What’s in Store: Best Comix of 2019

It’s come the time that Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid selects his favorite comix of the year. If this list seems somehow less cohesive than in the past, it’s testament to the creative and cultural diversity in current contemporary comix. That’s a good thing. These wonderful books, and many more amazing new titles that I absentmindedly overlooked here, can be found at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, located at 1201 S. Vale Street in the heart of Seattle’s historic Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206-557-4910. 20. Book of Weirdo. This oral history…

Re:Read | Farmer Ned’s Comics Barn

   Re:Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid examining backlist books you may have missed or merit another look. This time we’ll focus on Gerald Jablonski’s visionary masterpiece Farmer Ned’s Comics Barn from Fantagraphics adventurous FU Press imprint. I’ve always been drawn to “outsider” art, characterized by deeply obsessive expression. Gerald Jablonski’s work seamlessly combines the naïve sensibilities of folk artists like Reverend Howard Finster with the meticulous sophistication of cartoonists like Daniel Clowes – fluid, yet strangely formal. Farmer Ned’s Comics Barn alternates between dense, intricate narratives and spare, wordless renderings. Amazingly, in an appended…

What’s in Store: Short Run Marathon!

Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Friday, November 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for the 5th annual Short Run Marathon art show and pre-festival party. The exhibition features original works by an amazing array of artists including Emil Ferris, Leela Corman, Julia Wertz, Anders Nilsen, Jordan Crane, Gemma Correll, Tom Hart, nishat akhtar, Rebecca Artemisa, with presentations by Anders Nilsen & 2dcloud. The Short Run Comix & Art Festival has grown to become one of the country’s premier showcases of emerging contemporary cartoonists. As the titles suggests, the Marathon exhibition references the daunting challenges these artists confront…

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: 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: 40 Years of Comics As Art

  Fantagraphics Books commemorates its 40th anniversary with a series of talks, exhibitions, book signings, performances, and parties celebrating four decades of publishing the world’s greatest contemporary cartoonists. The impressive record of accomplishment and immeasurable influence of this Seattle-based enterprise are chronicled in the new book, We Told You So: Comics as Art, An Oral History of Fantagraphics Books. The festivities begin with a panel discussion on Fantagraphics’ first 40 years on Friday, December 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the elegant Folio library, located at 384 Marion Street in downtown Seattle. Moderated by Fantagraphics publisher and co-founder Gary…

What’s in Store

 Visitors to signings at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in recent years have doubtless encountered filmmakers Ron Austin and Louise Amandes documenting the proceedings. Join us tonight at Northwest Film Forum for the U. S. premiere of their movie Bezango, WA, which celebrates our region’s lively comix culture. The film features personalities like Peter Bagge, Ellen Forney, Gary Groth, Megan Kelso, Pat Moriarity, Jim Woodring, and many more. The 8:00 PM screening will be preceded by Local Sightings Book Fair at 6:00 PM including Intruder comix collective, Short Run, Fantagraphics Bookstore, Pity Party, Mend My Dress, and Cold Cube Press. NWFF…

What’s in Store

   When visiting Seattle this summer, make a mandatory stop at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in the historic Georgetown arts community. Search for coveted single-issues of Eightball, Hate, JIM, Palestine, Love & Rockets, and other hard to find merchandise. Check out original art and prints by your favorite artists. This week you can pick up a copy of the new edition of Phoebe Gloeckner‘s Diary of a Teenage Girl along with a revealing 2004 interview by Gary Groth in The Comics Journal #261. The new film, featuring Kristin Wiig, Alexander Skarsgard and Bel Powley opens locally on Friday. Looks fascinating.

An Evening with Humbug at the Strand in NYC

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS AND THE STRAND PRESENT: AN EVENING OF HUMBUG In 1957, five artists — Harvey Kurtzman, Will Elder, Arnold Roth, Al Jaffee and Jack Davis — hot on the heels of creating MAD magazine, pooled their money and their talent and entered into the creative, exuberant folly of a lifetime by creating the greatest satirical magazine of their careers. Join Humbug co-founders Arnold Roth and Al Jaffee in a book signing and discussion about this historic publication with Fantagraphics Publisher and editor of the collected Humbug, Gary Groth. Attendees will also enjoy an exclusive screening of a documentary short…

Comics Forum: “R. Crumb’s Underground,” March 27, 2008 (audio)

On Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, moderator Gary Groth was joined by Peter Bagge, Ellen Forney, and Jim Woodring for a lively discussion about Robert Crumb and a range of related topics. Download the complete audio of this event (24.5 MB MP3) or stream it here: {audio}images/stories/artists/interviews/01%20Comics%20Forum%2003_27_08.mp3{/audio} More photos can be seen on Flickr, in regular and slideshow formats. Related books (click covers for complete product details) {product_snapshot:id=400,true,false,true,left} {product_snapshot:id=173,true,false,true,left} {product_snapshot:id=735,true,false,true,left} {product_snapshot:id=1127,true,false,true,left}