OLIVER EAST is an English artist and zine-maker, whose Trains Are... Mint series has understandably become a favorite of many on both sides of the pond. In it, East walks, usually along trainlines, from one point to another, and records his observations and thoughts in a down-to-earth, sometimes self-deprecating tone. Reading his stuff I constantly find myself jotting down little notes, and quotes from the writing. Utterly unlike anything out there, East's comics are one of a kind. I currently stock two of his lovingly made book collections, published by Blank Slate in the UK. I kind of think fans of King-Cat will really enjoy these...
PROPER GO WELL HIGH by Oliver East (Blank Slate). Oliver travels from Manchester to Liverpool and documents the journey in his idiosyncratic watercolor/collage style. "It's cheap therapy all this walking. Love. Grass. Wall. Love. Bush. Wall." 176 pages, full-color covers and interiors, hardcover, 8.5" x 6"; $20.00.
BERLIN AND THAT by Oliver East (Blank Slate). This time Ollie walks from Berlin to the Polish border. "I realised as I sat semi-derelict on the concrete bench watching the pigeons flirt and the leaves get lost that I was, in actual fact, very lucky." 188 pages, full-color covers and interiors, hardcover, 8.5" x 6"; $20.00.
THEO ELLSWORTH's dreamlike comics concern life and how to live it, and art and how to make it. He's certainly one of the most interesting cartoonists to make the scene in recent years.
CAPACITY by Theo Ellsworth (Secret Acres). In this amazing collection Ellsworth presents his remarkable (originally self-published) Capacity Comics, alongside new stories that present the reader with the circumstances, experiences, and experiments that surrounded them. The net effect is to find yourself immersed into a dreamlike, sometimes dark, sometimes charming world that is utterly compelling and unique. Coming outside the other end is akin to taking a real journey. Might this book become a modern-day classic? On the back cover Craig Thompson writes: "Exactly the kind of book you find in a dream." I agree. 340 whopping pages, 8" x 6.5", color covers/b+w interiors; $20.00.
Above, two pages from The Understanding Monster.
EAMON ESPEY is one of the strongest, most unusual cartoonists working today. Beautiful, weird comics about an alternative world of mayhem, violence, and absurdity, drawn in a precise, captivating style somewhere between Mike Roden and Mark Beyer. I have his two beautiful Secret Acres collections in stock...
WORMDYE by Eamon Espey (Secret Acres). Collected from Espey's acclaimed Wormdye zines, these surreal, interlocking stories are mesmerizing and potent. "Bleak and darkly funny, Wormdye uses myths and iconographic visuals to evoke a world-view that is both absorbing and upsetting, tragic and triumphant." 132 pages, 6.5" 9.5", perfect-bound; $13.00.
BRECHT EVENS is the newest wünderkind to hit the international scene, and boy can he draw. I have in stock Top Shelf's release of his Night Animals, which is a great, affordable intro to this very talented artist.
Above: Two page spreads from Night Animals.
EDIE FAKE is a Chicago-based artist and zine-maker. His "queer mytho-log" Gaylord Phoenix has been collected into one mindblowing volume from Secret Acres.
FANFARE/PONENT MON has been publishing a number of great Japanese comics in English, and here are a few of my favorites.
JAPAN: Seventeen authors (nine from France or French-speaking countries, eight from Japan) are brought together in the same book, a succession of freely created short stories about Japan. The French journeyed to Japan for the occasion and each cartoonist was sent for two weeks to a different city (Joann Sfar in Tôkyô, Emmanuel Guibert in Kyôto, Nicolas de Crécy in Nagoya, etc.) to bring back an original creation. The Japanese artists tell us about their district, the city where they live or where they originally come from (Kazuichi Hanawa's story being about the northern island of Hokkaido, Jiro Taniguchi's about the town of Tottori, etc.) An excellent introduction to many wonderful cartoonists, including Aurelia Aurita, Fabrice Neaud, Jiro Tanaguchi and many more. 256 pages, $25.00 -- NOW $18.75! ONLY A FEW LEFT!
Joann Sfar, from JAPAN.
CHARLES FORSMAN is a graduate of CCS in Vermont, and one of the most interesting and subtle cartoonist working. His new story, The End of the Fucking World, is being released in small mini-sized installments, and I have the first three issues here for you:
THE END OF THE FUCKING WORLD #1 by Charles Forsman: The story of James and Alyssa, two teenagers. james is disturbed and violent, Alyssa is his girlfriend. In this issue, introductions are made. 12 mini-sized pages, b+w; $1.00
THE END OF THE FUCKING WORLD #2: Escape. 12 mini-sized pages, b+w; $1.00
THE END OF THE FUCKING WORLD #3: In this issue, things take an even darker turn. 12 mini-sized pages, b+w; $1.00.
For more Charles Forsman see Sundays, and Noah Van Sciver: In Conversation with Charles Forsman
MATT FORSYTHE is a Canadian artist with a few books out now from D+Q. I've got his latest, from Koyama Press:
COMICS CLASS. Esteemed cartoonist Matt Forsythe teaches a comics class to kids, with hilarious results. Drawn in a simple but expressive brush style, with lots of zip-a-tone, this little book is brilliantly funny. 48 pages, 5" x 5", full color covers/b+w interiors; $5.00.
KELLY FROH is without a doubt one of my favorite cartoonists working today. Her sweet-natured, but merciless comics and drawings lay modern life, in all its absurdity and poignance, on the line every time...
►NEW! -- THE GREATEST by Kelly Froh: Kelly works in assisted living homes and loves old people. Her latest zine is a collection of full color portraits of some of the greatest ones she's met. Charming! 24 full color digest pages; $4.00.
►NEW! -- TWO DAYS AWAY FROM STARING AT BIRDS FROM A PARK BENCH: In a story ripped from today's headlines (!), in 2010 Kelly unexpectedly lost her job and made this comic about her experiences in the world of the desperately unemployed. 24 mini-sized pages, $2.00.
►NEW! -- WEEKNIGHT CASSEROLE is a collection of odds and ends, sketches, drawings, and comics that appeared in anthologies and elsewhere. Charming, funny, and biting, as usual. Plus it includes the classic "Accidental Adventures in S&M." Highly recommended. 24 digest pages, $2.00.
►NEW! - SAMSON: MILWAUKEE'S BIGGEST CELEBRITY 1950-1981 by Kelly Froh: Charming grey-tone washes tell the story of 600 lb Samson, the lonely gorilla that captured Milwaukee's heart, all in that fabulous Froh style we've all come to know and love. 20 mini-sized pages, b+w; $2.00.
KELLY FROH is without a doubt one of my favorite cartoonists working today. Her sweet-natured, but merciless comics and drawings lay modern life, in all its absurdity and poignance, on the line every time...
►NEW! - SAMSON: MILWAUKEE'S BIGGEST CELEBRITY 1950-1981 by Kelly Froh: Charming grey-tone washes tell the story of 600 lb Samson, the lonely gorilla that captured Milwaukee's heart, all in that fabulous Froh style we've all come to know and love. 20 mini-sized pages, b+w; $2.00.
STEW BREW #3 by Kelly Froh and Max Clotfelter. The TV Issue od Max and Kelly's tag-team comic covers the history of their love affair with the Tube, from childhood through post-adolescence. Charming, funny and a little sad, this was my favorite comic of 2009. (Cover image ripped from Profanity Hill.) 28 digest pages, $3.00.
MARNIE GALLOWAY is a Chicago artist.
►NEW! - IN THE SOUNDS AND SEAS VOL. 1 by Marnie Galloway. This lovely, wordless comic, recipient of a 2012 Xeric Grant, compiles Marnie's two zine form comics in one beautiful perfect bound book. In Chapter One, some friends in the woods combine their voices in a boundary-scrambling psychedelic call. In Chapter Two, plans are underway for the making of a sea-going vessel. Delightful patterning and design make this beautifully printed book a joy to hold and read. 64 digest pages, two-color cover, b+w interiors; $13.00.
GABRIELLE GAMBOA is a stalwart of the DIY comics scene, having been part of the 1990's Puppy Toss Collective. It's nice to have her new book in stock.
►NEW! - IN THE SOUNDS AND SEAS VOL. 1 by Marnie Galloway. This lovely, wordless comic, recipient of a 2012 Xeric Grant, compiles Marnie's two zine form comics in one beautiful perfect bound book. In Chapter One, some friends in the woods combine their voices in a boundary-scrambling psychedelic call. In Chapter Two, plans are underway for the making of a sea-going vessel. Delightful patterning and design make this beautifully printed book a joy to hold and read. 64 digest pages, two-color cover, b+w interiors; $13.00.
GABRIELLE GAMBOA is a stalwart of the DIY comics scene, having been part of the 1990's Puppy Toss Collective. It's nice to have her new book in stock.
►NEW! - MISS LONELYHEARTS #1 by Gabrielle Gamboa. Based on the novel by Nathanael West, this first installment of Gabby's adaptation intersperses scenes of a young writer at work, answering letters for a newspaper "Miss Lonelyhearts" column (drawn in b+w washes), with depictions of the letter-writers' suffering, drawn in weird and loose cartoony lines, featuring skewed versions of classic comics characters. A sad and compelling first issue. 44 digest pages, color cover, b+w interiors; $5.00.
►NEW! -- GAY GENIUS, edited by Annie Murphy (Sparkplug): this wide-ranging anthology of comics and art just begins to cover the spectrum of queer artists working today in narrative art. With work from such talents as Edie Fake, Annie Murphy, Pam Cameron-Snyder, Lee Relvas, Silky Shoemaker, and many many more, this book has something for everyone. Styles range from wildly scrawled comics to brilliantly colored paintings, all tied together by these artists' committment to personal expression. Read the TCJ review here. 148 pages, color and b+w, 7" x 9.5"; $20.00.
GAZETA: COMICS FROM BANGKOK TO BELGRADE: Great international comics anthology IN ENGLISH! With high quality work by Ron Regé, Jr. (USA), Dunja Jankovic (CRO/USA), Amanda Vähämäki (FIN), Dylan Horrocks (NZ), and many others, including cartoonists/artists from Cuba, Portugal, Italy, Serbia, Thailand, and France. Beautiful three-color Regé cover. 6.5" x 7.75"; 136 oerfect-bound pages with b+w/spot color interiors; $15.00.
PASCAL GIRARD is the best. His recent books from D+Q, Bigfoot, and Reunion, are classics.
►NEW! -- FANNY AND ROMEO by Pascal Girard and Yves Pelletier (Conundrum): This new ALL-COLOR book by first-time author Pelletier is illustrated with Pascal's charming, loopy watercolored artwork. "The story concerns a young couple-- Fanny wants to have children, and Fabien doesn’t feel ready. Then a cat called Romeo comes into their lives. She falls in love, but he’s allergic. Fanny becomes more and more attached to the cat, to the point where she actually rents a separate apartment for it. But it turns out her Romeo has actually been two-timing her. A perfect blend of Pelletier’s writing with Girard’s beautiful watercolors, this story will warm the hearts of cat lovers and people lovers alike!" 136 pages, full color throughout, 6.5" x9.25"; $20.00.
JULIA GFRÖRER is a Portland-based artist whose inky, dark comics have been some of the standouts of the last few years. Her comics take her as an artist to places that scare her, and bring us along for the ride. Creepy, sometimes horrific, but made with subtlety and restraint, and a leavening sense of humor..
Pages from Ghost Comics: John Hankiwwicz and Hob/Jeffrey Brown
BRAD GOTTSCHALK is a mystery man I encountered at the Madison Zine Fest in 2011. His highly nuanced writing and characterization, coupled with his idiosyncratic drawing style, create oddly off-kilter but compelling stories of everyday life, that often take bizarre turns toward the sexual and surreal.
►NEW! - A CLEAR SOLUTION by Gottschalk: Brad Gottschalk's newest release is a slow-paced, dialogue-heavy story of an understanding Dad who comes to his son's college town to take him home after he's flunked out. Like Gottschalk's other work, A Clear Solution features a curious, steady-paced narrative, weird in its skewed ordinariness, with thoughtful characterizations and unpredictable turns of events. Unique. 24 pages, 8.5" x 11", full-color covers, b+w interiors; $3.50.
Above: Two images from A Clear Solution by Gottschalk
UNWELCOME GUESTS by Brad Gottschalk: I came across this delightfully strange comic at Madison Zine Fest and quickly snatched some up for the catalog. Slow-paced, deliberate dialogues between deadpan characters give us two stories of love and lust, sexual mystery, and human longing. Unlike anything I've read before, these comics out of left-field are compelling and unique. 20 full-sized pages, color covers, b+w interiors; $3.50.
►NEW! - FLAT MOUNTAIN CHRONICLE VOL. 1 by Trevor Grabill: The 4th Street Bear makes an appearance, first installment of "Me and You," and a lovely, sad story about his parents' separation, plus a selection of lovely stand-alone drawings and hand-crafted patterns. 32 digest pages, gorgeous b+w; $3.00.
►NEW! - FLAT MOUNTAIN CHRONICLE VOL. 2 by Trevor Grabill: Spirit Mountain Portraits, It's Snowing, Wisconsin Is Boring, Me and You (They Build a Spacehip), Part One of Night Violin, and lots more. Charming and well done. 32 digest pages, gorgeous b+w; $3.00.
SIMON HANSELMANN draws comix.
DUSTIN HARBIN draws some very handsome and charming comics.
MARYANNA HARDY has worked as an artist, illustrator and screen printer and has published her work in publications nationally and internationally. Her nre collection of narrative drawings, So I've Been Told, was nominated for Montreal Expozine's 2010 Best Canadian Book and was also shortlisted for a Doug Wright award for Best Avant Garde Comic Book.
►NEW! - RL by Tom Hart: As is known in the comics community, Rosalie Lightning, the daughter of cartoonists Tom Hart and Leela Corman, passed away unexpectedly at an early age in November of 2011. RL is the first in a series of Tom's attempts to come to grips with the loss through his comics. It's at turns whimsical and heart-wrenching, as you might expect. Highly recommended. 20 pages, 8.5" x 7", b+w interiors; $4.00. BACKORDERED.
Above: Two spreads from RL.
►NEW! - THE COLLECTED HUTCH OWEN by Tom Hart (Top Shelf): Tom Hart's beloved, angry, anti-consumerist curmudgeon in afour full length stories. When the first tale, "Hutch Owen's Working Hard," was released in 1994 (awarded one of the very first Xeric-grants!), it created an underground sensation and gained Tom Hart a die-hard following. Here are the two original Hutch Owen tales, with two brand new, full-length stories, never before seen. Feel the Power! Catch the Wave! Join the Splurge!! A classic. 176 pages, 6" x 9", full color covers, b+w interiors; 33% OFF! List price: 
TIM HENSLEY is one of our most interesting contemporary cartoonists.
JAMES HINDLE is a cartoonist and illustator living in Northampton, Massachusetts.
►NEW! - CLOSE YOUR EYES WHEN YOU LET GO #3 (of 3) by James Hindle (Oily Comics): Nicely drawn series concludes with this issue. 12 mini-pages, $1.00.
HOTWIRE COMICS #2, ed. by Glenn Head (Fantagraphics): This solid anthology features comics work of the darker variety by such acclaimed artists as Tim Lane (he did the amazing cover, too), Mark Newgarden, R. Sikoryak, David Sandlin, Mary Fleener, Johnny Ryan, Matti Hagelberg, Sam Henderson, Glenn Head, Carol Swain, Stephane Blanquet, Mack White, Lorna Smith, Onsmith, David Lasky, and Ivan Brunetti, plus more. How can you possibly go wrong with such an all-star cast? The answer is: You Can't. 136 9"x12" pages, (64 in full color!); 50% OFF! Cover Price: $
Fold-out page from Hotwire #2
KEVIN HUIZENGA is one of the most accomplished and thoughtful cartoonists going today. Starting out with his self-published Supermonster zine in the mid-90's, Kevin now works with publishers like D+Q and Fantagraphics to release his work, as well as, recently, returning to the self-publishing fold. His comics, with their day-to-day ruminations, and brilliant cartoony linework, are quiet, funny, and smart. It's an honor to carry his work at Spit and a Half.
►NEW! - THE HALF MEN by Kevin Huizenga (USS Catastrophe): The excellent new self-published release includes three stories-- "Second Attempt", "Bona Chapter One" (a redrawn Sam Glanzman Kona story) and "The Half Men" (another redrawn genre comic, from Kramer's Ergot #8). Masterful. 5.5" x 7", b+w; $4.00.
THE BODY OF WORK: This new self-published collection brings together two of Kevin's stories , "Postcard From Fielder," parts One and Two (originally published in the Italian magazine Internazionale), "The Body of Work" (a tongue-in-cheek contribution to the Cartoon Polymath exhibit), and a new story "First Try," drawn in his occasional video game influenced style. The whole book is great, but "Postcards From Fielder" is up there with his finest moments, and that's saying something. A must have. 32 pages, hand-colored covers, $4.00.
GANGES #1 (Fantagraphics): Ganges is Kevin's contribution to the ill-fated, but much lauded Ignatz line of international comics. In this premiere issue, Huizenga's everyman, Glenn Ganges, tries to decide what to do when confronted with "The Litterer"; gets into an argument with his wife Wendy about The Beatles' "She's Leaving Home"; indulges in some whimsical "Time Travelling" while on a walk around his neighborhood; and more! Huizenga's elegant neo-clear-line style brings a crispness and humor to these low-key slice-of-life stories, and the gray-blue duotone he has picked gives the art a new depth and complexity. 32 full-size pages, color covers with two-color inks throughout, $8.00. 
GANGES #2 (Fantagraphics): Ganges ruminates on the simple times of the dot-com era when the reality of business was propped up by the unreality of addictive technology and hope. Kevin Huizenga cleverly parallels that unreality with the unreality of addictive networked first-person shooter video games, and the attempts of people around him to genuinely connect with each other. 32 full-size pages, color covers with two-color inks throughout, $8.00. 
GANGES #3 (Fantagraphics): Glenn Ganges still can't fall asleep. In "Mind and Body" Glenn tries lying still, but his mind — The Wanderer — keeps thwarting his plans! In "Getting Things Done" he gives up trying to get to sleep and tries to get some things done... until the cops show up! 32 full-size pages, color covers with two-color inks throughout, $8.00. 
►NEW! -- GANGES #4: Kevin's latest look into the depths of the everyday features Glenn Ganges suffering a bout of insomnia. If you think that sounds boring, you don't know how good Kevin is at this sort of thing! Ganges #4 was listed on many critics lists of Best of 2011, and with very good reason. This is Kevin doing what he does best, at the height of his powers! 32 full-size pages, color covers with two-color inks throughout, $8.00. 
RUMBLING, CHAPTER TWO: In this self-published mini-comic, Kevin's story "Rumbling" picks up where it left on in D+Q's Or Else #5. Glenn Ganges navigates a corrupt and frightening future of religious civil war and authoritarian crackdowns with his trademark philosophical musing. Excellent. 36 pages, mini-sized; $3.00. 
NEW CONSTRUCTION #2 edited by Kevin Huizenga. This "newsletter of cartooning issues and concerns" features thoughts and/or examples of comics "thumbnailing" by the USS Catastrophe crew: Kevin H., Ted May, and Dan Zettwoch. Inneresting. 48 pages, 5.5" x 6.5", b+w; $3.00
SEE ALSO: "Leon Beyond"
HUUDA HUUDA is a Finnish comics publisher run by Tommi Musturi and Jelle Hugaerts, who have both single-handedly and together been involved with the flowering of Finnish comics art over the last decade. I'm proud to offer these beautiful, and basically otherwise impossible to find books over here!
FINNISH COMICS ANNUAL 2011 edited by Ville Hänninen: Brilliant, oversized collection of Finnish comics (in English!), co-published with the Finnish Comics Society, gives a compelling overview of the work being done in that country. Fans of international comics will be familiar with many of the names here -- Matti Hagelberg, Tommi Musturi, Aapo Rapi, Jenni Rope, Amanda Vähämäki -- but each one of the twenty artists represented is very much worth checking out. This stunning volume will look great on the shelf of any comics fan. 310 pages, 10" x 13", in color and b+w, with introductory essays and artists' biographies. Weighs nearly 4.5 pounds! $52.50.
Above: sample spreads from Finnish Comics Annual 2011
FINNISH COMICS ANNUAL 2012 edited by Reija Sann: The second volume leans a little more toward longer narratives (all in English), with lengthy entries by Petteri Tikkanen, Matti Hagelberg, Terhi Ekebom, and Kallion and Lietzén, among others. Includes a total of ten contributors, plus introductory essays and artists' biographies. 260 pages, 10" x 13", color and b+w; $52.50.
Above: Sample spreads from Finnish Comics Annual 2012
Above: a slew of spreads from Glomp #9
Above: Sample pages from Kutikuti Guide to Finland
GARAGE by Roope Eronen: Koo Koo Mouse runs a mechanic's shop and attends to his customers, a cat and a dog, in this loopy, goofy wordless comic. 36 small pages (2.5" x 2.5"), full color throughout; $5.00.
►NEW! - THE SECOND BOOK OF HOPE by Tommi Musturi (Published by Bries): In the second book, Old Man ponders Wild West fantasies, while ruminations on death and impermanence consume him. Beautiful. 54 pages, in English, two-color covers, full-color interiors, 5.25" x 8.75"; $20.00.
Above: Three spreads from Walking with Samuel
Above: The Trophy Hunters
THE SHEPHERD by Anna Sailamaa: Dreamlike narrative with beautiful, pastoral inks, tells of a dead swan and its impact on a close-knit, multi-generational group of rural people. A quiet and intriguing glimpse into another world. 88 pages, 8.25" x 9.5", hardcover in gorgeous b+w; in Finnish with English subtitles; recommended. $32.50.
(This second Shepherd spread courtesy Zine Hamster)
IN THE GARDEN by Amanda Vähämäki: Disturbing and surreal story of a surly gardener and her weird animal friends. Includes the world's saddest personified turnip. 28 pages, two color covers with b+w interiors, 4.5" x 5.75"; In Finnish with English subtitles; $8.75.
MAESTRO by Amanda Vähämäki: Two black-headed lads escape a giant bear figure by ducking into a streetside cafe in this strange and funny story. 28 pages, two color covers with b+w interiors, 4.5" x 5.75"; In Finnish with English subtitles; $8.75.
JESSE JACOBS is a young Toronto cartoonist who is simply one of the best going today.
Two pages from Even the Giants.
I WILL BITE YOU by Joseph Lambert. Lambert's first book collects some of his earlier mini-comix releases, as well as strong new material, including "Turtle Keep It Steady," "I Will Bite You," and that classic of contemporary form, "After School Snacks." Delightful and sometimes dark stories of childhood mystery. 128 pages, two-color covers, two color interiors (with a 16 page full-color section); $14.00.
THE COMPLETE JACK SURVIVES by Jerry Moriarty (Buenaventura Press): Whoa, this classic work from comics iconoclast Jerry Moriarty, portions of which originally appeared in the acclaimed series RAW, is presented in its complete form, the way the artist originally intended, for the very first time. Moriarty's slow, surreal, painted comics depict lost time, places, and memories with a fuzzy, imprecise humanity. Includes a (well-written, as usual) introduction by Chris Ware. I got a deal on a few of these, and am passing the savings on to you, my valued customers! 80 very-oversized pages, hardcover, full color and b+w interiors; Cover price: 
