For the past decade, we’ve been privileged to share space with our retail partners at Georgetown Records. The shop specializes in vintage vinyl – everything from early punk, power pop, prog, soul, industrial, electronica, garage, psychedelic, rock n roll, and more. This Saturday, April 22 marks the 10th annual Record Store Day, a national celebration of record shops. To commemorate the occasion, Georgetown Records presents live music by two Seattle bands: the blue-eyed soul of Bonneville Power featuring our own Martin Bland on drums, and roots rockers Paper Dolls. The music starts a 4:00 PM, but drop by early to…
Re/Read: The Merchant of Dennis by Hank Ketcham
Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid drawing attention to books you may have missed or are worth another read. This time we’ll focus on Hank Ketcham’s engaging autobiography, The Merchant of Dennis. Hank Ketcham’s story reflects the life experience of America’s “Greatest Generation.” He was raised during the Great Depression on Seattle’s middle class Queen Anne Hill (the very same neighborhood that I later spent my formative years.) A natural entertainer, young Ketcham performed in theatrical productions, musical groups, and was a yell king at Queen Anne High. But his first love was…
Plant Your Face in Some Digital Comics!
This week’s digital comics are from all over the metaphorical map. Let’s do it! Behold Bullwhip: the mysterious crime fighter sworn to keep Metro City’s streets safe from villainy. Writer Josh Bayer, acclaimed artist Benjamin Marra, and Firestorm co-creator Al Milgrom team up for “Web of Oblivion” which pits our hero against time-traveling vampires, amongst other baddies. All Time Comics: Bullwhip #1 is now available through comiXology. Both Carol Swain and Russell Patterson are the focus of our backlist titles this week as well. Load up your tablets with these books, most long out of…
New Digital Love and Rockets . . . and more!
Jaime and Gilbert are back with another brand-new issue of the pure excellence they can only bring to this fallen world. Also, some more backlist titles! The new issue of Love and Rockets picks up right where #1 left off. Over on Jaime’s side, it’s La Llorona’s turn to hit the stage at the punk rock reunion show and the Hellmets are closing in on Princess Animus. Is Hopey ready? Is Isla ready? Are you?! On Gilbert’s side, Fritz and her twin daughters have a meeting, while Pipo and her new squeeze visit the mysterious Dr. Emil in prison in…
Re/Read: Is That All There Is? by Joost Swarte
Re/Read is a recurring column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid looking back at books you may have missed or are worthy of another read. This time we’ll discuss the stunning collection, Is That All There Is?, by Dutch master Joost Swarte. Like many American comix enthusiasts, I first became aware of Joost Swarte though Art Spiegelman and François Mouly’s RAW anthology. It was a revelation when Fantagraphics Books published Is That All There Is?, the first substantial English edition of his remarkable comix and graphics. While Swarte’s work often references classic American comic strips, his work…
New Digital Debuts and Backlist!
Rege, Forney, and Moscoso — oh, my! This’s week’s digital releases include two from the great Ron Rege, Jr. and backlist favorites by Ellen Forney and Victor Moscoso. Let’s get to it! What Parsifal Saw is a psychedelic collection on Ron Rege, Jr.’s newer, shorter work. This collection features Rege’s signature esoteric ideas and spirituality and includes an adaptation of 19th century occultist Helena Petrovna Blavatsky’s work. What Parsifal Saw is your look into cosmic consciousness, outsider rawness, and pure cartoonish joy. It can now be found on comiXology and Google Play. Back in print and…
What’s in Store: Ron Regé, Jr on April 8!
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to welcome back to Seattle visionary artist Ron Regé, Jr. on Saturday, April 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The reception will feature a book signing and exhibition of prints from his new collection, What Persifal Saw. Ron Regé’s work reflects his interest in mysticism and spirituality. This approach to contemporary cartooning is demonstrated in “Cosmogenesis,” his adaptation of the writings of 19th century occultist Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. The story concerns the ancient alchemical ideas that strongly influenced his previous work, The Cartoon Utopia, recently made available in a softcover edition from Fantagraphics Books. Regé…
Fantagraphics at MoCCA Arts Fest 2017
We’re bringing the big books to the Big Apple for MoCCA Arts Festival 2017, sponsored by The Society of Illustrators! April 1-2 you can find us at the Metropolitan West event space in Hell’s Kitchen. We’re bringing along special guests, hot new books, and a spunky can-do attitude. Debut Books Love and Rockets Vol. 4 #2 by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez The second issue of Love and Rockets picks right upfrom Issue #1! Over on Jaime’s side, it’s La Llorona’s turn to hit the stage at the punk rock reunion and the Hellmets are closing in on Princess Animus. Is…
What’s in Store: Tasty Times Tomorrow
Georgetown Bites allows food and beverage fans to experience the diverse culinary delights of Seattle’s historic arts community in affordable fashion. The 3rd annual Taste of Georgetown features special offers from 28 appetizing enterprises for as little as $4 each. Celebrate the unique hospitality of this colorful neighborhood on Saturday, March 25. Tickets are available at the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tasting continues until 5:00 PM. Adventurous diners can also visit the many galleries, shops, and assorted cultural attractions on Saturday, March 25 in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, including Ezequiel Garcia at Fantagraphics Bookstore…
Your Tablet Will Thank You
Pamper your tablet with our new digital releases this week, which include fantastic new graphic novels and art collections, as well as backlist breath-takers. Manuele Fior is back with The Interview! Set in Italy in 2048 while strange triangles appear in the sky bearing mysterious messages. At the same time, Raniero, a fifty-something psychologist whose marriage is failing meets a new patient who is part of a youth movement called the “New Convention.” The Interview is a science fiction graphic novel that eschews the stars in favor of the delicate nature of human emotions. I can be found through comiXology…
