Chip Kidd's Blog

JURASSIC PARK: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES
by the Topps Company
Introduction by Gary Gerani
Afterword by Chip Kidd

HARDCOVER
Price: $24.99

Additional formats: Ebook
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts
Publication Date: April 26, 2022

Journey back to where it all started in this deluxe collection of the classic Topps trading cards from 1993—just in time for the theatrical release of Jurassic World: Dominion

Jurassic Park was an immediate blockbuster and has gone on to become a multimedia franchise with five sequels, theme park attractions, comic books, toys, and more—including a set of trading cards released by Topps in 1993 to tie into the film. This comprehensive collection of the original trading card series—timed to publish alongside Jurassic World: Dominion—includes the fronts and backs of all of these classic cards, plus the special chase cards and rare promotional material. The book also includes text and commentary by Gary Gerani, editor of the original series, and an afterword by Chip Kidd, who created and designed the cover of Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” (Knopf), which became the iconic logo for the franchise.

Tony Award-winning actor Harvey Fierstein, known for his iconic roles in “Hairspray” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” takes on Republican politics, the movement for full equality, and the misplaced appeal of right-wing nostalgia with his characteristic wit in this interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber. Fierstein recounts his experiences as an actor and artist challenging some of the political censorship and mores of his time, and discusses his new memoir, “I Was Better Last Night.” (This is the full interview).

Actor, Performer, Activist, and now Author, Harvey Fierstein is making the rounds promoting his new book, I WAS BETTER LAST NIIGHT: A MEMOIR (Knopf). Here he is as a special guest on Marc Maron’s Podcast, WTF!! They talk about his life, his hopes, his dreams, his new book…. you know the drill. Listen to it right here & please be sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

We are thrilled to announce that this fall Alfred A. Knopf will publish two brand-new novels by Cormac McCarthy! THE PASSENGER, the first of the two novels, will be published on October 25th, 2022. Then, STELLA MARIS, the second book, will be published on November 22nd. We should also note that a special TWO-BOOK BOX SET (shown up above) will be released on December 6th. These books were designed by Chip Kidd. The fact that Cormac McCarthy is finally releasing some new prose is insanely exciting for many book lovers around the world, especially hardcore fans of Cormac McCarthy!

Down below is a special “reaction video” that was featured on YouTube, check it out!!



Abrams ComicArts will be publishing a new book that celebrates  the JURASSIC PARK: THE ORIGINAL TOPPS TRADING CARD SERIES that was produced by the Topps Trading Card Company back in 1993. The book will reproduce the complete set of trading cards in a readable book format (also, e-Book format) with an Introduction by Gary Gerani and an Afterword by Chip Kidd. But it won’t be coming out until April 26th, 2022.

In the meantime, you can learn more about it by reading a special advance book review written by Derrick Davis over at the always amazing, always informative, JURASSIC OUTPOST Website.

To view it now please just CLICK HERE!

Thanks & please be sure to share this news with everyone you know (Facebook, Twitter, etc…).

In partnership with First Congregational Church of Los Angeles

Doors open at 11:30am; Event starts at Noon.

Ticket includes a copy of  I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir !

CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP FOR TICKETS!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award-winning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career

Harvey Fierstein’s legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He’s received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most of the tales–of personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled career–revealed in these wildly entertaining pages.

I Was Better Last Night bares the inner life of this eccentric nonconforming child from his roots in 1952 Brooklyn, to the experimental worlds of Andy Warhol and the Theatre of the Ridiculous, to the gay rights movements of the seventies and the tumultuous AIDS crisis of the eighties, through decades of addiction, despair, and ultimate triumph.

Mr. Fierstein’s candid recollections provide a rich window into downtown New York City life, gay culture, and the evolution of theater (of which he has been a defining figure), as well as a moving account of his family’s journey of acceptance. I Was Better Last Night is filled with wisdom gained, mistakes made, and stories that come together to describe an astonishingly colorful and meaningful life. Lucky for us all, his unique and recognizable voice is as engaging, outrageously funny, and vulnerable on the page. (Knopf Publishing Group).

Billy Eichner is a four-time Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, writer and producer. In September 2021, Eichner began shooting “BROS” for Universal Pictures, which will premiere in theatres on September 30th, 2022. “BROS” makes Eichner the first openly gay man to write, star in and produce a comedy for a major Hollywood studio. The film is directed and co-written by “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Neighbors” director Nick Stoller and produced by Judd Apatow. Additionally, Eichner is set to star in and produce “Man in the Box”, a biopic based on the life of groundbreaking TV icon Paul Lynde.

He most recently co-starred in Disney’s live-action remake of “The Lion King” as the voice of Timon, opposite Seth Rogen, Donald Glover and Beyoncé Knowles.

On television, Eichner was recently seen as the infamous Matt Drudge in Ryan Murphy’s third season of the Emmy winning “American Crime Story: Impeachment”, alongside Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein, Edie Falco and Clive Owen.

Previously, Eichner co-starred on two seasons of Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series, “American Horror Story”, as well as Hulu’s critically acclaimed series “Difficult People”. “Billy on the Street”, Eichner’s iconic, critically acclaimed series is now on HBO Max and clips from the series have garnered over 100 million views online. In 2018, the show was nominated for a Primetime Emmy® in the category of “Outstanding Variety Sketch Series.” This was the second of three Primetime Emmy nominations for the series, which was also nominated for a segment Eichner hosted with former First Lady Michelle Obama. In addition to his online views, Billy has over 2 million Twitter followers, which has made him a longtime social media force to be reckoned with.

Additional credits include: “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”, “Noelle”, “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”, “Parks and Recreation”, “The Angry Birds Movie”, “Penguins of Madagascar”, “Bob’s Burgers” and “Friends from College”.

Event location: First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, 540 S Commonwealth Ave, Los Angeles, 90020

Please note: Everyone entering First Congregational Church of Los Angeles property must be fully vaccinated (boosters not required) and show proof of vaccination.

Masks must be worn while indoors.

Tickets include one entry and one hardcover copy of I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir along with one signed bookplate, to be handed out at check-in. We also have a general admission ticket only option for those who already have their copy of the book!

Questions? Please email Book Soup at info@booksoup.com

SPIDER-MAN: PANEL BY PANEL by Chip Kidd & Geoff Spear (Abrams ComicArts)

Coming out on October 18, 2022! Timed for the 60th anniversary of Spider-Man and includes two complete stories plus the original art from the Library of Congress!

Spider-Man first swung onto the comic book pages in August 1962 with the publication of Amazing Fantasy no. 15, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and with cover art by Jack Kirby, which was soon followed by The Amazing Spider-Man no. 1 in March 1963. Sixty years after the comics’ publication, award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd reimagines the iconic first stories using original vintage copies of both comic books to present these classic tales in a whole new way.

Perfect for both lifelong fans and the latest generation of Marvel enthusiasts, the book also includes text by Chip Kidd, Marvel editor Tom Brevoort, historian Mark Evanier (Kirby: King of Comics), and Library of Congress curator Sara Duke. Stunningly photographed by award-winning photographer Geoff Spear, Amazing Fantasy no. 15 and Amazing Spider-Man no. 1 are showcased as you’ve never seen them before—oversized and up-close. This is a panel-by-panel exploration of both entire issues that captures every single detail and nuance of Lee and Ditko’s groundbreaking story, making it a must-have for every comic book collection.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abrams ComicArts (October 18, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1419764012
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419764011

Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein recently appeared on CBS SUNDAY MORNING to recount his life as a performer in his new book, “I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir.” He talks with correspondent Rita Braver about coming out as gay as a teen; his roles in the Broadway shows “Torch Song Trilogy,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Hairspray” and “Fiddler on the Roof”; and overcoming a serious drinking problem. The book is out, or as they say, in stores now!



I WAS BETTER LAST NIGHT: A MEMOIR by Harvey Fierstein

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award–winning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career.

Harvey Fierstein’s legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He’s received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most of the tales—of personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled career—revealed in these wildly entertaining pages.

I WAS BETTER LAST NIGHT: A MEMOIR bares the inner life of this eccentric nonconforming child from his roots in 1952 Brooklyn, to the experimental worlds of Andy Warhol and the Theatre of the Ridiculous, to the gay rights movements of the seventies and the tumultuous AIDS crisis of the eighties, through decades of addiction, despair, and ultimate triumph.

Mr. Fierstein’s candid recollections provide a rich window into downtown New York City life, gay culture, and the evolution of theater (of which he has been a defining figure), as well as a moving account of his family’s journey of acceptance. I Was Better Last Night is filled with wisdom gained, mistakes made, and stories that come together to describe an astonishingly colorful and meaningful life. Lucky for us all, his unique and recognizable voice is as engaging, outrageously funny, and vulnerable on the page.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf (March 1, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
Cover Design: Chip Kidd
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593320522
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593320525

Graphic Designer Chip Kidd has had a prolific career, creating over 3000 covers for books of all genres and styles, and the iconic illustrations for stories such as Jurassic Park, 1Q84, and more. As an avid comic book fan, he has also collaborated with the comic book powerhouse, DC Comics to work on The Complete History of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. In this video, Chip gives us a glimpse into how he sees the world, while discussing his favorite Batman comic book covers of all time.

Also, If you want to learn more about designing comic book covers, don’t miss Chip Kidd’s online course, “Comic Book Cover Design: Unleash Your Super Designer”