Various (Pekar, Harvey (Guest Editor); Moore, Anne Elizabeth (Series Editor); Bechdel, Alison; Crumb, Robert et al.)

The Best American Comics: 2006 (First in the Acclaimed Houghton Mifflin Series)

New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. First Edition. Hardcover. With Illustrated Card Signed by Harvey Pekar. “While I’m usually not into “best of” collections and awards because of the wide variation in aesthetic taste, I am happy to be working on this Best American Comics collection because it lends legitimacy to the cause of Comics, my medium, and their creators. The first “Best American Short Stories” was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1915…but this is the first Houghton Mifflin volume devoted solely to [the] best American comics, and it couldn’t happen at a better time. In case you haven’t noticed, dime stores and drugstores don’t sell comics anymore. Their very existence is being threatened. Kids, traditionally the main supporters of comics, are spending their money on video games now. Comics get less and less space in the newspaper funny pages, and the number of comic book shops is shrinking….If stories can be done in comics, they can be done brilliantly. That’s what doubters-about-comics have to keep in mind. Right now comics are understaffed. Too many excellent writers and illustrators don’t even consider the medium when looking for an outlet for their work. The comics-is-for-kids attitude remains difficult to overcome. This collection should have some influence in combating it, though. Give it a shot, you may be pleasantly surprised.” (Legendary Underground Comix pioneer Harvey Pekar, from Introduction). The Best American Comics is a diverse, exciting annual selection for fans and newcomers alike. The 2006 inaugural volume includes stories culled from graphic novels, pamphlet comics, newspapers, magazines, mini-comics, and the Web. Contributors include Robert Crumb, Chris Ware, Kim Deitch, Jaime Hernandez, Alison Bechdel, Joe Sacco, and Lynda Barry -- and unique discoveries such as Justin Hall, Esther Pearl Watson, and Lilli Carre. Hardcover, mostly black-and-white, some color. Also included is a 3x5” illustrated card with art from R. Crumb & hand-signed by the guest editor of this volume, the legendary Harvey Pekar of “American Splendor” fame. Issued without dust-jacket. Very collectible as a First Edition of the first installment of this popular series. Book in very fine condition with only slight wear and some specks of rubbed-off gilt to front & back pictorial boards, otherwise very fine condition. An extra handling charge will be added for shipping due to the weight of this item. Very Fine. [Item #4277]

Price: $60.00