Preview of The Death-Ray HC by Daniel Clowes

heylookitsthedeathraycover_thumb

Drawn & Quarterly is publishing Daniel Clowes’ The Death-Ray in October 2011. Originally published in Clowes’ anthology series, Eightball #23 by Fantagraphics Books in 2004, the Death-Ray story is getting a hardcover treatment.

Teen outcast Andy is an orphaned nobody with only one friend, the obnoxious but loyal Louie. They roam school halls and city streets, invisible to everyone but bullies and tormentors, until the glorious day when Andy takes his first puff on a cigarette. That night he wakes, heart pounding, soaked in sweat, and finds himself suddenly overcome with the peculiar notion that he can do anything. Indeed, he can and as he learns the extent of his new powers, he discovers a terrible and seductive gadget – a hideous compliment to his seething rage – that forever changes everything.”

“The DEATH-RAY utilizes the classic staples of the superhero genre – origin, costume, ray-gun. sidekick, fight scene – reconfiguring them in a story that is anything but morally simplistic. With subtle comedy, deft mastery and an obvious affection for the bold Pop Art exuberance of comic book design, Daniel Clowes delivers a contemporary meditation on the the darkness of the human psyche.

Read more

Daniel Clowes Receives PEN Literary Award

clowes-trimThis week, Daniel Clowes received the PEN Center USA’s Literary Award in the Graphic Literature category for Outstanding Body of Work in Graphic Lit.

Daniel Clowes is best known for his work on the Eightball #13comic series Eightball and Lloyd LLewellyn, and his graphic novels Ghost World, Wilson, David Boring, and Mr. Wonderful. Clowes has also written two screenplays adapted from his Eightball stories, Ghost World and Art School Confidential, both of which were directed by Terry Zwigoff.

Ghost World CoverAlong with winning numerous Harvey Awards, including Best Writer in 1997 and 2005, Best Cartoonist in 2002, and Best Single Issue or The Death RayStory in 1990, 1991, 1998, and 2005. Clowes also saw Ghost World nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2002 Academy Awards.

Read more

situs toto