Small Business Saturday on November 28 encourages consumers to patronize small local shops in response to the breathless hyperbole surrounding “Black Friday.” Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery fully supports this effort (while appreciating the irony of the campaign’s sponsorship by some of the world’s largest corporations.) The bookstore commemorates the occasion in appropriate fashion with an appearance by Seattle cartoonist Colleen Frakes signing copies of her recent small press graphic memoir Prison Island. The book chronicles the artist’s unconventional upbringing on a remote island penitentiary near Tacoma, Washington, where her parents worked in corrections. Join us this Saturday from 6:00…
The Captivating Comix of Colleen Frakes at Fantagraphics Bookstore
Seattle cartoonist Colleen Frakes grew up on McNeil Island near Tacoma, Washington – the last functioning federal island penitentiary – where both of her parents worked in corrections. Her unorthodox adolescence is the subject of a new graphic memoir Prison Island. Frakes will sign copies of the book at Fantagraphics Bookstore on Small Business Saturday, November 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The isolation of a small island community magnified the complexities of adolescence. Employing a spare rendering style, it soon becomes clear the convicts weren’t the only people held captive on the remote prison island. Ordinary teenage activities…
Wizards and Lizards at Fantagraphics Bookstore
I’m like Vaughn Bodé, I’m a Cheech Wizard, Never quittin’, So won’t you listen. – Beastie Boys, “Sure Shot” The enduring influence of the late Vaughn Bodé is the subject of a fascinating exhibition at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery opening Saturday, December 12. The Cheech Wizard Show celebrates the store’s 9th anniversary and the debut of Cheech Wizard’s Book of Me, the most comprehensive volume to date of this amazing American artist. Special guest Mark Bodé will appear to present this important publication. Vaughn Bodé’s mystical motifs became ubiquitous in the underground comix and science fiction scenes of the 1960s…
What’s in Store (Celebrity Edition)
Prepare for a wild weekend of art, music and mayhem in Georgetown. In the words of Seattle’s preeminent lit critic Paul Constant, “You might as well camp out in the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery all weekend long.” The action begins this Saturday with an appearance by Seattle cartoonist Tatiana Gill. Her comix chronicle the seemingly mundane circumstances of daily existence, but when taken together reveal a highly complex and appealing character. She’ll be signing three recent publications from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. This event coincides with the lively Georgetown Art Attack featuring visual and performing arts presentations throughout the historic…
Best of the Northwest in November at Fantagraphics Bookstore
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to present some of Seattle’s most compelling cartoonists throughout the month of November. On Saturday, November 14, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, Tatiana Gill debuts her latest collection of revealing journal comix Omnibusted: Stories I Told Myself 1999-2009. Her work is characterized by courageously confronting issues of social anxiety and substance abuse in an accessible, often humorous fashion. This self-published book represents her most ambitious work to date. This event coincides with the entertaining Georgetown Art Attack featuring exciting visual and performing arts presentations throughout the historic neighborhood. The following day, Sunday,…
Short Run Marathon Returns to Fantagraphics Bookstore on Friday
Come celebrate our amazing comix community on Friday, October 30 as Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts Short Run Marathon III, a pre-fest reception and art exhibition. The show includes the work of Short Run featured artists Charles Forsman, Melissa Mendes, Jim Woodring, Krish Raghav, Bruce Bickford, and special guest Sam Alden, with live music by Lisa Prank.
What’s in Store (Anniversary Edition)
Time does fly when you’re having fun. Nine years ago today Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery quietly opened its doors to the public. (We celebrated our grand opening 6 weeks later.) In the years since, our little bookstore has become a cultural institution, hosting countless signings, exhibitions, receptions, workshops, presentations, and performances featuring some of the world’s most imaginative artists. Thank you all for your support. This tradition of showcasing established and emerging artists continues next Friday, October 30 with Short Run Marathon III exhibition and pre-fest reception featuring Charles Forsman, Melissa Mendes, Jim Woodring, Krish Raghav, Bruce Bickford, and special guest Sam…
What’s in Store
Celebrate the Short Run Comix & Arts Festival on Friday, October 30 as Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts Short Run Marathon III, a pre-fest reception and art exhibition. The show includes the work of Short Run featured artists Charles Forsman, Melissa Mendes, Jim Woodring, Krish Raghav, Bruce Bickford, and special guest Sam Alden, with live music by Lisa Prank.
What’s in Store
Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday, October 10, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, as we celebrate Cartoons for Victory with visiting editor and comics scholar Warren Bernard. This event features an exhibition from Bernard’s fascinating archive of World War II home front ephemera. Bernard returns to Seattle following the recent Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, MD, where he serves as executive director. He co-authored the Eisner-nominated Drawing Power, which examines the role of classic comics in advertising. Bernard will give an informative slide presentation at 7:00 PM at the reception on Saturday. Senator Bob Dole, a decorated WWII…
Warren Bernard Presents Cartoons for Victory at Fantagraphics Bookstore
Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, October 10, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, as Warren Bernard presents Cartoons for Victory. This event features an exhibition from Bernard’s fascinating archive of World War II home front ephemera, a slide talk, reception, and book signing. Cartoons for Victory chronicles an era when America’s cartoonists aimed their pens not only at the wartime enemy, but at injustices and societal changes at home. Accomplished artists like Charles Addams, Chester Gould, Al Capp, Will Eisner, Bill Mauldin, Gladys Parker, Dr. Seuss, and many others offer humorous and often sobering commentary on the…