Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery Celebrates 2nd Anniversary on December 13 with a Spectacular Party and BEASTS Art Exhibition!

Over the course of two years, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery has become woven into the region’s cultural fabric and drawn attention to an impressive array of local, national and international narrative cartoonists, illustrators, graphic designers, and fine artists while providing a showcase for Seattle-based publisher Fantagraphics Books. To celebrate the second anniversary of this stimulating space, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts a festive gala and reception for the phenomenal BEASTS BOOKS 1 & 2 book launch and art exhibition on Saturday, December 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

{product_snapshot:id=1515,true,false,true,left}Since its publication in December 2006, BEASTS BOOK ONE has become a pop culture sensation, quickly selling out two printings and finding an enthusiastic worldwide audience. Meticulously designed, the book combines colorful illustrations of mythical monsters with imaginative text describing the folkloric origins and characteristics of these creatures. The brainchild of Fantagraphics Books design director Jacob Covey, the first BEASTS volume included accomplished contributors including Art Chantry, Tim Biskup, Tony Millionaire, Richard Sala, Martin Ontiveros, and Jordan Crane among many others. {product_snapshot:id=1514,true,false,true,right}BEASTS BOOK TWO, which will debut at the December 13 event, continues the tradition of illustrations from interdisciplinary international luminaries including David B. (France), Jaime Hernandez (US), Femke Hiemstra (Netherlands), Toby Tam (China), Kim Deitch (US), Tatsuro Kiuchi (Japan), and many more. To commemorate the publication of BEASTS BOOK TWO and the simultaneous release of the paperback edition of BEASTS BOOK ONE, Covey has selected 45 representative artists from both volumes for an eclectic exhibition of original works and fine art prints.

The 2nd Anniversary celebration and BEASTS reception will be hosted by Fantagraphics stalwarts Ellen Forney, Jim Woodring, Jacob Covey, Peter Bagge, Jim Blanchard and special guest Ted Stearn. Musical entertainment will be provided by Peter Bagge’s new pop combo Can You Imagine? featuring celebrated musician and producer Steve Fisk. The public of all ages is welcome and admission is free. Guests can peruse a new crop of bad ass books and exquisite gifts from the Northwest’s most adventurous purveyor of comics, graphic novels and low brow art.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) in Seattle’s lively Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 – 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110. The 2nd Anniversary Gala and BEASTS exhibition on Saturday, December 13 coincides with the festive Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring visual and performing arts presentations throughout the neighborhood. Please join us for this auspicious occasion.

Listing Information

BEASTS art exhibition and 2nd Anniversary Gala
Saturday, December 13, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Music by Peter Bagge’s CAN YOU IMAGINE?
BEASTS exhibition of original art and prints by 45 artists continues through January 10, 2009.
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) Seattle, WA 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 – 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
www.fantagraphics.com/bookstore

A selection of imagery in a variety of formats is available for publication. For additional information contact Eric Reynolds at Fantagraphics.

A recent sweep of our warehouse has revealed copies of the following titles which had been thought to be sold out. Quantities are limited so get them before they're gone again!

• ACME Novelty Library #3 by Chris Ware
• Hate #13 by Peter Bagge
• Lena's Bambinas by Monte Wolverton
• The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Stories by Daryl & Josef Hutchinson

Peter Bagge's art will be hanging on the walls of Ballard's Tigertail bar and restaurant from Nov 12th to the end of 2008. The opening celebration is on Wednesday the 12th, starting at 6 pm. And here's Bagge's design for a new Tigertail t-shirt:

Also: Bagge's new pop band, the curiously named "Can You Imagine?" (pictured below) will be making its stage debut at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard this Sunday the 9th at 8pm (they currently aren't listed but Bagge assures us that they WILL be there as an opening act), and they'll also be playing at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery's Anniversary party on Dec. 13th (more on that later). 

Peter Bagge, Jaime Hernandez and others sound off on the election results to MTV.

Because no one demanded it! Peter Bagge & I reunite on the Inkstuds Hour of Power to talk about our old band, The Action Suits. But not before Pete and the Inkstuds crew talk about just how fucked up America is! Above comic by Jaime Hernandez.

BUDDY DOES VANCOUVER! 

Speaking of Word on the Street, you British Columbians won't want to miss Vancouver's graphic novel component to Word on the Street: Lucky's Comics is sponsoring Peter Bagge's appearance at Word on the Street!

Come on by the Vancouver Public Library and meet Peter Bagge on September 28 between 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

Courtesy Peter Bagge*:

* Drawn during his YEAH! days. 

Peter Bagge writes and sez:

The Art of Peter Bagge
with Mats!? & J.R. Williams

Opening First Thursday, June 5th

When: Thursday, June 5, 6:00pm - 9:00pm thru June 27
Where: Floating World Comics, 20 NW 5th Ave., Portland, OR  

UPDATE: Peter won't be at the opening on the 5th. (although JR and Mats!? will be) but he will be at the closing ceremony on the 27th of June!