INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS
(Company names beginning with T)
TASCHEN AMERICA
ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 01 (OF 6) 1964-1968 NEW PTG (MR)
(A/CA) Robert Crumb
Taschen surveys Robert Crumb's career in the 6-volume Robert Crumb Sketchbook series. Each 440-page volume, the first four combining two volumes each of the limited edition set, produced directly from the original artworks now belonging to an ardent French collector, spotlights a different era of Crumb's work, providing a chronological overvue of the artist, his life and interests, and his artistic development. Volume 1 (June 1964 to Sept. 1968) includes cover roughs for the legendary Zap and Head comics, the original Keep On Truckin’ sketches, the first appearance of Mr. Natural, Fritz The Cat, and more. Volume 2 (Sept. 1968 to Jan. 1975) features the introduction of Aline, the first female Yetis, San Francisco drug culture and more. Volume 3 (1975-1982) includes Crumb’s move to rural California, his marriage to Aline Kominsky, and the birth of daughter Sophie. Volume 4 (1982-1989), when the artist was comfortably ensconced in rural California, fills its pages with Crumb's signature perversions (in country settings), and scathing social commentary. Volume 5 (1989-1998) finds Crumb at age 46, solidly into the midlife crises years, and the family’s move to Sauve, France, in 1991 heralds a switch from portraits of apple-cheeked American girls to portraits of girls in French cafes and pastorals of rampant French countryside. Finally, Volume 6 (1998-2011) finds Crumb still illustrating sex fantasies and ranting against the human condition, but increasingly working from photos and historical themes such as the atrocity of Abu Ghraib and historic tableaus such as Piers the Ploughman of 14th century England. Crumb produced a consistent body of work over the last 40, if not 50, years, yet each page is also jarringly different from the one before. So much is packed in you can spend an hour and find you’re only a quarter of the way through, with Crumb bemoaning his mortality, while continuing to prosper, every few pages. A fine stand-alone volume, and must-have completion for the sketchbook set. (STL362403) NOTE: Not available in UK. (May purchase from UK vendor.)
MATURE THEMES
Art Book, HC, 8x11, 440pgs, FC (1 of 6) SRP: $50.00
ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 02 (OF 6) 1968-1975 NEW PTG (MR)
(A/CA) Robert Crumb
R. Crumb Sketchbook, Volume 2: Sept. 1968 – Jan. 1975 combines the two middle volumes from the second boxed set, produced directly from the original artworks now belonging to an ardent French collector, into one fat 444-page Crumb feast, at an irresistible price. This book contains hundreds of sketches from the master of underground comic art, including cover roughs for Zap, Motor City and Despair comics, the introduction of Aline, the first female Yetis, Flakey Foont and Mr. Natural, Honeybunch Kaminski, San Francisco drug culture and big buoyant butts, all wrapped up in a quality hard cover featuring front and back illustrations newly hand-colored by Crumb himself. (STL362415) NOTE: Not available in UK. (May purchase from UK vendor.)
MATURE THEMES
Art Book, HC, 8x11, 444pgs, FC (2 of 6) SRP: $50.00
ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 03 (OF 6) 1975-1982 NEW PTG (MR)
(A/CA) Robert Crumb
Combining volumes 5 and 6 from the second R. Crumb Sketchbook boxed set, and produced directly from the original artworks now belonging to an ardent French collector, this is one big 444-page Crumb feast for way less than his rare originals. Among the hundreds of subjects included are Crumb’s move to rural California, his marriage to Aline Kominsky, the birth of daughter Sophie, as well as further adventures of Mr. Natural, mischievous Snoids, Arcade comics strips, political discontent, existential angst, huge powerful women, geeky little guys, Mao Tse Tung, Mick Jagger and moral outrage, all wrapped up in a quality hard cover featuring front and back illustrations newly hand-colored by Crumb himself. (STL362418) NOTE: Not available in UK. (May purchase from UK vendor.)
MATURE THEMES
Art Book, HC, 8x11, 444pgs, FC (3 of 6) SRP: $50.00
ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 04 (OF 6) 1982-1989 NEW PTG (MR)
(A/CA) Robert Crumb
Combining volumes 7 and 8 from the first boxed set (confusing, we know), it spans the years 1982 to 1989, a period when the artist was comfortably ensconced in rural California, raising his young daughter Sophie, who appears throughout this volume. But Crumb was still Crumb, declaring in one drawing, above a lovingly rendered tree, “As I get older I get more twisted, convoluted, depraved, cynical, embittered, self-centered, jaded, debauched, ruthless, greedy, conceited, set-in-my-ways, long-winded, absent-minded, prejudiced, closed-minded, misanthropic, nervous…”
To prove this self-flagellating analysis he fills the pages with his signature perversions (in country settings), scathing social commentary, cruel self-portraits, experimental cubism… and some lovely sylvan landscape. His mastery of the Rapidograph pen is at its zenith here in his 40s; (STL362420) NOTE: Not available in UK. (May purchase from UK vendor.)
MATURE THEMES
Art Book, HC, 8x11, 444pgs, FC (4 of 6) SRP: $50.00
ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 05 (OF 6) 1989-1998 NEW PTG (MR)
(A/CA) Robert Crumb
As this volume opens we find our hero at age 46, solidly into the midlife crises years. Crumb has lived his entire life in anxious, introspective, self-flagellating crises, however, so the middle years bring only a refinement of his lifelong turmoil and further honing of artistic talent. More words accompany the drawings, demonstrating Crumb’s brilliant powers of observation, as in a long paragraph devoted to an encounter with one of brother Maxon’s vegan turds, and a poetic paean to the heartbreak of life and aging. The family’s move to Sauve, France, in 1991 is heralded by a switch from portraits of apple-cheeked American girls sketched while waiting for food in California cafes to portraits of girls in French cafes, by pastorals of rampant French countryside, and by haunting tableau of homeless beggars in the Metro.
The most notable new character in this sketchbook is a turbaned holy man named, by young Sophie Crumb, Roman Dodo, who seems loosely inspired by Robert’s brother Maxon. Patricia Pig, a cheerful human/porcine hybrid also debuts, alongside portraits of girlfriends present and past. (STL362421) NOTE: Not available in UK. (May purchase from UK vendor.)
MATURE THEMES
Art Book, HC, 8x11, 444pgs, FC (5 of 6) SRP: $50.00
ROBERT CRUMB SKETCHBOOK HC VOL 06 (OF 6) 1998-2011 NEW PTG (MR)
(A/CA) Robert Crumb
The last volume of this six-book series has our hero settled in his French home, still illustrating sex fantasies and ranting against the human condition, but increasingly working from photos and historical themes. Images of torture at Abu Ghraib and family portraits are mashed together. Old age hasn’t brought contentment.
“Silly Fool Comics” fills the final page in this final volume, with a devilish creature telling the anguished Crumb, “YOU Will Soon Be DEAD!” He was a mere 67, but in his self-absorbed Crumbish way was obsessing about death, when not making intimate and loving portraits of his wife Aline and all the other women who’d tormented his libido since boyhood. Most impressive in this book are his historic tableau, some single page, others multi-page strips, including Piers the Ploughman of 14th century England, My Secret Life by “Walter,” Rough Women of the Dark Ages and The Apache Dance, from a 1930s Parisian postcard. His Rapidographed cross hatching is superb as ever and we are treated to long screeds displaying his undimmed brilliance at analyzing the human condition, in a morbid but nonetheless amusing way.
One could say there are no surprises in content, as Crumb has produced a consistent body of work over the last 40, if not 50, years, yet each page is also jarringly different from the one before, due to his personal juxtaposition of images. So much is packed in you can spend an hour and find you’re only a quarter of the way through, with Crumb bemoaning his mortality, while continuing to prosper, every few pages. A fine stand-alone volume, and must-have completion for the sketchbook set. (STL362422) NOTE: Not available in UK. (May purchase from UK vendor.)
MATURE THEMES
Art Book, HC, 8x11, 444pgs, FC (6 of 6) SRP: $50.00
FANTASTIC WORLD OF FRANK FRAZETTA HC 40TH ANNIV (O/A)
(A/CA) Frank Frazetta
Frank Frazetta has reigned as the undisputed king of fantasy art for 50 years, his fame only growing in the years since his death and long overdue for this ultimate monograph. Born to a Sicilian immigrant family in Brooklyn, 1928, Frazetta was a minor league athlete, petty criminal and serial seducer with movie star looks and phenomenal talent. He claimed to only make art when there was nothing better to do—he preferred playing baseball—yet began his professional career in comics at age 16. Strip work led him to the infamous EC Comics, then to oils for Tarzan and Conan pulp covers. Both characters were interpreted by many before him, but as he explained in the 1970s, 'I'm very physical minded. In Brooklyn, I knew Conan, I knew guys just like him,' and he used this first-hand knowledge of muscle and macho to redefine fantasy heroes as more massive, more menacing, more testosterone-fueled than anything seen before. Add in the action, the creatures, the twilit worlds of haunting shadow and Frazetta's art is addictive as potato chips. (STL338273) (SEP242086)
Art Book, HC, 6x9, 480pgs, FC SRP: $30.00
HISTORY OF EC COMICS DLX HC (O/A)
(W) Grant Geissman (A) Harvey Kurtzman & Various
In 1947, Bill Gaines inherited EC Comics, a new venture founded by his legendary father M. C. Gaines. Over the next eight years, Bill Gaines and a “who’s who” of the era including Al Feldstein, Harvey Kurtzman, and Wally Wood would reinvent the very notion of the comic book with titles like Tales from the Crypt, Crime SuspenStories, Weird Science, and MAD. TASCHEN presents the full, fascinating story of this fabled company, written and designed by EC-expert Grant Geissman. (STL164897)
Comics History, HC, 12x16, 592pgs, FC SRP: $200.00
JAMIE HEWLETT TASCHEN 40TH ANNIV HC ED NEW PTG
(A) Jamie Hewlett
From the legendary Tank Girl to live-action animations with Gorillaz, a Chinese contemporary opera to an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, artist Jamie Hewlett is one of the most energetic figures of contemporary pop culture. With influences ranging from hip hop to zombie slasher movies, Hewlett emerged in the mid-1990s as co-creator of the zeitgeist-defining Tank Girl comic. With then-roommate Damon Albarn, he went on to create the groundbreaking cartoon band Gorillaz. The award-winning virtual pop group of animated characters is a truly global phenomenon. Gorillaz have topped charts around the world, toured the globe from San Diego to Syria, and picked up hundreds of millions of streams and record sales along the way. This special edition celebrating TASCHEN's 40th anniversary updates Hewlett's first major monograph with around 30 brand new pieces. The book illustrates his thrilling creative journey with more than 400 artworks from the Tank Girl era through Gorillaz and up to the present day. (STL279164)
Art Book, HC, 7x9, 512pgs, FC SRP: $30.00
TEN SPEED PRESS
REMEMBER US TO LIFE GRAPHIC MEMOIR HC
(W/A) Joanna Rubin Dranger
Available for the first time in English: a moving and masterful graphic memoir exploring one woman's search for identity as she slowly uncovers the truth of how her Jewish relatives 'disappeared' during World War II. Told through a genre-defying blend of illustrations, photography, and found objects, Remember Us to Life chronicles Joanna Rubin Dranger's investigation into her Jewish family's history, spanning time, space, and three continents in search of her lost relatives. As discolored photos are retrieved from half-forgotten moth-eaten boxes, Joanna discovers the startling modernity and vibrancy of the lives her family never spoke about—and the devastating violence that led to their senseless murders. Joanna's unflinchingly brave and intimate portrayal of one of history's greatest tragedies will capture and break readers' hearts. (STL361542) (C: 0-1-2) NOTE: Available only in US, Canada, and US territories.
HC, 7x9, 432pgs, FC SRP: $40.00
THAMES & HUDSON
TOVE JANSSON THE ILLUSTRATORS HC (O/A)
(W) Paul Gravett (A) Tove Jansson
Born in Helsinki among Finland's Swedish-speaking minority, Tove Jansson was brought up with a love for making art and stories in a supportive, artistic family. Her first illustrated tales were published when she was fourteen years old and she went on to draw humorous and political cartoons as well as striking front covers for the satirical magazine Garm, in response to events in World War II. As she developed from art student to painter and muralist, and from bohemian to lesbian, she also created her Moomin world, which appeared in her first children's book in 1945 and then in newspaper strips. Tove Jansson offers a visually rich view into the life and work of this much-loved artist and writer. (STL230741) (C: 1-0-0) NOTE: Available only in US, Canada, and US territories.
Biography, HC, 7x10, 112pgs, FC SRP: $29.95
3D TOTAL PUBLISHING
ART OF KELOGSLOOPS FROM SKETCH TO FINISH HC
(A) Hieu Nguyen
Though Hieu is based in Melbourne, Australia, his incredible artwork has been showcased in exhibitions around the world, including Los Angeles, Berlin, San Francisco, and Sydney. Known for both digital and watercolour paintings, Hieu masterfully blends his love of surreal-art styles and Japanese anime. Primarily a watercolour artist, Hieu creates delicate yet vibrant paintings that create an emotional connection with the viewer. In this stunning art book, Hieu takes readers through his journey as an artist, from being taught a simple way to draw manga art by his older sister aged five, to reaching over a million followers on Instagram as 'Kelogsloops' and achieving commercial success. (STL346260) (C: 0-1-1)
RES. from Previews Vol. XXXIV #11 (NOV241850)
Art Book, HC, 9x11, 152pgs, PC SRP: $50.00
CHARACTER DESIGN QUARTERLY 32 SC
Character Design Quarterly (CDQ) is a lively, creative magazine bringing inspiration, expert insights, and leading techniques from professional illustrators, artists, and character art enthusiasts worldwide. Each issue provides detailed tutorials on creating diverse characters, enabling you to explore the processes and decision making that go into creating amazing characters. Learn new ways to develop your own ideas, and discover from the artists what it is like to work for prolific animation studios such as Disney, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks. (STL357156) (C: 1-1-1)
Magazine, SC, 8x11, 104pgs, PC SRP: $18.00
TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
ALTER EGO #194
(W/A) VARIOUS (CA) Tony Gray
Rascally Roy Thomas celebrates 60 years in comics at Marvel, DC, et al.! There's a career-spanning, surprise-filled interview by Alex Grand, still more early-2000s Spider-Man comic strip e-mails to Roy from Stan Lee, the full secret history of the creation of Wolverine, RT’s 1960s fan-letters to Julius Schwartz, and his top dozen stories compiled by John Cimino! With amazing art by Buscema, Kane, Adams, Windsor-Smith, Colan, Ordway, Buckler, and many others! All this, plus FCA and Mr. Monster's Comic Crypt, behind a Roy the Boy and Wolverine cover by Tony Gray! (STL360335) (C: 0-1-2)
Magazine, 8x11, 84pgs, FC SRP: $10.95
BACK ISSUE #160 SUMMER FUN ISSUE
COMIC BOOK CREATOR #39
(W) Various (A) Various & Various (CA) Thomas Yeates
Thomas Yeates grants a career-spanning interview about attending the Kubert School’s first graduating class, his start at DC on Swamp Thing, Eclipse Comics work (including the Michael Jackson/Captain EO comic!), and becoming the greatest adventure comic strip cartoonist of the last 30 years, on Zorro, Tarzan, and Prince Valiant! Greg Potter discusses his ’70s Warren horror comics and ’80s reboot of Wonder Woman with George Pérez, and more. Kiddie comics artist Warren Kremer is celebrated by Mark Arnold in a biographical essay, plus part one of a look at the work of Steve Willis, the amazingly prolific “King of the Mini-Comics” and masterful cartoonist of Morty the Dog. And there’s the concluding portion of our talk with Errol McCarthy on his extraordinary artistry, and as always, our regular CBC features, including Dateline: Hembeck! (STL360337) (C: 0-1-1)
Magazine, 8x11, 84pgs, FC SRP: $10.95
RETROFAN MAGAZINE #39
(W/A) Various
Can your mind stand the shocking truth of… Ed Wood cast confessions? Plus: Zeroids, TV Tarzan Ron Ely, Planters Peanuts, Charles Addams, TV's The Fugitive, the forgotten 1981 Spider-Man cartoon, and more! Featuring columns by Andy Mangels, Will Murray, Scott Saavedra, Scott Shaw, and Mark Voger. Edited by Ed Catto. (STL360338) (C: 0-1-2)
Magazine, 8x11, 84pgs, FC SRP: $10.95
MARSHALL ROGERS BRIGHTEST DAYS & DARKEST KNIGHTS HC
(W) Various (A) Marshall Rogers (CA) Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin
From underdog to icon, Marshall Rogers helped redefine Batman for generations, inspiring readers and up-and-coming artists alike. Initially savaged by editors at DC Comics, his style was uniquely complex with vast and angular architectural design anchoring his storytelling, and it immediately caught on with fans for his depictions of the Darknight Detective, Hugo Strange, The Joker, Silver St. Cloud, Dr. Strange, Cap'n Quick and a Foozle, and more. And though his output was relatively small in comparison to many of his contemporaries, his impact outlived the artist himself, and inspired a loyal following and affection. Now, Rogers' story is told by friends, collaborators, and family members, delving deep into a complicated and conflicted man and his art. Featuring a new cover collaboration by Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin! (STL357342) (C: 0-1-2)
Biography, HC, 8x11, 144pgs, FC SRP: $34.95
AMERICAN COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES HC VOL 1980S NEW PTG (O/A)
(W) Keith Dallas
The American Comic Book Chronicles continues its ambitious series of full-color hardcovers! This volume on the 1980s covers all the pivotal moments and behind-the-scenes details of comics during the Reagan years! You'll get a year-by-year account of the most significant publications, notable creators, and impactful trends, including: The rise and fall of Jim Shooter at Marvel Comics! The ascendancy of Frank Miller as a comic book superstar! DC Comics' reboot with Crisis on Infinite Earths and its Renaissance with a British invasion of talent like Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Neil Gaiman! The emergence of Direct Market-exclusive publishers like Eclipse Comics, Pacific Comics, First Comics, Comico, Dark Horse Comics and others! (STL088483)
Comics History, HC, 8x11, 288pgs, FC SRP: $48.95
COMIC BOOK IMPLOSION EXPANDED ED SC (O/A)
(W) Keith Dallas, John Wells
In 1978, DC Comics launched a bold initiative to win over fans and retailers with an expanded line-up billed as 'The DC Explosion.' But mere weeks after its launch, DC's parent company pulled the plug, cancelling a slew of titles, and leaving stacks of completed comic book stories unpublished. TwoMorrows Publishing recalls one of the most notorious events in comics. This new Expanded Edition of the sold-out Eisner Award-nominated book explodes in full cover for the first time, with additional coverage of lost 1970s DC projects like Ninja the Invisible and an adaptation of 'The Wiz,' Jim Starlin's unaltered cover art for Batman Family #21, content meant for cancelled Marvel titles such as Godzilla and Ms. Marvel, and more! (STL309857) (FEB241755)
Comics History, SC, 8x11, 144pgs, PC SRP: $26.95
LIFE & ART OF DAVE COCKRUM SC (O/A)
From the letters pages of Silver Age comics to his 2021 induction into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, the career of Dave Cockrum started at the bottom and then rose to the top of the comic book industry. A prolific costume designer and character creator, his redesigns of the Legion and his introduction of X-Men characters Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird (plus his design of Wolverine's alter ego, Logan) laid the foundation for both titles to become best-sellers. His later work on his own property, The Futurians, as well as childhood favorite Blackhawk and T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents, cemented his position as an industry giant. Featuring artwork from fanzines, unused character designs, and other rare material, this is the comprehensive biography of the legendary comic book artist, whose influence is still felt on the industry today! (STL219515)
Biography, SC, 8x11, 160pgs, FC SRP: $27.95
LIFE & ART OF DAVE COCKRUM LTD HC (O/A)
From the letters pages of Silver Age comics to his 2021 induction into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, the career of Dave Cockrum started at the bottom and then rose to the top of the comic book industry. Beginning with his childhood obsession with comics and continuing through his years in the Navy, The Life and Art of Dave Cockrum follows the rising star from fandom (where he was one of the 'Big Three' fanzine artists) to pro-dom, where he helped revive two struggling comic book franchises: the Legion of Super-Heroes and the X-Men. His later work on his own property, The Futurians, as well as childhood favorite Blackhawk and T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents, plus his five years on Soulsearchers and Company, cemented his position as an industry giant. This is the comprehensive biography of the legendary comic book artist, whose influence is still felt on the industry today! The limited edition hardcover, featuring custom endpapers, is limited to 500 copies. (STL219516)
Biography, HC, 8x11, 160pgs, FC SRP: $36.95
TEAM-UP COMPANION (O/A)
The Team-Up Companion examines team-up comic books of the Silver and Bronze Ages of Comics—DC's The Brave and the Bold and DC Comics Presents, Marvel's Marvel Team-Up and Marvel Two-in-One, plus other team-up titles, treasuries, and treats in a lushly illustrated selection of informative essays, special features, and trivia-loaded issue-by-issue indexes. Go behind the scenes of your favorite team-up comic books with specially curated and all-new creator recollections from the all-star writers and artists who produced the team-up tales that so captivated readers during the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. (STL222512)
Comics History, SC, 8x11, 256pgs, FC SRP: $39.95