MICHEL RABAGLIATI, the acclaimed Quebecois author of such beloved semi-autobiographical titles as Paul Gets a Summer Job, and Paul in the Country, most likely needs no introduction to fans of international comics at this point.
►NEW! - THE SONG OF ROLAND by Michel Rabagliati (Conundrum): Rabagliati's first book fro Conundrum, The Song of Roland "focuses on the life and death of the father-in-law of
Rabagliati’s alter-ego Paul, who has been called “The Tintin of Quebec.”… In his classic European cartooning style
Rabagliati effortlessly tackles big subjects. As the family stands vigil over
Roland in his hospital bed, Rabagliati weaves a story of one man’s journey
through life and the legacy he leaves behind. The Song of Roland is a
mid-career masterpiece from one of 
Above: two spreads from The Song of Roland
RON REGÉ JR. is one of the most important comics artists of the past 20 years. His highly stylized, "cute-brut" drawings rely as much on heart and intuition as geometry.
JOSEPH REMNANT has been self-publishing his great "one-man anthology" Blindspot for the last couple years. His most recent project was illustrating Harvey Pekar's Cleveland. A classic cartoonist.
BLINDSPOT #1 by Joseph Remnant. Along with Noah Van Sciver and a few others, Joseph Remnant is one of the most talented cartoonists working today in the "Neo-Underground-Alternative" style. His comic Blindspot features Pekar-esque tales of the everyday, like arguing music with a friend, or the age-old Cartoonist's Lament, but also fictional tales like that of Ace Goddard, washed-up Rock Star, and more. (Joseph's currently illustrating Harvey Pekar's Cleveland, one of the master's last projects, and it looks amazing! Meanwhile, check out this great self-published effort...) 32 comic-sized pages, two-color covers, $5.00. BACKORDERED!
For more Joseph Remnant see HARVEY PEKAR's Cleveland
RAND RENFROW draws comix.
ETHAN RILLY is one of the most talented young cartoonists to emerge recently. His work is exquisitely drawn, and tastefully written. He won the 2012 Doug Wright Spotlight Award for his work on Pope Hats.
POPE HATS #2 by Ethan Rilly (Adhouse): Pope Hats #2 follows the rise of young law clerk Frances Scarland. Frances must survive an unwanted promotion at one of Toronto's major Bay Street firms, while tending to the regular wake of destruction left behind by her best friend. This eagerly anticipated issue follows what Seth described as "the most impressive debut comic I've seen in years" with a surreal exploration of growth and failure in downtown Toronto. Also included is a short story about a long distance relationship. 44 oversized comic pages, color covers, b+w interior; OUT OF PRINT. :(
►NEW! - POPE HATS #3 by Ethan Rilly (Adhouse Books): In the new issue Frances Scarland continues to search for a perfect balance in her career as a law clerk, where the only certainty seems to be flux. Yet she loses footing as her close friend Vickie rides an unrelated wave of opportunity. Includes some extra strips and a letters page. Ethan Rilly won the 2012 Doug Wright Spotlight Award for his work on Pope Hats. 40 comics sized pages, full color covers, b+w interiors; $7.00.
KEILER ROBERTS is a Chicago cartoonist whose charming, domestic stories are some of my faves. I'm glad to finally have her work available here at Spit and a Half!
ROCTOBER is my favorite music magazine. It covers everything from Punk to Country, and R+B to Funk, and treats the hallowed greats with the same reverent but good-humored love and appreciation as the long-forgotten and fringe dwellers. A true labor of love, editor Jake Austen's honest and unbridled enthusiasm leaps from every page. Each issue includes tons of great art and weird comics, and hundreds of amusing one-line reviews. A Zine Classic.
#46 includes Nardwuar vs Flavor Flav, Soul Train in Chicago, Great Truckin' songs, reviews, and art and comics by Heather McAdams, Jenny Zervakis, Rob Dayton, Slink Moss, John Porcellino, Andrew Goldfarb, Rob Syers, Plastic Crimewave, and many many more. (Includes the exclusive "David Lee Roth Dream" comic by John P.) 128 full size pages, color covers. $4.00.
#47 Includes Michael jackson tribute, Lux Interior tribute, Chris Montez interview, Berniece Willioams, Nardwuar vs NERD and Jay-Z, and comics and art by John Porcellino, Rob Syers, Rob Dayton, King Merinuk, Andrew Goldfarb, Slink Moss and many many more. (Includes exclusive John Lennon comic by John P.) 112 pages, full color covers, $4.00.
#48: This monster-sized issue features interviews and essays with/on Comiskey Park organist Nancy Faust, Helen Wooten, Vera Ramone King (Dee Dee's ex-wife), Ian Whitcomb, and Cleveland punkers Easter Monkeys; Nardwaar vs Snoop Dogg Round Two; remembrances of Dennis Hopper, Tuli Kupferberg (and sadly, many more); and the usual supply of hundreds of hilariously pithy reviews of music, comix, zines, and videos. PLUS: 20 page Gumball the Cat comic by Rob Syers! 136 standard size pages, some in full color; only $4.00.
#49: Whoa! I've loved Roctober since its inception in 1992, and I enjoy every issue I read, but this new one in absolutely top notch! The "Livin' in the Eighties" issue features super great interviews with Glenn Danzig, Boyd Rice, John Lydon, Stax historian Rob Bowman, and much much more, including an essay on Tiny Tim by Clara Ware (age 8), illustrated by her dad, and an exclusive John P. comic on the Romantics. Great Black Flag cover. 104 standard-size pages, some in full color; ONLY $4.00!!!
►NEW! -- #50: A dual milestone issue for Roctober – the 50th issue and 20th anniversary – is celebrated with a 140-page extraganza which both reminisces on the past two decades of Roctober coverage and looks to the future! Includes items on 60s, 70s & 80s Chi vocal combo The Green Berets, Lou Christie, Don Cornelius, Klaus Nomi, Tommie Wix & Them Good Biscuits, Breakfast With Boone, Nardwuar Vs Odd Future, one man's adventure as one of the little remembered New Monkees and much, much more, including a new comic by John Porcellino. 140 full-sized pages with an amazing wrap-around full color cover! $5.00.
ROOT ROT (Various Artists, Koyama Press): This gorgeous anthology, edited by Anne Koyama and Michael Deforge, features contemporary comics artists working though the themes of woodland decay and rebirth. The absolutely eye-popping artwork comes from T. Edward Bak, Robin Nishio, Jason Fischer, Jesse Jaabs, Mickey Zacchuli, Bob Flynn, Lizz Hickey, Dan Zettwoch, Chris Eliopoulus, Joseph Lambert, Jon Vermilyea, Derek M. Ballard, Angie Wang, Greg Pizzoli, Hellen Jo, and Inés Estrada. Brilliant. 74 pages in full color, 8" x 6.75", perfect-bound; $12.00.
JIM RUGG is a Pittsburgh artist who's worked all over the comics industry. His steady-eyed and meticulous looks at the low-brow nature of comics throughout history are astounding.
AFRODISIAC with Brian Maruca (Adhouse Books): Inspired by the blaxploitation films of the 1970s and classic superhero comics, Afrodisiac features jaw-droppingly perfect retro art and comics starring the original super badass, plus: fast cars, sexy women, scary monsters, self-righteous superheroes, corrupt cops, aliens, Dracula, and, of course, Richard Nixon. This beautifully crafted book won a 2009 AIGA Design award. Excellent review here. 96 full-color pages, hardcover, 6" x 9"; $15.00.
Above: pages from the ridiculous, brilliant Afrodisiac.
RUPPERT AND MULOT are a celebrated French comics duo working together in a unified style that emphasizes improvisation, and unusual storytelling and editing. Barrel of Monkeys is their first book in English!
►NEW! - BARREL OF MONKEYS by Ruppert and Mulot (Rebus Books): Bill Kartalopoulos' first Rebus books release is also the first book in English by the ground-breaking team of Ruppert and Mulot. Impossible to categorize, this book, hand-lettered by Mulot, is expressive, weird, and brilliant. 114 pages, 6.5" x 9.5", in beautiful b+w; $20.00. Highly recommended.
Above: Two spreads from Barrel of Monkeys.
RUTS AND GULLIES by Philippe Girard. This charming autobiographical travel diary details Girard's trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, for a comics festival. Travelling with his friend and fellow cartoonist Jimmy Beaulieu, he documents the travel, culture shock, and friendships that arise from the journey. Interwoven is his story of Guillaume, a friend of his who had recently fallen to cancer. Lush brushwork and an understated writing style make this a nice armchair travel book. 6"×9", 160 pages; $17.00. ONLY ONE LEFT!
ZAK SALLY is a cartoonist from Minnesota, and the founder/publisher of La Mano 21, and one of my best friends. His comics are dark, bold, confrontational, and recently, funny as hell. Like a Dog and Recidivist #3 compile his published work from the last decade or so, and his new series Sammy the Mouse, from Fantagraphics, is an ominoous and oddball children's story that's not really for kids-- full of drunken brawls, treachery, strange voices, and the battle of the sexes. I've always said that Zak's work is not a warm cup of tea. It's challenging, and sometimes off-putting. But once you relinquish yourself to its rhythms and persepectives, you realize there's no one else out there doing what he does. And he does it well.
LIKE A DOG: This beautifully produced collection from Fantagraphics compiles the first two issues of Zak's self-published Recidivist, along with many comics that appeared elsewhere, so you can see his evolving interests and directions as they take place. The comics are great of course, some of the darkest work put to paper in recent memory, but the surprise for me is the concluding essay, where Zak details the struggle that went into their production. A fascinating look into the creative process. 134 pages, hardcover, color/b&w interiors, 7" x 10.5"; $23.00.
RECIDIVIST #3: The third and final issue of Zak's Recidivist series includes the strongest work Zak has done in his "dark" style yet. Six unsettling and impeccably paced poetic narratives --- serious, weird, dark-toned work that forms a powerful whole. Nominated for two Eisner awards. A companion piece to Zak's recent book from Fantagraphics, Like a Dog, which collects Recidivist 1 and 2. 104 pages, hardcover; $15.00.
►NEW! -- SAMMY THE MOUSE Vol. ONE: Whoa! All three of the Fantagraphics released issues (see above) in one handy, self-printed book! Yes, I said self-printed. Zak not only self-published this new collection, but printed it himself on his "obsolete" AB Dick press! Lovingly hand-produced, this book is a testament to the DIY ethic. 110 pages, approx. 7" x 9", printed in two colors throughout; $14.00.
For more Zak Sally stuff, see also La Mano 21
EM SATYA is a Cambodian cartoonist who first published his work in the 1960's, and then through the reign of the Khmer Rouge and beyond. One of the few artists to survive that period, he's an elder statesman of Cambodian art.
►NEW! - FLOWER OF BATTAMBANG is Em Satya's first work in the "graphic novel" format. Set in Battambang and Phnom Penh, this tale of Cambodian romance and intrigue will appeal to fans of international comics and Bollywood films. Begun nearly two decades ago, and shelved when the market for domestic comics took a downturn, Satya finished the tale in 2006. It's now presented for the first time in English. 104 pages, 5.5" x 7.5", color covers, b+w interiors. An education in international comics, for only $2.00!
ALEX SCHUBERT is one of the most promising new cartoonists to come down the pike lately. Great drawing, reminsicent at times of Clowes early work, and delightfully droll writing.
►NEW! - CYBER SURFER by Alex Schubert (Space Face Books): Lovely little book features Cyber Surfer, an avenging robot who's not quite the hero you'd think. When enemies capture his girlfriend, he leaps into... action... The indicia reads Vol. 1, No. 1, and I hope that means there'll be more. 16 pages, 3" x 4.25", full color; $5.00. BACKORDERED
NATHAN SCHREIBER is a cartoonist.
►NEW! - BACK IN STOCK! - 4090 by Nathan Schreiber (Retrofit): Scratchy, wild science fiction story about a future world where scientists tap repressed emotions as a possible energy source. 32 digest pages, color cover, b+w interiors; $5.00.
►NEW! - SECRET PRISON #7 (Retrofit) Ed. by Ian Harker and Box Brown. This thoroughly impressive tribute anthology is a tribute to the Japanese anthology Garo, and features work from Mickey Z., Box Brown, Ian Harker, Tom Hart, Katie Skelly, Alex Schubert, and many more. Incldes essays by Derek Badman and manga historian Ryan Holmberg, plus a reprint in English of Masahiko Matsumoto;s "The Heart of Shinjuku" (1973). Certainly one of the best anthologies to come down the pike in a while, this one comes highly recommended! 150 pages, 10" x 13", perfect-bound, color covers with b+w interiors, on newsprint. $15.00.
CLAIRE SERINGHAUS' absurdist graphite drawings and cartoons tread the line between Glen Baxter and Edward Gorey.
►NEW! - THE BLARING HOUSE by Claire Seringhaus (Conundrum): "This collection of selected pen and graphite drawings range
from the whimsical to the hyper-realistic, with some looking as though they
were lifted from a turn-of-the-century catalogue. Many include captions, which
convey humourous narrative arcs and add a sometimes bizarre dimension to the
work. The Blaring House is inspired by children’s book illustrations, absurdist
humour, and late Victorian portrait photography." 100 pages, 5" x 8", b+w interiors; $15.00.
JASON SHIGA: Jason Shiga is the nerdiest, most-brilliant cartoonist of them all. His comics create mind-boggling puzzles that the reader is invited to, if not solve, at least come along for the ride on, as Shiga runs them through his convoluted course. Bookhunter is an all-time classic, and Meanwhile is his most intricate work to date.
ALEX SCHUBERT is one of the most promising new cartoonists to come down the pike lately. Great drawing, reminsicent at times of Clowes early work, and delightfully droll writing.
THE BLOBBY BOYS by Alex Schubert. Wait, who is this guy? He's from Kansas City? I love Kansas City! Blobby Boys is Schubert's perfectly-formed and withering look at hipsterism, drawn in a deadpan, modern style with eye-blazing color. Destined to be a classic. Before you balk at the price, I heard through the grapevine that these things cost him six bucks each to make. Help a brother out, won't you? 16 digest pages, full color on glossy paper; $7.00. BACKORDERED
►NEW! - CYBER SURFER by Alex Schubert (Space Face Books): Lovely little book features Cyber Surfer, an avenging robot who's not quite the hero you'd think. When enemies capture his girlfriend, he leaps into... action... The indicia reads Vol. 1, No. 1, and I hope that means there'll be more. 16 pages, 3" x 4.25", full color; $5.00. BACKORDERED
NATHAN SCHREIBER is a cartoonist.
Above: Three spreads from Secret Prison #7
CLAIRE SERINGHAUS' absurdist graphite drawings and cartoons tread the line between Glen Baxter and Edward Gorey.
Above: Two spreads from The Blaring House.
JASON SHIGA: Jason Shiga is the nerdiest, most-brilliant cartoonist of them all. His comics create mind-boggling puzzles that the reader is invited to, if not solve, at least come along for the ride on, as Shiga runs them through his convoluted course. Bookhunter is an all-time classic, and Meanwhile is his most intricate work to date.
BOOKHUNTER by Jason Shiga. This hilarious send-up of police procedural action flicks follows Special Agent Bay, Library Marshall, on a mission to recover a 19th century Bible, stolen forom the Oakland Public Library. A longtime librarian, Shiga lays it on thick in this pitch perfect mystery that, yes, made me laugh out loud. 7.5" x 9"; 148 perfect-bound pages, color covers, printed inside with nice three-tone brown ink; $15.00.
THE SHORTPANTS OBSERVER #1 Edited by Sarah Becan: This fun anthology features all-Chicago cartoonists, with: Anya Davidson's hipster forest frolics, tons of all-new comics from Spit and a Half favorite Corinne Mucha, weird shark stories from Becca Taylor, and full color covers from Jeremy Tinder. 72 two-color pages, color covers; $8.00.
JOSH SIMMONS is the creator of some of the darkest, weirdest comics going.
►NEW! -- FLAYED CORPSE by Josh Simmons (Oily): A group of men stand over a revoltingly mangled corpse and discuss the source of his demise, and their notions of death and beyond. Nine pages of intense and gripping comics. Masterful. 12 mini-pages, b+w; $1.00.
KATIE SKELLY's self-published Nurse Nurse comics won her lots of fans. I now have the new collection from Sparkplug in stock!
►NEW! - NURSE NURSE by Katie Skelly (Sparkplug): Katie's trippy-mod, clean-line artwork, with the flavor of 60's poster art, is a delight to look at, as we follow young nurse Gemma in a convoluted sci-fi plot concerning planetary colonization, Panda space-pirates, love, deception, and intrigue. Includes all seven of the self-published zines, plus the conclusion -- the never before seen Chapter 8. Fun! 162 pages, 6" x 8", two-color cover, b+w interiors; perfect-bound; $15.00.
KATIE SKELLY's self-published Nurse Nurse comics won her lots of fans. I now have the new collection from Sparkplug in stock!
SPARKPLUG COMIC BOOKS: Run out of Portland by underground diehard Dylan Williams, Sparkplug has given a home to some of the most unusual and unique voices in modern American comics. Check out these releases:
ASTHMA by John Hankiewicz. John Hankiewicz has been producing some of the most challenging and thouroughly original comics of the past 15 years. His work is enigmatic and (truly) surrealm but with a very human heart-- and an amzing knack for capturing the details of modern life and human relationships. This wide-ranging collection contains some of his best work, including Dance, Martha Gregory, Where's the Wire?, and Westmont is Next. 8.5" x 11"; 108 perfect-bound pages with three-color covers and b+w/spot color interiors; $17.00.
THE HEAVY HAND by Chris C. Cilla. Crazy man Chris Cilla's longest work yet, The Heavy Hand tells the story of Alvin Crabshack, who leaves his humdrum existence in Dirksburg to join renegade Professor Berigan in his work at Honeypot Cavern. Hallucinogenic, weird, dark, and funny, The Heavy Hand will keep you guessing at every turn. Great. 6" x 9"; 116 perfect-bound pages, full color covers; $14.00.
WINDY CORNER #2 edited by Austin English. Each issue of Windy Corner features editor English's own smart, unruly comics, plus works by others, as well as essays, reviews, and cartoonist interviews. The most original magazine about comics in years. Issue #2 includes comix by English, Mollie Goldstrom, and Fona Logusch; letters; a personal reminiscence of cartoonist Alex Toth Z(in comics form) by Dylan Williams; an essay on children's book illustrator Lois Lenski; and an interview with brilliant comics artist John Hankiewicz, conducted by Onsmith. 68 half-legal pages, full color covers and interiors; $10.00. 
WINDY CORNER #3. Comics by Austin English, Lille Carré, Molly O'Connell, and Sakura Maku; essays on Gipi's Garage Band (by Frank Santoro) and the great Garth Williams (by Austin English); plus, an interview with Carol Tyler, conducted by Vanessa Davis. 84 half-legal pages, full- color covers and interiors; $11.00. 
BECCA STADTLANDER is an illustrator whose work has been seen in Yeti and Ladies Home Journal. Little Otsu of Portland has worked with her on a number of projects.
ARON NELS STEINKE is a cartoonist, teacher, and children's book author in Portland, Oregon. For years now he's been consistently releasing his Big Plans comics series, which started out great and has just gotten better with time! His comics are simple, but perfectly crafted-- funny, heartfelt, and a joy to read, in luscious black and white.
KRISTINA STIPETIC is the creator of the webcomic 14 Nights, as well as the mini-comic series Yasha Lizard. She currently resides in Suzhou, China where she drinks at least 8 cups of tea every day.
STRIPBURGER is a comics publishing collective from Slovenia. They've been publishing great European comics for a long long time, and have begun producing books in English. Cartoonia is their latest English anthology.
GREETINGS FROM CARTOONIA: In Greetings from Cartoonia, twelve modern European cartoonists gathered "objects of inspiration" from each others' homelands (such as architectural styles, animal species, car models, traditional folk products, mythological beings, and so on). Then each artist created a comic story set in their chosen country. What emerged is a completely new, trans-national entity. Features beautiful work by Jakob Klemencic (SLO), Bendik Kalterborn (NOR), Andrea Bruno (ITA), Jyrki Heikkinen (FIN), Filipe Abranches (POR), and more. 220 pages with fold-out map; $20.00 -- NOW $12.00!
Andrea Bruno.
SUNDAYS is an anthology put out by former CCS students, that features fascinating work by some of the best young cartoonists out there. handmade with love, and meticulously edited, this is a great read.
SUNDAYS: FOREVER CHANGES: The fourth anthology in the series, this new release includes amazing work from such talented comix whippersnappers (and standbys) as Ed Piskor, Warren Craghead III, Joseph Lambert, Mark Burrier, David Libens, Dane Martin, Julie Delporte, Michael Deforge, Sam Gaskin, and Max de Radigues. Features "What We Knew and When We Knew It," by Aaron Cockle, one of my favorite stories of the year. And... much more. 70 pages, hand-screened color covers; $15.00. LIMITED QUANTITIES!
TOP SHELF'S SWEDISH INVASION I've been following the Swedish Alternative comix scene for some years now, and I always come away from it thinking that North American comics fans could really find much to love there. We really seem to have a lot in common, in terms of themes and direction. Luckily, Top Shelf has begun releasing a series of books in English, drawn from this vibrant scene. If you're hoping to explore the world of contemporary European comics, and are looking for somewhere to begin, you couldn't pick a better place.
Above: pages from Sundays - Forever Changes.
TOP SHELF'S SWEDISH INVASION I've been following the Swedish Alternative comix scene for some years now, and I always come away from it thinking that North American comics fans could really find much to love there. We really seem to have a lot in common, in terms of themes and direction. Luckily, Top Shelf has begun releasing a series of books in English, drawn from this vibrant scene. If you're hoping to explore the world of contemporary European comics, and are looking for somewhere to begin, you couldn't pick a better place.
FROM THE SHADOW OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Vol. 1 is a collection of great work from the seminal and long-running Swedish Comix anthology Galago. This anthology has something for everyone, covering a wide range of styles and subjects, and includes work by Simon Gardenfors, Mats Jonsson, Liv Stromquist, Loka Kanarp, Henrik Bromander, Gunnar Lundkvist, Anneli Furmark, and many many more. 200 pages, and a great value. 40% OFF! Cover Price: $20.00, you pay $12.00!
FROM THE SHADOW OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, VOLUME TWO: Second volume of this anthology of contemporary Swedish cartooning features amazing work by Kolbeinn Karlsson, Henrik Bromande, Coco Moodysson, Gunnar Lundkvist, Annelli Furmark, Mats Jonsson and many many more. IN ENGLISH! This is a fantastic collection, and the Swedish cartoonsists in particular are really accessible to American tastes. If you only read North American comics, you're missing out on an entire world! 6.5" x 9"; 220 perfect-bound pages, full color covers and color/b+w interiors; 30% OFF! Cover Price: 
Hey Princess by Mats Jonsson: Hey Princess is a story about moving to the big city and being young, insecure and desperate to feel as hip as everyone else. Receiving praise from both critics and readers for its incisive and entertaining account of indie pop-listening young people in the mid-1990s, Hey Princess takes its place in the proud tradition of self-deprecating, confessional, sex-obsessed, and guilt-ridden autobiographical comics, but stakes out a unique identity by virtue of its Nordic setting and biting social criticism. 480 pages, 4.25" x 7"; 50% OFF! Cover Price 
THE TROLL KING by Kolbeinn Karlsson. A surreal, mythic story of the eternal cycle of nature, told with bright colors, good humor, weirdness, and a kind of contemporary cynicism. A dwarf falls into a river and is taken to a place beyond space and time. A carrot takes a bath and finds itself transforming. Two reclusive mountain men rejoice when their wish for children is granted, but their sons make a terrible discovery. And throughout all these tales, the spirit of the forest walks on… 160 full color pages, 6.5" x 9.25"; 33% OFF! Cover Price: $15.00 you pay $10.00!
