Alex Groff
Apr 26, 2004, 11:57 pm
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/blankets_cd.jpg" align=left alt="Blankets CD preview">Direct from Top Shelf Comix, here are the publisher's solicitation copies and preview images for books which are due to ship in July, 2004.
Click a thumbnail below to see the full-sized preview image in a new browser window.
Exciting news for Craig Thompson and James Kochalka fans. Both will be appearing at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, debuting FOUR all-new books (timed to hit retail stores on the exact same day in July). All four titles are featured in the current Previews Catalog, so be sure to get your local retailer to pre-order them for you today! Here's what's coming:
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/carnetvoyage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/carnetvoyage_t.jpg" align=right alt="Carnet Voyage preview"></a> CARNET DE VOYAGE
Crait Thompson -- the award-winning creator of Blankets and Good-bye, Chunky Rice -- spent three months traveling through Barcelona, the Alps, and France, as well as Morocco, where he was researching his next graphic novel, Habibi. Spontaneous sketches and a travelogue diary document his adventures and quiet moments, creating a raw and intimate portrait of countries, culture and the wandering artist.
by Craig Thompson
$14.95 (US), 192 pages, Graphic Novel
ISBN 1-891830-60-0
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/american_elf.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/american_elf_t.jpg" align=right alt="American Elf preview"></a> AMERICAN ELF: THE COLLECTED SKETCHBOOK DIARIES OF JAMES KOCHALKA (OCTOBER 26, 1998 TO DECEMBER 31, 2003)
Kochalka's diaries have utterly redefined the daily comic strip. His attempt to document the minutia of his life results in work that explores the full spectrum of human emotions. Drawn with verve and confidence by a cartoonist at the height of his powers, it is ambitious, hilarious, moving, and quite addictive! This astounding book follows the ups and downs of Kochalka's life through FIVE (!) full years of the strip, plus also includes 32 full color pages of supplementary comics and other artwork. Quite simply, this is Kochalka's masterpiece.
by James Kochalka (with introduction by Moby)
$29.95 (US), 520 pages, Graphic Novel
ISBN 1-891830-49-X
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/conversations1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/conversations1t.jpg" align=right alt="Conversations #1 preview"></a> CONVERSATIONS #1
Two of our best cartoonists go head to head in this freewheeling collaboration/argument, discussing art and religion, confronting each other and playfully confronting God in one of the best comics "jams" ever set to paper. Kochalka and Thompson draw together, trading the pages back and forth, adding to each other's drawings as the conversation turns in unexpected directions. A wild energy forms as their two drawing styles merge together. It's like a comics version of My Dinner with Andre, but with a giant killer octopus.
by James Kochalka & Craig Thompson
$4.95, 40 pages, Comic Book
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/blankets_cd.jpg" align=right alt="Blankets cd preview">THE BLANKETS SOUNDTRACK
This summer, Top Shelf will co-release with FILMguerrero something we've never produced before, an official soundtrack to one of our graphic novels! Produced by John Askew and featuring the instrumental recordings of the Portland, Oregon group, TRACKER, this CD will feature 9 instrumental tracks inspired by the chapters in the illustrated novel Blankets, by Craig Thompson. The package will also feature a booklet chock full of all-new Blankets illustrations, as well as a Blankets-themed CD cover, amazingly crafted by Craig Thompson.
by Tracker (& Craig Thompson)
$15.00, 9-Track CD
COMIC BOOK ARTIST (VOL. 2) #5
Straight Talkin' from Howard Chaykin! The feisty writer/artist gives us a candid interview on his superlative career in comics, from early days assisting Gil Kane, Wallace Wood, and Gray Morrow, to his '80s super-star years on American Flagg and The Shadow, to his current work on Mighty Love and Challengers of the Unknown! Plus a massive gallery of rarely-seen and unpublished artwork, all behind a brand-new cover by Howard. We also continue our series of interviews with the best editors in the field as we chat with Axel Alonso, late of Vertigo and now the acclaimed editor behind the Marvel Comics renaissance. This issue's CBA Classic explores the'70s "Horror-Mood" black-&-white mags published by Skywald with a massive tribute to the late writer/editor of Psycho and Nightmare, "Archaic" Alan Hewetson. Also: new Sonny Liew sketchbook section! Plus our usual mini-interviews, views & reviews, and more cool stuff!
$7.50, 112 Page, Magazine, Color Section
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/owly.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/owly_t.jpg" align=right alt="Owly preview"></a>OWLY: THE WAY HOME & THE BITTERSWEET SUMMER
Top Shelf has just signed hot mini-comics creator, Andy Runton, and his all-ages series, Owly. This beautifully rendered and touching story will be the first actual graphic novel series from Top Shelf. Watch for the first volume this September, and pick up the last of his mini-comics at the cons this summer -- or from the Top Shelf website -- before they're all gone.
Owly is a kind, yet lonely, little owl who's always on the search for new friends and adventure. The first graphic novel in the series contains two enchanting novellas, "The Way Home" & "The Bittersweet Summer," wherein Owly discovers the meaning of friendship, and that saying goodbye doesn't always mean forever. Relying on a mixture of symbols, icons, and expressions to tell his silent stories, Runton's clean, animated, and heartwarming style makes it a perfect read for anyone who's a fan of Jeff Smith's Bone or Mike Kunkel's Herobear and the Kid. Don't miss the next big thing in comics!
by Andy Runton
$10, 160 pages, Graphic Novellas
ISBN 1-891830-62-7
Click a thumbnail below to see the full-sized preview image in a new browser window.
Exciting news for Craig Thompson and James Kochalka fans. Both will be appearing at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, debuting FOUR all-new books (timed to hit retail stores on the exact same day in July). All four titles are featured in the current Previews Catalog, so be sure to get your local retailer to pre-order them for you today! Here's what's coming:
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/carnetvoyage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/carnetvoyage_t.jpg" align=right alt="Carnet Voyage preview"></a> CARNET DE VOYAGE
Crait Thompson -- the award-winning creator of Blankets and Good-bye, Chunky Rice -- spent three months traveling through Barcelona, the Alps, and France, as well as Morocco, where he was researching his next graphic novel, Habibi. Spontaneous sketches and a travelogue diary document his adventures and quiet moments, creating a raw and intimate portrait of countries, culture and the wandering artist.
by Craig Thompson
$14.95 (US), 192 pages, Graphic Novel
ISBN 1-891830-60-0
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/american_elf.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/american_elf_t.jpg" align=right alt="American Elf preview"></a> AMERICAN ELF: THE COLLECTED SKETCHBOOK DIARIES OF JAMES KOCHALKA (OCTOBER 26, 1998 TO DECEMBER 31, 2003)
Kochalka's diaries have utterly redefined the daily comic strip. His attempt to document the minutia of his life results in work that explores the full spectrum of human emotions. Drawn with verve and confidence by a cartoonist at the height of his powers, it is ambitious, hilarious, moving, and quite addictive! This astounding book follows the ups and downs of Kochalka's life through FIVE (!) full years of the strip, plus also includes 32 full color pages of supplementary comics and other artwork. Quite simply, this is Kochalka's masterpiece.
by James Kochalka (with introduction by Moby)
$29.95 (US), 520 pages, Graphic Novel
ISBN 1-891830-49-X
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/conversations1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/conversations1t.jpg" align=right alt="Conversations #1 preview"></a> CONVERSATIONS #1
Two of our best cartoonists go head to head in this freewheeling collaboration/argument, discussing art and religion, confronting each other and playfully confronting God in one of the best comics "jams" ever set to paper. Kochalka and Thompson draw together, trading the pages back and forth, adding to each other's drawings as the conversation turns in unexpected directions. A wild energy forms as their two drawing styles merge together. It's like a comics version of My Dinner with Andre, but with a giant killer octopus.
by James Kochalka & Craig Thompson
$4.95, 40 pages, Comic Book
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/blankets_cd.jpg" align=right alt="Blankets cd preview">THE BLANKETS SOUNDTRACK
This summer, Top Shelf will co-release with FILMguerrero something we've never produced before, an official soundtrack to one of our graphic novels! Produced by John Askew and featuring the instrumental recordings of the Portland, Oregon group, TRACKER, this CD will feature 9 instrumental tracks inspired by the chapters in the illustrated novel Blankets, by Craig Thompson. The package will also feature a booklet chock full of all-new Blankets illustrations, as well as a Blankets-themed CD cover, amazingly crafted by Craig Thompson.
by Tracker (& Craig Thompson)
$15.00, 9-Track CD
COMIC BOOK ARTIST (VOL. 2) #5
Straight Talkin' from Howard Chaykin! The feisty writer/artist gives us a candid interview on his superlative career in comics, from early days assisting Gil Kane, Wallace Wood, and Gray Morrow, to his '80s super-star years on American Flagg and The Shadow, to his current work on Mighty Love and Challengers of the Unknown! Plus a massive gallery of rarely-seen and unpublished artwork, all behind a brand-new cover by Howard. We also continue our series of interviews with the best editors in the field as we chat with Axel Alonso, late of Vertigo and now the acclaimed editor behind the Marvel Comics renaissance. This issue's CBA Classic explores the'70s "Horror-Mood" black-&-white mags published by Skywald with a massive tribute to the late writer/editor of Psycho and Nightmare, "Archaic" Alan Hewetson. Also: new Sonny Liew sketchbook section! Plus our usual mini-interviews, views & reviews, and more cool stuff!
$7.50, 112 Page, Magazine, Color Section
<a href="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/owly.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/covers/ind/owly_t.jpg" align=right alt="Owly preview"></a>OWLY: THE WAY HOME & THE BITTERSWEET SUMMER
Top Shelf has just signed hot mini-comics creator, Andy Runton, and his all-ages series, Owly. This beautifully rendered and touching story will be the first actual graphic novel series from Top Shelf. Watch for the first volume this September, and pick up the last of his mini-comics at the cons this summer -- or from the Top Shelf website -- before they're all gone.
Owly is a kind, yet lonely, little owl who's always on the search for new friends and adventure. The first graphic novel in the series contains two enchanting novellas, "The Way Home" & "The Bittersweet Summer," wherein Owly discovers the meaning of friendship, and that saying goodbye doesn't always mean forever. Relying on a mixture of symbols, icons, and expressions to tell his silent stories, Runton's clean, animated, and heartwarming style makes it a perfect read for anyone who's a fan of Jeff Smith's Bone or Mike Kunkel's Herobear and the Kid. Don't miss the next big thing in comics!
by Andy Runton
$10, 160 pages, Graphic Novellas
ISBN 1-891830-62-7