Comics are at their core a form of community, and nothing expresses this better than the comics anthology. Right from the beginning, with the Iger-Eisner studio, artists grouped together and formed communities whose work bore recognizable group traits. Practically all the comics of the golden age of comics (1935 - 1954) were anthologies, featuring four or more stories by different artists. During this period, most artists tended to group around specific publishers, producing work to order. Marvel, DC, Fawcett, Fiction House, Quality and many other publishers all had "house styles." This trend found its apex in the comics produced by EC, where the mammoth talents of Wally Wood, Al Williamson, Al Feldstein, Bill Elder, Graham Ingels, Johnny Craig, Jack Davis and Harvey Kurtzman, among others, worked to produce a stunning body of work of uniformly high quality.
These artist communities were, however, all driven by the publisher and profit was always in the driver's seat. The dawn of the era of creator-driven comics anthologies took place in the underground comics community of the sixties and early seventies. While Zap Comix is the title most recalled today, there were literally dozens of others where former comics geeks turned revolutionaries proved yet again that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword in comics such as Bijou, Gothic Blimp Works, Slow Death, Wimmen's Comix, Young Lust and many others. As the spirit of the sixties waned one last critical anthology appeared: Arcade. Bringing together R. Crumb and art spiegelman, along with Bill Griffith and other stalwarts, Arcade provided the critical transition to a more self-aware comics tradition that appeared in the eighties.
Two of the most important eighties artists' communities formed around art spiegelman's Raw and Robert Crumb, Peter Bagge & Aline Kominsky's Weirdo, as well as a host of other smaller, lesser known anthologies (such as, for example, Pittsburgh's Transformer). Also during the 1980s, two publishers emerged as nexus points around which artists' communities formed: first, and most importantly, was Fantagraphics, powered by the revolutionary approach to comics embodied in Gilbert & Jaime Hernandez's Love and Rockets; second was Drawn & Quarterly, which existed at first solely as an anthology title of the same name. The difference between these publisher centered artists' communities and those of previous eras was that all work was creator owned, and the role of publisher was placed on an equal or subordinate footing to that of the creator -- a mirror image of the traditional relationship. As the eighties gave way to the nineties, more and more comics devotees found themselves inspired to make comics of their own, and the anthology comic format proved to be the format of choice for the burgeoning ranks of self-publishing newcomers, allowing creators to pool their resources into a single item that stood a better chance of appealing to a wider readership through its inclusion of a variety of talents. Over the last ten years, countless self-published and small press comics anthologies have seen print, many with very low print runs -- in the hundreds, or dozens of copies, as opposed to the thousands or tens of thousands as was more often the case in the past. And now, of course, self-published comics are proliferating on the web as well, giving a new and larger meaning to the term "comics anthology." As a result of all this activity a broad array of comics creators -- representing a comprehensive cross-section of American culture, and world culture, as well -- are publishing a greater number of comics anthologies with a broader variety of subjects, themes and styles than at any time in history.
The purpose of this page is to showcase a selection of the most engaging, entertaining, intelligent, intriguing and important comics anthologies of the twenty-first century.
Let's take a look!
•this listing proceeds in alphabetical order•
Actus
presents
Dead Herring Comics
Those
of you who have been sitting on the fence about Actus can finally get
off it as they have finally hit the nail on the head with this one.
It's a 120 page oversize (9" x 12") softcover in the tradition of Raw
and the D & Q Annuals, with a pinch of the old Mad
Magazine Super Specials
thrown in in the form of six detachable posters. It's mostly full
color, but there are several B & W pieces as well. Worthy of
special note is the six pages of full color "In the Shadow of No
Towers" strips by Art Spiegelman, and the first english language
interview we've ever seen with Japanese manga master, Suehiro
Maruo. The rest of the issue is filled with contributions from
the regular Actus gang, most if not all of whom are based in Israel and
Europe; and it really isn't hype when we say that this issue represents
their best work so far. Definitely worth a look.
2004 • 120 pages • full color
retail
price - $24.95
copacetic price -
$19.95
Autobiographix
A Dark Horse Collection edited by Diana Schutz
A solid collection of autobiographical shorts by: Sergio
Aragonés, Gabriel Bá, Eddie Campbell, Paul Cahdwick,
Farel Dalrymplel, Richard, Soutt, Will Eisner, Paul Hornschemeier,
Hason Lutes, Linda Medley, Metaphrog, Frank Miller, Fábio Moon,
Bill Morriso, Arnold Pander, Diana Schurz, Stan Sakai, William Stout
and Matt Wagner. They're all good!
2004 • 104 pages • B & W
retail
price - $14.95
copacetic price -
$13.45
The Bush Junta
edited by Mack White and Gary Groth
If you're looking for a collection of contemporary,
politically-oriented comics from the left, this is it. Yes, some
are diatribes, and some are screeds, but there is a lot of good comics
work here by the likes of Penny Van Horn, Carol Swain, Seth Tobocman,
Lloyd Dangle, Peter Kuper, Ralph Steadman and Mr. White himself, along
with a bevy of contributors from around the country and Europe.
2004 • 220 pages • B & W
retail
price - $18.95
copacetic price -
$14.95
The Comics Journal Special
Edition • Winter 2004
Volume Four: Cartoonists on the Shock of Recognition
The fourth in Fantagraphics' ongoing series of giant (12" x
12") full color special editions of their flagship title. This
one features "Conversations Among Four Generations of Cartoonists: Al
Hirschfeld, Jules Feiffer, Art Spiegelman and Chris Ware," pieces on
Lyonel Feininger, Phoebe Gloeckner, Ben Katchor and Bill Mauldin, plus
70 pages of comics focusing on the theme of "The Shock of Recognition"
by many of today's top comics creators including, Gilbert & Jaime
Hernandez, Spain Rodriguez, Ho Che Anderson, Bill Griffith, Igort,
Megan Kelso, Carol Swain, Rick Geary, Hideshi Hino, Mary Fleener and
many others.
retail
price - $22.95
copacetic price -
$18.35
Dignifying Science: Stories About Women Scientists
written by Jim Ottaviani illustrated by Donna Barr, Mary Fleener,
Ramona
Fradon. Stephanie Gladden, Roberta GRegory, Lea Hernandez, Carla Speed
McNeil, Linda Medley, Marie Severin, Jen Sorensen and Anne Timmons.
This is an excellent and totally unique anthoology of comics. The
lives of a distinguished group of important women scientists and their
contributions to science are communicated as only comics can: quickly
and powerfully. The artists really rise to the occasion here, turning
in some truly great work. The women scientists featured are Hedy
Lamarr (yes, the actress -- who knew she was also a scientist?), Lise
Meitner, Rosiland Franklin, Barbara McClintock, Biruté Galdikas
and, briefly, Marie Curie and Emmy Noether. 1999 • 144 pages • B
& W
retail
price - $16.95
copacetic price -
$14.40
Drawn
&
Quarterly Anthology • Volume Three - oversize
softcover -
edited by Chris Oliveros
Leading off with
elegantly drawn covers and endpapers by Chris Ware in
homage to Frank King's "Gasoline Alley," this oversized 10th
anniversary publication from Drawn & Quarterly is overflowing with
top-flight graphic art and storytelling, revealing "a fine editorial
taste as well as an outstanding design sense" (San Francisco Chronicle Book Review).
It includes a 55-page full color "Monsieur Jean" story by New Yorker artists Dupuy &
Berberian, a focus on Italian cartoonist Franco Matticchio, and a
fourteen-page sampling of Seth's color sketchbook portraits. French cartoonist Blutch
provides a brief history of boxing in "Fist To Fist," and a few of
Harry Mayerovitch's shadow-egos appear in an excerpt from The Other
One. Here too are stories by Pentti Otsamo, Jason Little, and Quebecois
cartoonist Michel Rabagliati, who relates a boy's discovery of the
magical Linotype machine. The centerpiece of this edition is an
archival feature focusing on "Gasoline Alley" that richly reproduces 30
full-color Sunday strips from the 1920s and 30s, with a rare commentary
by Frank King himself. The piece that makes this volume a must have for any card
carrying member of the comics cognoscenti is RAW alumni, R. Sikoryak's
masterpiece "Dostoyevsky
Comics," which manages
to simultaneously deconstruct both Bob Kane's Batman and Russian
literature. This story simply has to be seen to be
believed. It is a
pitch perfect adaptation of Dostoyevsky's novel, Crime and Punishment as a 1950s
issue of Detective Comics,
with Batman as Raskolnikov! This
single story is worth the price of the entire
anthology. Really.
176
pages • oversize (10" x 13") • full color
retail
price - $24.95
- copacetic ¡SALE!
price - $9.95 (supplies are limited at this price)
Drawn
& Quarterly Anthology •
Volume Four
- oversize softcover -
edited by Chris Oliveros
The fourth volume of this excellent anthology series provides an
international roundup of graphic storytelling, showcasing the 54-page
"The Adventures of Hergé", by French cartoonist/author team
Stanislas, Bocquet and Fromental—a meticulously researched, beautifully
told biography of the creator of "Tintin." Miriam Katin explores
terrifying childhood memories in Hungary during the time of the Soviet
invasion of 1956, and French cartoonist Blutch provides another brutal
look at the unsavory history of boxing. Other highlights include the
dreamlike "The Bleeding Tree," by Swiss cartoonist Nicolas Robel; a
color strip by Ron Regé Jr.; and the return of R. Sikoryak, with
his retelling of "The Scarlet Letter" enacted by Little Lulu and Tubby
in an uncanny replication of John Stanley's deceptively simple style.
The
Archive section presents another 30-page overview of Frank King's
"Gasoline Alley" Sunday pages in color, focusing on the early years of
the strip from 1922 through 1925, as well as an impressive 20-page
"poster gallery" of Harry Mayerovitch's stunning World War Two posters
for the Canadian Film Board. Steven Guarnaccia provides the covers and
endpapers. It's cover to cover quality!
160 pages • oversize (10" x 13") • full color
retail
price - $24.95 - copacetic ¡SALE!
price - $9.95 (supplies are limited at this price)
Drawn & Quarterly Anthology • Volume Five
- oversize softcover -
edited by Chris Oliveros
Amazing but true: The 2004 edition of D&Q's sumptuous oversize
annual of North American (with the
accent on Canadian), European and Asian comics is included in this
amazing sale. Beautifully
produced as always, this issue features covers and end papers and a
graphic novella by DuPuy and Berberian, a short work by long ignored
Japanese master, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, “Kept,” a Michel Rabagliati short
featuring Paul, and -- going three for three -- another twisted comics
adaptation of a literary classic by that master of all styles, R.
Sikoryak. This time out it's ”The Crypt of
Bronte” as an EC horror comic (looks to us like he was going for Jack
Davis in particular); what can we say -- this guy has it down. Of special
interest for jaded know-it-alls is the massive 75 page retrospective on
the unknown (at least to us) Canadian artist, Albert Chartier.
This retrospective presents a truly rare opportunity to simultaneously
discover and then plunge right into a whole new bit of artistic
terrain. Reader’s of Seth’s It’s
a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken
will relate. Another successful year for the D&Q's flagship
title!
192 pages • oversize (10 " x 13") • full color
retail
price - $29.95 - copacetic ¡SALE!
price - $12.95
(supplies are
limited at this price)
Flight: Volume
One
This full color anthology was one of the hits of this year's San Diego
Con. It presents 24 brand new stories, all in full color and all
dealing in one way or another with flight. A host of writers and
artists are show off their strengths here, including current and former
Pittsburghers, Neil Babra and Bill Mudron, along with many other fine
talents. The highlights are the submissions of Derek Kirk Kim,
Jen Wang, Kazu Kibuishi and Jacob Magraw-Mickelson, all of whom turn in
excellent, original pieces. The surprise here is that this book
is published by Image. Our hats are off to them: this book
should go a long way towards bridging the gap between the traditional
heroic fantasy comics that still dominate the racks of most comics
shops and the growing ranks of more creatively adventurous comics work
that is seeping in from the edges, in traditional book stores as well
as comics shops. Not only that, it is international in scope as
well, linking Asian, European and American styles and traditions. This
book offers up a well-rounded snapshot of this historical moment in
comics history.
2004 • 160 pages (?) • full color
retail
price - $19.95
copacetic price -
$17.95
The
Ganzfeld no.3
The Ganzfeld is a
true one-of-a-kind publication and #3 is by far the best issue
yet.
It shouldn't really be under the comics listing, but as it is truly
uncategorizable,
this is as good a spot as any. The editors once again bring
together
a unique group of designers, illustrators, cartoonists, and artists in
a coherent, strongly designed format. It features a unique
collaboration
between Rick Moody and Fred Tomaselli; a new picture story by designer
Geoff McFetridge, and even an illustrated essay by Alfred Hitchcock.
Lengthy
comics and picture stories are contributed by an international group,
Renée
French, Ron Rege, Jr., Blexbolex, Brian Ralph. The major
highlight
of the book is Peter Blegvad's contribution : a highly innovative
piece that is a stellar work of genius. Really, it's that good.
No
one compares to Blegvad. He's in a class by himself here.
(If
you aren't familiar with Peter Blegvad's work, do yourself a favor and
check out The Book of Leviathan.) The
Ganzfeld #3 also puts the spotlight on history: profiles include
the
inventor of the Macy's Parade Balloons; a special 40-page section
devoted
to the art collective The Hairy Who, and articles on Bruegel and deep
space
photography. Also: humorous picture stories on color theory, where we
go
when we die, and the lost genre of blank books. And much more, all
bound
together and accentuated by impeccable graphic design.
Published by Monday Morning
ISBN 0-9713670-1-9
2003; 8 x 9.65", paperback; 208 pages, 160/color, 48/black and white.
retail price - $24.95 copacetic price- $21.20
Happy Endings
This is a Dark Horse Maverick™ publication edited by Diana Schutz. She brought together a really broad selection of some surprisingly good work here: from Brian Michael Bendis, Sam Keith, Mike Mignola and Frank Miller on the one hand to Farel Dalrymple, Jason Hall & Matt Kindt, James Kochalka, Peter Kuper, Harvey Pekar, Joe Sacco and Craig Thompson on the other, with plenty more in between -- all coming to terms with the idea of a "happy ending."
2002 • 96 pages • B & W
retail price - $9.95 copacetic price - $8.95
Hickee
edited by Graham Annable
introduction by Sam Henderson
Page after page of pure dumb fun. It's the classic short form of comics as interpreted by the komic kids of today. Laugh to the tune of 55 different pieces by a dozen artists.
2003 • 128 pages • B & W
retail price - $12.95 copacetic price - $11.65
Hi-Horse Omnibus
edited by Arey, Arp, Riley & Som
24 pieces by a host of fine talent including Gabrielle Bell, Androce Arp, Lark Pien, Martin Cendrera, Thein Pham, Jesse Reklaw, Cole Johnson, Zack Soto, and Dan Zettwoch! The work produced for this anthology ranges all over the map in terms of content and style, but the artists are united in their commitment to produce original comics of high quality. This is a good one.
2004 • 112 pages • B & W
retail price - $11.95 copacetic price - $10.75
Kramers Ergot 3
edited
by Sammy Harkham
Yes, we still have a few
copies left, and at a discount, no less.
Sammy Harkham, Anders Nilsen, and other Kramers regulars are
here.
2002 •
retail
price - $8.95 copacetic price-
$7.60
edited by Sammy Harkham
Our supply of this one has finally been exhausted, but we kept it on the list becasue it's worth keeping an eye out for.
2003 • retail price - $24.95 copacetic price - unfortunately... SOLD OUT!
Kramers
Ergot 5edited by Sammy Harkham
Well, it's here. And what is the verdict? Success! KE5 is, in every way, a suitable successor to KE4. We feel quite confident in stating that everyone who enjoyed and/or appreciated KE4 will get at least as much out of KE5. Not only that, we'll go a step further and proclaim that many of those readers who were intrigued by KE4, but found it a bit "too out there" for their tastes, have an excellent chance of finding that KE5 -- with its addition of stand-out work by Gabrielle Bell, Kevin Huizenga, Chris Ware, and Dan Zettwoch -- has much to offer them, and represents a broader spectrum of comics than its predecessor. In addition, any fans of autobiographical comics may find that they have finally met their match in David Heatley's massive/micro magnum opus.
2004 • retail price - $29.95 - $34.95 (depending on who you talk to) copacetic price - $27.95
McSweeney's
13 - The Comics Issue
edited by Chris Ware
This book is without
question
the best available work to introduce the non-comics reader to the
wonderful
world of contemporary comics. So, if there are any people on your list
that you'd like to turn on to comics, this is your best chance.
Featuring work by the who's who of progressive comics: Lynda Barry, Jeffrey Brown, Ivan Brunetti, Charles Burns,
Chester Brown, Dan Clowes,
David Collier, R. Crumb, Kim Deitch, Julie Doucet, Debbie Drechsler, David Heatly, Jaime and Gilberto Hernandez, Ben Katchor,
Joe Matt, Richard McGuire, Mark Newgarden, Gary Panter,John Porcellino,
Archer Prewitt, Ron Rege, Joe Sacco, Richard Sala, Seth, Art Spiegelman, Adrian Tomine and, of course,
Chris Ware, himself. In addition to all
this contemporary work, there are selections of classic and archival
work
sprinkled throughout: Rodolphe Töpfler, Bud Fisher, George Herriman and Charles
Schulz. In addition there is a critical appreciation of comics from
John Updike,
and nostalgiac/elegiac remembrances of comics related experiences by
Glen
David Gold, Malachi Cohen, and Chip Kidd.
2004 • 264 pages • full color • hardcover w/giant fold-out
dustjacket
retail price - $24.00
copacetic price -
$20.00
Project
Telstar 
Rosetta
Rosetta
2: A
Comics Anthology 
Scheherazade:
SPX
Anthology 2002 
Top
Shelf Asks the Big Questions (#9)