Tag Archives for fantagraphics

Fantagraphics announces publication of lost WILLIAM BURROUGHS graphic novel

From Eric Reynolds:

Fantagraphics Books is proud to announce the acquisition of the only graphic novel written by — and possibly the last unseen work of his to be published — the innovative Beat writer and Naked Lunch author, William S. Burroughs. This lost masterpiece, Ah Pook Is Here, created in collaboration with artist Malcolm McNeill in the 1970s, will be published in the summer of 2011 as a spectacularly packaged two-volume, hinged set, along with Observed While Falling, McNeill’s memoir documenting his collaboration with one of America’s most iconic authors.

Ah Pook Is Here is a consideration of time with respect to the differing perceptions of the ancient Maya and that of the current Western mindset. It was Burroughs’ contention that both of these views result in systems of control in which the elite perpetuate its agendas at the expense of the people. They make time for themselves and through increasing measures of Control attempt to prolong the process indefinitely.

Read the full press release and see more of Malcolm McNeill’s incredible artwork here.

John Pham 'Living Space' exhibit at GR2

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April 10, 2010 – May 5, 2010
Reception: Saturday, April 10, 6:30 -10:00

GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
gr2.net
310.445.9276

Giant Robot is proud to host Living Space, an art show featuring new work by John Pham.

John Pham is a Los Angeles-based, Xeric Grant-winning artist and creator of the ongoing graphic novel series Sublife, published by Fantagraphics, in addition to making work for various galleries and clients.

The work in Living Space portrays a cartoon world with its own set of laws and internal pop-inspired logic. The flat, vibrant colors and abstract lines clash with caricatures of urban, Los Angeles streetscapes and the people who live there. Rules of perspective and representation are willfully ignored in the gouache paintings on panel; the familiar figures, faces and places are distilled into contorted, colorful versions of themselves. Everything becomes, in effect, a cartoon. At first glance, the fluorescent-skinned, fractured people and pop candy-colored buildings may seem alien and off-putting. Upon further inspection, and with some familiarity, they prove inviting, friendly and, most importantly, human. The pieces will be mostly gouache paintings on panel with a few sculptures.

'TOYLAND' by Al Columbia

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TOYLAND by Al Columbia

Pim & Francie is already receiving advance praise from folks like Spike Jonze.  Jim Woodring’s drawing group, Friends of the Nib, is calling it “book of the year“.

Al’s always working on something new and amazing, whether it’s music, filmmaking, comics, or in this case, painting.  Al showed me a photo of this new painting he was working on and I became immersed in the labyrinth of frayed facade and haunting beauty.  We reprinted it as the centerpiece of the new issue of Diamond Comics, available now!

To commemorate the release of Al Columbia’s new book, Floating World has teamed with the artist to produce a limited edition series of archival prints of this latest painting, Toyland.  The giclee prints are on museum quality paper measuring 18″x24″; the artwork is 15″x20″.

We only made 25 copies of this incredible image, and each was signed and numbered by the artist at his recent book release party at the Fantagraphics store.  Orders will be filled in numerical order starting with number 3 of 25 (#1 and #2 already sold).  They will be shipped securely in a tube.  Head over to Floating World Comics’ website to place your order.

'YOU SHALL DIE BY YOUR OWN EVIL CREATION' Fletcher Hanks book release party at Desert Island Comics in Brooklyn, Thursday, July 23rd, 7-9pm

From our friends at Desert Island Comics:

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Come out to celebrate the release of “You Shall Die by Your Own Evil Creation!” by Fletcher Hanks, edited by Paul Karasik.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Discussion at 7:30 with signing by Paul Karasik to follow
Desert Island
540 Metropolitan Ave btwn Union and Lorimer
Brooklyn, NY

Karasik will speak with comics historian and publisher Dan Nadel about Hanks’s legacy, and both will take questions.

Fletcher Hanks, who worked under pseudonyms such as Henry Fletcher, Barclay Flagg or Hank Christy, is one of the more mysterious comic book artists active in the late 1930s and early 1940s. His work stood out for its weirdness and themes of brutal vengence, but little is known about the artist himself. Among his comic book heroes are ‘Tabu, Wizard of the Jungle’, the lumberjack hero ‘Big Red McLane’, and the cosmic superheroes ‘Stardust, The Super Wizard’ and ‘Space Smith’. ‘Fantomah Mystery Woman of the Jungle’, is often called the First Female Superhero.

Hanks’ work appeared in Fox, Fiction House and Timely Publications for three years (1939-1941) before he abruptly stopped making comics. What little is known about the artist’s fate is outlined in two collections of his work both edited by cartoonist, Paul Karasik. ‘I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets’ won an Eisner Award and the second volume, ‘You Shall Die By Your Own Evil Creation!’, when combined with the first, comprises the Complete Fletcher Hanks.

also: Fletcher Hanks coloring books (with Charles Burns cover!) FREE with purchase of the new book at the event.

plus: a limited edition Hanks screenprint will be available at the event, and is now available for preorder here: http://tinyurl.com/fantomah