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: Comix, Music and Misfit Lit
Plan to spend your next couple Saturday evenings at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery as we present some of the most compelling artists on the planet. This Saturday, March 3 at 7:00 PM, join us in welcoming Jaime Hernandez back to the bookstore for an informal reception and book signing following his appearance at Emerald City Comicon. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and casual conversation with one of the pioneers of alternative comix. On Saturday, March 10 at 6:00 PM we host bestselling author Jonathan Evison reading from the 10th anniversary edition of his debut novel, All About Lulu (available for…
What’s in Store: A Sensational Spring at Fantagraphics Bookstore
Make plans to attend the many engaging events at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in the coming weeks and months. On Saturday, March 3 at 7:00 PM we welcome back Jamie Hernandez, one of the masters of contemporary comix. Join us for a casual reception and book signing following the Emerald City Comicon. A week later on Saturday, Mach 10, 6:00 to 9:00 PM Jonathan Evison reads from the 10th anniversary edition of his debut novel All About Lulu, winner of the Washington Sate Book Award in 2008. He has since gone on to a stellar career of bestselling…
Re/Read: Four Color Fear
Re/Read in a recurring column by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid that examines backlist titles you may have missed or are worthy of another look. This time we’ll feature Four Color Fear: Forgotten Horror Comics of the 1950s. The sensational success of EC horror comics in midcentury America gave rise to a multitude of imitators. Four Color Fear collects the most compelling of these much-maligned comics. The book includes acknowledged masters of the medium, including Jack Cole, Basil Wolverton, Al Williamson, Wallace Wood, Reed Crandall, and Joe Kubert, but it’s the back bench artists and anonymous writers that make this anthology…
What’s in Store: Wood Work
The enduring influence of the late Wallace Wood can’t be overstated. From his work at EC, MAD, Marvel, and beyond, Wood left an indelible mark on American culture that resonates to this day. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery celebrates the legacy of this amazing artist through February 9. Wallace Wood came to prominence with his work for EC comic books, which enjoyed circulation in the millions, but were vilified by politicians, preachers, and crusading child psychologist Dr. Fredric Wertham. Together, they convinced the public that these comics were the cause of juvenile delinquency and social deviance. The establishment of the Comics…
Re/Read: Like a Dog by Zak Sally
Re/Read is a periodic feature by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid that examines backlist books you may have missed or are worthy of another read. I recently had a conversation with Fantagraphics editorial assistant (and Yeti Press publisher) R. J. Casey where we discussed our mutual admiration for pioneering small press publisher, musician, educator, and cartoonist Zak Sally. I was reminded of my fondness for his wildly entertaining and enlightening anthology, Like a Dog. Zak Sally is a modern Renaissance artist. A former member of indie rock band Low, he is also proprietor of the adventurous La Mano press in Minneapolis,…
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: 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…
Digital Releases by Hanks, Luce, and Wood
Fletcher Hanks, Ed Luce, and Wally Wood make up our digital dream team this week. They are also accompanied by some rather risqué backlist titles. Here we go . . . Fletcher Hanks was the first great comic book auteur: he wrote, penciled, inked, and lettered all his stories between 1939 and 1941. Whether it’s the superhero Stardust dolling out poetic justice or the jungle protectress Fantomah tearing evildoers limb from limb, pop surrealism and violent mayhem are abundant in all of Hanks’s work. Originally featured in two paperbacks, this deluxe volume collects all of Hanks’s previously published material, plus…
Digital Feels Good, Man
Action! Adventure! Romance! Drugs! This week’s digital releases have it all and the artists span several generations of brilliant cartooning. Turn on those tablets because here’s what’s going digital today: Boy’s Club is Matt Furie’s deadpan comics showcase featuring roommates Andy, Brett, Landwolf, and the infamous Pepe in a series of hilarious vignettes combining laconic psychedelia, childlike enchantment, drug-fueled hedonism, and impish mischief. Need we say more? Catch this internet sensation on comiXology. In Highbone Theater, Joe Daly’s new graphic novel epic, Palmer — wallflower, mystic seeker, and paper mill worker — moves into a new…
