When the press release, related to this, landed in one of the inboxes, I had another brilliant idea. Apparently one appearance in Seattle is the extent of Sacco's tour in support of the new Palestine edition. I know! WTF??? If you've heard tale of what his talks are like, or have read some of the better interviews with him out there in the mainstream media, this is devastating news.
Clearly a letter writing campaign is in order. I have taken the liberty of whipping up a template, and offer it freely here in service to the tribe.
Dear Joe Sacco You Bastard,
How could you do this to me?
It's bad enough I had to buy 1,001 versions of Love & Rockets because the publishers can't seem to make up their minds about what version they want to go with, but now after YEARS of buying the individual issues, the paperback collections and the hardcopies of your work - which, in case you've forgotten, was not at all easy to find during your early days, THIS is how you reciprocate my faith and support?
The ubercool-looking expanded edition of Palestine is coming out, and what are you doing to support it? You're leaving your home somewhere in the general vicinity of Portland and probably taking a short bus ride to that store in Seattle run by your publishers (hmmm...coincidence??? I think NOT), where you will give a talk and show off the original art. From what I understand, that's it.
I am shocked and appalled. I no idea you were so selfish. Why no love for the rest of the country? Oh sure, you'll wander around war zones and everything, you'll get cozy with unsavory types, you'll sit in a conference room run your mouth with a bunch of academics, but you can't find a little bit of time for just plain folk?
Why can't your talk and your art come to - choosing a city COMPLETELY at random mind you - Los Angeles? It's only 2.5 states away from Washington. Here, in this the greatest city in the world, we have Meltdown (which has a gallery), and Secret Headquarters (which has gorgeous wood floors and beautiful custom shelving). UCLA, USC and the Central Library routinely hold very nice events where people such as yourself can show up and talk at normal people who have jobs and so can't just pick up and go to Seattle for a combined total of three hours of live Sacco-ness.
Another advantage to Los Angeles is it's not filled with rain and hippies and people wandering around the forest with guns looking to take out hapless office equipment. Visiting might make for a nice, relaxing change of pace for you.
But I'm told doing events just isn't your thing. You'd rather stay in a damp, cold, unnaturally green temperate rain forest than bring your talk and art to the civilized lands. Well. I guess I finally see where we stand with each other, now.
I hope you're happy with yourself.
Love,
Your Fan
p.s.: I've enclosed every single copy of everything you've ever done with this package. Please autograph all of them on the title page, include a personal sketch on the front inside cover (please vary these), and do take care to date each entry under your signature. No need to personalize. These are ... um ... holiday gifts to new friends I will soon make on eBay. I didn't have enough for return postage, but I figure you or your publishers wouldn't mind taking care of that. It's the very least you can do. Thanks.
It might need to be edited a little, but you get the gist.
I'm thinking maybe if enough people generate their own Angry Letters Of WTF Kind Of Tour Is Showing Up At One Store In Seattle Protest, and we send them to him, and also to his publishers, he'll cave! He'll go on a 30 city tour! Or at least he'll come to Los Angeles. Isn't that a great idea? I thought so.
I have to say his failure to come to Los Angeles is seriously impacting his GHC nominee status.
Anywho, cut/paste of the press release that made me cry below.
Genius Alert!
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to welcome to Seattle the cartoon genius that is Joe Sacco. This Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, Fantagraphics celebrates the publication of Palestine: The Special Edition with two extraordinary events.
On Friday, October 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM we host an exhibition of Joe's stunning original artwork from Palestine. This also marks the world premiere of the deluxe hardcover edition of Palestine. It includes supplementary material including photographs, journal entries, sketches and more from his visit to the war torn region 15 years ago - an exquisite, modestly priced volume that is an essential addition to any comics-lovers library. Sacco will be present to sign advance copies.
This Saturday, October at 2:00 PM, Joe will discuss his groundbreaking approach to "comics journalism" in conflicts from the Middle East to the Balkans, as well as his pop culture and autobiographical works. If you haven't seen Joe speak, you're in for a treat. This artist is passionate, articulate and entertaining.
Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale Street at the corner of Airport Way S. in Georgetown, just 10 minutes south of downtown Seattle. We're open every day 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00. Phone: 206,658.0110. Come down and check out our new releases and complete selection of Fantagraphics favorites, including hard-to-find backlist books. See you soon.
Artist Reception
Friday, October 26, 2007
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Discussion with Joe Sacco
Saturday, October 27, 2007
2:00 - 3:00 PM