I want to shift the conversation to underrated comic book indie publishers and the amazing work coming from underrated comic book small press operations. While everyone talks about Image and Dark Horse, there are so many smaller publishers putting out incredible work.
Some favorites: Fantagraphics has been publishing groundbreaking work for decades but never gets mainstream attention. Drawn & Quarterly consistently puts out some of the best literary comics. Koyama Press before it closed was putting out the most innovative art comics. And 2dcloud is doing amazing experimental work right now.
What underrated comic book publishers do you follow? I'm always looking for hidden comic book treasures from smaller operations.
Fantagraphics is such an important publisher. They've been putting out groundbreaking work for decades, from Love and Rockets to their amazing archival projects of classic comic strips. Their commitment to the art form is just incredible.
I'd add New York Review Comics to the list. They're reprinting amazing international and historical comics that would otherwise be lost to time. Their editions are beautifully produced and they're introducing readers to so many hidden comic book treasures. Definitely an underrated comic book publisher doing important work.
Also, Retrofit Comics before they closed. They were putting out beautiful minicomics and small press books by emerging cartoonists. The quality of their production and their support for new voices was really remarkable. It's a shame they're not around anymore.
Drawn & Quarterly is one of my favorites. Their catalog is just incredible, from Chris Ware to Kate Beaton to Julie Doucet. The quality of their production and their commitment to artistic vision is really unmatched.
I want to mention Secret Acres. They're a small press publisher putting out some of the most interesting and experimental comics right now. Their focus on art comics and unique voices is really refreshing. They're definitely an underrated comic book indie publisher that more people should be following.
Also, Uncivilized Books. They publish a really interesting mix of literary comics, experimental work, and translated material. Their books are always beautifully designed and they're introducing readers to some amazing cartoonists. It's one of those hidden comic book treasures in terms of publisher catalogs.
Koyama Press was such a loss to the comics world. The quality and innovation of their books was just incredible. They published so many amazing cartoonists early in their careers.
I'd add Peow Studio to the list. They're a Swedish publisher putting out some of the most visually stunning and creatively ambitious comics right now. Their books are like art objects, and the storytelling is always innovative. They're definitely an underrated comic book small press operation that deserves more attention.
Also, Bubblegum Books. They focus on queer comics and emerging voices, and the community they've built around their publications is really special. Their commitment to diversity and supporting new cartoonists is really important. It's one of those comics that deserve more attention for the ecosystem they're creating.
2dcloud is doing such interesting work. Their experimental comics and art books are really pushing the boundaries of what comics can be. The production quality is always top notch too.
I want to mention ShortBox. They're a UKbased publisher that puts out these beautiful small format comics by amazing international cartoonists. Their curation is excellent and they're introducing readers to so many talented artists. They're definitely an underrated comic book indie publisher that more people should know about.
Also, Grindhouse Comics. They focus on horror and genre comics, and the quality of their books is really impressive for a small press operation. Their commitment to the genres they love is really refreshing. It's one of those hidden comic book treasures for horror fans.
Great thread. I want to mention Youth in Decline. They publish the Frontier series, which is a quarterly anthology featuring amazing cartoonists doing longform work. The quality is consistently incredible and they're giving artists the space to really stretch creatively. They're definitely an underrated comic book publisher doing important work for the medium.
Also, Perfectly Acceptable Press. They focus on minicomics and small format books, and the community they've built around their publications is really special. Their support for emerging voices and experimental work is really important. It's one of those comics that deserve more attention for how they're nurturing the next generation of cartoonists.