Welcome to Re/Read, an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid drawing attention to comix that you may have overlooked or are worthy of another read. We’ll begin with a classic by the great Robert Crumb. Kafka is among the most compelling books by R. Crumb. A collaboration with writer David Zane Mairowitz, this book seamlessly weaves Franz Kafka’s complex stories into a biographical narrative of his life in Prague as Europe descended into turmoil at the turn of the twentieth century. Many of Kafka’s stories foreshadowed the unspeakable horrors that would soon befall his fellow Jews 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: 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…
What’s in Store: Carnival, Clowns, Music and More!
Don’t miss the Georgetown Carnival on Saturday, June 11 from noon to 10:00 PM. In addition to Hazardfactory’s World Famous Power Tool Races, the free festival features acrobats, art, carnival games, crafts, confections, and music by El Vez, Lisa Prank, Star Anna, Less Than Equals, Danny Newcomb & the Sugarmakers, MKB Ultra, Paper Dolls, and many more. This year’s Carnival includes a colorful new attraction organized by Celeste Kean and bookstore curator Larry Reid. Georgetown Clown Town includes art, performances, balloon making, magic and more. The Clown Show at The Stables event space – (one block north of the bookstore)…
What’s in Store: Pirates! Mice! Witches! Comix!
Be sure to join us at the University of Washington’s Henry Art Gallery on Sunday, June 5 for a rare public appearance by legendary Seattle cartoonist Shary Flenniken. Counterculture Comics and the Semiotics of Disney Icons will attempt to clear the apocryphal haze from one of pop culture’s most intriguing episodes. Flenniken was a central figure in the Air Pirates comix collective. After meeting at a rock festival near Seattle in 1970, the group took up residence in a prop warehouse owned by Francis Ford Coppola in San Francisco’s Mission District. They created a sensation by appropriating Walt Disney’s signature…
What’s in Store: Free Comic Book Cake
Celebrate Free Comic Book Day at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery this Saturday, May 7. We’ll be passing out free copies of a Love & Rockets sampler ahead of this summer’s reboot of the classic comic as a quarterly series. Come rediscover the beloved book that launched the alternative comix movement. Speaking of beloved… We’ll also indulge in this delicious cake commemorating Lucy Knisley’s graphic memoir Something New, documenting her recent nuptials. We took to calling this creation the Leaning Tower of Lucy, narrowly averting wedding cake disaster on a number of occasions. The experience allowed…
