Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid that examines backlist titles you may have missed or are worthy of another read. This week we’ll focus on Big Baby by Seattle native Charles Burns. Big Baby collects four stories created by Burns between 1983 and 1992 from works published in RAW comix anthology and his syndicated “Big Baby” comic strip. Much like the Hernandez Brothers‘ Love & Rockets stories of this period, science fiction plays an important role, though Burns’ EC horror comics influences are more evident. His primary protagonist is a peculiar little boy with an…
What’s in Store: An American Treasure
Only rarely is there discovered a significant body of work by an artist as important as Robert Crumb. The drawings and related artifacts found in the forthcoming exhibition R. Crumb: Early Works, 1965 – 1967 represent a rare opportunity to experience the evolving aesthetic of a prominent American artist. Join us this Saturday, September 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery as we unveil this exceptional collection of seminal works by one of history’s most gifted cartoonists. Below is a narrative explaining the origin of this work by Crumb confidant Mimi Currier, who will attend the…
R. Crumb: Early Works 1965 – 1967 opens September 10
Fantagraphics Books launches an exciting series of events celebrating its 40th anniversary with “R. Crumb: Early Works, 1965 – 1967,” opening Saturday, September 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. This important exhibition features over thirty previously unseen original drawings and arcane artifacts, which demonstrate the development of the artist’s signature style. The show remains on view through November 2, 2016. Robert Crumb is widely considered America’s greatest living cartoonist. His work was recently featured in the Seattle Museum’s “Graphic Masters” exhibition alongside Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Hogarth, and Picasso. The seminal work on display at…
What’s in Store: Get Some Crumb
Make plans now to attend the opening of R. Crumb: Early Works, 1965 – 1967 on Saturday, September 10 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. This important exhibition features over two-dozen previously unseen original drawings and artifacts, which demonstrate the development of the artist’s signature style. The show remains on view through November 2, 2016. Call the bookstore for information on nearby hotel, hospitality, and transportation options. You still have ten more days to see the Seattle Art Museum’s stunning exhibition, Graphic Masters: Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Hogarth, Picasso, R. Crumb. Don’t miss this amazing show, on view through August…
What’s in Store: Fantagraphics at 40!
Fantagraphics Books begins our celebration of 40 years publishing the world’s greatest cartoonists with an exhibition of the world’s greatest cartoonist. R. Crumb: Early Works, 1965 – 1967 documents the artist as he develops his signature style with original drawings, comix, and related ephemera. Most of these works have never been displayed publicly, so you’re in for a treat. The show opens on Saturday, September 10 and continues through November 2, 2016. The 40th year festivities continue on Saturday, October 8 as Seattle native Charles Burns discusses his graphic masterpiece Black Hole. This arresting story is set a short distance…
What’s in Store: Peter Bagge’s Neat Stuff!
Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday, August 13 for the debut of the Complete Neat Stuff by legendary Seattle cartoonist Peter Bagge. A limited number of advance copies of this two volume, slip case edition will be available for the artist to sign between 6:30 and 8:00 PM. Neat Stuff includes early work by Bagge introducing a cast of iconic characters that would populate his comix for decades. The Bradleys became a template for the dysfunctional American family, influencing the work of artists like Matt Groening, Mike Judge, Dana Gould, and countless others. This book collects the classic comix…
What’s in Store: An Intruder Tribute
On July 9, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery pays tribute to the phenomenal Intruder comix tabloid on the occasion of its final issue. It’s hard to overstate the influence of this publication on the local comix community. Over the course of 20 issues, this resourceful collective of Seattle cartoonists has elevated the careers of a number of artists including editor Marc Palm, Max Clotfelter, Tom van Deusen, Ben Horak, Brittany Kusa, James Stanton, Seth Goodkind, Marie Hausauer, John Ohannesian, Darin Schuler, Brandon Lehmann, David Lasky, Scott Travis, Joe Garber, and Billis Helg, among many others. It has inspired several sister publications…
What’s in Store: More Clowning Around
Drop by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery this Saturday, June 25 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM as Tatiana Gill hosts a clown coloring contest from her new book Down to Clown. We’ll have cool prizes and free corn dogs, cotton candy, caramel corn, and more! All entries will be exhibited through July 7. An added attraction at the Hot Off the Press book fair on July 9 is a rare show by seminal Seattle punk band Chinas Comidas led by literary artist Cynthia Genser, who will also give a spoken word performance. The band will play new material from their Songbook…
What’s in Store: Intruder, Sammy Harkham, and More!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 9 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM as we welcome acclaimed indie comix artist Sammy Harkham and wish a fond farewell to the Intruder at the second annual Hot Off the Press book fair at Fantagraphics Bookstore! This colorful festival features tables of local handcrafted comix and zines by many of the Northwest’s most admired artists. Special guest Sammy Harkham will sign copies of the newly released Kramer’s Ergot 9 anthology as well as his alluring self-published serial Crickets. Another attraction is Seattle artist Josh Simmons signing the latest installment of Jessica Farm project,…
What’s in Store: Coulrophobia!
Check out our entry in Hazardfactory’s annual Power Tool Drag Races at the Georgetown Carnival this Saturday, June 11. It’s a circular palm sander. Not fast, but definitely furious. Side by side eliminations start at noon. Don’t miss the amazing Georgetown Clown Town at the Stables curated by Celeste Kean and Larry Reid. The show features contemporary clown imagery by Marion Peck, Edward Matlock, Doug Parry, Tatiana Gill, Kelly O, Extremo, Jo David, Owen Smith, Seth Goodkind, Greg Swanson, Allen Gladfelter and Ron English. His “Coulrophobic Clown” (pictured above) refers to a compulsive fear of clowns. It’s been fascinating…
