About the time I began working for Fantagraphics as marketing and promotions director, Peter Bagge ran a contest in the third issue of his wildly popular Hate comic book. "Win a Date With Stinky" urged female readers to "Send in one or more glamorful photos and/or drawings of yourself" and "Explain in 25 words or less why you're worthy of Stinky's affection." What self-respecting woman, I wondered, would enter a contest to win a date with a comic book character? Named Stinky? I was about to find out. I spent several months acting as Peter's unwitting accomplice on a series of surreptitious "Stinky Dates" that saw me playing Leonard the Love God opposite lovely and talented young artists like Jessica Abel and Dame Darcy. This buffoonery was documented in the pages of Hate, much to amusement of my wonderful wife, not to mention the fashionable alternative rock band Babes in Toyland. (Don't ask.)
Like countless members of my generation, Peter Bagge's Hate was a funny and affectionate chronicle of my misspent youth. Beyond that, his work played a pivotal role in shaping the ideology of a youth movement that penetrated popular culture on a global scale. His comix have enriched our lives in ways we can only now begin to appreciate.
Join us in celebrating the many accomplishments of this incredibly gifted artist on Saturday, May 10 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery as we debut the latest, and perhaps final chapter of the Buddy Bradley story, Buddy Buys a Dump. The reception includes an exhibition of original comix pages, complimentary beverages, a book signing, and special musical performances by Kelli Frances Corrado and The Hinges. See you all at 6:00 PM on Saturday.