Government Issue

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

Back when the government actually had money, they poured some of into . . . comics!

Federal and state agencies put comic artists to work telling Americans how to wage war, work harder, save more, and avoid social diseases. Professor Richard L. Graham, Media Services Librarian at the University of Nebraska, created and digitized an incredible collection of these comics, which are reproduced and discussed in his upcoming book from ComicArts, Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s.

Richie grew up on a Department of Defense base in Germany. His dad was in the Army motor pool. Graham senior would on occasion solemnly hand his son a copy of P.S. Magazine, the instructional comic produced by the legendary Will Eisner. Richie was warned: no dog-earring, no ripped pages, no torn covers—this was property of the U.S. military and had to be returned in perfect condition. As Richie tells it, “The old man made sure those comics were available in case of inspection, so I was introduced to that 'collector' mentality (keep it mint!) quite early.”

Here are 5 important things I’ve learned while working on Richie Graham’s amazing book:

	1. Girls know a lot about cars.
	2. You can psych out the enemy.
	3. Don’t worry about unemployment.
	4. Ignoring stop signs will not turn out well.
	5. Smoking in bed is a bad idea.

Government Issue: Comics for the People, 1940s-2000s by Richard Graham, foreword by Sid Jacobson, is available now where books are sold!

Abrams ComicArts Returns to New York Comic Con (booth #1144)

With an Exciting Preview of the Fall 2011 Line-up and a Peek at What's Coming in Spring 2012 • Some Featured Titles Include: The Long-Awaited Comics Anthology, The Someday Funnies Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead Chronicles • Abrams ComicArts Authors Attending: Michel Choquette, author of the legendary anthology about the 1960s,The Someday Funnies, will presign copies which will be available for purchase at the booth. Robert Kirkman will have two signings on Friday at the Skybound booth (#1346). He'll be signing from 2:00–3:30 and from 5:15–6:15. The first 25 people in line for the 5:15 signing will receive a free copy of The Walking Dead Chronicles. The Walking Dead Chronicles will only be available for purchase at the Abrams ComicArts booth (#1144). Laura Lee Gulledge (author of Page by Paige) sketching and signing copies of her book at 1:00 on Kids Day (Sunday). • Give-Aways/Raffles: My Friend Dahmer Galleys of My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, a chilling, original graphic novel by a high school friend of the notorious serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer. The Someday Funnies One copy of The Someday Funnies will be given to each of the first 50 people who come to the booth on Saturday morning. The Walking Dead The first 25 people in line for Robert Kirkman's 5:15 signing at the Skybound booth (#1346) will receive a free copy of The Walking Dead Chronicles. Abrams will raffle off a Walking Dead Chronicles Prize Package (retail value of approximately $350). Register at the Abrams ComicArts booth (#1144). People dressed as Walking Dead characters, alive or undead, receive two entries (one per person otherwise). The winners will be announced on Sunday at 3:00 pm and need not be present to win. The Walking Dead "cubees" will be given away throughout the show. Star Wars Art: Comics and Star Wars Art: Visions - Limited Editions ($400.00 retail value) The limited editions of Star Wars Art: Comics and Star Wars Art: Visions will be raffled off at the Abrams ComicArts booth (#1144). People may register throughout the show. The winners will be announced on Sunday at 3:00 pm and need not be present to win. • Panels Associated with Abrams ComicArts Books: Friday, 6:30–7:30 pm Room # 1A02 Join Charles Kochman (editorial director) and Susan Van Metre (publisher) for a conversation about their current list and a slide show revealing details and images from their upcoming collaborations with Dan Clowes, Derf Backderf, Kazu Kibuishi, and Dave McKean, as well as other projects and surprise guests. Map Your Show Star Wars Art: Comics Saturday, 2:45–3:45 pm Room #1A02 Lucasfilm and Abrams host a panel on Star Wars Art: Comics, the new book that celebrates the best of Star Wars comics. Panelists, to be confirmed, are renown comic book artists Frank Quitely and Amanda Conner, as well as lauded comic book writer Dennis O'Neil. Moderated by New York Times bestselling author and Lucasfilm executive editor J. W. Rinzler and Abrams editor Eric Klopfer. Map Your Show AMC's The Walking Dead Saturday 5:15–6:15 pm IGN Theater AMC's The Walking Dead Panel Event: Robert Kirkman (Creator/Writer of The Walking Dead comic) along with the cast and producers of The Walking Dead discuss the success of season one and what to look forward to in season two. The panel will also include a special sneak peek at the new season. The Walking Dead returns October 16 at 9/8c. Only on AMC. Map Your Show As always, we hope to see you at New York Comic Con, but if we miss you, please don't hesitate to contact us about our books, artists, and authors.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GEORGE HERRIMAN!

'Krazy Kat and the Art of George Herriman' author Craig Yoe on this heppy, heppy day! Click here to read the full post.

CONGRATUATIONS TO TODD HIGNITE AND JAIME HERNANDEZ!

The Art of Jaime Hernandez won the 2011 Harvey Award for Best Biographica, Historical, or Journalistic Presentation.

COMICS BY DESIGN: AN INTERVIEW WITH NEIL EGAN

Ever wonder how a book gets designed? A terrific interview with lead Abrams ComicArts designer Neil Egan recently ran in the Graphic Novel Reporter. Read the full text here.