The Comics Journal comic books issue 250

The Magazine of Comics News and Criticism. The Journal celebrates its 250th issue with a double-sized extravaganza featuring unforgettable interviews with a fistful of the finest cartoonists of all time, indispensable essays from more than a dozen of comics' finest critics, and the first English translation of one of the world's greatest comics short stories! The Journal presents a translated excerpt from Numa Sadoul's legendary interview with the great Herge, an interview with Raymond Briggs, an all-new "Back to the Drawing Board" interview with Dan Clowes, and a career-spanning interview with Gary Panter! The Journal also makes comics history by being the first to publish manga cartoonist Yoshiharu Tsuge's classic short story "Neji-shiki" in English. The issue's comprehensive criticism section features essays on topics like "What's Wrong with Comics Criticism," "Why Team Comics is Still a Bad Idea," "EC Comics and the Chimeras of Memory," as well as essays on the state of post-9/11 editorial cartooning, racial caricature in comics, young cartoonists of note, and the state of the medium around the world! This issue also includes TCJ's "2002: Year in Review" assessment of the comics and events that mattered most. Cover by Gary Panter. Magazine, 256 pages, PC/PB&W. Mature Readers. Cover price $12.95.