When The Tale of One Bad Rat first appeared in periodical form last year, it won two important awards: the U. K. Comic Art Award for Best New Publication, and the prestigious Comic Creators Guild Award for best short series of 1994. Additionally, Talbot received nominations for Eisner Awards in the categories of Best Limited Series and Best Writer-Artist. Now that award-winning tale is available as a 128-page, full-color trade paperback graphic novel.

To celebrate the trade paperback release of his comics masterpiece, The Tale of One Bad Rat, writer and artist Bryan Talbot will embark on a signing tour of the eastern United States.

"I couldn't be happier than to come to the U.S. to support what I regard as my most important work to date," Talbot said.

Bryan Talbot will sign at the following locations: St. Marks Comics in New York City on Wednesday, November 8 (5-8 pm); Comicopia in Boston, MA on Friday, November 10 (5-8 pm); Comic Attitudes in Edison, NJ on Sunday, November 12 (2-4 pm); Claude's Comics in Hatboro, PA on Wednesday, November 15 (4-7 pm); Cards, Comics & Collectibles on Thursday, November 16 (4-7 pm); and Big Planet Comics in Vienna, VA on Friday, November 17 (4-7 pm).

Bryan Talbot's The Tale of One Bad Rat tells the story of Helen Potter, a young girl who is rebuilding her life after running away from a sexually abusive father.