TOP SHELF SUMMER OF CRAIG THOMPSON & JAMES KOLCHALKA LOVE

[MattBrady]

Press Release

Exciting news for Craig Thompson and James Kochalka fans. Both will be appearing at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, debuting FOUR all-new books (timed to hit retail stores on the exact same day in July). All four titles are featured in the current Previews Catalog, so be sure to get your local retailer to pre-order them for you today! Here's what's coming:

CARNET DE VOYAGE by Craig Thompson
Craig Thompson -- the award-winning creator of Blankets and Good-bye, Chunky Rice -- spent three months traveling through Barcelona, the Alps, and France, as well as Morocco, where he was researching his next graphic novel, Habibi. Spontaneous sketches and a travelogue diary document his adventures and quiet moments, creating a raw and intimate portrait of countries, culture and the wandering artist. -- $14.95 (US), 192 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-60-0
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog...e=12&title=404

AMERICAN ELF: THE COLLECTED SKETCHBOOK DIARIES OF JAMES KOCHALKA
(OCTOBER 26, 1998 TO DECEMBER 31, 2003)
by James Kochalka

With an introduction by Moby Kochalka's diaries have utterly redefined the daily comic strip. His attempt to document the minutia of his life results in work that explores the full spectrum of human emotions. Drawn with verve and confidence by a cartoonist at the height of his powers, it is ambitious, hilarious, moving, and quite addictive! This astounding book follows the ups and downs of Kochalka's life through FIVE (!) full years of the strip, plus also includes 32 full color pages of supplementary comics and other artwork. Quite simply, this is Kochalka's masterpiece.-- $29.95 (US), 520 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-49-X
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog...e=12&title=393

CONVERSATIONS #1 by JAMES KOCHALKA & CRAIG THOMPSON

Two of our best cartoonists go head to head in this freewheeling
collaboration/argument, discussing art and religion, confronting each other and playfully confronting God in one of the best comics "jams" ever set to paper. Kochalka and Thompson draw together, trading the pages back and forth, adding to each other's drawings as the conversation turns in unexpected directions. A wild energy forms as their two drawing styles merge together. It's like a comics version of My Dinner with Andre, but with a giant killer octopus. -- $4.95, 40 pages, Comic Book http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog...e=12&title=405

THE BLANKETS SOUNDTRACK
by Tracker (& Craig Thompson)

This summer, Top Shelf will co-release with FILMguerrero something we've never produced before, an official soundtrack to one of our graphic novels! Produced by John Askew and featuring the instrumental recordings of the Portland, Oregon group, TRACKER, this CD will feature 9 instrumental tracks inspired by the chapters in the illustrated novel Blankets, by Craig Thompson. The package will also feature a booklet chock full of all-new Blankets illustrations, as well as a Blankets-themed CD cover, amazingly crafted by Craig Thompson.
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog...e=12&title=410

[Supreme Convoy]

I've always wanted a soundtrack to accompany a comic and I was glad that Shangri-La gave a list of songs in the back of the book. But an official soundtrack to Blankets sounds awesome! I can't wait to get that.

[Aquaboy]

what can i say except i have to run to my comic shop and order these gems. forget the marvel/dc hype summer machines, these projects will be the highlight of my comic book summer.

[Velvet Glove]

I love JK's diaries, but what I'm wondering is, I've already bought Volumes 1 through 4. Do I have to buy the big book to get Volume 5 or is that going to be published separately too for us Kochalkafans who've supported the project the whole way along? I'd hate to have to buy the big book just for part of it ('cause I'm cheap!)

[Philip A Moore]

I refuse to get excited for anything by Top shelf until they produce Alan Moore's The Lost Girls.Does anyone have know why it keeps being posponed it was suposed to be released last year now it's be delayed till next year this the four times it been postponed
GOOD DAY

[IanZL]

You just answered my question velvet.
I couldn't figure out if 1998 was the first year or not... That means that I have the first two years. (vol. 1 and vol.2).

However this looks like a better way to collect the next three. I say sign me up.

[blake400]

They're releasing a Volume 5 later this year

[Christian Otte]

I'm probably gonna get the soundtrack for Blankets.