog's-eye view of the world. Coming this May 2013.
Wake Up, Percy Gloom is the second Percy Gloom graphic novel by Cathy Malkasian. Kindhearted Percy awakens from (what he thinks is) a 200-year nap and finds himself in a strange new land. As Percy goes on a quest to locate his mother in addition to his long-lost love and soul mate, Miss Margaret. Coming out this April 2013.
Willard Mullin's Golden Age of Baseball is a collection of the sports comics by Willard Mullin. Mullin was to baseball players what Bill Mauldin was to soldiers: advocate and critic, investing them with personality, humanity, dignity, and poignancy; Mauldin had Willie & Joe and Mullin had the Brooklyn Bum, his affectionate 1939 character representing the bedraggled figure of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Coming this April 2013.
Finally, His Wife Leaves Him by Stephen Dixon is a new book from the Fantagraphics' prose line. One of America's great literary treasures has completed his first novel in five years - a long, intimate exploration of the interior life of a husband who has lost his wife. Coming this May 2013.
This month's Diamond Previews catalog is out now and in it you'll find our usual 2-page spread (download the PDF) with our releases scheduled to arrive in your local comic shop in March 2013 (give or take — release dates are likely to have changed since the issue went to press). We're pleased to offer additional and updated information about these upcoming releases here on our website, to help shops and customers alike make more informed ordering decisions.
Cathy Malkasian thinks we're dirty. What else can we expect when she sends us a box of beautifully-crafted soap? We're working so hard on publishing books; its a sweaty business. To be fair, she sent the box to Eric Reynolds but he is nice and clean enough to share with the rest of us. Each soap is a charcter from Malkasian's 2007 hit, Percy Gloom. Look at those perfectly molded soaps, Percy even has his cute hat on!
Malkasian's next graphic novel is due out in April entitled Wake Up Percy Gloom! S0 get soapy and squeaky clean for the next book. You'll have to pardon me for ending this FLOG! post early, I've got a sudsy, frothy Percy soap face to stick into my sweaty under-arms.
• This hilarious portrait by Cathy Malkasian is available as a print — you gotta go check it out just for the title and description, which are also hilarious
• Buy Dame Darcy's mermaid print to help send her to the annual Mermaid Parade on her 40th birthday! She's also now an ordained Wiccan minister! Good luck and congrats! All this and more in her latest blog update
