Claustrophobia!

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the Fantagraphics bookstore opened it’s doors in the semi-industrial, semi-artsy Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. They’ve already become a local institution of sorts, bringing in a steady stream of comic creators for readings and signings, not to mention a enviable series of gallery shows. We’ve been treated to the likes of Peter Bagge, Los Bros Hernandez, Ellen Forney, Anders Nilsen, Jim Woodring, Ivan Brunetti, and more. And best of all, there’s usually free beer, and sometimes rock and roll to be had at these shindigs.

Of course, the best way to celebrate the first anniversary of a comics retail shop is to invite artists and musicians to come mingle with the unwashed masses, cram everybody into a small space filled with comics, and give them all some beer and a discount on new books. And that’s just what the Fantagraphics shop di last night, with Ellen Forney, Jim Woodring, and Jim Blanchard hosting the get together and signing books, and music by The Tom Price Desert Classic.

Now, when I say “a small space,” I mean the fire marshall probably would have passed out (and subsequently shut the place down) if he’d happened by. It was the kind of turnout that leads to clogged aisles and the use of elbows as navigational devices. I guess it just means that the store is too popular for its own good, which isn’t exactly a bad thing. Better to have too many people show up to your party than not enough. But it did lead to a hot and claustrophoic environment that’s not exactly ideal for comics browsing.

Browsing wasn’t really the main point of the night thought, despite the generous 20% discount on all new books. There was plenty of mingling to be done, with fellow comics fans and a smattering of local artists making the rounds through the night. While we here at the Successless Comics blog are more of the wallflowery sort, we did snag a few paparazzi shots of the local inkerati (though I couldn’t quite get a good shot Ellen Forney’s adorable pink furry hat). There’s plenty to look at in the Fantagraphics group on Flickr.

Pabst blue Ribbon and George Herriman. Now that’s what I call a party. Maybe we’ll see you at the 2nd anniversary get together!

Shoulda, woulda, coulda

I had every intention of running home from the MOME exhibit opening last Saturday, but something distracted me. The damage room held a piece of gold I’ve been trying to find for a while: Schizo #1. Ivan Brunetti and his indiosyncratic musings have held me captive, so apologies to the Fantagraphics crew for not singing your praises immediately after your event.Okay, so onto the opening….

We didn’t expect a big crowd, for several reasons. As Eric Reynolds mentioned, the Seahawks game thwarted any potential non-nerd attendence. Secondly, MOME isn’t very well known outside of the niche market that enjoys independent comic anthologies. And third, not everyone can be as dedicated as Dylan and I are to attending openings where the artists are not publicized as being there. I’m not sure what this says about us, but I digress.

It’s no secret to any reader who has paid attention to our posts during the past year and a half that I am borderline crazy about John Pham. Once I entered the room, I beelined it for the gallery wall, which was partially guarded by an enviable court, including Fantagraphics own Rhea Patton.

To kill some time while waiting for the crowd holding John Pham’s originals hostage to break up, I snuck some photos of some of the gorgeous originals that here displayed.

(clockwise) Jeffrey Brown, Sophie Crumb, Jonathan Bennett

Martin Cendreda

Finally victory was mine, and I was able to plant myself in front of Pham’s artwork and drink it in. It was lovely, and all I have is this crappy photo to show for it.

If you live in or near Seattle, you should really check out this lovely art. Even if you don’t like comics, I think there is something to appreciate on all levels. From Andrice Arp’s beautiful full color piece to the pen sketches of Anders Nilsen, there is plenty to enjoy.

Fantagraphics Grand Opening

Never let it be said that we here at Successless would miss out on a party. Especially not one that has comics, cartoonists, art, artists, music and beer. Double especially if it’s only a 15 minute drive away.

So, with that in mind, we absolutely had to make it back down to the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle for the official grand opening of the Fantagraphics Books retail store, which happily coincided with the Georgetown art walk, and a gallery opening at Belle & Wissell promoting the new book Beasts! Nevermind that we had already hit up the soft opening a month earlier. This time, there would be beer!

The event was scheduled to kick off at 5pm, so we rolled in at a fashionably late 6pm. And boy were we surprised by the turnout! There was already an overflow crowd on the sidewalk out front, and plenty of crossover traffic between the store and the nearby galleries. Getting inside was easy enough, but moving around once inside proved difficult. It was packed, wall-to-wall, with a wide range of folks, from kids there with their parents, to young hipsters soaking in the atmosphere, to older aficionados digging for rare books. The counter staff (which usually consisted of one person) looked happy, bordering on overwhelmed, as I’m not sure they were expecting this kind of turnout.

The store itself was mostly in the same state as it was for the soft opening, just a little more polished and tweaked. The plain banner in the window was replaced with permanent vinyl graphics, based on Daniel Clowes artwork. The side wall was adorned with a selection of original art from Peter Bagge, R. Crumb, Jaime Hernandez, Chris Ware, and others, tastefully presented behind plexiglass. The damaged room had a larger inventory, including out-of-print comics (like Penny Century #3, which I was happy to finally find).

We hung around and shopped for a little while, bumping elbows with Ellen Forney, Andrice Arp and Kaz Strzepek (who chatted with us or a while), among others. When it got a little too claustrophobic (and we finished our complementary beers), we made our way over to the gallery to check out the Beasts exhibit. The space was small but elegant, with original artwork hanging on one wall, an interactive projection of pages from the book on the opposite side, and a beautiful diorama on the bookshelf, next to a selection of small-press art books. They were playing a mix of minimal techno from the upstairs staff area/DJ booth, which fit the modern design of the space quite well.

Back at the Fantagraphics store, local band The Rheas played a quick set of synth-laced indie pop, with store counterperson Rhea Patterson on drums. It was around 8 at this point, and the crowd showed no sign of thinning out yet, but we decided to take our leave. It was great to see such a large, diverse turnout for a comic store opening, though. I never would have guessed that even an institution like Fantagraphics could have pulled it off, with the economic state of the artform as it is. But I’m definitely happy to be proven wrong.

Fanta-awesome

As one of the first group of patrons to cross the threshold into unchartered Fantagraphics Books retail country, I can say that there is no greater sight than seeing an Acme Novelty Library stand next to a spinner rack swollen with Love and Rockets and Black Hole. But to stay with current blogging trends and to guarantee there isn’t any actual content, let’s make this into a photo post:

Storefront in the Georgetown neighborhood in Seattle. For non-Seattlites, this is a ten minute drive down the freeway from downtown Seattle.

The masses ache to spend cash. Dylan is in the middle of this shot. Yay Dylan!

The wall of signed prints and posters.

The appropriately hyped damage room. Many, many steals.

The Acme Novelty Library stand

I have now found my personal oasis.

Since it was a soft opening there were a few details to be worked out (like a functional credit card machine), but we were told by December 2nd, everything will be perfect. December 2nd is the official grand opening super-fantastic night that everyone should attend. Hey, flights to Seattle aren’t that bad. And if you aren’t totally psycho we may even have some room for you to crash. You just have to ask nicely. And yes, we also accept bribes.

Fantagraphics Store

Seattle comics fans, make some space in your schedule this Saturday to visit the newest comics retailer in the city. Now, this isn’t just any old direct market outlet packed with toys and collectables and a few racks of superhero pamphlets. No siree, this is the long-rumoured, finally real Fantagraphics retail storefront!

Looks like they;ll be stocking “everything Fantagraphics has in print, including our soon-to-be-legendary damaged room, featuring discounted and often out-of-print books unavailable anywhere else.” I don’t think you can afford to miss out, especially as that damaged room will probably get picked over right quick. Come early.

FANTAGRAPHIC BOOKS
1201 South Vale Street
Seattle, WA 98108
Mon. - Sat 11:30 - 8
Sun 11:30 - 5
206-658-0110