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Megg and Mogg in Amsterdam by Simon Hanselmann (nominated for outstanding story and outstanding series) @girlmountain @fantagraphics

Simon Hanselmann’s Megg and Mogg is a low-key stoner comedy, frequently hilarious, often tragic and always poignantly insightful about the inertia and malaise of its self-destructive principals.  When Megg and Mogg travel to Amsterdam (followed by the uptight and unwelcome Owl), their relationship starts to deteriorate in this New York Times bestselling collection of brilliant stories (originally serialized on Vice).

For fans of Boy’s Club, Ernie Pook’s Comeek, Blobby Boys, Octopus Pie, Girls, Broad City, Trailer Park Boys

Check out our interview with Simon Hanselmann

Check out Ignatz nominees on comiXology

Check out graphic novels on comiXology

The brilliant, hilarious and heartbreaking  Megg and Mogg in Amsterdam by Simon Hanselmann @girlmountain, from @fantagraphics

Check out our interview with Simon!

Tomorrow’s comiXology signings/card giveaways at SDCC:

Saturday, 7/23/16

11:30-12:30pm – Stan Sakai signing Comic Book All Stars SDCC Exclusive Trading Card giveaway at comiXology booth #2547

1:30-2:30pm – Simon Hanselmann signing Comic Book All Stars SDCC Exclusive Trading Card giveaway at comiXology booth #2547

2:30-3:30pm – Tula Lotay signing Comic Book All Stars SDCC Exclusive Trading Card giveaway at comiXology booth #2547

A comiXologist Recommends

Megg and Mogg in Amsterdam @fantagraphics

by Simon Hanselmann @girlmountain

I still remember the first time someone showed me Simon Hanselmann’s work—his characters were already so distinct and hilarious, it was as if I was tuning into a sitcom that had been running for years, even though he had apparently just started posting his work online. He’s one of the most prolific indie cartoonists out there, but his work remains consistently weird and funny. Megg and Mogg in Amsterdam is a follow-up to Hanselmann’s first big collection, Megahex, and follows the same group of slacker roommates—Megg (a witch), Mogg (a cat) and Owl—as they hang out, party, and prank each other.

The book’s titular story is one of Hanselmann’s strongest pieces so far. Megg and Mogg attempt a “couple’s vacation” to Amsterdam, with their roommate, Owl, eventually joining them. Here, Hanselmann really shows off his storytelling skills and comedic timing while their dream vacation becomes a trippy nightmare. Hanselmann’s artwork is also incredibly appealing, with clear, cartoony lines and flat watercolors. It almost looks like a children’s comic, though the subject matter is definitely not for kids.

One of my favorite recurring storylines in this book involves the character Werewolf Jones—the biggest screwup in the series—and his attempt to start a business making felt hats, forcing his two young sons to help. In his mind, these hats are his key to money and success, and he’ll do anything to make them the next big thing—even if it involves making his kids to pose as garbage at an airport (don’t ask). Though Werewolf Jones is a terrible parent and an overall failure, I can’t help wondering what will happen to him next, alongside the rest of Hanselmann’s crew of weirdos.

Stephanie Mannheim is a Digital Editor at comiXology. She lives in Ridgewood, Queens and has no idea how to make felt hats.

THESE NIGHTS WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED

Megahex by Simon Hanselmann @girlmountain and other @fantagraphics funnybooks are on sale now!

Hey again! 

I made it! After a blizzard, an hour and 45 minute delay, a set of crying twins in front of me, and a… well I must say lovely 3 hour train ride. I arrived in Angoulême. 

On Angoulême

Angoulême is small town in the southwest of France, just about 300 miles from Paris. Since the 1300s the town has been connected to the paper-making and print industry, which naturally lead to it becoming The Cité internationale de la Bande Dessinée et de l’Image. 

On Bandes Dessinées

So… comics in France (and Belgium and other French speaking countries) are a bit different. Here they are referred to as Bandes Dessinées (or BD) which literally translates to Drawn Bands, and are thought of as the “ninth art.” The subject matter is just as varied as you will find in American comics, but tend to focus more on slice-of-life style narratives and far less on the capes-and-tights which are so prevalent in the US. What separates BD from American-style comics is the readership, while the comics community in the US has been swiftly growing and changing recently, BD have, for a long time, been one of the most popular forms of entertainment among Franco-Belgian companies. A while ago comiXology entered the world of BD with the launch of comixology.fr. 

On Angoulême International Comics Festival

What first struck me upon arrival in Angoulême was, well really the rain… and lots of it. All day. At every other comic convention I’ve ever been to I don’t even think I could ever even tell if it was raining unless a bunch of damp cosplayers walked up to our booth, but here at Angoulême its a bit different. The convention is set up as an assortment of pavilions spread out throughout the town. Each pavilion has a theme, some more vague than others, such as the Monde Des Bulles (World of Bubbles) which houses some of the industry’s major publishers like Panini, Delcourt, Glenat, and Casterman, or Little Asia which features art and culture exhibits of Asian Origins. The end result of this set up is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. Comics and castles, what more can a boy ask for?

At the Nouveau Monde (New World) which is akin to Bethesda’s SPX I ran into friend of the show and brilliant creator Simon Hanselmann (girlmountain). The French version of his Megahex stuff looks amazing. 

More to come soon. Hopefully with less rain and less jetlag. 

The comiXology chalkboard has it’s very own Megg!

girlmountain, creator of Megahex, is gracing the comiXology office with his presence & free cherry coke.