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: Comic Book Day

This Saturday, May 6 marks the 15th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day. Or, as we at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery like to call it, Comic Book Day. We’ll offer complimentary copies of Fantagraphics Books’ World’s Greatest Cartoonists collection featuring new work by Noah Van Sciver, Simon Hanselmann, Jason, Ed Piskor, Liz Suburbia, Matt Furie, Anya Davidson, Dash Shaw, Richard Sala, Emil Ferris and more! We couldn’t help but notice over the years that calling this Free Comic Book Day seems to discourage patrons from purchasing any products. This situation has been accentuated coming on the heels of successful celebrations…

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: Days to Remember

For the past decade, we’ve been privileged to share space with our retail partners at Georgetown Records. The shop specializes in vintage vinyl – everything from early punk, power pop, prog, soul, industrial, electronica, garage, psychedelic, rock n roll, and more. This Saturday, April 22 marks the 10th annual Record Store Day, a national celebration of record shops. To commemorate the occasion, Georgetown Records presents live music by two Seattle bands: the blue-eyed soul of Bonneville Power featuring our own Martin Bland on drums, and roots rockers Paper Dolls. The music starts a 4:00 PM, but drop by early to…

Re/Read: The Merchant of Dennis by Hank Ketcham

Re/Read is an occasional column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid drawing attention to books you may have missed or are worth another read. This time we’ll focus on Hank Ketcham’s engaging autobiography, The Merchant of Dennis. Hank Ketcham’s story reflects the life experience of America’s “Greatest Generation.” He was raised during the Great Depression on Seattle’s middle class Queen Anne Hill (the very same neighborhood that I later spent my formative years.) A natural entertainer, young Ketcham performed in theatrical productions, musical groups, and was a yell king at Queen Anne High. But his first love was…

Re/Read: Is That All There Is? by Joost Swarte

   Re/Read is a recurring column by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid looking back at books you may have missed or are worthy of another read. This time we’ll discuss the stunning collection, Is That All There Is?, by Dutch master Joost Swarte. Like many American comix enthusiasts, I first became aware of Joost Swarte though Art Spiegelman and François Mouly’s RAW anthology. It was a revelation when Fantagraphics Books published Is That All There Is?, the first substantial English edition of his remarkable comix and graphics. While Swarte’s work often references classic American comic strips, his work…

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: Tasty Times Tomorrow

Georgetown Bites allows food and beverage fans to experience the diverse culinary delights of Seattle’s historic arts community in affordable fashion. The 3rd annual Taste of Georgetown features special offers from 28 appetizing enterprises for as little as $4 each. Celebrate the unique hospitality of this colorful neighborhood on Saturday, March 25. Tickets are available at the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tasting continues until 5:00 PM.   Adventurous diners can also visit the many galleries, shops, and assorted cultural attractions on Saturday, March 25 in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, including Ezequiel Garcia at Fantagraphics Bookstore…

Re/Read: The Daniel Clowes Reader

Re/Read is a regular feature by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery curator Larry Reid looking back at books you may have missed or merit more attention. With the pending release of his feature film Wilson, it’s a good time to revisit The Daniel Clowes Reader. Daniel Clowes needs no introduction. He’s one of the founders and driving forces of the alternative comix movement. The Daniel Clowes Reader is a critical collection of stories, essays. interviews, and annotations edited by Ken Parille. A chronology of the artist’s early influences and seminal work is followed the complete Ghost World collection, including an in-depth…

Re/Read: Prince Valiant Volume 8

Re/Read is a regular feature by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid drawing attention to backlist books you may have missed or are worthy of another read. This time we’ll visit a classic by Hal Foster, Prince Valiant Volume 8, 1951 – 1952. I have long maintained that midcentury America’s fascination with medieval folklore owed more to Hal Foster than Chaucer. Foster’s colorful Sunday comic strip, “Prince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur,” captured the country’s imagination as it was delivered directly into millions of American homes. A Prince Valiant feature film was produced in 1954, starring Robert Wagner, Janet Leigh,…