Enigmatic comic book artist Al Columbia, who has been the subject of many rants and raves since he dropped out of the public eye in in 1999, has returned. On September 6, Portland’s Floating World Comics is hosting the first exhibition of Columbia’s work in nearly a decade.

Though elusive, Columbia has remained dedicated to his craft. For the past nine years, the illustrator has been honing the simultaneously dramatic and cartoon pen-and-ink style that caused such a sensation following “The Trumpets They Play,” a feature in graphic design anthology BLAB!

At the show will be a large collection of limited edition Columbia prints as well as a number of handmade books, original artwork, and other pieces from his Orange Sunshine Company, some of them created especially for the exhibition.

The focus of the show will be a new series of illustrations, entitled The Land of Broken Hearts, that will allow fans to preview Columbia’s latest collection of work set to be released in 2008 by Fantagraphics Books. In addition, all of Columbia’s past works will be on hand at the event, including The Biologic Show and pieces from BLAB!, Mome, and Zero Zero.

The opening night artist’s reception takes place September 6 from 6-10pm, and will be filmed by Kevin Belli, who has been working on the doctumentary Whatever Happened to Al Columbia? for the past four years. Guests are advised to “dress smart” for the occasion.

The Land of Broken Hearts
September 6 – October 2
Floating World Comics
20 NW 5th Ave #101
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 241-0227
www.floatingworldcomics.com

Al Columbia: www.alcolumbia.com
Fantagraphics Books: www.fantagraphics.com