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.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is thrilled to announce upcoming appearances by two of America's most provocative and accomplished cartoonists: Johnny Ryan and Al Columbia.

Johnny Ryan will appear Saturday, October 10 on the heels of his wildly popular original graphic novel Prison Pit. We'll mount an exhibition of his original art, prints, and plastic figurines: the perfect opportunity to acquaint yourselves with the perverse pleasures of Ryan's singular aesthetic.

Al Columbia is among the most challenging and compelling contemporary artists working in any medium. His exhibition and book signing on Saturday, November 7 celebrates the much-anticipated publication of Pim & Francie: The Golden Bear Days. Described by Things From Another World.com as "Part alchemy, part art book, part storybook, part comic book, and part conceptual art," this book promises to please.

Be sure to catch the sensational exhibition "Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Contemporary Cartoonists" before it closes on October 7. And peruse a dozen new titles from your favorite purveyor of badass comix and lowbrow lit. Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) in Seattle's historic Georgetown district. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

What, me study? Not this Saturday, when Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts a storewide sale! Get 20% to 50% off cover price on cool comix, graphic novels, and awesome art books. Lots of gorgeous new books by Fantagraphics favorites as well as some pleasant new surprises. And you'll get a chance to see the critically acclaimed exhibition "Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists" featuring local legends like Jim Woodring, Peter Bagge, Ellen Forney, Charles Burns, Jim Blanchard and others.

Drop by for major bargains all day Saturday, September 12. And join us between 6:00 and 9:00 PM for the lively Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack with visual and performing arts presentations throughout the historic neighborhood. (Then meander up to Capitol Hill to see Rhea, Eric & Adam play with Fox Hollow at the Wildrose.)

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. Phone 206. 658.0110.

The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack continues to present provocative visual, performing and applied arts throughout Seattle's most colorful creative community on September 12. The monthly Art Attack promotion is intended to raise regional awareness of the historic Georgetown industrial/arts district with the purpose of generating public sentiment toward preserving this valued civic asset. Aside from all that, it's a heckuva lotta fun!

Among the highlights of the September 12 installment: An exhibition of underwater photography by Tom Radio and a musical performance by the Abiders at Calamity Jane's; A punk rock Elvis tribute featuring The Kings at the MIX; An exhibition of mixed media art by Kim McCarthy together with new work inspired by 6os mod and Japanese street fashions by designer Lady Konnyaka at FRIDA/Georgetown Tile Works; "Comics Savants," an exhibition of 13 Seattle-based alternative cartoonists featuring a one day storewide "Back to Skool" sale at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; A group exhibition of members of the Twilight Artists Collective at the Stables; An outdoor performance by Georgetown's resident reggae ruffians Dubcar; and the general joviality associated with this lively and diverse cultural event.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly production of the Georgetown Merchants' Association. For more information contact Art Attack coordinator Larry Reid at the numbers above. For a map of participants and related information please visit: www.georgetownartattack.com.

Cool cover on the current issue of Seattle alternative weekly the Stranger featuring hand cut art from Eroyn Franklin's Xeric award-winning graphic novel Another Glorious Day at the Nothing Factory. This amazing new book, limited to a numbered edition of 1,000 copies, is available exclusively at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. 

July 7, 2009 – SEATTLE, WA. The creative arts and business community of Georgetown continues its colorful tradition of presenting challenging contemporary art this Saturday, July 11 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack features a diverse array of visual, performing and applied arts together with unparalleled drinking, dining and shopping opportunities at more than thirty locations in south Seattle’s incomparable industrial arts quarter.

Among the many presentations of the July 11 Art Attack installment: Celebrated cartoonist Peter Bagge’s diverse talents are the focus of an art exhibition and book signing at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery followed by a musical performance at nearby Jules Maes Saloon with Hank Adams, Fox Hollow, Can You Imagine? and The Action Suits featuring Bagge and illustrious musician-producer Steve Fisk; Georgetown Tile Works presents the official opening of its sister store "Frida" dedicated to local independent designers, artists and plucky finds; The Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival will screen this year’s film festival DVD at the Belle & Wissel; “Print for Life” benefit exhibition for the new print studio at Georgetown Art Center featuring Sam Hamrick, Angielena Chamberlain, Jameson Hubbard, and Jeff Mihalyo; “Citizens In” group show at Artcore Studios with Chris Crites, Jessica Geiger, Cliff Hare, Kelly Lyles and others; Bubbalicious and Furniture Girls headline a beach party at the Mix Lounge; Sullivan Giles’ detailed stencils inspired by Victorian design,medical illustration, machines and trinkets of old world charm at Smarty Pants; and the usual mirth and mayhem we’ve come to expect from this monthly celebration of eccentric misfits.

For a map and more information visit: www.georgetownartattack.com

You're all invited to the amazing after-party following Peter Bagge's book launch event at Fantagraphics Bookstore in Seattle next Saturday, July 11. The line-up for this free show at neighboring Jules Maes Saloon includes Peter Bagge's latest power pop combo, Can You Imagine? The evening will feature a special reunion of Bagge's 1990s easy listening sensation The Action Suits whose members include current and former Fantagraphics staffers Andy Schmidt and Eric Reynolds, joined by illustrious musician and producer Steve Fisk. Also on the bill are Reynolds' Fox Hollow (featuring Fantagraphics graphics ace Adam Grano and the lovely Rhea Patton) and Schmidt's new group Hank Adams. Jules Maes is located at 5919 Airport Way South, just one block north of Fantagraphics Bookstore. Heavy mental mayhem man! See you there.  

[Ed. note: Yes, we have Action Suits records for sale!]

Celebrate independents this weekend at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery in Seattle. Drop by and browse our hot new summer reading selections. It's also your last chance to view the amazing exhibition by international comics sensation Jason. And check out Larry and Bella's badass Spongebob piñata outfitted with a suicide blast belt that'll blow him back to Bikini Bottom (in very small pieces.)

The store is open 11:30 to 8:00 PM on Friday, 11:30 to 4:00 PM on Saturday the 4th, and 11:30 to 5:00 PM as usual on Sunday. Located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) only minutes from downtown. Phone 206.658.0110. See you all soon.