Tim Sale talks Heroes and his stylized takes on mainstream superheroes; Josh Simmons talks about his work and life in a sex circus; Gary Groth on Ralh Steadman and Hunter S. Thompson; vintage comics from Flintstones co-creator Dan Gordon; more! The Comics Journal #291 features your regularly scheduled dose of funnybook diversity and critical acumen. This issue’s all over the place, folks. Check it out:

• An interview with Batman: The Long Halloween artist and Heroes illustrator Tim Sale.

• A conversation with House/Jessica Farm author Josh Simmons.

• Gary Groth’s comprehensive review of the new Ralph Steadman memoir, The Joke’s Over: Bruised Memories: Gonzo, Hunter S. Thompson, and Me .

• William Stout offers a personal remembrance of his longtime friend, Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens.

• Tom Crippen examines the career of Howard the Duck creator Steve Gerber.

• A generous selection of humor and funny-animal comics by Flintstones mastermind Dan Gordon.

• John A. Lent looks at the growing market for comics in the Middle East.

• A color preview of Danica Novgorodoff’s new graphic novel, Slow Storm

Dig in and enjoy! Color and black-and-white comics and illustrations throughout