<<•>>  edited by Scott McCloud  <<•>>   series editor Bill Kartalopoulos  <<•>>   
Whether you've been buying this volume every year since its inception in 2006, or you've yet to give it a try, we think everyone interested in what's going on in comics should check out this volume.  After shepherding it through nearly a decade of great comics, the original series editors Jessica Abel and Matt Madden have put the series in the eminently capable hands of comics scholar  (and comics festival organizer), Bill Kartalopoulos, who has teamed up with this year's editor, the one and only Scott "Understanding Comics" McCloud to produce what we are going to go out on a limb and declare the best Best American Comics volume yet. Organized into ten thematically unified sections, each with its own introduction defining and justifying the theme and selections, the comics included in this volume range far and wide, from the recognized masters of the form such as Jaime Hernandez (whose work graces the cover), Chris Ware, Ben Katchor, Charles Burns, R. Crumb and Aline Kominsky-Crumb to amazing work by the up and coming generation of cartoonists like Theo Ellsworth, Michael DeForge, Lale Westvid and Sam Alden to boundary pushing works by the likes of Aidan Koch and Erin Curry.  And there's much more!  Readers will also herein find amazing work by many other creators of all stripes, including mainstream heroic fantasy, web comics, comics for young readers, newspaper strips, works of history in comics form (like an excerpt from Ed Piskor's Hip Hop Family Tree!), some particularly intense examples of the ever popular comics memoir, and more, including work by perennial Copacetic favorites like Ron Rege, Jr. and "C.F.".  We recognize that Copacetic customers are likely to already be familiar with if not already own many of the works found here, and so may be less inclined to consider it for themselves, but we all know someone who could greatly benefit being hepped to the dazzling spectrum of comics on hand here (and we are in full agreement with Kartalopoulos's "suggestion" that the material contained  in this single volume better represents the wide array of comics today than the entire "graphic novel" section of most bookstores), so consider pointing them in this direction...

Jonathan Lethem and Bill Kartalopoulos have teamed up to bring readers another awesome selection of comics.  The thematic grouping of pieces that was ushered in last year with Bll K.'s installation as series editor continues here to excellent effect.  In addition, there is a noted focus on presenting works that would not otherwise reach a wide audience and/or originally appeared in places that are (relatively) off the beaten path of comics readers, such as the excerpt from David Sandlin's 76 Manifestations of American Destiny, which was produced in a limited edition of only 20 (!) copies, and Ron Regé, Jr.'s "Pythagoras," which was published in Pitchfork Magazine.  This makes this volume more than just a "best of" selection; it's more like a "go to" collection.  

We've put together a brief preview on Ello, HERE.

THE BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2017 has touched down at Copacetic. Pittsburgh is well represented in this Ben Katchor – with able guidance and assists from series editor, Bill Kartalopoulos – edited volume, with both Ed Piskor and Laura PallMall taking bows. PIX/Copacetic-connected comics are in evidence as well, with PIX 2017 Special Guests Dan Zettwoch and Lale Westvind along with PIX 2016 Special Guests Bill Griffith and Conor Stechschulte. Recent Copacetic release party principal, Patrick Kyle is here as is Comics Workbook mainstay and honorary Pittsburgher, Kurt Ankeny.  And, speaking ofComics Workbook. Sienna Cittadino's piece in this volume was originally created for the Comics Workbook Composition Competition, founded and organized by Frank Santoro right here in Pittsburgh, PA! 

And, of course, there are plenty more great comics from around America to be found in the 376 packed pages of this great hardcover volume.  Of special note to Copacetic customers is the inclusion of John Hankiewicz's self-published short comics piece, De Hooch, which few have seen.