WonderCon word

At WonderCon this weekend, Special Projects Editor Scott Dunbier is announcing two collections that he is putting together for later this year. Images of both are shown here, although much more to come, additional artwork and specific details, will follow. The first of which is something I've wanted to see for years (or decades), a deluxe presentation of Dave Stevens' masterful ROCKETEER stories. Colorist Laura Martin is re-coloring the entire series, including this image here, which will be presented in both a TPB and an oversize hardcover. The HC will be slipcased alongside a 120-page hardcover of Stevens' art, including an array of never-before-seen sketches, pin-ups and other brilliant ROCKETEER miscellani.


And another addition to our growing Library of American Comics series is a hardcover collection of all of Bil Keane's FAMILY CIRCUS strip, a strip that's been running for a half-century. Who's going to pass on getting these? "Not Me"...



Update: The FAMILY CIRCUS Press Release:

THE FAMILY CIRCUS BY BIL KEANE TO BE COLLECTED
IN DELUXE FORMAT BY IDW

Book One To Be Released In Time To Celebrate Strip’s 50th Anniversary

(San Diego, CA; February 28, 2009) IDW Publishing is pleased to announce The Family Circus Library by Bil Keane. The Family Circus, which was originally published in only 19 newspapers, is now seen in over 1500 newspapers worldwide, making it one of the most enduring and popular comic strips ever.

Drawing inspiration from his own family’s antics, Bil Keane brought the charming adventures of Billy, Dolly, Jeffy & PJ to life where they have been beloved by millions of readers ever since

“Having truly enjoyed drawing my Family Circus cartoons,” Bil Keane said, “it is icing on the cake to see them now preserved in these very special volumes that will go on and on and on! Realizing that future generations may read the Keane family drawings that I penned so long ago is a happy bonus for this old cartoonist. I am eternally grateful.”

The initial book will collect the first two years of daily and Sunday strips, starting from the very beginning, February 29th, 1960. Volume One will be released in November, in celebration of the 50 year anniversary of The Family Circus.

“The Family Circus has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid,” said Scott Dunbier, the project’s editor, “and is even more so now that I have kids that age!” Each hard cover book will be designed by Eisner Award winner Dean Mullaney, and will be part of the critically acclaimed Library of American Comics.