Re/Read: Take That, Adolf!

   Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid drawing attention to backlist books you might have missed or are worthy of another read. This time we’ll break with tradition and look at the recent title, Take That, Adolf!: The Fighting Comic Books of the Second World War, edited by Mark Fertig. Art historian Mark Fertig explores the geopolitical underpinnings of World War II through the colorful covers of Golden Age comic books. With surprising sophistication, these images reflect the complexities of that global conflict. Chapters on Building Towards War, She Can Do It!, Pulling Together, Kids Can…

What’s in Store: Georgetown Carnival Arts Festival

Step right up the 12th annual Georgetown Carnival on Saturday, June 10 from noon to 10:00 PM. This colorful community arts festival celebrates the creative diversity Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Free family fun all day long! This year’s edition features free concerts by Northwest rock stalwarts Mudhoney (fronted by former Fantagraphics staffer Mark Arm) and Tom Price Desert Classic (with current staffer Martin Bland on drums). They‘ll be joined by Young Pioneers, Thee Sgt. Major III, Pink Parts, Gibraltar, Mia Day, Shasta Bree, Sazerac, Jacque Larrainzar, Kelli Francis Corrado, Barton Carroll, Danny Godinez, Tobias the Owl, Our Dead Fathers, Megan Krantz,…

What’s in Store: Art, Media, Music & More!

Join us for an evening of art, comix, media, and music this Saturday, May 13 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. We’ll host a reception and exhibition of original art by cartoonist Cathy Malkasian. She will discuss her new graphic novel Eartha in conversation with Fantagraphics Books publisher Gary Groth at 6:30 PM, followed by a book signing. The event will also include the video installation Patience, Atlas. This dance performance documentary from Marion Walker is presented in association with Georgetown Records. The stop-motion video captures a dancer stranded in the waiting room where patience is…

What’s in Store: Comic Book Day

This Saturday, May 6 marks the 15th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day. Or, as we at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery like to call it, Comic Book Day. We’ll offer complimentary copies of Fantagraphics Books’ World’s Greatest Cartoonists collection featuring new work by Noah Van Sciver, Simon Hanselmann, Jason, Ed Piskor, Liz Suburbia, Matt Furie, Anya Davidson, Dash Shaw, Richard Sala, Emil Ferris and more! We couldn’t help but notice over the years that calling this Free Comic Book Day seems to discourage patrons from purchasing any products. This situation has been accentuated coming on the heels of successful celebrations…

Digital Purgatory

This week’s digital releases feature a brand new FU Press book and a variety of titles from your backlist wish list. Let’s do it! For the committed outsider, adolescence can be a nightmare. Purgatory by Casanova Frankenstein, a truly distinct and remarkable artist, may at first appear to be the tale of a classic case of teenage avoidance, but this is not a story about dysfunctional coping techniques. No, it’s a triumphant story of an individual who doggedly refuses to be atomized by the masses. Taken right from the artist’s raw sketchbook, Purgatory can now be yours through comiXology.  …

Eisner Award 2017 Nominations!

Eisner Awards Nominations 2017 Congratulations are in order for all the nominees of this year’s Eisner Awards! So proud of all of our books and cartoonists that continue to push envelopes and produce innovative and boundary work. With 20 nominations this year I think we’re doing something right. Check out our nominees below, full list is on the Eisner Awards website. Best Short Story “The Comics Wedding of the Century,” by Simon Hanselmann, in We Told You So: Comics as Art (Fantagraphics) “The Dark Nothing,” by Jordan Crane, in Uptight #5 (Fantagraphics) “Shrine of the Monkey God!” by Kim Deitch,…

Fantagraphics at TCAF 2017

Canada’s crazy. Last year at TCAF we had to slow people down from trying to throw cash as us so quickly. That’s not a bad thing, we’re not complaining. I’ve just never been surrounded by so many intense happy comic fans, eager to get the latest titles from us. Since we’re bringing so many killer debut books with us this year, I hope the reaction will be just as excited as last year. Check out our lineup of artist signings and fresh new books to get you pumped for Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2017! Special Guests Gary Panter Texas-born illustrator,…

Sports and Monologues!

This week’s digital releases feature an artist with a several decade’s long career and the early work of a modern master. Let’s dive in! The Draw of Sport compiles, in art and text, more than 150 of nationally syndicated columnist Murrary Olderman’s favorite personalities from the world of sports. Each full-page illustration is accompanied by Olderman’s personal reminiscences of those illustrious stars. Amongst the many names you’ll recognize are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Muhammed Ali, Yogi Berra, Wilt Chamberlain, Mickey Mantle, Vince Lombardi, and many more. Swing for the fences and get The Draw of Sport for your table today through comiXology…

What’s in Store: Cathy Malkasian Presents Eartha!

Please join us in welcoming Cathy Malkasian to Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, May 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The artist will exhibit original drawings from her new graphic novel and discuss her work in conversation with publisher Gary Groth, followed by a book signing. The exhibition remains on view through June 7, 2017. Eartha is Cathy Malkasian’s fourth graphic novel — a metaphorical fable that resonates with contemporary themes. Malkasian’s drawing is notable for its rigorous draftsmanship, stunning landscapes and atmospheric depictions of nature. The gestural nuances of her characters and her sophisticated storytelling are all on…

What’s in Store: Days to Remember

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…