Comics Journal Special Edition (2001) comic books 2002

Edited by Gary Groth. William Stout is one of the most accomplished, critically acclaimed and commercially successful illustrators, painters and cartoonists in America today. He has, for over 30 years, brought consummate draftsmanship, impeccable craft, painterly nuance and a mature vision that is, by turns, riotously Rabelaisian and awe-inspiringly naturalistic to virtually every form of visual popular culture -- from comics to film to gallery exhibitions. The Comics Journal Winter 2003 Special spotlights Stout's work with a beautiful cover, painted especially for this volume, and an interview with the artist in which he proves to be not only a great artist but an engaging raconteur and high-flying theorist as well. The interview covers his long career, which includes, among other highlights, his solo comics as well as his collaborations with Jack Kirby, Moebius, Al Williamson, Russ Manning and Harvey Kurtzman; his various film work for Jim Henson, Walt Disney and others; his album covers for Firesign Theatre, The Rolling Stones, and more. Essays included in the special are: Paul Gravett on "Whatever Happened to the Escape Artists," with new strips by the most prominent artists who appeared in that groundbreaking '80s British comics anthology (Escape), including Eddie Campbell and Carol Swain; Donald Phelps on Lynda Barry; Tom Spurgeon on Tom Hart; and Bill Blackbeard on Milt Gross. "Cartoonists on Patriotism" informs the comics section this time around with the comics of Joe Sacco, Bill Stout, Kim Deitch, R. Crumb, Bill Griffith, Jack Jackson, Sam Henderson, Tom Toles and many others! Softcover, 12-in. x 12-in., 180 pages, PC/PB&W. Mature Readers. Cover price $22.95.