P1

Task 1: Fantagraphics Case Study

Comic Process

The beginning process of creating a comic strip is to draw a draft copy of the background and characters. After the mock-up, which needs to be detailed, you draw over the comic strip with a pen. After you have drawn over the mock-up draft, you rub out the pencil under the pen so then the drawing is more clear and has no pencil. Then you pick between a colour or more and draw over it in felt tip to add more effect, making it more interesting and effective. There are additional things you can add to make the comic strip look more professional or understanding, for example text in a speech bubble.

- When was Fantagraphics founded and by who?

Fantagraphics was founded in 1976, by Kim Thompson and Gary Groth (Publisher)

- In what city are Fantagraphics based and what is different about their headquarters?

Fantagraphics was created in Seattle, Washington. The headquarters is different, due to it being open by letting as much art go up in the headquarters as possible, and they prefer a much more casual and informal, as Gary doesn't like offices that are formal.

- What is their mission statement?

Their mission statement is 'Publisher of the worlds greatest cartoonist'. When they started to publish comics their main criteria was to publish the best cartoonists they could get, which is why they published comics like; Peanuts and Crumb.

Fantagraphics Interview with Gary Groth

- What is Fantagraphics view of the potential of comics as a medium?

To try and elevate the form, and they wanted cartoonists to liberate themselves from commercial restraints. Trying to not rely on adverts  to get recognition.

- What is special about the way Fantagraphics treat the creators of the work they publish?

Fantagraphics treat the creators

- What was the big change in underground comics that happened when Fantagraphics’ started publishing Love & Rockets?

They started releasing comics which has taboo topics in like drugs, drinking and sex which meant artists could represent stories in a different way through comics.

Titles:

What different kinds of products do Fantagraphics publish? i.e. graphic novels? comic strips? deluxe editions? 

They used to publish a magazine called Nostalgia Journal back in the 70s which contained reviews on different types of comics. They then released their first comic in 1981 called "Los Tejanos". They also started publishing reprints of classic comics such as Prince Valiant and Popeye, but they are well known for comic strips and graphic novels.

List the titles of as many different comics that Fantagraphics publish, do they have anything in common? 

"Los Tejanos, Love and Rockets, Raw, Visceral Weirdo, Neat stuff, Lloyd Llewellyn, Ghost World, House, Fletcher Hanks, Bottomless Belly Button, Johnny Ryan , Unlovable. All of these titles are mostly no more than 2 words which is a good as they are short and catchy so they are more likely to stick in peoples mind.

List as many creators as you can from the article and can you identify their role in terms of writing, drawing or both?

Jack Jackson Is a Cartoonist as well as a writer , Françoise Mouly is also a publisher, Art Spiegelman is a cartoonist, Peter Bagge is also a cartoonist.  Daniel Clowes is a cartoonist. Howard chaykin is a cartoonist and writer. Charles Schulz is a cartoonist and is best known for the peanuts comic.