I thought this would be a good idea for a post, just posting some of the many book review videos that have been done for Chip Kidd’s Graphic Novel, BATMAN: DEATH BY DESIGN (DC Comics). The interesting thing about “video reviews” is that, since the format is so visual, the reviewers can also focus quite well on the amazing artwork of Dave Taylor. Besides the compelling storyline, the book’s other main interest is that the art is also a very enjoyable part of the book. So, this is really cool. Thanks to everybody who took the time to create these videos.

As a side note:

One of the videos (the 4th one) is an “Audio Only” Interview with Chip Kidd that was done BEFORE the book came out. So, in contrast to the other ones, which were obviously done by readers of the actual book, it’s kind of interesting. Hey, here they are… please enjoy.

Last year, around February, Chip Kidd was in Texas to speak at a special lecture given at the Dallas Museum of Art. So, to promote the event he got the chance to talk with the crazy guys over at FANBOY RADIO. ( We mean “crazy” in a good way, they’re awesome!)

The cool thing is that you can tell that the people doing the interview either, did some amazing research, or they’re just honestly huge fans because their questions were really really clever. I mean, they discuss Graphic Design, Book Covers, Comic Books, Batman, and a few of Chip Kidd’s Books like - The Cheese Monkeys, The Learners, Batman: Death By Design, and much more.

OK, I know this podcast interview is “a year old”, but it’s actually still very timely today and it shares some really good insight into design and other issues. So, please enjoy… oh yeah, and please share it with everybody you know

THANK YOU FANBOY RADIO!

CLICK HERE TO HEAR IT LIVE:

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This post is mostly a friendly reminder to let people know that Chip Kidd will be appearing at a special event in New York City on May 9th. We announced it here awhile back. But the main reason we posted this reminder is that on the “Next Appearances” page, we recently added another event for May 11th ( Canada - 2013 TORONTO COMICS ARTS FESTIVAL ), and that pushes this NYC event down the list… we just didn’t want anyone to miss it.

So, for more information, please CLICK HERE!

The University of the Arts is excited to present “Make Good Art: A Conversation and Book Signing with Neil Gaiman” on Tuesday, May 14th at 7 p.m. in Levitt Auditorium, at Gershman Hall. Also, UArts is located in Philadelphia, PA.

Neil Gaiman is an award-winning author and graphic novelist whose 2012 commencement speech to UArts graduates became an international viral sensation. Gaiman’s speech urged graduates to “make good art” and resonated with creative people around the world. The book, MAKE GOOD ART, which will be released later this month, contains the full text of that speech and was designed by book designer Chip Kidd. (Chip Kidd will NOT be at the event, this post is for Neil’s Fans).

A limited number of free tickets are available exclusively to UArts students, faculty and staff, ONE PER PERSON. Students will be able to pick up tickets in Gershman Hall, Room 304, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. STUDENT ID IS REQUIRED for pickup.

Faculty and staff will be able to pick up tickets in the Advancement Office on the first floor of Hamilton Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10. Please show your UArts ID when picking up your tickets.

The evening of May 14 will consist of a Q-and-A session between Gaiman and UArts President Sean Buffington, then Gaiman will answer audience questions culled from note cards that will be filled out and collected prior to the start of the event. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with copies of MAKE GOOD ART on sale before and after the question-and-answer session. Gaiman will be available afterward to sign copies of MAKE GOOD ART
(as many copies of the book as each attendee purchases, and up to two other Neil Gaiman titles).

Again, please keep in mind that this event is exclusively for members of the UArts community, with one ticket per person on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please CLICK HERE!

Just a quick shout out for fans of our friend Chris Ware. His artwork is going to be featured on the cover of the next fresh issue of THE NEW YORKER Magazine. This is Chris Ware’s special “Mother’s Day” cover that will hit newsstands on May 13th, 2013. So, please be sure to keep an eye out for it!

Also, Please be sure to read Chris Ware’s Article about this Cover by clicking RIGHT HERE!

Check Out this music video for ASYMMETRICAL GIRL by ARTBREAK. The Band features CHIP KIDD & MARS TRILLION with a special appearance by Chip’s niece, LAUREN KIDD on drums. Thanks to Tal Unreich (camera), Dan & Andre at dresscodeny.com (motion graphics). Directed by GARY NADEAU.

WOW! We’re really excited to report that Chip Kidd designed the main graphic for the cover to today’s New York Times BOOK REVIEW. The image, shown up above, is obviously a parody on the famous British World War Two “Keep Calm and Carry On” Poster, but it also does a very good job of conveying the basic message of the main book review they are featuring on the cover. It’s the latest Triller Novel from John Le Carr titled, A DELICATE TRUTH.

The book will be released by Viking on May 7th (Yes, that’s in 2 days, ha!). As an important side note we should mention that Chip Kidd did not design the cover for the actual book.

So, please be sure to read today’s New York Times BOOK REVIEW by OLEN STEINHAUER, just CLICK HERE!

This coming weekend, May 11th and 12th to be exact, Chip Kidd will be making an appearance at the 2013 TORONTO COMICS ARTS FESTIVAL. The event is held at the Toronto Reference Library in Toronto, Canada and is open FREE to the public.

Other guests appearing this year will be Gengoroh Tagame, Art Spiegelman, Fran oise Mouly, Paul Pope, Maurice Vellekoop (who designed the poster shown up above), the Brothers Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, Ivan Brunetti, Taiyo Matsumoto, Michel Rabagliati, and many others. Please check their website for a complete list of special guests and events.

1:30-2:30PM Spotlight: Maurice Vellekoop in conversation with Chip Kidd
One of the most respected editorial and fashion cartoonists today, Maurice Vellekoop is a featured guest. On this program, Vellekoop discusses his life, work, and upcoming projects with Book Designer and Pantheon Books editor Chip Kidd. The two will also make a very special announcement...!

Also, The event is open from 9:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday, May 11th. Then on Sunday, May 12th, from 11:00 to 5:00 pm.

For more information, please CLICK HERE!

Cartoonist and MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Fellowship winner Ben Katchor was recently interviewed by Gil Roth in a episode of “The Virtual Memories Show” Podcast. The main focus was Ben Katchor’s brand-new graphic novel recently published by Pantheon Books in 2013 titled, HAND-DRYING IN AMERICA AND OTHER STORIES, which collects his monthly comic page from Metropolis magazine. During this special episode, Ben even “performs” several of his comics. Plus, he gives us all some really great insight into his creative process. Also, as a side-note, we should mention that this book cover was designed by Chip Kidd.

We have embedded the podcast down below, but for even MORE information we suggest a visit to VIRTUAL MEMORIES.

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Ben Katchor
Hand Drying in America and Other Stories
Pantheon Books / Random House
ISBN 978-0-307-90690-8
160 Pages

Over at the DESIGN LAB website ( The Blog for the Mail Chimp Company ), they did a very excellent write-up about their experience with Chip Kidd and his recent visit to the company. Also, a Graphic Artist named Jason Travis created a poster for the event, which you can see up above. For more information about Mail Chimp, please CLICK HERE!