Lost in the SDCC churn but some really big publisher news – Fantagraphics and Sunday Press announced they would be entering a partnership deal last week.
From now on, Fantagraphics will be distributing the existing catalogue of Sunday Press titles and from 2023 new books will be published under the Sunday Press imprint.
Fantagraphics’ network of trade distributor W.W. Norton and Diamond Distributors will handle Sunday Press’ access to bookstores and comic shops, respectively. Meanwhile, existing and future Sunday Press titles will also be sold from Fantagraphics own online shop.
Sunday Press has been around since 2005. Founded by Peter Maresca, it has produced high quality, faithful (read: actual size!) reproductions of vintage newspaper comics from the early 20th century in lavish bindings. The publisher began with a reproduction of Winsor McCay’s Little Nemo in Slumberland (So Many Splendid Sundays) and has been on a roll since – garnering multiple Eisner award wins and nominations for every successive offering. Its debut Little Nemo book also scored the publisher two Harvey awards, in 2006. Sunday Press’ output preserves comics history and are simply glorious pieces to hold and behold.
Fantagraphics is no stranger to exploring and republishing the history of early comics and strips – it has Charles Schulz’s Peanuts, Walt Kelly’s Pogo and George Herriman’s Krazy Kat, and others in its catalogue – so this partnership with Sunday Press sounds like a good (and really big) deal.
Sunday Press founder and editor Peter Maresca said,
“It’s just a perfect fit for a small publisher like myself. I’ve always been a great admirer of the editorial decisions and quality production from Fantagraphics and I’m very happy for this chance to become a part of their family.”
Gary Groth, Fantagraphics publisher adds,
“I’ve admired Peter’s publishing efforts from afar for years, and now I’ll be able to admire them up close. He’s that rare publisher of integrity where taste and conscientious execution combine to create a singularly beautiful work. Our aesthetic sensibilities complement each other and I look forward to working with him to publish his scrupulously edited and designed books.”
A match made in heaven. The comics world will benefit greatly.
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