Michael Kupperman, creator of the sensational TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE comic books and the animated cartoon characters "Snake ‘n' Bacon," appears in Seattle for the first time on Saturday, May 8, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. The book signing will include an exhibition of Kupperman's exquisite original art and will mark the debut of the 6th issue of Tales Designed to Thrizzle. 

Kupperman's unique graphic sensibility combines elements of anachronistic pulp detective magazines textured with sophisticated references to contemporary art and popular culture creating a seductive and absurdist aesthetic. The most recent issue of Tales Designed to Thrizzle includes eclectic features like "Cowboy Oscar Wilde," "Modern Wallpaper," "Twain & Einstein in ‘Chasin' the Dream,'" and "Books are Stupid" among many others. The first 4 issues of Tales Designed to Thrizzle were recently collected into a handsome hardcover edition with a laugh-out-loud introduction by comic genius Robert Smigel. Kupperman's illustrations frequently appear in prestigious periodicals including the New Yorker and McSweeney's. His signature characters Snake ‘n' Bacon were produced as a live action and animated pilot episode for Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" block, which will be screened at the May 8 reception. 

Michael Kupperman's appearance coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack. In addition to diverse visual and performing arts presentations, the May 8 installment includes the Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival featuring continuous screenings of over 40 three minute films at venues throughout the historic neighborhood. 

Saturday, May 22 at 6:00 PM, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts a media presentation by Jim Woodring based on his latest graphic novel WEATHERCRAFT. 

Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale Street at Airport Way S. only minutes from downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110. 

Listing information

Michael Kupperman "Tales Designed to Thrizzle"

Art reception and book signing Saturday, May 8, 6:00 - 9:00 PM.

Exhibition continues through June 9, 2010.

1201 S. Vale St., Seattle (206) 658-0110

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM

Charles Burns returns to Seattle this fall with an art exhibition and book signing at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, October 30. Trick and treat this Halloween! We’ll keep you all posted.

Rustic Georgetown lights up on May 8 with the monthly Second Saturday Art Attack and annual Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival. The neighborhood will be invaded by hordes of art and film aficionados for a festive evening of avant garde entertainment. The Georgetown Art Attack is intended to increase public awareness of the historic industrial arts corridor and generate sentiment towards preserving this enchanting civic asset. Each month the creative enterprises in Georgetown present diverse visual and performing arts, and many resident artists open their studios to the general public.  

Among the highlights of the May 8 Georgetown Art Attack: “Into the May Woods,” new works by Mark LaFalce, Claire Brown, and Deborah Stachwic with pottery by Pamela Hathaway at Mark LaFalce Painting Works; “Tales Designed to Thrizzle,” a book signing and exhibition of original comics and animation by Michael Kupperman at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; a “Spring Cleaning Sale” at KrabJabStudio; “Rusty Junk in Waves of Grain,” a photography exhibition of forgotten beauty along Washington State’s back roads by Todd Kalamar at Frida.  

Belle & Wissell, 9lb Hammer, Seattle Drum School, Via Tribunali, and The Stables play host to the 5th annual Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival (GS8). The Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival is a community based event dedicated to the creation and sharing of un-juried, amateur super 8 films, with the goal of promoting individual creativity and community understanding. Over 40 three-minute single reel films, edited in-camera, will be screened throughout the day. GS8 programs will be available at All City Coffee. 

The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants’ Association (GMA). For a map and list of participants please visit: www.georgetownartattack.com. For a screening schedule and other information on the Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival, see: www.georgetownsuper8.com.

Saturday, May 1 marks the 9th installment of Free Comic Book Day. This annual promotion is intended to expose new readers to the medium and acknowledge loyal patrons with a free comic book produced especially for the occasion. Over 30 books in a variety of genres were produced for Free Comic Book Day this year.  

Fantagraphics Books’ contribution to Free Comic Book Day is a delightful comic by Jim Woodring sure to appeal to readers of all ages. WEATHERCRAFT and Other Unusual Stories showcases Woodring’s visionary approach to cartooning. Included is an excerpt from Jim’s forthcoming full-length WEATHERCRAFT graphic novel, a Woodring character guide, artworks rendered in his singular style, and other features. Yours for the asking at your local participating comic book retailer.  

Don't miss the action this Saturday, April 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Two brilliant cartoonists — Peter Bagge and James Sturm — celebrate the publication of 3 new books. 

James Sturm returns to Seattle where he co-founded alternative weekly The Stranger in the early 90s. He went on to co-found the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont and continues his career as a cartoonist. He'll give a brief slide presentation on his early days at The Stranger and sign copies of MARKET DAY, his first full graphic novel in a decade. 

Saturday, April 17 is also national Record Store Day at neighboring Georgetown Records. Created 3 years ago by our good pal Eric at Criminal Records in Atlanta, Record Store Day draws attention to the cultural value of these essential enterprises. Not to mention lots of great swag. Support your local record store.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale at Airport Way S., mere minutes from downtown Seattle. We're open every day 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

Check out this splendid Alice in Wonderland looking glass at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Created by Georgetown Records staffer and Fantagraphics friend John Ohannesian, the topical mirror is available for the modest price of $80. The first purchase of this limited edition piece was made by none other than Courtney Love.

Also back in stock is the new edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 
illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia. They sold out quickly when Camille dropped by the Gilbert Hernandez reception last month and graciously signed copies for fans.

This Saturday evening, April 10, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery features music by our resident warehouse composers Martin Bland, Tom Price and friends in the dissonant Zinjanthropus, joined by the audio assault of Ajax in Ardent Vein. Don’t miss your chance to view the stunning artwork of Gilbert Hernandez from his new book HIGH SOFT LISP.

Outside, our annual Spring Cleaning Sidewalk Sale will be accompanied by the sounds of more than 20 eccentric marching bands from across the country. Lots of books up to 50% off cover price with music provided by the cacophonous Honk Fest West, featuring free performances at several locations throughout the historic industrial arts quarter. If that’s not enough excitement, the Georgetown Art Attack features a diverse array of visual and performing arts at dozens of spots in close proximity to the bookstore.

To accommodate all this activity, S. Vale Street will be closed to traffic for the evening. But plenty of free parking is available along Airport Way and elsewhere.

We’re open every day at 1201 S. Vale St, just minutes south of downtown Seattle. Phone 206.658.0110. See you this weekend.

Two of the most accomplished cartoonists in America, Peter Bagge and James Sturm, will speak and sign copies of their newly minted graphic novels at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, April 17, 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  

Seattle’s Peter Bagge is the architect of the ubiquitous alternative comics genre. His compelling comic book serial HATE chronicled the exploits of Buddy Bradley and his gang of lovable losers through the rise and fall of the grunge era. Going beyond mere satire, Bagge’s observations helped fashion the aesthetics and attitudes of the only significant youth movement to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. A contemporary review by Bruce Barcott in the Seattle Weekly stated, “Twenty years from now, when people want to know what it was like to be young in 1990s Seattle, the only record we’ll have is Peter Bagge’s HATE.” 

Happily, in the years since the series ended, Bagge provides periodic updates on the lives of Buddy Bradley and his crew. HATE ANNUAL #8 finds Buddy and beau Lisa back home in New Jersey dealing with the responsibilities of parenthood while trying to cling to their carefree youth. The results are predictably hilarious. Bagge will also premiere his new full-length graphic novel OTHER LIVES on DC’s Vertigo imprint. The book follows the fantasy lives of high tech nerds as they collide with harsh reality.

James Sturm was among the cadre of creative cartoonists that relocated to Seattle at the dawn of the grunge era. He co-founded The Stranger and created his popular comic Cereal Killings for Fantagraphics Books. He later co-founded the Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) in White River Junction, Vermont and instructs students in their two-year program. In MARKET DAY, published by Drawn & Quarterly of Montreal, Sturm draws a quiet and reflective portrait of Eastern European culture in the early 1900s — bringing to life the hustle and bustle of an old-world market place on the brink of the Industrial Revolution. MARKET DAY is a timeless tale of how economic and social forces can affect a single life. Sturm will speak briefly on his experiences starting The Stranger, the CCS, and his work in comics. 

The Peter Bagge and James Sturm event on April 17 coincides with national Record Store Day at neighboring Georgetown Records. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) in the heart of the historic Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.