Hope you can join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday evening as we celebrate the late Michael Dormer, one of the pioneers of Kustom Kulture in the 60s and 70s. His signature cartoon character, Hot Curl, became synonymous with Southern California’s surf scene, but he’s perhaps best known for his contributions to the 1964 cult classic, Muscle Beach Party. Dormer designed the animated opening sequence and his murals adorned the sets, providing a colorful backdrop for Little Stevie Wonder‘s dazzling appearance with Dick Dale and the Del Tones. Dormer worked with legendary surf, hot rod, and skateboard artists like…
Surf’s Up at Fantagraphics Bookstore on August 12!
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts the book release celebration for Michael Dormer and the Legend of Hot Curl with surf sounds by Pleasure Island on Saturday, August 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The late Michael Dormer is synonymous with the California surf counterculture in the 1960s and 70s. The post-World War II influence of Beatnik poetry, jazz, and art on the California Coast created a revolution in the Orange County surf world, and no one defined the visual style of this movement more than Dormer. His career as an artist took off when he created “Hot Curl,” the mop-haired,…
What’s in Store: Seattle’s Biggest Little Book Fair
We were flattered by the Seattle Weekly headline describing Saturday’s 3rd annual Hot Off the Press Book Fair as “Seattle’s Biggest Little Book Festival.” This effort demonstrates our continuing commitment to the local comix community. This year’s installment includes tables of handcrafted publications by cooperative presses and comix collectives, as well as feature presentations by Simon Hanselmann and Coin-Op Books. Complimentary beverages and pizza from Sizzle Pie will be served. Come out and support independent artists from Seattle and beyond. The book fair runs from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on July 8 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Arrive…
What’s in Store: Hot Off the Press Book Fair!
Please join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery for our 3rd annual Hot Off the Press Book Fair on Saturday, July 8. This year’s edition features an array of accomplished regional, national, and international artists in the fields of comix, printmaking, and graphic art. Participants will engage in interactive art activities inside and outside the bookstore from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. The festivities will include an exhibition and book signing by bi-coastal siblings Peter and Maria Hoey of Coin-Op Books. Their postmodern approach to comix and graphic art combines elements of Art Deco, Dada, and Pop Art with current indie…
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: Ron Regé, Jr on April 8!
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to welcome back to Seattle visionary artist Ron Regé, Jr. on Saturday, April 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The reception will feature a book signing and exhibition of prints from his new collection, What Persifal Saw. Ron Regé’s work reflects his interest in mysticism and spirituality. This approach to contemporary cartooning is demonstrated in “Cosmogenesis,” his adaptation of the writings of 19th century occultist Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. The story concerns the ancient alchemical ideas that strongly influenced his previous work, The Cartoon Utopia, recently made available in a softcover edition from Fantagraphics Books. Regé…
What’s in Store: The Life and Legend of Wallace Wood on January 14
Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, January 14 as we celebrate one of midcentury America’s most influential artists. The Life and Legend of Wallace Wood debuts with an exhibition and slide talk by J. Michael Catron. Wallace Wood was among the most prolific and diverse artists of his era. His work included colorful covers for 1950s science fiction magazines and romance comics before contributing to the wildly popular war, crime, horror, and suspense comics on the notorious EC imprint, prior to its demise as result of the draconian restrictions imposed by the Comics Code Authority. He went…
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: Jim Blanchard’s Visual Abuse
Fantagraphics Books continues its 40th anniversary celebration with a book launch party and exhibition for Visual Abuse: Jim Blanchard’s Graphic Art, 1982 – 2002 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, November 12. Blanchard relocated to Seattle in 1987 from Oklahoma City, where he self-published his popular punk fanzine, Blatch. He soon found work as an art director at Fantagraphics Books, while continuing to create posters and graphics for bands associated with Seattle’s emerging grunge movement. He published several comix on Fantagraphics’ provocative Eros imprint, and later worked as inker for Peter Bagge’s influential Hate comic book series….
