Tag: History

Another classic comic strip just ran out of panels: Brenda Starr is ending its run on January 2. Writer Mary Schmich and artist June Brigman have decided to end their run on the strip, and the syndicate decided to end the strip with them. The death of Schmich's mother is said to have been the turning point in deciding to move on.

While the news that Fantagraphics is to publish Barnaby might have seemingly exhausted the archives of cult favorite comic strips that need to be reprinted, it is definitely not so. Percy Crosby's Skippy is another much-admired comic strip getting a reprint...but this one has a hell of a backstory.

Tonight the World War 3 crew celebrates their 30th anniversary with a gallery show at Exit Art. This politically-minded group of artists and cartoonists has been covering issues with art and making stars like Peter Kuper and Seth Tobocman in the process. More information below - note the ongoing events list at the end.

Alex Toth fans rejoice. Dean Mullaney and Bruce Canwell's long-awaited book on Toth, including a biography and little seen art -- has expanded to a three volume, slip-cased edition, to be published by IDW. Toth's children, Dana and Eric, were consulted in the writing process and it promises to be a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated affair. The first volume, Genius Isolated, ships in March 2011 and spotlights his early work and life until the 60s. Genius, Illustrated follows his life in Animation, and Genius Animated includes little seen animation models and drawings. A slipcase will ship with the third volume.

Over on YouTube, you can watch The Comic Strip Hero, 1981 documentary made by the BBC about the history of Superman. WE haven't had time to watch the whole thing, but it promises a fantastic look back with contemporary footage of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The much-beloved cult strip Barnaby by Crockett Johnson is getting a quality reprint, courtesy of Fantagraphics, The Comics Reporter reports. Eric Reynolds will edit while Dan Clowes supplies the art direction. First volume is due in April 2012. Spurge has all the history and details:

Dept. of lost comics companies: Recently Don MacPherson caught notice of a huge eBay auction of material from the '80s publisher Comico -- for $12,000, you get stacks of mostly color acetates and printing proofs -- not the materials of today's publishing industry, but salvageable with a lot of man hours -- IF you could sort out the rights.

We had a few moments to stop by a signing for 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking last night, and snapped a picture of author Paul Levitz, DC's Steve Korte, and Taschen Art Director Josh Baker. I have seen a lot of books about comics, but I have never seen a more beautiful one than this -- the reproductions are incredibly crisp and vibrant, and there are double page pull-outs, charts and even a chromium insert to mark the "modern age." With the text, Levitz proves that if knowing everything there is to know about a company's history qualifies you to run that company, he was the best qualified president in history.

Dustin Harbin delves into the strange world of the Ames Lettering Guide, whose mysterious wheel and holes have long mystified non-acolytes:

Via the CO2 blog, Gerry Giovinco explores the history of coloring via the color chart, a mix of CMYK values which was all folks had to work with as recently as 10 years ago. I remember once seeing an editor reduced to tears by having to spec a color guide from a color chart. It wasn't pretty.

This video of Stan Lee being confronted with the original art for FANTASTIC FOUR #12 for the first time in 47 years or so (or if he did, he probably forgot) is undeniably touching. But it also contains secret clues to the biggest treasure trove of all, Robert Langdon!!!!

Colleen Doran explains the secret history of Fallen Angels and other subjects of passing interest.