I thought this would be a good idea for a post, just posting some of the many book review videos that have been done for Chip Kidd’s Graphic Novel, BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN (DC Comics). The interesting thing about “video reviews” is that, since the format is so visual, the reviewers can also focus quite well on the amazing artwork of Dave Taylor. Besides the compelling storyline, the book’s other main interest is that the art is also a very enjoyable part of the book. So, this is really cool. Thanks to everybody who took the time to create these videos.

As a side note:

One of the videos (the 4th one) is an “Audio Only” Interview with Chip Kidd that was done BEFORE the book came out. So, in contrast to the other ones, which were obviously done by readers of the actual book, it’s kind of interesting. Hey, here they are… please enjoy.

Last year, around February, Chip Kidd was in Texas to speak at a special lecture given at the Dallas Museum of Art. So, to promote the event he got the chance to talk with the crazy guys over at FANBOY RADIO. ( We mean “crazy” in a good way, they’re awesome!)

The cool thing is that you can tell that the people doing the interview either, did some amazing research, or they’re just honestly huge fans because their questions were really really clever. I mean, they discuss Graphic Design, Book Covers, Comic Books, Batman, and a few of Chip Kidd’s Books like – The Cheese Monkeys, The Learners, Batman: Death By Design, and much more.

OK, I know this podcast interview is “a year old”, but it’s actually still very timely today and it shares some really good insight into design and other issues. So, please enjoy… oh yeah, and please share it with everybody you know

THANK YOU FANBOY RADIO!

CLICK HERE TO HEAR IT LIVE:

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Cartoonist and MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Fellowship winner Ben Katchor was recently interviewed by Gil Roth in a episode of “The Virtual Memories Show” Podcast. The main focus was Ben Katchor’s brand-new graphic novel recently published by Pantheon Books in 2013 titled, HAND-DRYING IN AMERICA AND OTHER STORIES, which collects his monthly comic page from Metropolis magazine. During this special episode, Ben even “performs” several of his comics. Plus, he gives us all some really great insight into his creative process. Also, as a side-note, we should mention that this book cover was designed by Chip Kidd.

We have embedded the podcast down below, but for even MORE information we suggest a visit to VIRTUAL MEMORIES.

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Ben Katchor
Hand Drying in America and Other Stories
Pantheon Books / Random House
ISBN 978-0-307-90690-8
160 Pages

Next week, May 8th to be exact, DC Comics has plans to release Chip Kidd and Dave Taylor’s BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN in the Trade Paperback Format. Now, we have always preferred the hardback editions but this is very good news for people wanting the book at a slightly lower price.

Also, right now it’s available for a limited time, and at a special discounted price, if you CLICK HERE!

This post is not only for sharing the news about a reallt great book coming out, titled “THE DANIEL CLOWES READER: A Critical Edition of GHOST WORLD And Other Stories, With Essays, Interviews, and Annotations” (Fantagraphics). Whew! Now that’s a title, ha! but this book is already getting great buzz and the other reason for the post is that the Publisher was very generous in supplying a very large preview of the book, which you can read down below. Also, you can pre-order the book RIGHT HERE and save some money too.

The book was edited by Ken Parille. It has 360-pages, full-color, and measures about 7.25″ x 10.25″ (softcover) and will retail for around $24.99. (ISBN # 978-1-60699-589-1). Look for it to hit bookstores around July, 2013.

This landmark collection features ten of Daniel Clowes’s most influential graphic narratives, along with interviews about his career and creative process, and twelve thought-provoking essays by contemporary scholars and critics. Oh yeah, here’s the preview:

Just the other day, on April 9th, 2013, the Book Jacket Designer and Author Chip Kidd was interviewed on the WLRN – TOPICAL CURRENTS Radio Show in Miami by Literary Contributor Ariel Gonzalez. The main focus of this special podcast was the origin and creation of Chip Kidd and Dave Taylor’s Graphic Novel, BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN (DC Comics). Mr. Gonzalez had some very excellent questions and everything went really well, whew!

So, for your listening pleasure, we have posted it down below. Please keep in mind that there is a short interview with another guest before Kidd. This was Paul Shapiro of the Humane Society of the United States. We suggest listening to the entire podcast because Mr. Shapiro’s discussion is very informative. But, if you would like to skip ahead to just Chip Kidd’s interview then please go to about the 23:20 mark.

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Ladies and Gentlemen – We present, for your viewing pleasure, the four BEFORE WATCHMEN: DELUXE EDITION Book Covers Designed for DC Comics by Chip Kidd. Look for these Graphic Novels to hit the shelves this Summer 2013. One important note is that all four books are available for pre-order so don’t miss out, just CLICK HERE!

Pantheon Books, the company that publishes the greatest Graphic Novels in the world, will be at the 2013 MoCCA ARTS FESTIVAL on April 6th and 7th at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, NY. For more info: CLICK HERE!

Ben Katchor will be there signing his new book “Hand-Drying in America” (Chip Kidd designed this cover!) on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., and David Mazzucchelli will be there at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday to sign copies of his incredible book, “Asterios Polyp”. Hope to see you there!! As a side note: Chip Kidd will not be at this event.

JOIN THE FIGHT! Here’s some strange news to be reporting on in 2013. Marjane Satrapi’s Graphic Novel, THE COMPLETE PERSEPOLIS (Pantheon), is being censored removed from Chicago Public Schools… for NO known reason. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has been all over this issue (excuse the pun), but the war rages on! To join the fight, and for more details, please be sure to visit the CBLDF Website.

Also, Knopf Doubleday, the parent company of Random House, which published Persepolis, has issued the following statement:

"The Chicago Public School district has issued an ambiguous statement regarding the present and future availability of Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis to students," the statement read. "Persepolis is a coming of age memoir about a girl in her early teens. The book has been read and taught in school districts across the country, without caveat or condition. In addition, Marjane has met with students across the country, including students in Chicago. The fact that Chicago is trying to limit this book's use in classrooms and curriculums, suggesting teachers need guidance before they can discuss it, smacks of censorship."

Here’s some Book Retail News that is sure to please Fans of both Chip Kidd and Batman, the Caped Crusader! Over at the ultra-awesome TFAW website they are selling Chip Kidd’s “BAT-MANGA: The Secret History of Batman in Japan” as a special Autographed Signed-Edition! This book is limited to 500 copies and for a short time it’s price is marked 17% OFF! So, Please be sure to get yours today, just CLICK HERE!