The Comics Journal Winter 2003 Special Author:Gary Groth A Paris Review devoted to the art of comics. William Stout is one of the most accomplished, critically acclaimed, and commercially successful illustrators, painters, and cartoonists in America today. He has, for over 30 years, brought consummate draftsmanship, impeccable craft, painterly nuance, and a mature vision that is by turns ri... more »otously Rabelaisian and awe-inspiringly naturalistic to virtually every form of visual popular culture?from comics to film to gallery exhibitions. The Comics Journal Winter 2003 Special spotlights Stout's work with a beautiful cover painted especially for this volume and an interview with the artist in which he proves to be not only a great artist but an engaging raconteur and high-flying theorist as well. The interview covers his long career, which includes, among other highlights, his solo comics as well as his collaborations with Jack Kirby, Moebius, and Harvey Kurtzman, his various film work for Jim Henson, Walt Disney, and others, his album covers for The Firesign Theatre, The Rolling Stones, and more, his advertising work on such films as Wizards, American Graffiti, and The Life of Brian, and gallery exhibitions such as his critically lauded depictions of Antarctica. The coffee-table-size of this Journal Special is used to particularly good effect to reproduce many of Stout's most gorgeous color works. Stout is one of the great under-hyped cartoonists and illustrators who is finally given his due in this remarkable volume. Of course, this volume will also be jam-packed with essays and criticism, including a look back at the life of James Thurber and other surprises. As always, there will be a lengthy comics section; this volume's theme is "Patriotism." Regular contributors to the comics section make up the greatest line-up of cartooning talent under two covers in the history of the medium: R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Chris Ware, Gary Panter, Charles Burns, Peter Bagge, Bill Griffith, Arnold Roth, Los Bros Hernandez, Joe Sacco, Stan Sakai, Jim Woodring, and Seth are just a few.« less