Part personal history, part biography, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes contrasts two coming- of-age narratives: that of Lucia, the daughter of James Joyce, and that of author Mary Talbot, daughter of the eminent Joycean scholar James S. Atherton. Social expectations and gender politics, thwarted ambitions and personal tragedy are played out against two contrasting historical backgrounds, poignantly evoked by the atmospheric visual storytelling of award-winning graphic-novel pioneer Bryan Talbot. Produced through an intense collaboration seldom seen between writers and artists, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes is smart, funny, and sad-an essential addition to the evolving genre of graphic memoir.

The Fracture of the Universal Boy by Michael Zulli

Longtime friend of Panel to Panel, artist Michael Zulli, has recently released an amazing new graphic novel entitled, The Fracture of the Universal Boy.  Written and drawn by Michael Zulli, and published by Eidolon Fine Arts, The Fracture of the Universal Boy has been described by Neil Gaiman as, “…really beautiful, moving, strange and harrowing.”  Weighing in at 200 plus, 9″x12″ black and white pages, this gorgeous hardcover was solicited to the comics industry back in July 2011 with this description: “After twenty odd years making art and comics, Zulli believes that there are universal truths to be found amid the struggle and calling to make art, and indeed, to life itself. Often brutal, sometimes a bit funny, and always surreal as it examines life from a different perspective, The Fracture of the Universal Boy is Zulli’s personal reflection on love, life and art; and both the damage done and the possibility of transcending even the most dire and difficult of times. Part one of a three graphic novel set called The Dream Suite, Zulli’s The Fracture of the Universal Boy is the beginning of a journey we all take in one way or another. “

© Michael Zulli

So why this special announcement here on Panel to Panel?  Well it seems that many people are having a hard time getting their hands on this amazing book, and we’d like to help change that.  You see we feel Michael’s beautiful vision deserves the largest audience possible, so for the forseeable future, copies of his book can be ordered right here from this blog posting.  Just click on the convenient Buy Now button below, and for the affordable price of $27.99 US (plus shipping) this book can be yours.

And, while supplies last, each copy will include this special exclusive signed bookplate, from a Panel to Panel promotion back in 2007.  These Michael Zulli images were originally created to promote his collaboration with Neil Gaiman, The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch.  But now they can be yours with the purchase of The Fracture of the Universal Boy.

So the other day I get an email from Bryan Talbot asking me if Panel to Panel is still in the business of producing bookplates?  You see a couple of years ago, Panel to Panel had teamed up with Bryan to produce signed, limited bookplates for Alice in Sunderland and Grandville.  Since that time, Panel to Panel had moved away from retailing (and producing bookplates), and moved towards publishing (as is documented in this very blog).  But as I told Bryan in my replay email, “There’s an old saying here, that I’m not sure if you’re familiar with?  It goes like this…  ‘When and if Bryan Talbot contacts you about doing a bookplate, always say YES!’ ”

To which he replied, “Yes, I’ve heard it, I think it dates back to the Civil War.”

You see, in my opinion and the opinion of most other people, Bryan Talbot is quite possibly one of THE most talented and important figures in modern comics history.  From his classic epic The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, to The Tale of One Bad Rat, to his work on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and Tom Veitch’s The Nazz, to his very own Alice In Sunderland and Grandville, Bryan Talbot has produced an amazing body of work.

It was at this moment that I realized that whether Panel to Panel had stopped producing bookplates on a regular basis or not, the chance to team up with Bryan Talbot again had inspired me to go back to P2P’s roots, and say yes to his offer.

So to make this official, I’m proud to announce that for the February 2012 release of Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes by Mary M. Talbot & Bryan Talbot (from Dark Horse Comics), Panel to Panel will be offering the US Exclusive signed bookplate edition, limited to 50 copies.

A link to purchase the book and bookplate will be made available soon, as well as a link to purchase Bryan’s previous P2P bookplate editions.  You can preview the upcoming book HERE, and view Bryan’s website HERE.

So now that Panel to Panel is back in the bookplate business, what about the Panel to Panel book?  Where the hell is that damned book!?!?  Right?  Well it’s been one fiasco after another, and it’s been a real crazy learning experience for me, but I can say with complete and utter confidence that the book in question will finally begin shipping next week!  The first batch of printed copies are expected to be delivered on Monday 12/12/2011, and orders will begin being filled shortly after.  I apologize for the delay, and I thank you all for your patience.