FANFARE / PONENT MON
A DISTANT NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUME 1 GN
(W/A) Jiro Taniguchi
Who hasn't dreamt of returning to childhood? Hiroshi Nakahara is a
forty-something salaryman returning to Tokyo from an intense business trip.
Tired and hungover as he boards his train, he awakens to discover he is
traveling back to the town of his upbringing, not Tokyo. Memories of his mother
surface as he realizes he is now the same age as she was when she died. Arriving
in Kurayoshi, drawn through his distant neighborhood to the cemetery and his
mother's grave, he is transported back into his 14 year-old life and body while
retaining all his adult character and experiences. That day his father
disappeared without explanation, the death of his mother, will he change his
past or be forever condemned to relive each painful moment? And will he ever see
his wife and daughters again? (C: 0-0-1)
SC, 7x9, 200pgs, B&W SRP: $23.00
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
LOW MOON HC
by Jason
5.5 x 8.5, 216 pages, FC, $24.99
The acclaimed graphic novelist Jason returns with his most eagerly awaited book
yet, thanks to the inclusion of the title story, the world’s first (and likely
last) chess western. Originally serialized in 2008 to a huge (and hugely
delighted) audience in the New York Times Sunday Magazine “Funny Pages” section,
“Low Moon” made Jason’s 2008 appearance at the MoCCA Arts Festival in Manhattan
the talk of the prestigious show, catapulting the Norwegian star to an even new
level of mass appeal.
This 216-page hardcover book features five yarns — all brand new with the
exception of the aforementioned “Low Moon,” which is collected into book form
for the first time.
The new stories lead off with “Emily Says Hello,” a typically deadpan Jason tale
of murder, revenge and sexual domination. Then, the wordless “&” tells two tales
at once: one about a skinny guy trying to steal enough money to save his ill
mother, and the other about a fat guy murderously trying to woo his true love.
The reason we follow these two parallel stories becomes obvious only on the very
last page, in Jason’s inimitable genre-mashing style.
“Early Film Noir” can best be described as The Postman Always Rings Twice meets
Groundhog Day. But starring cavemen. And finally, “You Are Here” features alien
kidnappings, space travel, and the pain and confusion of family ties,
culminating in an enigmatic finale that rivals Jason’s greatest twists.
Funny, poignant, and wry, Low Moon shows one of the world’s most acclaimed
graphic novelists at the absolute peak of his powers.
GREAT ANTI-WAR CARTOONS TP
edited by Craig Yoe
9 x 12, 184 pages, PC, $24.99
For centuries, cartoonists have used their pens to fight a war against war,
translating images of violent conflict into symbols of protest. Noted comics
historian Craig Yoe brings the greatest of these artists together in one place,
presenting the ultimate collection of anti-war cartoons. Together, these
cartoons provide a powerful testament to the old adage, “The pen is mightier
than the sword,” and remind us that so often in the last couple of centuries, it
was the editorial cartoonist who could say the things his fellow newspapermen
and women only dreamed of, enlightening and rallying a nation against unjust
aggression.
Readers of The Great Anti-War Cartoons will find stunning artwork in a variety
of media and forms (pen-and-ink, wash, watercolor, woodcut — single images and
sequential comic strips) from the hands of Francisco Goya to Art Young, from
Robert Minor to Ron Cobb, and from Honoré Daumier to Robert Crumb, as well as
page after page of provocative images from such titans as James Montgomery Flagg,
C.D. Batchelor, Edmund Sullivan, Boardman Robinson, William Gropper, Maurice
Becker, George Grosz, Rick Griffin, and many more.
This book is neither ideological nor parochial: The cartoons range across the
political spectrum from staunch conservative flag-wavers to radicals and
hippies, and span two centuries and the entire globe (Australia, Russia, Poland,
France...). But their message remains timeless and universal.
CASTLE WAITING #16
by Linda Medley
Comic Book, 24 pages, BW, $3.95
Housewarming! Everyone joins Jain to celebrate her new digs... not knowing that
the Poltersprites, annoyed at this new invasion of "their" territory, appear to
be planning some sort of retribution. Plus Jain has a heart-to-heart with Chess
involving their past, their future, and footstools... and another close
encounter with the ghost leads Jain to question Mr. Finny about it, to no great
effect... The second volume of Linda Medley's deeply involving and often
hilarious fantasy series continues toward its conclusion later this year.
UPTIGHT #3
by Jordan Crane
Comic Book, 24 pages, BW, $2.75
With UPTIGHT #3 Jordan Crane continues to map uncharted territory of graphic
melancholia with his masterpiece-work-in-progress Keeping Two. Jordan also
continues to build upon his ghost story obsession with a moody tale following an
undead man as he revisits his former life. Plus! Simon & Jack from The Clouds
Above are back in their second all ages adventure!
MOME SPRING 2009 VOL. 15 TP
edited by Gary Groth & Eric Reynolds
7 x 9, 120 pages, FC, $14.99
Since its inception in 2005, Mome has overlapped the contemporary graphic novel
scene, the literary world, and the graphic arts community by serving as a
McSweeney’s of comics for those who want a vibrant, quarterly sampler of the
best the medium has to offer. Whether exposing new talent like Eleanor Davis
(author of the recent Stinky by Toon Books) or Tom Kaczynski; featuring short
stories by contemporary graphic novelists like Dash Shaw (The Bottomless Belly
Button) or Paul Hornschemeier (The Three Paradoxes); bringing the work of
international superstars like David B. (Epileptic) or Killoffer (676 Apparitions
of Killoffer) to American audiences; or introducing the work of legends like
Gilbert Shelton (The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers) to a new generation of
readers, Mome is the most acclaimed, accessible, frequent, and reasonably priced
anthology on the market despite its high production values and mostly color
format.
DELPHINE #4
by Richard Sala
8.5 x 11, 32 pages, PC, $7.95
It's here! The horrifying final chapter of the critically acclaimed macabre
mini-series by Richard Sala, the gleefully demented creator of PECULIA and THE
CHUCKLING WHATSIT. Lauded by Rue Morgue Magazine, among others, DELPHINE follows
a traveler searching for his lost love and encountering a number of frightening
obstacles along the way. These include witches, werewolves, bloody murder and a
pack of sinister dwarves (did we mention that this is a twisted re-imagining of
"Snow White"?). Despite all this, the traveler persists, staggering onward
towards a hair-raising climax and an inevitable confrontation with unspeakable
evil! Mark your calendars — in blood!
GROTESQUE #3
by Sergio Ponchione
8.5 x 11, 32 pages, PC, $7.95
In the second half of the two-part "Cryptic City" epic, Professor Hackensack
continues his battle against the Wicked Barons alongside Inspector Doppiofaccio,
the mysterious Lady Puzzle, and an unexpected ally from beyond the grave -- with
the enigmatic Mr. O'Blique on the sidelines. This amazingly inventive work of
fantasy from one Italy's hottest new talents is proving to be a sleeper hit!
CHIMERA (NEW PRINTING)
by Lorenzo Mattotti
8.5 x 11, 32 pages, BW, $7.95
With its intricate, hyper-expressive swirls of crisp line work, Chimera is a
wordless fantasia of birth, death, gods, monsters, and humans, and one of the
most astonishing visual narratives you'll ever see.
OFFERED AGAIN
O/A CLOUDS ABOVE GN
by Jordan Crane
6 x 6, 224 pages, FC, $16.99
On their way through the city to school, Simon and his cat Jack keep taking
shortcuts that lead them through fantasy worlds of wooden monsters and
insatiable appetites, just for starters. Will they make back home safely? This
is undoubtedly one of the more handsome and unique packages in recent memory,
with a brilliant graphic novel inside that justifies its elegant format. The
Clouds Above calls to mind everything from Where the Wild Things Are to The
Wizard of Oz to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with its depiction of a
fantastic world that lurks just around the corner from reality and that only
children believe exists. (DEC073633)
O/A POCKET FULL OF RAIN GN
by Jason
7 x 10, 160 pages, BW, $19.99
This multifaceted anthology collects over 25 stories from the first decade of
Jason's career, including his remarkable calling card, the novella-length
thriller "Pocket Full of Rain," which has never before been published in
English. Like a number of his initial stories, "Pocket" is actually drawn with
realistic human beings instead of blank-faced animal characters — a true
revelation for Jason fans. In fact, this book showcases three distinct styles:
his earliest "realistic" drawing style (used to unsettling effect in some
particularly creepy stories), an intermediate "bighead" cartoony style that
still features humans (used for both humor and drama), and the "funny-animal"
style he's now best known for. (MAR083704)
O/A NIGHT FISHER GN
by R. Kikuo Johnson
7 x 10, 144 pages, BW, $12.95
R. Kikuo Johnson has created an intimate and compelling graphic novel-length
drama of young men on the cusp of adulthood. First-rate prep school, S.U.V., and
a dream house in the heights: This was the island paradise handed to Loren
Foster when he moved to Hawaii with his father six years ago. Now, with the end
of high school just around the corner, his best friend, Shane, has grown
distant. The rumors say it's hard drugs, and Loren suspects that Shane has left
him behind for a new group of friends. What sets Johnson's drama apart is the
naturalistic ease with which he explores the relationships of his characters. It
is at once an unsentimental portrait of that most awkward period between
adolescence and young adulthood and that rarest of things: a mature depiction of
immature lives. Visually, Johnson captures the languid tropical climate and
strip mall tackiness of Hawaii in a rich chiaroscuro style reminiscent of Milton
Caniff combined with the sensual ink work of Paul Pope or Jessica Abel.
(SEP052940)
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:01 FIRST SECOND
THE ETERNAL SMILE GN
(W) Gene Luen Yang (A) Derek Kirk Kim
From two masters of the graphic novel come three magical tales, fantastical
adventures through the worlds we live in and the worlds we create that test the
boundaries between fantasy and reality, exploring the ways that the world of the
imagination can affect real life. Written by the Eisner Award, Printz Award
winning author Gene Luen Yang, and illustrated by the Eisner Award, Ignatz
Award, Harvey award winning comics creator Derek Kirk Kim.
SC, 6x8.5, 176pgs, FC SRP: $16.95
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: INTO WAR-TORN AFGHANISTAN WITH DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS GN
(W) Frederic Lemercier (A) Didier Lefèvre, Emmanuel Guibert
In 1986, following the invasion by the Soviet Union, Afghanistan was torn apart
by war. This graphic novel is a record of one reporter’s arduous and dangerous
journey through Afghanistan, accompanying Doctors Without Borders. Didier
Lefèvre’s photography, paired with the art of Emmanuel Guibert, tells the
powerful story of a mission undertaken by men and women dedicated to mending the
wounds of war. Emmanuel Guibert’s previous non-fiction work, Alan’s War, was
considered by many to be one of the top books of 2008.
SC, 9x11.75, 288pgs, PC SRP: $29.95