The New Books Are Here & Ready To Order!

(RACHEL RISING #4, coming November 2011)

Want to read a comic that will scare the life out of you? Read RACHEL RISING.

The premier issue, RACHEL RISING #1,  is now available at our web store, and should hit the stores next week. I say should, it's been on the trucks for two weeks. Look for the green cover in the sea of colors at your LCS.  I'm not saying any more until you've had a chance to read it.

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The ECHO COMPLETE EDITION hardcover and softcover editions are now available on our web store. Please note: the hardcover is available only through us, whereas the softcover will be in stores soon—it has already shipped to the distributor and is trucking to stores everywhere.

The hardcover has the iconic image of Julie Martin in the alloy rain. The softcover has the sci-fi cover with the phallic Russian rocket (Yes, they looked like that. I'm telling you, the sixties were sexy.) The interiors are the same: all 30 issues of the series, a complete cover gallery and a bonus sketchbook. 624 pages total.

ECHO COMPLETE EDITION hardcover, $65

ECHO COMPLETE EDITION softcover, $40

And, may I just point out, or warn you, that these books are big. Way bigger than my blue Mini Cooper. See?

Of course, all those other books are huge, too. Maybe my car really is too small for grown people.

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HOW TO DRAW: WOMEN is available at our web store and should be on the stands now. The premier issue looks at Women, literally and figuratively. This is not your basic anatomy book. Instead, it is designed to be read after you are comfortable with the basics. When it comes to performance, even art, you reach a point where talent takes you only so far. The rest is mental. This is your mental lesson.

Continuing the lessons, HOW TO DRAW #2 Expressions, coming November 2011…

This book fits in my Mini Cooper just fine, btw.

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The 2011 Sketchbook is available at our web store. Full of extra art and commissions from the year, good and naughty!

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By the way, if you like the cover art to the 2011 Sketchbook, you can purchase an 11 x 17 print through our web store.  This is a new drawing, recreating the cover to STRANGERS IN PARADISE VOl. 2, #12, with Francine and Katchoo happily illustrating the ties that bind. Price: $10.

Also available, the 2011 ECHO print made to commemorate the series finale. This is also an 11 x 17 inch print on heavy paper. I will sign all prints before they are shipped by magic elves. (note: both prints should be posted this weekend)

(another damn note: I don't add the TMA.com to all art posted, but the prints had no real identifier. Needless to say, the text is not on the actual prints.)

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We went to the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International, debuted all the new books and prints posted here, and had one of our best shows ever.  Across the street, Trickster, a small informal spot for artists and their wares, was a breath of fresh air. When the media blitz and non-comics crowd became too much at the convention center, you could walk across the street to the Trickster wine bar, chat eye to eye with relaxed creators, sit on the deck with a drink and read the latest and greatest books by the best in the business.

All in all, I think it was a good show for most people, but I felt an undercurrent of tension among industry regulars: Longtime fans who can no longer get tickets to the show, creators who are concerned about their future as books and digital continue their sloppy transition. The next year or two are going to be a challenge for folks in the comic biz. Here's hoping we all find our way.