In this outtake from Gary Hustwit’s 2007 documentary “Helvetica”, type designers Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones discuss the creation of Gotham. The font was originally commissioned for GQ Magazine but went on to have another life altogether.

OK, I might have to apologize for posting this silly photo later but I’m such a HUGE FAN of the work of Children’s Book Author, Dr. Seuss, that I just had to post this funny humor picture! This is one of those “Yard Ornament” Wood Sculptures made to look like Dr. Seuss’ Environmentally-Friendly Character named THE LORAX! Whoever made it did a very excellent job. This was recently spotted in Rhode Island and we think it’s just extremely cool!

Recently, a Brilliant Custom-Toy Maker, named Deane Aikins, very graciously gave Chip Kidd a totally genius-rendition of a BATMAN figure based on the art of Jiro Kuwata, from the “Lord Deathman” story found in Chip Kidd’s Book, “Bat-Manga: The Secret History of Batman in Japan”. The attention to detail is extremely well done, both in color and scale. Seriously, it’s a great likeness of the character!

Deane has also created some amazing Custom Batmobile Models, a very ambitious personal project to make one of each version starting with the Red Roadster from 1940! The Batman vehicles he has made so far are all really well done and we hope he continues to create many many more! To view their awesome beauty, just CLICK HERE! Also, while you’re there, look for the ones he did that are labeled “Daikins”.

At the recent 2012 San Diego Comic Con Chip Kidd announced that he’ll be designing a brand-new book for PictureBox Inc. The title is “The Passion Of Gengoroh Tagame: Bara Master ” ( Gay Bondage Manga ) and it’s set to be published in Spring 2013. Plus, it will be an over-sized volume & the Japanese language will be translated by Anne Ishii. The Book Cover Prototype is shown up above & we want to thank Tom Spurgeon, the Writer of THE COMICS REPORTER website, for breaking this story. In fact, the article he wrote is wayyy better than what you’re reading here, ha ha! So please, check it out —> CLICK HERE!

Chip Kidd, among many other Comic Book Publishers, Authors, Artists, etc… supports the CBLDF <— Click Here . What is it? In a nut shell, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization that supports all of our Rights to Freedom of Speech. To learn more please check out the video down below with Comic Book Artist Terry Moore ( Strangers in Paradise, Echo, and Rachel Rising ) as he explains why HE supports the cause and why YOU should too.

OK, We’re sharing a fun photo here from the 2012 San Diego Comic Con event that Chip Kidd is scheduled to be at all weekend ( Please see our NEXT APPEARANCES page for more information ). While there yesterday Chip met the Artist Dave McKean and the main thing he had to say about him was, “Wotta sweetheart!” Of course this is the guy who is a legendary Graphic Artist! Some of his best known work is the amazing Book Covers for Neil Gaiman’s Sandman ( Vertigo ) and Batman’s Arkham Asylum ( DC Comics ). Speaking of Gaiman, Dave McKean also did the illustrations for Coraline (2002) and The Graveyard Book (2008), among others. Actually, he’s done way too many cool things to list here, ha! So, if you want to see more great art from this guy then just please be sure to visit his personal website & blog, CLICK HERE!

OK, As kind of a legal disclaimer ( ha ha ) we must state that this book cover for THE GREAT GATSBY was NOT designed by Chip Kidd. But, it is one of the most iconic Book Jackets out there in the world, it’s just beautiful. Plus, it is a GREAT American Novel. Here’s a funny video giving sort of a study of this classic book & the guy makes a few good points. Enjoy!

THE HIVE will be the next new book by Charles Burns & published by Pantheon. It is the second book of an on-going Trilogy Series with “X-ed Out” being the first installment. If you read that book then you will remember the main character named Doug.

Much has happened since we last saw Doug, the Tintin-like hero from X’ed Out. Confessing his past to an unidentified woman, Doug struggles to recall the mysterious incident that left his life shattered, an incident that may have involved his disturbed and now-absent girlfriend, Sarah, and her menacing ex-boyfriend. Doug warily seeks answers in a nightmarish alternate world that is a distorted mirror of our own, where he is a lowly employee that carts supplies around the Hive.

THE HIVE has a release date set for October 9th, 2012. So, Please look for it then at your favorite Book Store. Charles Burns will also be making many public appearances to speak about the book. Here are a list of events:

10/9: Philadelphia/Free Library
10/10: NYC/Strand
10/11: Boston/Harvard Bookstore at the Brattle Theater
10/17: Seattle/Fantagraphics
10/23: SF/SFJCC
10/24: Seattle/Town Hall
10/27: Boston Book Festival
11/10: Brooklyn Comic Art Festival
11/11: Montreal
11/12: Toronto
11/17: Miami Book Fair

Wait, There’s More! Oh yeah, the main reason for this post was to share an excellent review that appears in the very latest issue of Publisher’s Weekly Magazine that just hit newsstands on July 2nd, 2012. So please be sure to keep an eye out for that new issue.

If you love the look, style, & design of old Vintage Book Covers then you’re gonna go totally crazy over these new T-Shirts from “Out of Print” Clothing. You’ll recognize many of these for the true classics they are: The Great Gatsby, Animal Farm, Treasure Island, 1984, Charlotte’s Web, Death of a Salesman, & many more. In addition to spreading the joy of reading through their tees and accessories they also acknowledge that many parts of the world don't have access to books at all. So, to change that, for every item they sell they donate one book to “Books For Africa”. Check out their site, just CLICK HERE!

Here’s a quick post to share this photo of some amazing Dinnerware a Friend of ours named David saw on the Internet the other night. It’s a very clever design idea & would also make a lovely table setting… that is, if you’re crazy goo-goo about Books and Reading! OH YEAH, Here are some really cool Pieces of Tableware, mostly Dinner Plates & Saucers, designed by GOLDBOOK CHINA to look just like opened books laying on a table. Click the Company name for availability & ordering. Order me a few sets while you’re at it, Christmas is always right around the corner.