An action packed evening of comix craziness with Johnny Ryan is in store this Saturday, October 10 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. A show of original art from Ryan’s wild new graphic novel Prison Pit will be on display, along with colorful silkscreen prints and figurines.

The event will feature a Ryan-inspired performance piece by Fantagraphics’ own Ardent Vein in full Prison Pit character. (Yeah, we can’t wait to see this either.) So join us this Saturday from 6:00 and 9:00 PM for beverages and meet the extraordinary artist behind Angry Youth Comix, Blecky Yuckerella and other unforgettable comics. This promises to be great fun, and coincides with the Georgetown Art Attack featuring festive arts events throughout the historic cultural community.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone (206) 658-0110. See you soon.

So I brought Al Columbia's astonishing new book PIM & FRANCIE to Jim Woodring's "Friends of the Nib" salon last week. A crowd of cartoonists gathered around and Jim immediately proclaimed it "the book of the year" among other superlatives. Words simply fail to communicate the breathtaking originality of Columbia's visionary renderings. Really.

You can preview an advance copy of this remarkable book right now at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. Check it out at Johnny Ryan's reception on Saturday. (And mark your calendars for Al's Columbia's appearance on November 7.)

Speaking of amazing art: Ryan's PRISON PIT pages were a delightful surprise. I suppose I expected something more primitive. But his original art and colorful silkscreen prints are wonderful. Come see for yourself and meet this provocative cartoonist this Saturday at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, natch.

The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack returns on Saturday, October 10. Join us from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for this festive cultural and social outing in the heart of Seattle's historic industrial arts quarter.

Among the highlights on Saturday, October 10: Industrial sculpted paintings by Alex Rue and an original Butoh performance by Danse Perdue at Georgetown Arts Center; an exhibition and book signing by Los Angeles cartoonist Johnny Ryan with a provocative "Prison Pit" performance piece by Ardent Vein at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; Tina Witherspoon of Glamspoon unveils her new "Frida" collection with an exhibition of Dia de los Muertos linocut prints by Sam Hamrick at Georgetown Tile Works/Frida; Bella Vitale Gallery Studio presents an exotic show of photographs by Zoey Gillespie of Mexico with recent sensual circus paintings and prints by Angielena Chamberlain; the Twilight Artist Collective presents a multimedia exhibition curated by Ryan Horvath featuring Brandon Aleson, Matthew Burke, David Halsell and Ryan Horvath at the Stables; indie rock with To the Sea and Portland's Bradley Wik and the Charlatans at the MIX; diverse dining and imbibing at countless boisterous Georgetown establishments including Stellars Pizza & Ale, Calamity Jane's, 9 Lb. Hammer, Georgetown Liquor Company, Two Tartes Bakery, Jules Maes Saloon, Smarty Pants, Squid & Ink, Hangar Café, All City Coffee, and Via Tribunali.

The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants' Association. For additional information and a participants map visit: www.georgetownartattack.com.