Friday 28 September 2012

The Fantagraphics Offer: Update #9

In the final issue of his self-published Glamourpuss, Dave Sim included an essay reflecting on the end of the series, and the possible end of his professional involvement with comics. The reaction online was widespread, and soon turned to a discussion of the future of Sim's earlier work, Cerebus. On a comments thread at TCJ.com, Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson expressed his potential interest in republishing some of Sim's Cerebus material. Sim, arguably the most iconic self-publisher in comics history, responded to that 'open offer' in a lengthy article at TCJ.com, and indicated his willingness to negotiate with Kim on a possible publishing deal for Cerebus, albeit in the public forum of the comments section at the TCJ.com website. Got all that? Now read on for highlights from the latest postings...

DAVE SIM:
Neil [Gaiman] can write AMERICAN GODS and you realize that he’s mining the same vein as Alan [Moore], but that he doesn’t believe it. It’s just a good idea for a good story. The New York Times GETS that and APPROVES of it.

Alan, on the other hand, BELIEVES it.

Alan believes in necromancy and believes he’s a necromancer. The Dialogue: FROM HELL that I did with Alan was two people discussing these things who believe that they are actual things, not just story ideas. It’s a very popular discussion that I’ve given permission to reprint several times (not really thinking permission is necessary - if you see something interesting in it, feel free to pass it on). But from the New York Times’ perspective and - I suspect - from Fantagraphics’ perspective, it would be a matter of, “Oh, now REALLY!” Not altogether different from asking the Times or Fantagraphics to take seriously an in-depth discussion about who is stronger, Thor or the Hulk? Read the full post here...

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