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Fantagraphics

BY GEORGE HC THE COMIC ART OF GEORGE MCMANUS (MR) - PREORDER

BY GEORGE HC THE COMIC ART OF GEORGE MCMANUS (MR) - PREORDER

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FOC PREORDER

BY GEORGE HC THE COMIC ART OF GEORGE MCMANUS (MR)

Solicitation:
"By George" is a 500-year-old exclamation used to express astonishment; a euphemism to avoid naming a divinity. A fitting title for this collection of classic comic art—both astonishing and, in its own way, divine. In 1913, George McManus was already a successful cartoonist with over a dozen hit comic strips to his credit. That year saw the debut of his signature creation, Bringing Up Father, soon to become an international sensation—the most popular comic strip in the world. In 1918 it appeared as a Sunday feature in full color, full-page splendor that is now, along with the artist's earlier works, recreated by Sunday Press.

This volume displays the long career of George McManus, from his early days as an artist for the St. Louis Republican, to his ground-breaking work for Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst in New York. Early features like Panhandle Pete and Nibsy the Newsboy show McManus as one of the "Founders of the Funnies." With The Whole Blooming Family, The Newlyweds/Their Only Child, he pioneered the type of family-humor comic strip that led to the sitcoms of radio and television. This form reached a peak with the battling (yet loving) spouses, Jiggs and Maggie in Bringing Up Father.

The story behind the over 150 strips found in this collection is related in great detail by historian Paul C. Tumey in his detailed biographical introduction. McManus and his wife, even more so than his characters, were the toast of society, both at home and abroad, which added to his fame and the popularity of the strip. The book's foreword by internationally renowned cartoonist and designer Joost Swarte offers an appreciation and a description of the important influence of McManus on European artists, including Tintin's Hergé. Educator and historian Eike Exner chronicles McManus's Asian connection as one of the main American influences in the development of Manga. Completing this comprehensive volume are photographs, illustrations, and memorabilia highlighting the long career of one of the world's greatest cartoonists—making his readers laugh at his characters (and themselves) for over half a century.

McManus has a well-deserved place in the pantheon of American cartoon artists, but never before has had a comprehensive collection of his work. Now, By George, here it is!

Preorder Information

  • Cutoff: Lunar FOC closes 10/19/2026.
  • Payment and cancellations: Payment is required upfront. Orders cannot be cancelled after FOC because quantities are locked with the distributor.
  • Condition: Books are expected to arrive new and unread. Minor manufacturing or distributor shelf wear can occur; contact us promptly with photos if your copy arrives materially damaged.
  • Release date: Release dates are estimates and may change. Your order will ship after the item arrives from the distributor.
  • Fulfillment: Books are inspected and packed securely before fulfillment. If an item is damaged, shorted, or unavailable, we will try to replace it first. If no replacement is available, that item will be refunded.

Item Details

  • Publisher: Fantagraphics
  • Cover price: $100.00
  • FOC date: 2026-10-19
  • Release date: 2026-11-25
  • Writer: George McManus, Peter Maresca, Joost Swarte, Paul C Tumey
  • Artist: George McManus
  • Cover / variant: George McManus
  • UPC / ISBN: 79

Final cover art, creators, and release details are subject to publisher updates.

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Your Bandicoot preorder guide

A quick, plain-language guide to payment, timing, condition, and what happens if plans change.

Order cutoff
Oct 19, 2026
Estimated release
Nov 25, 2026

What is a preorder?

It reserves an item before its official release and before it is physically in our hands. Ordering early gives you the best chance of securing a copy when demand is high.

When do I pay?

Payment is collected at checkout. We use paid orders to reserve inventory and set our quantity with the publisher, distributor, or supplier.

What does FOC mean?

Final Order Cutoff is the deadline for comic shops to lock their quantities with the distributor. Once that cutoff passes, your copy has been ordered specifically for you and the order becomes final.

Are release dates guaranteed?

No. Dates come from publishers and suppliers and can move without notice. Your order stays active, and we will fulfill it after the item arrives.

When will my preorder ship?

We inspect and pack preorders after the distributor shipment reaches us. Tracking is provided through the checkout platform when it is available.

What if my order includes other items?

Preorder timing can delay a package that also contains in-stock items. Place separate orders when you need available items to ship sooner.

How are comics prepared?

New comics are inspected before fulfillment. Standard-size issues are bagged, boarded, and packed with protective materials appropriate for the order.

What grade is guaranteed?

Preorder comics are guaranteed to be 9.0 or better unless the listing says otherwise. We carefully inspect each copy, but we cannot guarantee a specific higher grade such as a 9.8 because minor printing and bindery variations can occur on brand-new books.

Will the final item match the preview image?

Publishers and manufacturers sometimes provide early artwork or prototype images. Final trade dress, packaging, colors, accessories, or other details may change before release.

Can I cancel or change my preorder?

Contact us as soon as possible. Comic preorders cannot be cancelled after FOC, and other preorders cannot be cancelled after quantities are locked with the supplier.

What if the item is damaged, shorted, or unavailable?

We will look for a replacement first. If we cannot secure one, we will refund the affected item to the original payment method.

What if the publisher cancels the item?

If the publisher or supplier cancels an item and no replacement is offered, we will refund that item.