Fantagraphics Bookstore Presents Contemporary Cartoonists Charles Burns, Chris Ware, Gabrielle Bell, Tom Kaczynski, and more! (Really.)

Fantagraphics Bookstore is pleased to present two of America’s most celebrated cartoonists, Charles Burns and Chris Ware, together with emerging artists Gabrielle Bell and Tom Kaczynski on October 20 – 22.  Burns, Bell and Kaczynski appear on Saturday, October 20 at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, followed by Burns and Ware at Town Hall on Monday, October 22 at 7:30 PM.

Seattle native Charles Burns will appear at Fantagraphics Bookstore to sign his new book, The Hive, the much-anticipated follow-up to 2010’s sensational dreamscape, X’ed Out. Burns’ gripping graphic novel, Black Hole, is set in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood and was serialized by Fantagraphics Books. It is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of the alternative comix movement. Black Hole inspired Seattle-based Elysian Brewing Company’s monthly "12 Beers of the Apocalypse" series — the latest being "Blight Pumpkin Ale." This event coincides with Elysian’s popular Great Pumpkin Brew Festival at their nearby Georgetown bottling plant, featuring dozens of seasonal pumpkin beers from regional boutique breweries. (Burns will attend the tapping party for the new "Omen" flavor of the "12 Beers of the Apocalypse" at the Elysian Brewing Company’s Capitol Hill location on Sunday, October 21 from noon to 3:00 PM.)

Burns will be joined at the bookstore on Saturday, October 20 by talented young artist Gabrielle Bell presenting her new work The Voyeurs, published on cartoonist Tom Kaczynski’s Uncivilized Books imprint. Kaczynski will also be present with a preview of his dystopian graphic novel Beta Testing the Apocalypse, coming soon from Fantagraphics Books. These two emerging artists will also have an array of small press publications and prints available.

On Monday, October 22 Fantagraphics Bookstore is pleased to co-present "Building Comix with Charles Burns and Chris Ware" at Town Hall. Based in Chicago, Ware is among the most influential cartoonists of his generation. His graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth was serialized by Fantagraphics Books in Acme Novelty Library and brought Ware international acclaim. His complex design sensibilities set new standards for the medium. His latest book is the monumental box set Building Stories, containing 14 diverse works. Together, they demonstrate the artist’s affinity for existential narratives driven by architecture in meticulous, multi-dimensional compositions. Charles Burns and Chris Ware promise to provide an entertaining and enlightening evening. The modest $5.00 admission fee can be redeemed on the purchase of any book at the signing following the presentation. (Due to a scheduling conflict, a previously announced appearance by book designer Chip Kidd had to be cancelled.)

Listing information:

Charles Burns, Gabrielle Bell, and Tom Kaczynski book signing and reception.
Saturday, October 20, 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery.
1201 S. Vale Street. Seattle.
206.658.0110
www.fantagraphics.com

12 Beers of the Apocalypse tapping party with Charles Burns.
Sunday, October 21, noon to 3:00 PM.
Elysian Brewing Company.
1221 E. Pike Street. Seattle.
206.860.1920
www.elysianbrewing.com

Building Comix with Charles Burns and Chris Ware presentation and book signing.
Monday, October 22, 7:30 PM.
Town Hall.
1119 8th Avenue. Seattle.
206.652.4255
www.townhallseattle.org