They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. This unmarked figurine decanter bears more than a slight resemblance to Adamson/Silent Sam, but is most probably an unauthorized copycat merchandise. November 22, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Arrived today: an Adamson porcelain figurine, the likes of which I have never seen before. Made by Royal Dux apparently. The cabinet is getting crowded with little old, bald men… November 15, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Another three of these numbered comics prints from the first half of the 20th century, featuring Adamson (Silent Sam) arrived today. Makes me feel like I’m five again, collecting comics from bubble gum packages… November 13, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
The lawyers from Svenska Tecknare (The association of Swedish illustrators and graphic designers), talking about copyrights, contract etc. at the Comics Art School. November 7, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
What do you do when you need to get one of Northern Europe’s largest privately owned comics libraries sorted quickly after moving, in order to be able to compete in Comiquiz, the Nordic championship in comics knowledge? You call in the local chapter of the Swedish Comics Association of course! A big thank you to everyone who helped out tonight! November 6, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Onstage with one of my heroes: Lena Furberg! At the Comics festival ISV. October 26, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Taking a break from painting the walls of our new house, and gets to rest my eyes on this grandiose view. October 16, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Visiting the new bransch office of the Swedish Comics Association, Tusen Serier, at Mitt Möllan. October 15, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Yay, the major library room has been packed. Definitely cause for a beer! October 11, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Comics artist, editor and publisher Thomas Olsson talks at the Comics Art School, October 11, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Oh He’s back! He’s the man below the cap! And he’s out of control! October 10, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Today’s harvest from the woodlands surrounding our summer cottage. October 6, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Let’s see… I’m at our summer cottage, the fire is burning in the stove nearby, I’m playing the board game Ankh-Morpork with my son, we’re listening to First Aid Kit on my iPhone and I’m drinking a really good beer. Life’s good. October 5, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
A brand spanking new exhibition, based on my book Swedish Comics History. Right now being aired in the corridors of the Swedish Comics Association. October 3, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
The undertaking of packing the library at times seems daunting… A good feeling to actually have finished one of the wall. October 2, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
The books just keep on coming, and the Book Fair hasn’t even started yet! Love the eye-popping design of these book, all of which are from Galago. September 25, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
You know it’s getting close to the big Book Fair in Gothenburg when new books drops in almost around the clock. Here are a few I got today. September 24, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Having my daughter on her first official “Accompany dad to work” day. Finding it hard to get anything done with all that cuteness so close by … September 23, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
In today’s mail: the new issue of the Swedish anthology Galago. Looking forward to reading what is by now probably the most political comics anthology in the world, next to World War 3. September 23, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Bought a Swedish women’s magazine from 1946, to sample the comics included, and as a bonus I found this add for the Swedish comic book Karl-Alfred (Popeye), stating the obvious selling point of it being the ONLY comic book in Sweden at the time :) September 22, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Another trip to an antique book shop, and yet another bunch of sample copies of Swedish romance comic books. Great stuff! September 22, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
In today’s mail bag: a great, big double issue of Utopi. Loads and loads of original, Swedish escapism! September 18, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Right now, Norwegian artist Arild Midthun (Donald Duck) being interviewed for TV at the Comic Art School. September 17, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 2
Reading the new book Alternativet (The Alternative) by Karolina Bång while eating lunch. September 15, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
At the sneak peak opening, with the art by Niklas Asker and Camilla Eklund. September 14, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Just started the daunting task of packing my whole library for our move next month. Those of you who have visited, know that this is not a task undertaken lightly. Will have to pack at least one hour every day from now on, until we move. September 14, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
In today’s mail: the new issue of Norwegian alternative comics anthology Forresten (which saw the debut of Norwegian mega star Jason, ages ago) and a brand new collection with said Jason’s pastisch drawings from the last year or so. Great stuff! September 11, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Even though I spent almost the whole day in Stockholm yesterday at meetings, I still had time to visit some of the local comic shops, and buy this eclectic collection of Swedish romance comics books through the ages. Got some funny looks when paying for my loot, though :) September 11, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Another find in the mailbox today. More Adamson/Silent Sam merchandise from early 20th century. It’s the middle figurine (posed between a salt and pepper shaker and a cognac decanter) that’s new, and it’s in a format/size that I’ve never seen before. Ok, so this is getting nerdy beyond belief, but I really appreciate collecting something where I have no idea what’s actually out there… August 28, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Inspired by the fact that I am right now getting close to finishing our big special issue on Tove Jansson, I have bought these beautiful ceramic figurines from the 1950s, supposedly designed by Tove’s mother, Signe Hammarsten-Jansson. August 28, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 4
Birthday presents for our resident breast feeding mom in need of books to read. Can anyone spot the theme :) August 18, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Today’s big project. Doesn’t look much but man, digging out and building a terrace in a slope made up of roughly 70 percent stone is hard work. Looking forward to building the fire place in the middle. Next week … August 11, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
“Såhär gjorde hon, det kan jag känna i tassen!” Hanna färglägger vår serie om Tove Jansson och försöker återskapa hennes färgläggningsteknik. August 10, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Today’s delivery of new books. I’m putting myself on a strict diet of Naoki Urasawa for the next few days… August 8, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
A few months ago I showcased a rather interesting (well Ok, I think so anway…) little collectors comics print from sometime during the first half of the 1900s, featuring the Swedish character Adamson/Silent Sam, advertising the new invention of sugar cubes. Today, great friend Christian Kindblad gave me another four! One of these is numbered 24, so, only at least 19 left to get a full set :) August 6, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Looked through several hundred booths at this year’s collector’s fair to find this little guy. Probably a bottle cork figure, though with the cork missing. Nice piece though, which I hadn’t seen before. July 21, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Late birthday present from wifey. All of you in the know will readily understand that I have the best wife ever :) July 20, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Today’s read: the first three tomes from the Danish publisher Forlaens interesting concept of quickly produced original graphic novels. July 20, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Today’s find in the mail bag: several beautiful pages from 1940 with mounted, cut out comics strips for the Buffalo Evening News, one containing Adamson’s Adventure by Henry Thol. July 16, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Vacation? Bah, humbug! Editing and writing an uppdated version of my book Seriebiblioteket (The Comics Library) from 2005, trying to decide which of all the books that has been published in Sweden in the last nine years should be added. Here are some of the contendors, in an ever growing pile next to my work space … July 12, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Today’s find in the mail bag: the first Swedish comics collection I have bought through a Crowdsourcing effort: Zak & Ting by Yvette Gustafsson. It’ll be interesting to see if this catches on in a big way in the Swedish comics culture. July 9, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
A new addition to my ever growing collection of little bald men from the beginning of the 20th century arrived today through the mail. This is a small figurine and not one of the more common salt and pepper shakers, and it’s got the name Adamson printed on the base. Never seen one of these before. I really need to get myself a bigger cabinet … July 8, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Today I bought a sample collection of Swedish comic books from different deccades, specifically targeting a young female audience. An intriguing read, to say the least. July 3, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 3
Once again my Stetson Panama hat makes me fit right into the environment. Here surrounded by piranhas from the Amazon. June 30, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
In the mail: two hand-bound volumes, collecting all the Swedish Adamson/Silent Sam yearly collections from the start in 1921 up until 1946. June 30, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 3
Yay! Victory! In the latest catalogue for the publisher Bonnier Carlsen, Simon Lundström, who lost this translating assignements when he was accused of owning drawings that was deemed as child pornography, has been reinstated as translator after being acquitted. Admittedly, this is probably the last volume to be translated into Swedish, but it is still a victory! June 24, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Today’s read. Have already read it in French, but must admit that I got more of the subtleties from the Danish edition… Good, mature, understated story about a young Palestinian man living behind the new Iron Curtain. June 23, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Today’s read. An intriguing, strange, understated story, which has me glamoring for the next volume. June 22, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Playing the board-game Ankh-Morpork and drinking the Trappist beer Rochefort, one of my all time favorites. A good way to spend Midsummer’s Eve. June 21, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Proud father with the new daughter, Linnea. Just about the smallest thing ever. June 16, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 5
Exposing our Danish, British and American friends to some good old Swedish summer sun. June 3, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
The British publishers Accent UK and Greg Bennet from Gosh Comics in the US, visiting the Comic Art School, being harased by the students :) June 3, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
From the presentation on Hvad er en tegneserie? (What are comics?), at Copenhagen Comics. A surprisingly large audience attended my lecture, and had some interesting questions. Makes me think that an English version might not be such a bad idea… June 2, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
On stage with Norwegian strip artist Frode Överli, of Pondus fame, at Copenhagen Comics. June 2, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
And the crowd goes wild: Mordön Smet recieves the Award for best Danish Graphic novel. The applauds never wanted to end. June 1, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
The traditional poser photo, with publisher extraordinaire Paw Mathiasen. June 1, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Interviewing the incredible talented Emmanuel Guibert, at Copenhagen Comics. June 1, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Interviewing Swedish artist Malin Biller, who has been nominerad for the prestigious Ping Award. June 1, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Meeting with representatives from the comics organisations of the Nordic countries. Great plans being made. June 1, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
It’s new book day at The Comic Art School. Simone Büchert’s Dead Apple Studio’s Book of Tales just arrived. May 31, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
New books! New books! Come and get them while they’re fresh! As always, they’re for free. May 31, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
The new Yearbook arrives, and with 2 000 thick (more than 400 pages) copies, occupies most of our lobby… May 31, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Reading the brand new collection of early comics by Henri Gylander. May 30, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
From today’s mailbag. Indulging in my love for the Marcinelle school, in this year of celebration. May 28, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Spending the afternoon re-reading most of the books I own by Emmanuel Guibert, in preparation for our artist talk on Saturday. Sometimes I have the best job in the world. May 26, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Comics academics doing what they do best: drinking beer and talking about books. May 25, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Listening to Thierry Groensteen talking about self representation in comics. May 25, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 3
Meeting two heroes in Helsinki: Tarmo Koivisto (Mämmilä) and Leif Packalén (World Comics). May 25, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 1
Conference organizer Kai Mikkonen officially declaring the NNCORE 2013 International Conference in Comics Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland, started. May 24, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Working on a crucial accessory to my own costume for tomorrow’s fancy dress party… May 12, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 2
Tomorrow’s costumes starting to take shape. Anyone who can guess the theme :) May 12, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 4
At Copenhagen Beer Celebration. A good little beer festival. OK, so I’m comparing it to Nottingham’s Robin Hood Beer Festival, with 1100 beers… May 4, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0
Philippe Morin from the Angouleme festival, reviewing Swedish fanzines for the Angouleme Fanzine Award. At Stockholm International Comics Festival. April 28, 2013 By Fredrik Strömberg 0