Are we an Island of normalcy in this chaos? We'd like to think so! We're still here to serve you, though we may not have our full staff here every day. We just want to let you know Bud's Art Books is open and fully operational and orders are shipping on time. If anything changes, we will notify you here.

We hope you take this opportunity of reduced social contact to catch up on your comic and art book reading, spend some quality time with your collection, and stay safe! In the meantime, new items keep arriving — it's an interesting batch this week. Hope you find something you can't live without! Be safe out there! -Bud

Our new catalog is available for download, just click the cover image to the right. Printed copies will arrive early April.

Comics & Graphic Novels | Planet Comics | Comic Book Archives
Steampunk on Sale | Wonder Woman T-Shirt | 3...2...1...Gone

Coming in June | Coming in July | Warehouse Find
Mature Readers | News & Notes | Website Index

Click here to see ALL New Arrivals, beginning with the latest and going back 30 days.

STANLEY MELTZOFF Picture Maker
Limited, 900. Highly Recommended. Stanley Meltzoff was one of the first paperback cover artists to be noted for his work in the science fiction field, painting dramatic images that escaped the pulp influence evident in most other science fiction covers of the 1950s and 60s, for publishers from Ballantine to Ace. He also did paperback and digest cover paintings in other genres, from iconic racy themes to mystery/detective. Meltzoff also produced work for slick magazines, including Scientific American, Life, Fortune, and the Saturday Evening Post. Illustrated Press, 2020...More.

Item Code: STANMH
Hard Cover, 9x12, 224pg, Full Color
$44.95

See the other available books from The Illustrated Press on our website. Quite a few are still in stock, but in relatively low numbers. All limited to just 900 copies and they go out of print without notice. They also publish Illustration Magazine.

PS BOOK OF FANTASTIC FICTIONEERS Volume 1 Signed
Forrest Ackerman to Shirley Jackson. Exclusive color bookplate signed by Von Sholly. Highly Recommended. By Pete Von Sholly. An unprecendented, profusely illustrated compendium celebrating over 100 writers and artists behind our rich legacy of fantasy, horror, and science fiction in comic books, literature, and cinema. 75 contributors give us major, original essays--contributors as distinguished as their subjects! For example, Bill Stout writes about L. Frank Baum; Will Murray on John W. Campbell; Jim Vadeboncoeur, Jr. on Frank Frazetta; Harlan Ellison on Frank Herbert; David Gerrold on Robert Heinlein; Roy Thomas on Robert E. Howard; etc. PS Publishing, 2019...More.

Item Code: PSB01H
Hard Cover, 6x9, 392pg, Partial Color
$69.00

PS BOOK OF FANTASTIC FICTIONEERS Volume 2 Signed
M.R. James to Wally Wood. Signed color illustrated bookplate by Von Sholly. Highly Recommended. By Pete Von Sholly. An unprecendented, profusely illustrated compendium celebrating over 100 writers and artists behind our rich legacy of fantasy, horror, and science fiction in comic books, literature, and cinema. 75 contributors give us major, original essays--contributors as distinguished as their subjects! For example, Bill Stout writes about Harvey Kurtzman; Bob Foster on Walt Kelly; Michael Gilbert on Basil Wolverton; William F. Nolan on H.G. Wells; Fred Hembeck on John Stanley; Julius Schwartz on Harlan Ellison; Sax Rohmer by Will Murray; etc. PS Publishing, 2019...More.

Item Code: PSB02H
Hard Cover, 6x9, 394pg, Partial Color
$69.00

These are pictured in color on the back cover of our latest catalog. We just got the signed bookplates in from Pete this week, and one goes with each of the two volumes. This is really a specialty item from this British publisher, and I don't think there are many other sources in the U.S. besides ourselves.

Comics & Graphic Novels

HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE #298 Phil Cohen cover
Outstanding new issue! Recommended. Edited by Tim Seeley. New full color stories plus two excellent Gallery features on Carlos Huante and Josan Gonzalez. This Furthest Reaches Special includes "Murky World" by Richard Corben," Bug House" by David Hine & Mark Stafford, "Body Jack" by Alex Smith, "The Incubator" by Matt Emmons, "A New Live" by Emilio Balcarce & Marcelo Perez, "Abyss of Souls" by James Maddox & Ben Templesmith, plus "Philip K. Dick's Head is Missing," "Toltemic," "Project Z," and "Dowser" also by Harris. Heavy Metal, 2020...More.

Item Code: HM298
Magazine, 8x11, 144pg, Full Color
$9.99

Issues #296 with two variant covers, by Tristan Eaton and Deih (the latter we have just four left), and #297, are also available, same price [HM296, 297].

1940's Cover

ROBIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY 1940'S Jim Lee and Scott Williams Cover
Recommended. By Marv Wolfman, Chuck Dixon et al. Art by Tom Grummett et al. DC Comics celebrates Robin the Boy Wonder's 80th anniversary in style with an all-star creative team representing each iteration of the iconic character across eight decades of history! From the high-flying adventures of Dick Grayson to the tragedy of Jason Todd, the enthusiasm of Tim Drake and the arrogance of Damian Wayne, the persistence of Stephanie Brown and the rebelliousness of Carrie Kelley -- the mantle of Robin has been worn by many, but always represents one thing: a hero. Outstanding artwork, we're quite impressed by this. DC Comics, 2020...More.

Item Code: ROBA40
Soft Cover, 7x10, 80pg, Full Color
$9.99

1980's Cover

The 1980's cover above, by Alan Moore, is also available. Same contents inside [ROBA80. $9.95].

See the website for the Robin Archives Volume 1 [RB514. $50]. Published in 2005, it collects Collects Star Spangled Comics #65-85, 1947-1948. Just one available. As new.

TAMAMO THE FOX MAIDEN and other Asian Stories
A Cautionary Fables & Fairytales Book Recommended. By Nicole Chartrand, Shannon Campbell et al. This second volume of the "Cautionary Fables and Fairy Tales" graphic novel series presents 21 more stories both thrilling and funny. Spanning the entirety of the Asian continent, with dozens of lesser-known myths and legends from Tibet, India, Indonesia, and beyond. Featuring the work of Gene Luen Yang, Nick Dragotta, Blue Delliquanti, Carla Speed Mcneil, Nina Matsumoto, and many more! Vengeful spirits, flying ogres, helpful teapots, trickster tigers...that's just the start here. Iron Circus Comics, 2019...More.

Item Code: TAMAF
Soft Cover, 6x9, 209pg, b&w
$15.00

THE GIRL WHO MARRIED A SKULL and other African Stories
A Cautionary Fables & Fairytales Book Recommended. By Jarrett Williams, Carla Speed McNeil et al. Have you heard the one about the skull who borrowed body parts to pass himself off as a human so he could trick the village beauty into marriage? No? Well, what about when the daughters of Frog and Snake had a playdate? Okay, fine. But surely you've heard the story of the crocodiles who voted on whether or not to eat a man that had saved one of their lives? NO? Wow, have we got some stories for you! 15 authentic African folktales from all over the continent. Iron Circus Comics, 2018...More.

Item Code: GIRLW
Soft Cover, 6x9, 209pg, b&w
$15.00

THE GEEK OF THE GODS
Recommended. By Ron Kasman, Devon Wong et al. An anthology of comic book stories about the comic book culture. Meet Norman Radinski, cosmic traveller and the spirit guardian of an entire art form. Join Captain Bill, comic store owner, whose store is stuck in 1971. Share in Kalabogie Jake's struggle with comic book addiction. Read the first Cerebus story since it was put to bed with issue 300. See Bif Davis pursue a comic book older than he is. And read about the comic book that changed Ron Kasman's life. From comic book author and illustrator Ron Kasman comes the follow-up to his acclaimed graphic novel The Tower of the Comic Book Freaks. Caliber, 2019...More.

Item Code: GEEKG
Soft Cover, 7x10, 101pg, b&w
$14.99

ALSO AVAILABLE
THE TOWER OF THE COMIC BOOK FREAKS
Almost Gone! Recommended. By Ron Kasman. July 4, 1971. Five awkward, naive boys from Canada drive to New York City to attend the '71 comic art convention in search of love, sex, art, and comic books. What they encounter changes their lives forever. Visit a pivotal time as comics are just becoming an art form. Meet Jack Kirby and Bill Everett, art show judges! A remarkable insight into the early years of the comic industry and fans. Caliber, 2018...More.

Item Code: TOWCB
Soft Cover, 7x10, 224pg, b&w
$18.99

Only five copies left of this.

Planet Comics

PLANET COMICS #1 Variant Meugniot
Recommended. By Sean Russell. Art by Mike Vosburg, Brian Rogers, David Hutchison. Just in time for its 80th anniversary, Planet Comics is blasting off once again, with a trinary system of stellar stories to celebrate! Sean Russell and legendary comic artist Mike Vosburg deliver the derring-do of Spurt Hammond: Planet Flyer as he strives to save a stranded princess from a pursuing beast. Mark Fenton and Brian Roger show what happens when a malfunction occurs at an orbital prison housing highly dangerous criminals, threatening the world below. And Spike Jarrell brings us the return of classic spacefaring adventurer Captain Future! Antarctic Press, 2020...More.

Item Code: PLC01V
Comic, 7x10, 32pg, Full Color
$9.99

We have MOST of the original Planet Comics collected in the PS Artbooks series. See our website. We are getting very low on the sale-priced ones; once they sell out, they go back to original price if they are still available from the publisher. So act now to get the best prices on these. Here's one of my favorites:

ALSO AVAILABLE
PLANET COMICS Volume 9 Slipcased
Closeout Price! Limited, 300! Collects #36-41, 1945-46. Highly Recommended. By Murphy Anderson, Graham Ingels, Lily Renee, Joe Doolin et al. Every volume gets better! The best sci-fi comic of the Golden Age now begins to pick up even better artists, as noted above, as we continue the 13-year run from Fiction House. They're all here--Flint Baker, Reef Ryan, The Space Rangers, Gale Allen, Star Pirate, Mysta of the Moon, Norge Benson plus many more and a bevy of the most scantily-clad females you're ever likely to see in comics. PS Artbooks, 2015. Out of Print....More.

Item Code: PLC09D
Hard Cover - No Dustjacket, 7x10, 288pg, Full Color
$69.99 $23.99

Comic Book Archives

BLACK WIDOW BY WAID & SAMNEE The Complete Collection
Collects #1-12, 2016. Highly Recommended. By Mark Waid. Art by Chris Samnee. The award-winning creative team takes Natasha Romanoff to new heights by forcing her out on the lam. The world's greatest superspy has a lifetime of secrets, and when some of the darkest ones are made public, nobody is safe. As S.H.I.E.L.D. turns on its once greatest asset, the Widow seeks out her own answers in a knock-down,drag-out tale of action and espionage! But will Natasha's hunt for the Weeping Lion send her back to the one place she never wanted to go? Afterword by both creators, variant covers. Marvel, 2020...More.

Item Code: BLAWID
Soft Cover, 7x10, 272pg, Full Color
$29.99 $26.99

Also just recently here is Black Widow Epic Collection [408 pages; BLWE. $39.99, $34.99], which goes all the way back to her origins in the 1960s Avengers and Iron Man comics. Also in stock is the Black Widow Omnibus, which covers the same ground and a lot more, with 896 pages! [BLAWH. $100, $85.]

THE COMPLETE SHAMNIBUS
Collects #1-6. Highly Recommended. By Tim Fuller. Did you ever wonder what happens when copyrights run out? In this case, it means irreverent cartoonist, Tim Fuller, can take public domain funny books from the '40s and '50s and rewrite them, with hilarious results! New stories for you, the hip, cynical reader. He uses the original art and simply changes the dialogue into hilarious riffs; includes stories by Jack Kirby, Basil Wolverton, Hank Fletcher, Joe Kubert, even Frank Frazetta's "Untamed Love" gets the treatment. Fun from cover to cover, even spoofy original ads. Source Point Press, 2020...More.

Item Code: COMSHA
Soft Cover, Full Color
$17.99

Steampunk on Sale

STEAMPUNK An Illustrated History of Fantastical Fiction, Fanciful Film and Other Victorian Visions
Closeout Price! Highly Recommended. By Brian J. Robb. Foreword by James P. Blaylock. The best we've seen covering the entire range of steampunk, and it's now on sale. Author Brian J. Robb sets the key works of steampunk squarely under the lens of his brass monocle and ventures into a world where airships still rule the skies. Spectacularly illustrated and international in scope, explores steampunk in fiction, cinema, television, comics, and video games, and traces its evolution. From the classic sci-fi of Verne, Wells, and Mary Shelley, through the dystopian futurescapes of Cyberpunk, to the otherworldly imaginings of Miyazaki, Alan Moore, and China Miéville. Voyageur Press, 2012. Slight bumps and scuffing....More.

Item Code: STEIH
Soft Cover, 9x11, 192pg, Full Color
$22.99 $11.99

ALSO AVAILABLE
ART OF FANTASY, SCI-FI AND STEAMPUNK
Our Highest Recommendation. By Hiroshi Unno. The history of fantasy, science fiction and the origins of steampunk--from Romanticism in the 18th century to the modern era. This looks at writers, books and artists, exploring and illustrating masterpieces by William Blake, John Martin, Albert Robida, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Rackham, Charles and Heath Robinson, Lefler & Urban, the Oz books, Little Nemo and more. Nothing modern here, this begins and ends in the last two centuries, packed with really great artwork. PIE, 2018...More.

Item Code: ARTFAN
Soft Cover, 7x10, 360pg, Full Color
$49.95

ALSO AVAILABLE
DOCTOR CTHULITTLE Signed
Signed & numbered, 1000! Recommended. By G.D. Falksen. Art by Mark Wheatley. Join the mad Doctor Cthulittle and his stalwart companions as they race to save the universe from the unending hunger of an eldritch horror when it stirs from its aeons-long slumber. The good Doctor sacrificed his sanity to learn the secrets of the elder gods, but will his knowledge be enough? A tribute to classic illustrated adventure fiction and pulps, weird fiction, and cosmic horror, with nice large artwork and a fun, steam punk-inspired theme. Oversized hardcover. "A total inspiration! Fun and an amazing piece of work!!! I love it!!" — Bob Eggleton Insight Studio Group, 2019...More.

Item Code: DOCCTHS
Hard Cover, 10x13, 64pg, Full Color
$50.00

ALSO AVAILABLE
THE ART OF MUNASHICHI
Highly Recommended. Munashichi became popular drawing steampunk-like fantasy worlds with an overwhelming detail, imagination, and bold, brilliant color. He is well known in the anime and gaming industry for the concept design for the acclaimed video games Tales of Zestiria and Tales of Berseria, and the concept artwork for the anime television series Princess Principals. Gigantic, sky-high buildings, deeply extended caverns, complex crossed pipes, factory scenes, abandoned places and nostalgic townscapes are themes commonly seen in his illustrations. PIE, 2020...More.

Item Code: ARTMU
Soft Cover, 7x10, 224pg, Full Color
$35.00

See more Steampunk-related books on our website, including the nude photography book Visions of Oleanna 4 [VIS04. $19.95].

Wonder Woman T-Shirt

LUCKY #750 FOR WONDER WOMAN LARGE T-SHIRT
The Amazon Princess hides her age well on the new Wonder Woman #750 T-Shirt. Features a wonderful image by Adam Hughes, one of the premier good-girl artists and comic book cover artists today. Full color on a handsome graphite grey, 100% cotton shirt. Graphitti Designs, 2020...More.

Item Code: LUCWWL
Large, Full Color
$19.95

This is also available in X-tra Large [LUCWWXL. $19.95] and Double XL [LUCWW2XL. $22.95].

ALSO AVAILABLE
UNITED CARTOON WORKERS OF AMERICA Large T-Shirt
Highly Recommended. By Peter Poplaski. The new United Cartoonist of America T-Shirt features art and design by Peter Poplaski. The comics industry's venerable union has 14 local chapters, but you don't have to be a card-carrying member to show solidarity! I saw this at Comic-Con and loved it. It's perfect for any comics fan, we're all in this together to give comics and cartooning its place in the sun. Attractive and comfortable Hanes 60% cotton, 40% polyester shirt in handsome dark gray. Graphitti Designs, 2019...More.

Item Code: UNICL
, 1 t-shirt, Full Color
$19.95

This is also available in X-Large [UNICXL. $19.95].

3...2...1...Gone

Here's another batch of 50 items that are going away soon, down to just one, two or three copies left. Click here to see the previous groups listed in December 2019, January 2020, February and March.

Coming in June

NEIL GAIMAN LIBRARY Volume 1
Deluxe hardcover with bonus material. Recommended. By Neil Gaiman and Rafael Scavone. Art by Rafael Albuquerque, P. Craig Russell et al. In these four essential Gaiman tales, a familiar detective finds himself at the heart of a Lovecraftian nightmare on Baker Street, a strange man delves into the heartbreaking mystery of a divine murder in paradise, teenage boys find that approaching girls can lead to more danger than romance, and a verbose gothic writer finds his true calling amidst family duels and drudgery. Collects the full graphic novels A Study in Emerald, Murder Mysteries, How to Talk to Girls at Parties, and Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire in a single deluxe hardcover volume, along with bonus material from each book. Dark Horse, 2020. Due June. ...More.

Item Code: NGLIB01H
Hard Cover, 8x12, 312pg, Full Color
$49.99 $39.99

Need to catch up on Gaiman? See all of his work, from The Sandman to The Graveyard Book, on our website.

THE MARVEL ART OF THE BROTHERS HILDEBRANDT with Cards
Exclusive: bonus of ten Hildebrandt trading cards from the 1994. Recommended. By Greg Hildebrandt and Tim Hildebrandt et al. In 1994, Greg and Tim began an amazing relationship with Marvel Comics, producing the incredible Marvel Masterpieces trading card set, featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Panther, X-Men, Fantastic Four and so many others! That entire set is reproduced here, with model photos and preliminary drawings, plus the complete X-Men 2099 painted graphic novel! Plus a treasure trove of their entire output for Marvel, with insightful commentary, amusing anecdotes, and candid reminiscences by the one and only Greg Hildebrandt. IDW, 2020. Due June. ...More.

Item Code: MARBHH
Hard Cover, 9x12, 284pg, Full Color
$59.99 $49.99

Includes ten Marvel Masterpieces Limited Edition bonus cards we've added, from the original 1994 card set.

THE COMPLETE CHESTER GOULD'S DICK TRACY Volume 28
Dailies & Sundays, 1974-76. Recommended. By Chester Gould. In these latter-day Dick Tracy adventures Chester Gould again proves that he was never one to rest on his laurels. The square-jawed detective fights it out with Lispy and the visually grotesque villain appropriately named The Brain. Stories are replete with murder, suicide, gangland execution, dope smuggling, a deadly natural disaster, and not one but two main characters on the verge of death. The singular motive behind it all? Money, plenty of money. All this and the return of retired Chief Brandon in the penultimate volume of Chester Gould's Dick Tracy. Library of American Comics, 2020. Due June. ...More.

Item Code: CC28H
Hard Cover, 11x9, 288pg, b&w
$44.99 $39.99

This is the penultimate volume! See all available previous volumes on our website.

Coming in July

SOLOMON KANE The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
Recommended. By Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas et al. He's a weapon of God, stalking the 16th Century! A tall, grim wanderer, roving the Earth to right all its wrongs! Let those who worship the power of evil beware, lest they face...Solomon Kane! He sprang from the mind of Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard. Kane's complete, classic Marvel adventures are collected in one huge Omnibus! Adaptations of Howard's formative tales plus new chapters by Roy Thomas, Ralph Macchio et al -- all filled with pirates, cannibals, demons and vampires! Marvel, 2020. Due July. ...More.

Item Code: SOLKMH
Hard Cover, 7x11, 624pg, Full Color
$100.00 $85.00

See all of our Robert E. Howard-related collections on our website.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS THE FANTASTIC FOUR Volume 22
Collects Fantastic Four #232-240; Annual #16 & Roast #1, 1981-82. By John Byrne & Stan Lee. Byrne's groundbreaking Fantastic Four run continues! From Wakanda to the return of Galactus, Byrne' epic adventures capture the spirit of what makes the FF Marvel's greatest super-team. Each issue explores the essence of these beloved characters while also putting them in unexpected places -- like side by side with Doctor Doom in a battle for Latveria! Byrne also has changes in store for Nova and the Thing and returns to the X-Men for a super-sized #250. Plus a Silver Surfer collaboration with Stan Lee. Marvel, 2020. Due July. ...More.

Item Code: MMFF22H
Hard Cover, 7x10, 360pg, Full Color
$75.00 $65.00

We have 38 more Marvel Masterworks volumes in stock, including many long out of print. See them all on our website. And click here for Fantastic Four Omnibus Editions, Epic Collections, and Artisan Editions.

FIREFLY LEGACY
By Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon et al. Art by Chris Samnee, Fábio Moon et al. Visionary writer & direct Joss Wheson's cult hit TV show Firefly returns in these official sequels, collected for the first time in a single volume. Discover new heists, new adventures and the secret histories of fan-favorite character Shepherd Book, as well as the covert operatives known only as the Blue Gloves. A star-studded group of creators including Josh and Zack Whedon, Chris Samnee, Fábio Moon, Georges Jeanty, Laura Martin, and more take the crew of Serenity on new adventures. Boom!, 2020. Due July. ...More.

Item Code: FIRLEH
Hard Cover, 7x11, 624pg, Full Color
$75.00 $65.00

The Firefly prose novels, with all new storylines, have been quite popular. See those and more Firefly on our website.

Warehouse Find

SYZYGY Volume 2
Warehouse find, 1975. Limited & numbered, 510. Cover by Jim Steranko. Art by Will Meugniot, Val Mayerik et al. This rare Jim Steranko cover was originally meant for Marvel Comics‘ Tower Of Shadows # 1. But Marvel chose not to run it and it ended up on the cover of this rare little fanzine. This is primarily a prose zine, featuring fiction stories that run from one to seven pages, plus a four-page portfolio section with full page art by Will Meugniot and Val Mayerik. Plus a three-page prologue to new superhero, Star-Streaker by Frank Alarcon. Simon Jester, 1975. . Fine....More.

Item Code: SYZYGY02
Soft Cover, 8x10, 32pg, b&w
$75.00

We have just seven copies of this. See our website for much more with Jim Steranko, from the latest, Steranko is Revolutionary...King Size [STERRH. $125, $105}, coming in May, to the now available biography Steranko: The Self-Created Man [STERSE. $24]. You can also see our website for more low-in-stock vintage books in our Warehouse Finds section.

Mature Readers

Money Shot is a unique new graphic novel, written by Tom Seeley and drawn very, very well by the talented Rebecca Isaacs. It's about a group of space explorers filming sex in space, sex with aliens, sex and more sex, for the benefit of Earth-bound armchair voyeurs. It's fun, and the colorful aliens are really well done, reminiscent of Moebius.

And we have two new Cavewoman variants this week, in a one-shot story, Spellbinder. See all available Cavewoman on our website.

Nude Photography | Erotic Art | Erotic Films: DVDs | Adult Graphic Novels | All Pin-Up & Adult

Click here to add yourself to our Adult's Only mailing list. Click Here to see the most recent Adult email.

News and Notes

Our upcoming appearances

Sacramento's Sac-Con and antiquarian book show are toast, both shows have been cancelled. Sac-Con is currently rescheduled for June 7. We hope we're all recovered enough by June to do the Rose City Antiquarian Book Show, but we'll have to wait and see.

Secondary Superheroes

I'm really enjoying reading this massive volume. The author combines a history of second Golden Age comic publishers (Harvey, Centaur, Fox, Prize, Ace, MLJ et al) with a VERY detailed look at each and every superhero they produced, including if they were revived in the 1950s or in modern times (often by Bill Black's Americomics line, as they resurrected public domain heroes and heroines). It's interesting to read about the origins of each, the best stories, gaining and losing sidekicks and girlfriends and partners, and even moving from one company to another. What a lot of work! It's not a book for a single evening, or even a week of evenings...this will take you quite some time to absorb, but it's worth the trip. Read my full description for more details.

~Bud

Our Catalog and Contact Info

We publish a color catalog every two months—if you’ve placed an order in the last 12 months, you will receive it hot off the press. If this is your first order, or if you’d like an extra copy, you can add one to your order: click here. Or call or send us your address and we’ll mail one to you. You can also download it here

Place your order before noon PST, Monday through Friday for SAME DAY shipping (for in-stock items).

Note: FREE SHIPPING OVER $300. If your order total is $300 or more and you are in the U.S., we pay the standard shipping cost.