Fantagraphics at 50 with Eric Reynolds, Vice President Associate Publisher - Saturday Night Special

Fantagraphics publishing is 50 years old. We talk with Eric Reynolds is the VP/Associate Publisher of Fantagraphics Books about the past, present, and future of the legendary publishing house. DATE: 5/2/2026 TIME: 8:00 PM EST HOST: Buddy Scalera GUEST: Eric Reynolds, VP/Associate Publisher of Fantagraphics Books https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/eric-reynolds We analyze the 50-year legacy of Fantagraphics Books and the technical mechanics of independent publishing with Vice President and Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds. This session explores the professional commitment required to preserve comic book history while simultaneously fostering contemporary literary talent through high-end production and dedicated distribution strategies. Reynolds shares his 33-year journey from intern to executive, detailing the company's "defiant" mission to publish vital work that often lacks a traditional commercial outlet. We also evaluate the shift from the direct market to the book trade, the role of design icons like Chip Kidd, and the technical challenges of maintaining long-running archival series like Prince Valiant and the EC Artist's Library. KEY EDUCATIONAL TAKEAWAYS The Independent Mission: Understanding how a singular artistic vision—rather than genre—defines a publisher’s identity and survival over five decades. Book Trade Distribution: The technical and commercial importance of partnering with distributors like W.W. Norton to reach independent bookstores beyond the "hardcore Wednesday" crowd. Anthology as R&D: Using anthologies like NOW to work with a broad spectrum of creators and maintain professional relationships when a full graphic novel schedule is unavailable. Curating History: The professional responsibility of "midwifing" archival collections into the world using superior paper quality and design to ensure cultural permanence. Financial Reality for Creators: Practical advice on long-term stability, including the importance of starting an investment fund and the appreciating value of original art. FEATURED CREATORS Eric Reynolds: VP/Associate Publisher at Fantagraphics and editor of the NOW anthology. Jason Sacks: Comic book historian and co-host for this special session. FEATURED PUBLICATION STITLE: We Told You So: Comics as Art CONCEPT: A 680-page oral history documenting the first 40 years of Fantagraphics. YOUTUBE CHAPTERS 00:00 - Special Saturday Night Special: Fantagraphics at 50 04:44 - Eric Reynolds: From Intern to Vice President 07:50 - The Evolution of the "Nerd Wing": Organizing a 30-year Library 12:30 - Maintaining a Singular Vision in an Alogrithm-Driven World 17:10 - The "W.W. Norton" Shift: Moving into the General Book Trade 21:30 - Will Art House Comics ever truly become the Mainstream? 24:35 - Inside the Fall Catalog: Historically significant Manga and European work 33:32 - The Historian’s View 40:04 - Publishing contemporary creators like Daniel Clowes and the Hernandez Bros 48:40 - The "Office Closet" Reveal: Long boxes and hidden archives 50:33 - The One Piece of Advice Eric wishes he received earlier Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/fantagraphics X: https://x.com/earinc X: https://x.com/fantagraphics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericreynoldsart/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantagraphics/ SOCIAL LINKS * Comic Book School Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/comicbookschool * Deanna Destito Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/deannadestito * Mike Fasolo's Substack: https://mikefasolo.substack.com