Press Release for the Best American Comics 2006 Published By

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Press Release

The Best American Comics 2006 guest edited by Harvey Pekar series edited by Anne Elizabeth Moore

• About the Book • About the Author • 2006 Tour for Harvey Pekar and Anne Elizabeth Moore

"A worthy launch for what appears destined to become a valuable annual anthology." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The idea of Houghton Mifflin's distinguished Best American series turning to the comics would once have seemed unlikely, but the powerful narratives in this collection prove why it's a good idea." — Publishers Weekly

About the Book

The newest addition to the best-selling series — the first Best American annual dedicated to the finest in graphic storytelling and literary comics.

"The great writing of the twenty-first century may well be found in graphic novels and nonfiction," says USA Today in a recent review. The Best American Comics 2006 is a diverse annual selection for comic fans and newcomers alike. The inaugural volume is edited by the godfather of autobiographical comics, Harvey Pekar, and includes stories culled from graphic novels, pamphlet comics, newspapers, magazines, mini-comics, and the Web.

Series editor Anne Elizabeth Moore has a gift for seeking out relatively unknown writers who are doing amazing work and deserve recognition. In addition to better-known comic artists, she was able to find rare work that mainstream readers might not otherwise discover. 2006 contributors to Best American Comics include: Kim Deitch, Anders Nilsen, Chris Ware, Ben Katchor, Joe Sacco, Jaime Hernandez, David Heatley, Gilbert Shelton, Alison Bechdel, Alex Robinson, Jessica Abel, Rick Geary, Kurt Wolfgang, Lynda Barry, Robert Crumb, and Seth Tobocman. Original sources include: McSweeney's, Metropolis, Mome, Love and Rockets, The Stranger, Deadpan, Dykes to Watch Out For, Zap, Hi-Horse Omnibus, World War 3, the Comics Journal, and many more.

Harvey Pekar, inaugural guest editor, was the subject of the Oscar-nominated film American Splendor, and his American Book Award–winning series of the same name has been published since 1976 and illustrated by artists such as Robert Crumb, Frank Stack, and Joe Sacco. Of editing Best American Comics, Pekar, a longtime fighter for comics as a more respected art form, says, "I thought it was a great opportunity and honor to edit the book . . . because comics are not taken seriously by enough people. It is more appropriate for adults, not just superheroes."

Anne Elizabeth Moore, series editor, is also coeditor of Punk Planet. At Comics Journal, she edited the first two Comics Journal Special Editions, which earned Harvey and Eisner Award nominations. A contributor to The Onion, she has also been a commentator on CNN and NPR. Harvey and Anne couldn't be more different — but they worked together wonderfully to assemble an amazing collection. Both will be on tour this fall, and available for interviews.

2006 Tour for Harvey Pekar and Anne Elizabeth Moore

Editors Harvey Pekar and Anne Elizabeth Moore, plus local contributors, will be presenting at each event.

San Francisco:

Cody's 4th St, Berkeley, panel, Friday, October 20, 7:00 P.M. with Esther Pearl Watson, Justin Hall, and John P.

The Booksmith, big offsite event, panel, Saturday, October 21, with Esther Pearl Watson, Justin Hall, and John P.

Seattle:

University Book Store, panel, Monday, October 23, with Jesse Reklaw and David Lasky

New York:

Galapagos Art Space, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, panel/party/slideshow, Tuesday, October 24, with (so far) Kurt Wolfgang, Jessica Abel, and Tom Hart

McNally Robinson Booksellers, NYC, panel, Wednesday, October 25

Chicago:

Quimby's Bookstore, offsite event with Ivan Brunetti, Anders Nilsen, and Lilli Carré