Fans of comics and popular culture from across the world are gathering in San Diego for the 40th Comic-Con International, the largest convention of its kind. For fans unable to make the yearly pilgrimage to San Diego for four days of comic madness, we’ll gladly suggest a few titles that provide the next best thing.

Comic enthusiasts may be familiar with Ivan Brunetti, author of the innovative Schizo series and occasional New Yorker cover artist. As the editor of the two volume Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories (Vol 2), he has compiled graphic art from more than 75 contemporary artists in award-winning fashion. Brunetti’s handpicked selections will appeal to seasoned comic fans and first time graphic fiction readers–a truly epic work.

For those interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of comic art, In the Studio: Visits with Contemporary Cartoonists is a superb option. The book features interviews with industry legends including Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, Robert Crumb, and Chris Ware, as well as full-color reproductions of the authors’ works, some of which were previously unpublished.

For a fun way to experience Comic Cons past, check out the video below to see designer Chip Kidd touring the New York Comic Con in February. Kidd devotees may also be interested in the monograph on his work that YUP published in 2003, featuring extensive illustrations and a detailed narrative on Kidd’s meteoric rise to stardom.