Time for a belated list of 2020 favorites from Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid. This was a tumultuous year and the independent comix community was hit particularly hard. New titles were delayed and some were simply overlooked. In the struggle to keep the bookstore viable, I missed a lot of new titles completely. As a result, this list is far from comprehensive. Still, some stellar work appeared despite the dire circumstances. Below, in no particular order, is a baker’s dozen of the books that most appealed to me Daniel Clowes: Original Art. The latest in Fantagraphics’ series of deluxe studio…
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…
What’s in Store: Georgetown Carnival Arts Festival feat. Peter Bagge
Join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday, June 8 as we celebrate the Book of Weirdo with Peter Bagge, one time editor of R. Crumb’s influential comix anthology. We’ll display original art and ephemera from the groundbreaking periodical. Bagge will be present to sign copies of this and other recent publications from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Carnival arts festival featuring interactive art, Harzardfactory’s Power Tool Drag Races, acrobats, games, food, beer, and music, including Northwest garage legends Girl Trouble. Free family fun from noon to 10:00 PM. Exhibition remains on view through July…
What’s in Store: Lowbrow Art and the Birth of Olympia’s Pop Underground
Please join us at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, May 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for the opening of an exhibition of paintings and prints by Augie Pagan. His colorful work responds to comics and pop culture imagery. Pagan, who lives above the bookstore, has contributed to our Jack Davis and Vaughn Bode tribute shows. We’re pleased to present this recent body of work, which remains on view through June 5. This event coincides with the lively Georgetown Art Attack featuring contemporary visual and performing arts presentations through the historic neighborhood. On Friday, May 17 from 7:00 to…
What’s in Store: Best American Comics Party
Drop by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery this Saturday, November 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM to celebrate the publication of Best American Comics 2018 with local contributors Simon Hanselmann, D J Bryant, Alex Graham, and our own Max Clotfelter (on the occasion of his 40th birthday). The event includes a rare DJ set by former Fantagraphics staffer and U-Men guitarist Tom Price commemorating the release of Sub Pop’s seasonal U-Men/Green River split single with sleeve art by Peter Bagge. Complimentary refreshments and birthday cake! This event coincides with Small Business Saturday. Wherever you are, please patronize local artists and independent enterprises….
RE/Read: Buddy Buys a Dump by Peter Bagge
RE/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid examining backlist titles you may have missed or are worth another look. This time we’ll revisit Peter Bagge’s classic collection Buddy Buys a Dump. Peter Bagge’s masterful Hate comic book serial concludes with Buddy Buys a Dump. The misadventures of Buddy Bradley and his crew of lovable losers reflected the experiences of a generation of counterculture mavens: from miscreant misfits to semi-respectable members of modern society. The final installment collects the seven issues of Hate Annual, ending with a new chapter that finds our anti-hero confronting a situation familiar…
Re/Read: Peter Bagge’s Buddy Does Seattle
Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid examining books you may have missed or merit more attention. In light of the tragic events recently afflicting Seattle’s music scene, it’s a good time for a lighthearted look at the good times in Peter Bagge’s classic, Buddy Does Seattle. Seattle’s sensational grunge era of the 1990s is often viewed through the gloomy lens of Northwest Noir. Peter Bagge’s Hate comic book serial adds levity to that perception. Protagonist Buddy Bradley and his crew of lovable losers provide a perfect allegory for the lively youth movement…
What’s in Store: Top Ten of 2016
It’s come time for Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid to select my favorite comix of 2016. A tough task this year with so many wonderful new books – a little like choosing which of my children I love the most. The choices are so close this list could easily be reversed. 10. Hey Lady. With a button affixed to the cover of each issue, I was immediately attracted to Regina Schilling’s zines. When I was able to fully absorb the contents, it became clear there was more to these creations than a clever premise and seductive artwork. Schilling selects a…
Re/Read: Buddy Buys a Dump by Peter Bagge
Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid examining backlist books you may have missed or merit another look. This time we’ll focus on Buddy Buys a Dump by Peter Bagge. A generation of comix enthusiasts came of age following the foibles of Buddy Bradley and his crew of lovable losers in Peter Bagge’s Hate. This work came to define the youth movement associated with Seattle’s “grunge” counterculture. Bagge became a central figure in illustrating the attitudes and aesthetics of this global phenomenon. A truly remarkable achievement. Buddy Buys a Dump collects the 9 issues…
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…
