Fantagraphics previously Fantagraphics Books is an American publisher of alternative comics , classic comic strip anthologies, manga , magazines, graphic novels , and formerly the erotic Eros Comix imprint. They have managed several awards for achievement in comic books. As comics journalist and former Fantagraphics employee Michael Dean writes, "the publisher has alternated between flourishing and nearly perishing over the years. The company moved from Washington, D.
Beginning in Fantagraphics under its Redbeard Inc. The company moved operations to Greater Los Angeles in Catron acted as Fantagraphics' co-publisher until also handling advertising and circulation for The Comics Journal from to , when he left the company.
From to , Fantagraphics coordinated and presented through their magazine Amazing Heroes The Jack Kirby Award for achievement in comic books, voted on by comic-book professionals. In , a dispute arose when Olbrich and Fantagraphics each claimed ownership of the awards. In , the publisher introduced Eros Comix, a lucrative line of erotic comics that provided a replacement revenue stream for Amazing Heroes and which helped the company again avoid bankruptcy. Longtime employee Eric Reynolds joined Fantagraphics in , first as news editor for The Comics Journal from , before moving to marketing and promotion in In , Fantagraphics ceased publishing the print edition of The Comics Journal , [ 20 ] shifting from an eight-times a year publishing schedule to a larger, more elaborate, semi-annual format supported by a new website.
Starting in , Fantagraphics began a European graphic novel line , [ 23 ] starting with the co-publication of the Ignatz Series , edited and produced by the Italian artist Igort. The publisher announced a deal with Jacques Tardi in March that would see co-publisher Thompson translate a large number of his books.
In Jacq Cohen started as the publicist for Fantagraphics. Co-publisher Kim Thompson left Fantagraphics due to illness in March , [ 26 ] and died of lung cancer a few months later.
