The fine folks at Fantagraphics know that the best thing to do when the kids head back to school is to celebrate with some new comics. They're holding a 20% off sale from August 27th to the 31st selected comics, from classic books like their collection of the early days of Usagi Yojimbo to their latest books like The Kurdles (featured as one of our Catch-It picks a little while ago).
The complete list is here, and of course I have a few recommendations:
- If you need some Peanuts in your life, there's plenty of volumes and special collections in the sale. I love how well-designed Fantagraphics' reprints are, and the simplicity yet excellence of Fanta's Peanuts books put them head and shoulders above those chopped-up mass markets I grew up on.
- Mike McCann loves the reprints of old Walt Disney Comics, ranging from Donald Duck to Mickey Mouse. As with Peanuts, these are gorgeous and would be a great pickup for the fan in your life--or yourself, of course!
- Tony Millionaire's distinctive line art is really eye-catching, and he has a few all-ages books that would work well for your family. I see Billy Hazelnuts and Sock Monkey on the list and both are really fun books.
- Wanna go deep into the classics? There's Prince Valiant and Pogo, too. I am not really well-schooled in either series, but I know so many who love them, and if you've never sampled either, this could be a good place to start.
- Peter Bagge and Gilbert Hernandez created YEAH!, a fun romp that puts them both in all-ages territory here--but you may want to save their other works for when the kids get older. Either way, it's been years since I read it, but I remember enjoying the unlikely collaboration.
That's just a few of the collections available. Have a look yourself here. No matter what your taste, you'll find plenty of books to read on your own while reminding the kids they have homework instead!
