Northwest residents won't want to miss out on the action after the Emerald City Comicon in Seattle on Saturday, March 5. Captain Kirk, Riker, Data, Crusher... hell — half the crew of the Enterprise will be guests at the convention. After the convention, beam yourself down to the Jewel Box Theater at the Rendezvous for the fabulous "Con Artists" concert. The show is FREE with convention credentials.

The party opens with a solo music set by Matthew Southworth, co-creator of Stumptown (with convention guest Greg Rucka.) Before concentrating on his comics career, Southworth made a splash with the Capillaries. Also on the bill is Peter Bagge's Can You Imagine? Bagge will be at the con on Saturday, and will entertain revelers at the Jewel Box with his pop combo featuring legendary musician and producer Steve Fisk. The festivities conclude with a set by the Rheas, fronted by our dreamy associate publisher Eric Reynolds. The lovely Janice Headley will spin spacey platters, and the Rendezvous, located at 2322 in Seattle's lively Belltown neighborhood, features fantastic food and affordable drinks. 21 and over with ID.

A limited number of advance tickets to the convention are still available at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery at 1201 S. Vale Street. Phone 206.658.0110. See you soon.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to announce "Comix Talks," a series of discussions with accomplished comix artists, writers and editors. The first installment takes place on Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM featuring Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga. Future events include editor and translator Kim Thompson on Jacques Tardi, writer Monte Schulz in conversation with Fantagraphics publisher and editor Gary Groth, Wilfred Santiago on 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente, and Jim Woodring on Congress of Animals.

"Comix Talks" is presented in association with the fledgling Fantagraphics Book Club. Additional information on the book club will be announced at the Aaron Renier/Jason Shiga appearance at the bookstore on on February 23. Watch this space for more news.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery loves local comix! This Saturday features the festive opening of "Lovesick," an exhibition of emerging and established artists from the Bureau of Drawers cartoonist collective. The show includes original art, handmade books and prints by over 16 Seattle comix artists and illustrators who will be present on February 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM — just in time for Valentine's. Acoustical serenades by Bureau of Drawers members Dennis Driscoll and Sean Robinson, DJ Russ Fallout spinning lovely platters, and complimentary beverages promise to make this a memorable evening. Bring your sweetie — or find one in the romantic Georgetown arts district.

The Bureau of Drawers formed in 2010 as an alliance of independent alternative cartoonists. They've participated in high profile events at the Seattle Art Museum, Bumbershoot, and Urban Light Studios. Artists include David Lasky, Tom Dougherty, Scott Faulkner, Nikki Burch, Marc Palm, Breanne Boland, Billis Helg, Tyler Hill, Calamity Jon Morris, Sean Robinson, Mark Stockbridge, Ed Trumbule, Adam Watson, Dalton Webb, Stevie VanBronkhorst and Sophie Yanow. Expect an eclectic mix of topical works on the loose theme of unrequited love.

This event coincides with the 3rd anniversary edition of the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring adventurous - and amorous - visual and performing arts events throughout the historic neighborhood. For more information and a participant map visit: www.georgetownartattack.com. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) just minutes south of downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

The latest member of Fantagraphics fabulous marketing team, Janice Headley, came up with the winning slogan for Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery — part of a "Think Local" sustainability campaign sponsored by Seattle Good Business Network and The Stranger. The lovely Ms. Headley is joined by slightly mortified bookstore manager Larry Reid. We're not entirely certain about the association of lurid sex comix with environmental stewardship, but we're now assured that Janice will fit in perfectly with the rest of us misfits and miscreants at Fantagraphics. Welcome aboard!

The photo was shot by our Stranger friend Katie Phoenix. While researching the relationship of comix shop clerks and sex expertise — (we figured it was obvious) — Katie discovered this fascinating website. Yes, we'll certainly give Stranger sex-advice columnist Dan Savage a run for his money. So be sure to drop by Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery for expert advice on, uhm...Valentine's Day gifts for your sweetie. Yes, that's it. We've got the goods. See you all soon.

Aaron Renier and Jason Shiga appear on Wednesday, February 23.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery loves local comix! Saturday, February 12 features the opening of "Lovesick," an exhibition of emerging and established artists from the Bureau of Drawers cartoonist collective. The show includes original art, handmade books and prints by 16 Seattle comix artists and illustrators. Exhibiting artists will be present for a festive reception at Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday, February 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM — just in time for Valentine's.

The Bureau of Drawers formed in 2010 as an alliance of independent local alternative cartoonists. They meet weekly for an informal salon at Café Racer in Ravenna and have participated in high profile events at the Seattle Art Museum, Bumbershoot, and Urban Light Studios. The group includes accomplished cartoonists like David Lasky, Tom Dougherty and Scott Faulkner as well as promising young talent like Nikki Burch and Marc Palm. Other participating artists include Breanne Boland, Billis Helg, Tyler Hill, Calamity Jon Morris, Sean Robinson, Mark Stockbridge, Ed Trumbule, Adam Watson, Dalton Webb, and Stevie VanBronkhorst. Expect an eclectic mix of topical works on the loose theme of unrequited love.

This event coincides with the 3rd anniversary edition of the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring adventurous — and amorous — visual and performing arts events throughout the historic neighborhood. For more information and a participant map visit: www.georgetownartattack.com. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) just minutes south of downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

On Wednesday, February 23 at 6:30 PM, Fantagraphics Bookstore is pleased to present Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga. Renier will present his new graphic novel, The Unsinkable Walker Bean, on the acclaimed First Second imprint. Renier's previous book, Spiral Bound (Top Shelf, 2005), was widely heralded as a book that appealed to sophisticated readers of all ages. Jason Shiga's award-winning books also attract an all ages readership. In addition to self-published comics, his work has appeared in McSweeney's Quarterly. His next effort, Empire State, is due later this year from Abrams. Renier and Shiga will discuss their unique approach to creating comics, followed by a signing and reception. This event marks the first in a series of "Comics Talks" at Fantagraphics Bookstore featuring discussions with writers, artists, and editors of diverse comics from the Northwest and beyond.

Listing Information:

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and Bureau of Drawers Present

LOVESICK

Illustration and comix art by: Breanne Boland, Nikki Burch, Tom Dougherty, Scott Faulkner, Billis Helg, Tyler Hill, David Lasky, Calamity Jon Morris, Marc Palm, Sean Robinson, Mark Stockbridge, Ed Trumbule, Adam Watson, Dalton Webb, Stevie VanBronkhorst

Opening reception Saturday, February 12, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Exhibition continues through March 9, 2011

Fantagraphics Book Club Presents the first in a series of "Comix Talks"

Aaron Renier in conversation with Jason Shiga

Wednesday, February 23, 6:30 PM

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.)
Seattle, WA 98108 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 - 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM
www.fantagraphics.com