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- News Archive:
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If you’re in Chicago, now’s your chance to meet Chip Kidd. He’ll be appearing this Wednesday at Quimby’s Bookstore.
And, if you can’t get there, rest assured. Chip will also be appearing at this year’s MoCCA Art Fest on Saturday, June 8. Stop by and learn about Bat -Manga!.
If you loved Black Hole as much as we did, get excited! According to Variety, David Fincher has been tapped to direct the movie adaptation.
Keep checking back here for more information about Charles Burns and Black Hole.
Pantheon’s own Chip Kidd is a finalist for the 2008 Time 100. We couldn’t be prouder!
And, keep checking the Chip’s upcoming book,
Now Persepolis was a phenomenon, but what was it like for the editor who brought it over to the US? Find out here. Then, get your copy of Persepolis here.
Make some plans to head to New York this weekend. Our very own Chip Kidd will be appearing at New York Comic Con on Saturday, April 20.
Stop by to get a sneak peek of his upcoming book, Bat-Manga!.
Here’s some good news for Marjane Satrapi fans: Persepolis is going to be taking a second bow - this time in English.
That’s right: the English language version of the movie is set to debut on April 11 and features such talents as Sean Penn and Iggy Pop.
At last, MoCCA has reopened it’s doors! Stop by and check out their redesigned gallery space.
And, if you’re not around New York, have no fear! You can still check out MoCCA’s online exhibits, including Duck, which features work by Pantheon’s own, Art Spiegelman.
Thanks to New York Magazine, you can have a sneak peak at Joann Sfar’s newest book, The Rabbi’s Cat 2. Be sure to get your copy on April 1st.
Be sure to check out the Money Issue of The New Yorker. In it, Pantheon author David Heatley shows off his take on currency.
The New Yorker’s Money Issue is on stands now.
And, keep checking back here for updates on David’s first book, My Brain is Hanging Upside Down.
Comics have hit the big time!
They’re coming to this year’s Book Expo. Be sure to look out for your favorite Pantheon authors, including Art Spiegelman.
Did you know that Chip Kidd has a three-by-four-and-a-half-foot framed and linen-backed poster for the French release of the Columbia Batman movie serials from the early fifties above his living room sofa? And, that it’s the only known example?
He’s also quite knowledgeable about Batman memorabilia from Japan. Just how much does he know? You’ll have to wait until this fall when Pantheon releases Chip’s latest work, Bat-Manga! to find out.
But, you can read more about Chip here.
Just what has Ben Katchor been up to these days?
Quite a lot, it seems.
He’s been busy creating weekly strips that you can check out on his website. And, his show, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island is currently being performed at the Vineyard Theatre. Get your tickets here.
And, be sure to keep checking Pantheon Comics for more information about Ben Katchor.
Ever wonder how Chip Kidd got his start, or how he manages to create such fantastic jackets?
Well, wonder no further! Instead, watch this video profile of him from Dwell and find out for yourself.
And, don’t forget to keep checking the Pantheon homepage for updates on Chip’s latest projects, including The Learners, his latest novel, and Bat-Manga!, a book about the secret history of Batman in Japan.
Don’t forget to tune into tonight’s broadcast of the Academy Awards.
We’ll be rooting for our very own Marjane Satrapi. Her film, Persepolis is nominated to be named the best animated feature film of the year.
You’ll have to wait until the Fall to get your hands on Chip Kidd’s Bat-Manga!.
Luckily, you won’t have to wait that long to see him. Check him out here.
Congratulations are in order for Pantheon’s very own Chip Kidd. His latest novel, The Learners goes on sale today!
Read more about The Learners, then order your copy.
And, keep checking the Pantheon Graphic Novels site for more information about Chip’s upcoming projects.
Personally, I always hoped that Charlie Brown would get a valentine from the Little Red-Haired Girl or, at the very least, be able to give her one.
Relive Charlie’s agony this Valentine’s Day with Charles Schulz’s Peanuts. Who knows, maybe this will be Charlie’s lucky year.
If you’re in or around Stockbridge, MA, be sure to stop at the Norman Rockwell Museum and check out the LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel exhibition. It’s open from now until May 26.
LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel explores the history and artistry of the art form and features original book pages, video interviews and sketchbooks of artists including Pantheon’s own Jessica Abel and Art Spiegelman.
You don’t want to miss it!
Did you miss Marjane Satrapi’s appearance on last night’s episode of The Colbert Report?
Have no fear! You can watch it here.
Each passing day seems to bring more good news for Marjane Satrapi.
Her film, Persepolis was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and the Independent Spirit Award and has received numerous awards, including the LA Film Critics Association Award for Best Animation and the National Board of Review’s Freedom of Expression Award.
It was also just nominated for an Oscar in the Animated Feature film category.
So, what does Marjane have to say about all of this? Read an interview with her and find out.
Just because the holiday season is over, that doesn’t mean that the parties should be!
Check out Art Spiegelman’s The Wild Party and experience a night filled with debauchery and wit for yourself.
If you’re in New York this Friday, be sure to stop at the new Barnes and Noble in Tribeca. Charles Burns will be there to discuss and sign copies of his latest book, Black Hole, which is now available in paperback.
The event starts at 7 p.m. Be sure to arrive early so that you don’t miss any of his stunning visual presentation!
Happy New Year! As far as resolutions go, we’re making one that we can keep: to bring you more fantastic books in 2008. In the upcoming months, get ready for the paperback edition of Charles Burns’s Black Hole and for more adventures from The Rabbi’s Cat told as only Joann Sfar can.
Keep checking back here for more information about your favorite Pantheon authors.
Forgot to send holiday cards? Have no fear! Send everyone on your list a Pantheon e-card.
You can thank us later.
Congratulations to Charles Burns! Fear(s) of the Dark has been accepted as an official selection for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The film features his work along with the work of 5 other noted graphic artists. For more information, view the trailer and visit the official site.
And, if the wait for Fear(s) of the Dark to hit a theatre near you seems too long, grab yourself a copy of Black Hole. The paperback edition is due out in January.
The Golden Globes nominations are in, and Persepolis has been honored with a nomination in the Foreign Language Category. We think Marjane Satrapi is a shoo-in!
Keep checking back here for updates.
Sure, you’ve seen Ben Katchor’s work, but have you heard it? If not, you’re missing out!
Check out the Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer radio show which stars Jerry Stiller. Then, get a copy of the book.
According to the Very Short List, tyranny’s worst enemy is an artist with a pen, which is why they think that Marjane Satrapi is a super hero. I could agree more!
Read more of the Very Short List’s praise here, then get your copy of The Complete Persepolis.
Here’s more great news for Marjane Satrapi: Persepolis will be opening the Jakarta Film Festival this week.
Read more and get your copy of The Complete Persepolis
If that preview for
Then, download a movie poster and buy the book
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, approximately 200,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed each year.
So, what is it like to be the family member of someone with the disease?
In his haunting memoir, Epileptic, David B. recounts his bother’s struggles with epilepsy, and how he created his identity as an artist to “be more than a sick man’s brother.”
Read a review from New York Magazine and an interview with Time Magazine. Then, order your copy.
Sure, you’ve seen Chris Ware’s The Acme Novelty Library, but have you seen what the Acme Novelty Toys look like when they’re all assembled? View them here, and then assemble them yourself.
Did you know that on this very day 55 years ago Lucy first held a football for Charlie Brown? Sadly, he’s been missing it ever since.
You can see some of those spectacular failures along with other moments from the history of the Peanuts gang in Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schultz. Buy your copy here.
Marjane Satrapi’s winning streak continues!
Her film has just recieved the prestigious Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival. Read more here.
Frankly, after seeing Persepolis, I’m not at all surprised! You’ll have to wait until December 25 to see it, but you can buy the book in the meantime.
This Halloween, why not give yourself a treat?
Charles Burns’s Black Hole should do just the trick. This award winning graphic novel focuses on the scariest of all horrors: high school. It’s a story you won’t soon forget.
Read Time’s review of it and order your copy.
This past Sunday, Marjane Satrapi spoke to Deborah Solomon of The New York Times Magazine.
Did you know that our very own Austin Grossman was a video game programmer and literature major before he wrote Soon I Will Be Invincible?
Just how did he make the transition? Find out here.
If you didn’t get to see Ben Katchor’s The Rosenbach Company: A Musical Story of Bibliomania back in April, now’s your chance. It will be preformed at The Academy of Music in Northhampton, MA on Saturday, October 20 and at the Leventhal-–Sidman JCC on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.
For more details and for information on purchasing your tickets, click here
The New York Times has weighed in on Marjane Satrapi’s
Persepolis calling it “enthralling” and saying, “Persepolis makes you contemplate the processes of history.”
Be sure to order your copy of The Complete Persepolis.
Did you know that The Ohio State University had a cartoon library?
Well, now’s your chance to check it out. The Cartoon Research Library will be holiding its Festival of Cartoon Art on October 26 and 27. This year’s festival will focus on the art of graphic story telling and promises to be an event you won’t want to miss. You can register here.
Be sure to stop by on Friday, October 26 to meet Pantheon’s very own Jessica Abel.
It seems even more congratulations are in order for Marjane Satrapi! Persepolis has been awarded honors at both the Ottowa and Manila Film Festivals. And, if early reviews are any indication, this is only the start of all of the exciting things to come.
Be sure to visit the official website and watch the making of Persepolis featurette.
And, don’t forget to preorder your copy of The Complete Persepolis
It’s official, fall is here. And so begins big movie season.
There’s already been plenty of buzz about Marjane Satrapi’s new film, Persepolis, and it keeps building. In fact, France has selected the animated featured as its Oscar Entry. Read more here.
The film won’t be in theatres until the holidays, but luckily, The Complete Persepolis will be in stores this October. And, if even that seems to far away, check out Marjane’s other fantastic books.
Just how invincible is Austin Grossman? He’s determined to see for himself. Read more about it here and then get your copy of Soon I Will Be Invincible.
Have you already seen The Simpsons Movie? Have no fear! The 19th season of Matt Groening’s show is on the way. And, as always, this season promises to be filled with plenty of celebrity cameos.
Who am I most looking forward to hearing on the small screen?
Why, no other than Pantheon’s own Daniel Clowes and Art Spiegelman.
Read all about the new season here.
Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis is winning fans through out the world. The film was recently screened at the Sarajevo film festival. And, that’s just the beginning.
As you already know, it will be screened at both the New York and Toronto film festivals. It is also being shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival, which runs September 27 until October 12 and at Turkey’s Antayla Golden Orange Film Festival, which runs from October 19 until October 28.
And, soon, it will be on a screen near you. Keep checking the Pantheon Graphic Novel site and the official site for more information.
It’s official, Soon I Will Be Invincible is well on its way to invincibility!
E! has weighed in, calling it “a hoot filled with superheroes with superegos.” Check out the rest of the review here.
And, be sure to visit the Random House homepage were you can order your copy and browse through the book to see Chip Kidd’s fantastic design.
From Persepolis to The Simpsons Movie, animated films are all the rage.
And now, a movie version of Joann Sfar’s The Rabbi’s Cat is in the works by Autochenille Productions in France. Sfar will be directing. For more information, visit the official site.
And, be sure to check out the Pantheon Graphic Novels homepage for updates about The Rabbi’s Cat 2, Sfar’s newest work, due out in 2008.
The work of renowned Pantheon artist Ben Katchor is even better close up. And, luckily, he recently contributed one of his installments of Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer to the Art of Aging exhibit at the Jewish Museum of Florida.
For more infomation about the exhibit, read this article from The Miami Herald.
Marjane Satrapi is having a good summer.
Her widely anticipated film Persepolis has already won the prestigious Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.
As if that wasn’t enough, it’s been selected to screen in two more festivals. The Toronto Star reports that it’s a selection in the Toronto International Film Festival. The fesitval runs from September 6 until the 15.
According to The New York Times, it has been selected as the closing night film at this year’s New York Film Festival. The New York Film Festival lasts from September 28 until October 14.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Persepolis was chosen because “You feel the writer is baring her soul.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m counting down until December 25, when Persepolis is finally in theatres!
For updates, be sure to check back here and on the official site for Persepolis.
Couldn’t make it to San Diego Comic-Con 2007? Pamela Mullin reports on what you missed (you can thank her later):
I’m back from Comic-Con 2007 and have only good news to report!
Soon I Will Be Invincible was a huge hit. Those who read it told me how much they loved it. Those who hadn’t admired Chip Kidd’s wonderful design and couldn’t wait to get their hands on the samplers I had. Austin Grossman’s panels had a great turn out, and, as usual, he was hilarious. He was kind enough to sign copies of Soon I Will Be Invincible afterwards during which fans had a chance to chat with him and ask where he got his goggles.
On another note, people were thrilled to watch footage from Marjane Satrapi’s forthcoming film, Persepolis. Thank goodness it had English subtitles because it was way too loud to hear in the exhibitor’s hall!
Now we’ll just have to wait until the holidays to see the whole film.
There was so much going on all five days that I must thank all those who took the time to stop by our booth. I also want to send a hearty congratulations to the lucky winners of the Pantheon Graphic Novel Messenger Bag raffle: Megan Twietmeyer, Brian Dick, Mandy Canales and Julia Ree!
Hopefully Comic-Con 2007 has exposed more readers to our wonderful books.
Great coffee, beautiful scenery, a lively music scene…who wouldn’t want to spend a weekend in Seattle?
Well, add one more reason to head to the northwest: Pantheon author Kim Deitch will be appearing in Bumbershoot, a huge music and arts festival in the Emerald City. The festival takes place from September 1 - 3.
Buy your ticket now and see why Kim Deitch deserves to be a part of Bumbershoot’s “Comix All Stars!”
And, be sure to check out the official site for a complete listing of events.
This entry comes courtesy of Pantheon intern Collin Hodges:
Ready for
Matt Groening has clearly been working hard, but hopefully he’s been steering clear of the sort that made his 1986 classic Work is Hell so painfully funny.
Be sure to check out Love is Hell, School is Hell and The Big Book of Hell, too. And, while you’re at it take a look at this recent interview with Matt Groening.
You just might find some nuggets of truth to keep you going until tomorrow.
Comic Con 2007 is rapidly approaching. Don’t miss your chance to meet Austin Grossman, author of the spectacular debut novel Soon I Will be Invincible.
Austin will be speaking on a panel called “Where Do They Get Those Marvelous Toys?” on Saturday, July 28 and one called “Comics Are Not Literature” on Sunday, July 29. Be sure to check them out. Afterwards, head over to the Mysterious Galaxy Booth (1119) to get your copy of Soon I Will be Invincible signed.
Austin will also be making appearances at the Pantheon booth (1232) before each appearance. Stop by and say hi!
For more information about Austin’s panels click here.
Have all of the action movies coming out this summer made you nostalgic for some good old fashioned superheroes?
Get yourself a copy of Alex Ross’s Mythology.
This is a book you don’t want to miss. Just read what Entertainment Weekly has said about it: “Alex Ross brings to his work an unparalleled sense of the real. His heroes—both super and mortal—have weight; they exist in space, and that space is affected by them in ways never before seen on the page.”
Pantheon’s very own Chip Kidd opens up about how he comes up with his book jacket designs in this month’s Esquire.
Wondering what you missed at this year’s MoCCA Art Festival? Lucky for you, our very own Pam Mullin was there taking notes.
Here’s what she had to say:
The MoCCA Art Festival was once again a success. The festival has grown so much that it now not only takes place in the three first floor rooms of the Puck building, but it has taken over the 7th floor and author events were moved to the museum itself over on Broadway. I was skeptical about this move, but am happy to report that everything went smoothly.
On Sunday Austin Grossman spoke to an enthusiastic crowd about his new novel, Soon I Will Be Invincible. Kim Deitch had a tightly packed audience, which I was a part of, for his talk and slide show about the origins of Alias the Cat.
Both authors spent some time at the Pantheon Booth and signed copies of their books for all of the fans, and there were lots of them. In fact, many praised Chip Kidd’s design for the Soon I Will Be Invincible jacket and hard case. There were many comics artists milling around including Art Spiegelman, R. Kikuo Johnson, Charles Burns, Aaron Renier, Jessica Abel, Alison Bechdel, among others.
Thanks to all who stopped by. See you again next year!
According to Douglas Coupland, “Austin Grossman has a superpower himself—it’s called writing.”
If you’re in Minneapolis on Thursday, June 28, you can see for yourself! Austin will be joining critic Douglas Wolk in a conversation about their newly published works as part of the Rain Taxi reading series. Click here for more information.
And, be sure to check out the Soon I Will Be Invincible’s official site to see when Austin will be in a city near you.
If you’re in or around New York this weekend, be sure to visit the MoCCA Art Festival. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!
This year’s line up includes underground comix icon Kim Deitch and Austin Grossman, whose new book, Soon I Will be Invincible, is taking the world by storm.
Visit the official site for more information.
Congratulations to Marjane Satrapi for her victory at the Cannes Film Festival! Her film, Persepolis, took home the 2007 Jury Prize.
Check out the official site of the Cannes Film Festival for more information about Persepolis. And, keep checking here for more information about Marjane Satrapi’s latest works, including her upcoming release, The Complete Persepolis.
Today, Pantheon Books came one step closer to world domination with the publication of Soon I Will Be Invincible.
Dr. Impossible would be so proud!
Visit the official website.
Read praise for the book.
Read an excerpt.
Sure, school’s almost out, but almost just isn’t quite good enough. Matt Groening feels your pain.
Don’t believe me? Get a copy of School is Hell and see for yourself.
As promised, here’s a first look at Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi’s new film:
The film will be out later this year as well The Complete Persepolis, our movie tie-in edition.
Of course, if the wait for the movie and the new edition seems as interminable to you as it does to me, there’s always the boxed set.
The jury of this year’s Cannes Film Festival has proven itself to be big fans of the Pantheon Graphic Novel family.
Marjane Satrapi’s film Persepolis competing for top honors.
And, Joann Sfar has been named the festival’s official illustrator.
Check the official website throughout the festival to see Joann’s artwork.
Trying to find the perfect gift from your mother this Mother’s Day?
Why not give her Embroideries?
Embroideries gathers together the women of Marjane Satrapi’s family for an afternoon of talking and tea drinking. Naturally the conversation turns to the topics of love and men.
Marjane Satrapi reveals what really happens when doors are closed and women can reveal their innermost thoughts.
If you’ve read Black Hole, then you already know what a fantastic artist Charles Burns is.
But, have you ever wondered what his childhood drawings looked like? Check out MoCCA’s NOW THEN online exhibition to find out.
Congratulations are in order for Marjane Satrapi. Her new film, Persepolis, was selected to compete in this year’s Cannes Film Festival!
If you’re lucky enough to speak French, watch a teaser for the film. If not, you’ll just have to wait until it’s out in theatres this fall.
In the meantime, keep checking the Pantheon Graphic Novel site for all of the latest news.
It’s true that Philadelphians love their brothers, but did you know that they also love their books?
In fact, this weekend is the Philadelphia Book Festival. All events are free!
At 3 pm on Sunday, April 22 Pantheon authors Kim Deitch and Ben Katchor will be speaking as part of a panel on graphic novels. Trust me, this is an event you don’t want to miss.
If you’re in and around San Francisco this week, be sure to get your tickets for Art Spiegelman, at City Arts & Lectures.
On Monday, April 23, Art Spiegelman, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Maus and In the Shadow of No Towers, and Françoise Mouly, the art editor of The New Yorker and Art Spiegelman’s wife, will be participating in a conversation with Dave Eggers.
This event list likely to sell out so get your tickets soon!
It seems there’s truly nothing Ben Katchor can’t do.
He’s the author of The Jew of New York and Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: The Beauty Supply District, writes a monthly strip for Metropolis, and even writes musicals, including one called The Rosenbach Company: A Musical Story of Bibliomania, which will be performed at the New York Public Library’s Cullman Center on Friday, April 20.
Find out more information and get your tickets here.
In yesterday’s New York Times op-ed section, Marisa Acocella Marchetto, the author of soon-to-be Pantheon title Cancer Vixen, weighed in with her thoughts on the war on cancer.
I’ve just seen a finished copy of Kim Deitch’s Alias the Cat, and I have to say, I was entirely justified in getting excited about this book way back in January. The finished book doesn’t disappoint.
Preorder your copy now. You won’t regret it.
Pantheon’s very own Austin Grossman weighs in on the death of Captain America.
Read his thoughts here, and then read more about the “all too human” superheroes that he’s created in the forthcoming Soon I Will Be Invincible.
On this day in history…
Albert Einstein was born.
Karl Marx died.
Find out more about each man with Einstein for Beginners and Marx for Beginners.
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The news of Captain America’s death earlier this week left many, including myself, sad. And, more importantly, his death left a gaping hole in the world of superheroes.
Can Fatale save the day? After all, she was built to be the next generation of warfare…
One reviewer already thinks so.
Read more about her and the villians she faces in Austin Grossman’s Soon I Will Be Invincible.
Couldn’t make it to New York Comic Con last weekend?
Have no fear! The intrepid Pantheon Graphic Novels team was kind enough to report back on what you missed. The short version: There were fantastic panels, signings and freebies. Keep reading for the long version.
First, from production guru extraordinaire and first time attendee, Peggy Samedi:
As a first time attendee to New York Comic Con, I was overwhelmed and felt slightly in over my head. The floors of the Javits Center were packed with people, comic book-related swag, and amazing amount of indie publishers. If you are into video games, manga, vintage comic books, apparel with your favorite comic book character or video game hero, or simply loved comic book art, then you were in the right place. However, for this casual comic book reader, New York Comic Con was a learning experience.
In the era where the comic books compete with the traditional novel and non-fiction prose, the graphic novel is giving its mainstream cousins a run for its money. Gone are the days where the word comics inspired images of Superman, the Fantastic Four, or Peanuts. Now the word can bring to mind such titles as Rex Mundi, The Victorian, Cancer Vixen, and , Soon I Will Be Invincible. Aisle 400, where most of the big publisher’s tables were located, was jam packed with people wanting free samples of the new titles and waiting on line to get their books signed by various artists and writers. I had the opportunity grab the sampler for Soon I Will Be Invincible. I definitely recommend it for those who are currently trying to understand why some many people love comic books. The novel is full of vivid images and witty references to the genre. It brings the comic book motif to the literary prose universe. I can’t wait to read more!
As I continued to wander New York Comic Con, I split my time between watching other attendees and browsing the retail stalls filled with paintings, movie cells, t-shirts, and, of course, comic books. Readers of this genre seem to come from every economic background, from all age ranges and cultures. I am happy to say New York Comic Con, illustrated there are plenty of books, artists and publishers to chose from and discover. Comic books are going mainstream, and for this casual comic reader that is a great thing.
And, from Pamela Mullin, our resident expert in all things comic:
This year’s New York Comic Con was even bigger than the first. Thanks to all of you who stopped by our booth.
On Saturday, we hosted underground comics artist Kim Deitch. Kim signed postcards for Alias the Cat, his new graphic novel which tells the story of couple (a fictionalized version of himself and his wife Pam) who collect black Halloween cats and stumble across a crazy cat costume mystery. Be sure to look for it this April.
Many of you commented on Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis which will be released as a full-length animated movie this fall. We can’t wait to see it either!
Most exciting was the enthusiasm we encountered for the samplers and business cards we gave out for what is destined to be this summer’s hottest new novel, Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman.
On Sunday, Austin joined veterans Tom DeHaven and Paul Dini on a panel moderated by Chip Kidd that was fantastic. Who knew a debut novelist had so much to say about superheroes? Maybe there will be more books in the future?
We hope to see you on June 23 and 24 at The MoCCA Art Festival.
Til then…keep on reading….
We really think that you should visit us this weekend, February 24th and 25th, at the second annual New York Comic Con.
Need a reason? How about several:
Signings by our very own Jules Feiffer and Jenny Allen as well as Chip Kidd, Kim Deitch.
A chance to meet Pantheon author Austin Grossman, whose book,
Soon I Will Be Invincible is set to debut this summer.
And, a chance to hear Austin Grossman talk about writing a literary novel based on superheroes in the Superheroes, Not Just For Comic Books panel, moderated by our very own Chip Kidd.
Find out more information about purchasing your tickets here.
Valentine’s Day not really your thing?
After all, you could be trapped in a loveless marriage like Posy Simmonds’s Gemma Bovery and heading straight towards ruin.
Or, if you’re like Carla from Jessica Abel’s La Perdida, your new boyfriend could be involved in a plot to kidnap your ex-boyfriend.
And, don’t even get me started on those who are unlucky in love in Charles Burns’s Black Hole…
Suddenly, a quiet night filled with wonderful books never looked better.
Are comic books really an art form?
Well, The Hammer Museum and The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles thought so, leading them to jointly host Masters of American Comics, an exhibition that eventually made its way to the New York area.
Now, Time’s Richard Corliss weighs in on that very exhibition, citing Jules Feiffer and Art Spiegelman along the way.
Are you feeling depressed from the cold and dreary weather?
Are you sure that it’s the weather?
Really, really sure?
Well, Freud might have some different theories. And you can read all about them in Freud for Beginners.
Hey, if nothing else, it’s a great book to curl up with when it’s too cold to leave your house.
You already know how excited I am about the prospect of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis being made into a movie, but do you know how Marjane feels?
My guess is elated, and, perhaps exhausted, too. After all, she’s been involved in every aspect of the project. In fact, she just told The New York Times, “I play all the roles. Even the dog.” Be sure to check out the whole article for even more interesting tidbits about the upcoming film.
That’s exactly what happened to me this week: I found a listing for Cartoons Against the Axis at MoCCA which had already closed. Luckily, though, there’s an online companion exhibition complete with images from the exhibition and a companion article by Art Spiegelman.
Be sure to check it out, and then, check out Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel, Maus.
You may already be familiar with the work of Ben Katchor, from his comic strips which appear in Metropolis Magazine and The Forward, or from his graphic novels, Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: The Beauty Supply District and The Jew of New York.
If you are, you’ll understand why the MacArthur Foundation awarded him a fellowship and why fans like me just can’t get enough of his work.
And, if you’re not, you’re in for a special treat:
From now until May 2007, The Yiddish Book Center of Amherst, MA will be exhibiting The Backlit Word: Picture-stories and drawings by Ben Katchor.
I can’t think of a better way to discover Ben Katchor’s work!
This year, I’ve decided to make a New Year’s resolution that I can keep: to read more great books. And, topping my list is Alias the Cat by Kim Deitch. The first chapter, which was published by Fantagraphics, won the 2003 Eisner Award for “Best Single Issue.” The rest promises to be even better. Needless to say, I’m anxiously counting down until it goes on sale in April.
Of course, if instant gratification is more of your thing, then download The Ship That Never Came In!, a cartoon that’s part of story told in Kim Deitch’s The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
The 2006 movie awards season is underway, but I’m already thinking about the new releases of 2007.
Actually, I’m thinking about one in particular: Persepolis.
Persepolis is the movie inspired by Marjane Satrapi’s life as recounted in her graphic memoirs, Persepolis and Persepolis 2.
Filming is scheduled to be complete in April 2007, which can’t come fast enough!
For more information, view the press release.
And, be sure to check out the official website for movie stills.
Christmas time is here, and I can’t but get nostalgic for the comic strips of Charles M. Schulz.
Maybe it’s from watching A Charlie Brown Christmas one too many times as a kid, although as far as I’m concerned, when it comes to Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang, too much is never enough, and I know I’m not alone.
If you’ve have someone on your Christmas list who is a big a fan as I am, Peanuts is the perfect gift. Featuring more than 500 comic strips and rare or never before seen images, they’re guaranteed to love it.
In an article last week, The Rocky Mountain News said that Marjane Satrapi is a writer who expands the possibilities of the graphic novel genre.
I couldn’t agree more!
And, I’m thrilled to report that The Rocky Mountain News has named Chicken with Plums the best graphic novel of 2006.
After reading Marjane Satrapi’s latest book, Chicken with Plums, I couldn’t help but wonder what the dish actually tasted like. Lucky for me, my friends at Alfred A. Knopf (which is part of the same publishing group as Pantheon) had a solution: Enter Claudia Roden’s Arabesque. The book is beautiful and the recipes are incredibly easy to follow.
Chicken with Plums
6 boneless, skinless chicken pieces, breasts or thighs
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
1-3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
salt and paper
9 dark red plums
For the Sauce
4 tablespoons plum jam
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, crushed
pinch of chili pepper flakes or gorund chili pepper
In a large skillet, saute the chicken pieces with the garlic in a mixture of butter and oil, over low heat. Cook them for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are no longer pink inside when you cut in with a pointed knife. Season with salt and pepper, and turn the pieces over at least once.
Just before serving, cut the plums in half and ease out the pits. Lift out the chicken pieces and put them to the side while you saute the plums. Cook the plums for 7-10 minutes, turning them over once, until they soften. Return the chicken pices to the pan and heat through.
For the sauce, heat the plum jam with the vinegar in a small saucepan, stir in the garlic and chili flakes or ground chili pepper and cook a few moments longer.
Serve the chicken pieces with the sauce poured over and garnish with the plums.
Serves six
Try it yourself —it will be a welcome change after all that Thanksgiving turkey — and be sure to order your copy of Arabesque for other delicious recipes.
Toronto’s the Globe & Mail has called Chip Kidd “the closest thing to a rock star” in publishing.
Have you ever wondered just how he comes up with all of his designs?
Well, now you can find out for yourself.
On December 4, Chip will be speaking with Dave Eggers and Milton Glaser as part of a The Art of the Book: Behind the Covers panel at the 92nd Street Y.
John Carlin, the co-curator of Masters of American Comics writes, “The history of comics is about many things — stories, gags, characters and layouts. But in the end, it all boils down to inventive ways to design pictures and words to engage readers and make them pay attention.”
If, like me, you’re interested in the history of Comics, this is the exhibit for you. The two-part exhibition examines how comic books and strips evolved into a full-fledged art form over the twentieth century.
The exhibition’s first part, at The Newark Museum examines comic strips in the first half of the twentieth century, and the second part, at The Jewish Museum looks at comic books from the 1950s onwards.
With over 600 drawings, rare proofs, graphic novels, comic books and newspaper pages, Masters of American Comics is the most comprehensive exhibition of its kind. From Dick Tracy to Jimmy Corrigan to Charlie Brown, this exhibit truly has it all, including works by Pantheon Artists Charles M. Schulz and Chris Ware.
Masters of American Comics runs until January 28, 2007 at The Newark Museum and The Jewish Museum. Be sure to check it out.
What happens when a shoe-crazy, lipstick obsessed, wine-swilling, fashion-fanatic, single-forever, about-to-get-married, big-city girl cartoonist with a fabulous life finds… a lump in her breast?
If she’s Marisa Acocella Marchetto, she kicks cancer’s butt—in fantatastic shoes, no less— and chronicles the experience with bravery and candor in her new graphic memoir, Cancer Vixen. Then, she goes on to wow reviewers nationwide, including one very skeptical doctor.
And, as if that wasn’t enough, Marisa also scores a movie deal. That’s right: Cancer Vixen is coming to the big screen in 2008. And, Cate Blanchett will be playing Marisa. I can’t think of a better fit.
Marisa talks about why she wrote Cancer Vixen and what it’s like to be an author in the age of Amazon.com.
Visit the official site and find out when Marisa will be in a city near you.
Pantheon will publish the paperback edition of Cancer Vixen in 2008, but I wanted you to get an early look.
If you live in New York, be sure to make time for this upcoming event at the 92nd Street Y.
On Sunday, November 5, Pantheon authors Art Spiegelman, Jessica Abel, and Joann Sfar will speak as part a Graphic Novels: Traditions and Trends panel.
You may already know that Jules Feiffer, the illustrator of The Long Chalkboard, is a Pulitzer Prize winner.
But did you know that he also won an Obie in 1967 for his play Little Murders, and an Academy Award in 1961 for his animated short, Munro, about a four-year-old boy who is drafted into the Army?
It’s no wonder that he’s being honored by School of Visual Arts with the Masters Series Award.
The Master Series: Jules Feiffer, SVA’s annual award exibition, kicks off tomorrow, Tuesday, October 24, and will be running until December 2. More information is available on SVA’s website.
Marjane Satrapi hits the road this week. 
Her latest book, Chicken with Plums, is wowing reviewers. Time says it’s “a great bedtime story for melancholy adults” and Newsweek calls it “a feast you’ll devour.”
So why has Marjane declared, “The prat is international. The prat is everywhere” to London’s The Independent?
Walking to work last week, I noticed a sign for a Fantagraphics retrospective at the Society of Illustrators.
The exhibit, featuring some of the work of Pantheon authors Chris Ware, Kim Deitch, and Daniel Clowes is open until October 21 and worth checking out. The small collection contains many gems, including the cover from the first issue of Chris Ware’s The Acme Novelty Library.
More information is available on the Society’s website.
Are you curious about how Jenny Allen, a stand-up comic and writer for Esquire, New York, and The New York Times, and her husband, the Pulitzer-Prize winning cartoonist, Jules Feiffer, ended up writing The Long Chalkboard together?