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.

JOHNNY RYAN'S ANGRY YOUTH AT FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKSTORE & GALLERY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

September 30, 2009 - SEATTLE, WA. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery loudly presents transgressive cartoonist Johnny Ryan on Saturday, October 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Ryan will sign books and present an exhibition of his original comix, colorful silkscreen prints, and sculpted figures.

This event marks the launch of Ryan's original graphic novel Prison Pit combining his love for WWE wrestling, Gary Panter's "Jimbo" comics, and Kentaro Miura's "Berserk" Manga into a brutal showcase of violence, survival and revenge. The prolific Los Angeles-based cartoonist is best known for his outrageous 14-issue Angry Youth Comix series published by Fantagraphics Books. Ryan also pens the weekly comic strip Blecky Yuckerella, which has been collected in three volumes including the recently released Comics Are for Idiots.

Please join us to welcome this wildly entertaining and talented cartoonist on Saturday, October 10 for 6;00 to 9:00 PM. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring exciting visual and performing arts presentations in close proximity throughout the creative arts community.

LISTING INFORMATION

Johnny Ryan
Art show and book signing
Saturday, October 10, 6:00 to 9:00 PM

Exhibition continues through November 4, 2009

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

A short-n-sweet Online Commentary & Diversions update:

• Review: "While Prison Pit does, in fact, have a definable story throughout, it’s one that feels as though it were crafted in the margins of a spiral-bound notebooks stowed safely away in some backpack littered with the Sharpie penned names of metal bands. And though Ryan didn’t go so far as to in append a listening soundtrack to the back of this volume, one can almost certainly be assured that it contains its share of Cannibal Corpse and Slayer tracks." - Brian Heater, The Daily Cross Hatch

• Events: The Seattle Weekly recommends that you see the "dark, cynical, ornery, a tad cantankerous" Comics Savants exhibit at our Bookstore & Gallery today

• Crime: Prompted by the release of Prince Valiant Vol. 1: 1937-1938, The Journal News "LoHud" blog recalls the 1989 theft of over 100 Valiant originals from the Museum of Cartoon Art

Online Commentary & Diversions

• Analysis: "For me, Tom [Kaczynski]'s work is an oasis in the desert... Tom K builds comics that could be likened to a brick house. These are solid comics." - Frank Santoro, Comics Comics

• List: I haven't heard of pop group 3OH!3 before, but their frontman Sean Foreman has pretty good taste in comics going by this Top 10 list he gave to The AOL Radio Blog: Black Hole, Bottomless Belly Button, Monster Parade, Epileptic, Jimmy Corrigan...

• Review: "For my money, [Joe] Daly is hilarious, with an ear for great dialog, a nice feel for the way characters and convertibles glide across the landscape of the comic page, and a zest for uniquely convoluted plots [in The Red Monkey Double Happiness Book]."- Steve Duin, The Oregonian

• Review: "Previous assemblages of [Prince] Valiant being out of print, Fantagraphics, a leader in the field, has stepped forward with gloriously restored art reproduced in generous dimensions and abetted by the essays of experts. This initial volume... demonstrates just why Valiant continues to burn so brightly... Simultaneously nostalgic and eternal, Hal Foster's populist masterwork deserves this accessible enshrinement." - Paul DiFilippo, The Barnes & Noble Review

• Review: "I dont think I’ve ever read anything like Low Moon by Jason and I mean that in a good way... Low Moon has a brilliant almost tightrope deadpan mix of sad and funny... Jason is capable of stories with heart like no other; particularly stories with an aura of heartrending and heartbreak. Low Moon might be the second most melancholy book that I’ve read over the past year... Low Moon by Jason continues to push the medium forward and confound readers expectations with brilliant stories that defy categorization." - Brian Lindenmuth, BSCreview

• Profile: La Perse looks at the "disturbing... beautiful" comics of Dave Cooper (Google translation)

• Plug: Cartoon Brew recommends The Comics Journal #299 for the reprint of Myron Waldman's Eve, "a rare treat for Fleischer Studio fans - or anyone interested in clever, cartoon story-telling."

• Plug: "[Abstract Comics is] more proof that comics are truly an art form. They can be just as weird, surreal, absurd, artistic, expressive and transcendent as any other medium." - Corey Blake

• Plug: At Arts Journal, Regina Hackett blurbs the "Comics Savants" exhibit at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery: "Some of these people are the best of the best."

• Things to see: Ray Fenwick attends Dweebo's School of Art (a day-long collaborative drawing performance); plus further adventures of Dweebo & Pupil