Simpsons/Futurama crossover gets art-book treatment

Art book imprint Abrams announced today that it will publish The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis by Matt Groening. The book will be published under the Abrams ComicArts imprint. The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis is slated to be released in April of 2010.

Abrams senior vice prez and publisher Steve Tager explains, "Abrams ComicArts is already known for spotlighting the work of comics legends, such as Jack Kirby and Harvey Kurtzman. We're thrilled to add Matt Groening to this list of important artists and writers, and to bring another piece of pop-culture history to our list."

"Matt and his team will put the comic in ComicArts," says Charles Kochman. "Having the Simpsons and Futurama characters on our list will expand the audience for our titles, and give fans an affordable and unique reading experience. The format, design, production values, and overall package of The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis will continue to distinguish Abrams ComicArts titles in the market."

The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis was originally published in 2002 and 2005 as two two-part comic book miniseries (Futurama/Simpsons Infinitely Secret Crossover Crisis and The Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis II). These four hard-to-find comics will be presented together for the first time in a hardcover collection and packaged with a bonus facsimile reprint of the Eisner Award-winning issue of Simpsons Comics #1, first published in 1993. The book also contains an introduction by Matt Groening; supplementary material, including preliminary sketches and character designs; and an exclusive pin-up gallery featuring 16 superstar comics artists, including Michael Allred, Sergio Aragonés, Kyle Baker, Geof Darrow, Peter Kuper, Alex Ross, and Bernie Wrightson.