Come on down to Fantagraphics Bookstore this Saturday, May 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM to welcome gifted cartoonist Michael Kupperman to Seattle. He’ll be signing copies of the brand new issue of his sensational TALES DESIGNED TO THRIZZLE comic book and other publications. The appearance includes an exhibition of his dazzling original art and a continuous screening of the animated “Snake ‘n’ Bacon” pilot episode.

Kupperman’s unique graphic sensibility combines elements of anachronistic pulp detective magazines textured with references to contemporary art and popular culture. This results in singularly seductive and hilarious comics.

Michael Kupperman’s appearance coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack. In addition to diverse visual and performing arts, the May 8 installment includes the Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival featuring continuous screenings of over 50 three minute films at venues throughout the historic neighborhood.

Saturday’s event features an extraordinary cartoonist, an esoteric soundtrack by DJ “Fallout” Russ, and complimentary beverages. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery 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.

Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Plug: In his coverage of Free Comic Book Day Paul Constant of The Stranger calls Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales by Jim Woodring "the best comic for adults" and adds "The Fantagraphics Store is an amazing, beautiful bookstore..."

• Plug: Thought Balloonists' Charles Hatfield says of Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales "Crikey, the best FCBD publication I've gotten since [2006]."

Thanks to everybody who came out to see Jim Woodring and pick up copies of Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales on Free Comic Book Day at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery yesterday! I got there after the crowds had already thinned out, but it was a bustling afternoon. We hope everybody who wanted a copy of the comic was able to find one in their neck of the woods.

It's not as though you need any additional convincing to pick up our 2010 Free Comic Book Day offering Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales by Jim Woodring at your participating comic shop tomorrow (right?), but here are a few glimpses of the finished product to whet your appetite. (Click here if the embedded slideshow player below isn't displaying, or to view it larger in a new window.)

Don't forget, Northwesterners and visitors to Seattle can get their copy direct from the hands of Jim himself at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery tomorrow from 12-1 PM! At the store we'll also have copies of Drawn & Quarterly's FCBD 2010 offering YOW!, and likewise for Montrealers Librairie D&Q will have copies of Weathercraft and Other Unusual Tales.

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.  

It was our great pleasure to once again host hometown hero Peter Bagge at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery and to welcome the great James Sturm all the way from Vermont for a joint signing and book release on Saturday evening. Unfortunately some technical difficulties put the kibosh on James's planned multimedia presentation but it was a lively evening regardless, with a great turnout of fans and Seattle cartooning luminaries alike. Above: David Lasky chats with James, Fantagraphics' Janice Headley rocks the register, and Peter takes a breather. Check out some more photos on our Flickr page.

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.