Continuing our look at various small press publishers plans for the new year, today i thought we'd take a few moments to delve into Picturebox's latest catalog. Join me, won't you?
1991 by Xylor Jane. A collection (the first comprehensive collection actually) of work by a cult artist known for adhering to strict rules in her paintings, including a series based on the Stations of the Cross and another done during bouts of insomnia. January, $34.95
The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame: Master of Gay Erotic Manga. Hot off of his American debut in the pages of Thickness #3 comes this collection of Tagame's very sexually explicit gay comics. Tagame's work is heavy on the BDSM, so consider yourself warned. Designed and co-edited by Chip Kidd (who wrote an original story for Tagame just for this book), with an introduction by Edmund White. April, $29.95
Last of the Mohicans by Shigeru Sugiura. Sugiura is known primarily as a gag artist, so don't expect this 1974 book to be a straight-faced adaptation of the James Fenimore Cooper novel. Rather expect a work that veers between absurdist and grotesque humor and high-minded period detail. The catalog says it's considered a masterpiece of postwar manga. Count me in. Edited by Ryan Holmberg. April, $19.95.
Nudity Today, edited by Jesse Pearson. A photo book about macrame. Just kidding. It's actually about nudity. April, $34.95.
So Long, Silver Screen by Blutch. Wasn't it just the other day I was lamenting the dearth of Blutch material in the U.S.? Now here comes Screen, his first full-length work to be published in English, a collection of short comics about the art of the cinema and many, many other topics. As someone who's longed for Blutch to reach a wider North American audience, I'm deliriously happy about this impending release. Featuring a cover design by David Mazzucchelli. April, $22.95.
Sun Ra: Space, Interiors and Exteriors, 1972, edited by John Corbett. A collection of photography taken of the renowned jazz musician and his entourage during one of his most prolific and significant periods. Not even tangentially comics, but certainly a must for anyone who cares April, $27.50.
Drawings by Chris Martin. A collection of art work not by the Coldplay singer but a Brooklyn-born artist that happens to share the same name. May, $50.
Walrus: Drawings and Comics from Tusk til Dawn by Brandon Graham. A 112-page collection of sketches and unpublished comics by the brain behind Prophet, Multiple Warheads and King City. As anyone who's visited Graham's blog knows, his sketches are often as funny and charming as his "real" work. Expect this to be a hoot and a half. May, $19.95.
Powr Mastrs 4 and Warm Genetics House by CF. Two new comics by Chris Forgues. The first is the latest chapter in his ongoing, exemplary fantasy series. The second is about ... well, I'm not sure exactly what it's about, but I'm sure it will somehow involve warmth, genetics and houses and will be great. Release date TBD
Puke Force by Brian Chippendale. Chippendale's latest work, which was serialized at least in part on the Picturebox website (it's currently on hiatus), gets the print treatment. Release TBD.