May 1 One person mentioned this weekend, it wasn't clear how to buy a book online. I'll make it clear here. Go to the ad under the archive bar at right. Scroll down. Click on "add to cart." Follow the instructions. I'm looking at the interface now to see if I can make it clearer.



April 27

OK, so all political cartoonists have rushed in to exploit this golden opportunity. Just because I'm a Johnny-toon-lately because of my week lead-time doesn't mean I must deprive myself. I hope I've offered a different take. Similarities to a scene in Galaxy Quest are not quite coincidental. (Living on an island? Missed the nose tweaking? Here's the manna from heaven at CBC.)

I was interviewed today by the Bookshelf's Dan Evans and Jen Moore. We talked about the origins of Weltschmerz, the role of satire in society and the wall between the comics pages and the messy side of real life. For early birds, a truncated version will be broadcast Friday morning on Jen's show, Far too Canadian on CFRU 93.3 Guelph at 7:00 am. (Live online streaming available.) The full interview will be broadcast at a later date.



Another plug for Weltschmerz the Book: It's a special reading and laughing experience. Don't deprive yourself of it. Please go to the ad at right and simply click on "add to cart." PayPal, your credit card and Canada Post will take care of the rest - it's easy and safe to order online (despite Canada Post being involved). Or see below for a list of retailers where you can marvel at the lush colours and high-end printing before you plunk your money down. (I hate writing promo-verbiage, but somebody's gotta do it.)

Attack of the Same-Sex Sleeper Cells Reviews:

Exclaim! says: "Slyly meshing Doonesbury politics, slacker culture and relationship dramas, Lind accomplishes a remarkable balancing act: current without being dated; serialized without being alienating; and smartly political without being preachy."

Eye Weekly says: Think of it as the serial-comic-strip equivalent of a DVD. The 48-page volume includes extras such as creator Gareth Lind's commentary and background summaries of the main characters. Weltschmerz successfully straddles the line between humorous and depressing, taking well-deserved punches at some of the most infuriating political events and trends of 2005.

Echo says: "Mating excellence in design and print quality and Lind’s thoughtful and incisive social commentary, the inaugural collection from the Weltschmerz series sets a high standard."

Retailers:

Toronto:
Pages, 256 Queen Street West (at John). On the graphic novels table.
The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street (near Bloor and Bathurst)
Book City, three locations - 501 Bloor St. West, 348 Danforth Ave., 663 Yonge St.
Hairy Tarantula, 354 Yonge Street (near Dundas).
David Mirvish Books, 596 Markham St.

Guelph:
The Bookshelf, 41 Quebec Street. Generous hosts of the book launch.
Macondo Books, 18 Wilson Street

Waterloo: Words Worth Books, 100 King Street South

Kitchener: KW Bookstore, 308 King Street West

Hamilton: Bryan Prince Bookseller, 1060 King Street West

Ottawa: Collected Works, 1242 Wellington Street West (at Holland)