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:
CARNET DE VOYAGE by Craig Thompson
Craig 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. -- $14.95 (US), 192 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-60-0
AMERICAN ELF: THE COLLECTED SKETCHBOOK DIARIES OF JAMES KOCHALKA
(OCTOBER 26, 1998 TO DECEMBER 31, 2003)
by James Kochalka
With an introduction by Moby
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.-- $29.95 (US), 520 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-49-X
CONVERSATIONS #1 by JAMES KOCHALKA & CRAIG THOMPSON
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. -- $4.95, 40 pages, Comic Book
THE BLANKETS SOUNDTRACK
by Tracker (& Craig Thompson)
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.
TOP SHELF SIGNS MINI-COMICS MAESTRO, ANDY RUNTON
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!
