Yes, it’s official.  Read all about it in the Stranger’s blog Slog.  Congratulations Jim!

(Photo by The Stranger‘s Kelly O.)

PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE: The Lost Art of the VHS Box collects colorful cover art from a selection of vintage exploitation genre films. Cleverly packaged in a VHS slipcase, this anthology celebrates the film format that changed pop culture forever. On opening night Portland-based editor and B movie aficionado Jacques Boyreau will unveil a monumental site-specific “Portable Grindhouse” mural designed by Candice Schroeder. Boyreau commissioned Schroeder to create an equally impressive mural for his “SuperTrash” movie memorabilia exhibition currently on display at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

December 12 also marks the third anniversary of Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. To celebrate the occasion, Fantagraphics Books has assembled an amazing group of cartoonists to socialize and sign books. Among the stellar line-up of guests: Femke Hiemstra (ROCK CANDY) from Amsterdam, Paul Hornschemeier (ALL & SUNDRY) and Jay Ryan (BEASTS!) from Chicago, Portland’s Dame Darcy (MEAT CAKE), and Seattle’s own Peter Bagge (HATE), Jim Woodring (FRANK), Ellen Forney (LUST), Scott Musgrove (THE LATE FAUNA OF EARLY NORTH AMERICA), and Jim Blanchard (TRUCKER FAGS IN DENIAL.) Musical entertainment will be provided by Bagge’s pop combo CAN YOU IMAGINE? featuring Steve Fisk and an opening set by the enchanting DAME DARCY.

On Sunday, December 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery presents a panel discussion focusing on PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE. Five distinguished experts in the field will screen short clips from their favorite exploitation film and discuss its influence on their work, as well as the broader social implications of the genre.

Panelists include artist Lisa Petrucci (KICKASS KUTIES) of Something Weird, cartoonist Marc Palm of Scarecrow Video, Seattle Times pop culture critic Mark Rahner with film critic and curator Robert Horton, co-writers of horror comic ROTTEN. The panel is moderated by PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE editor Jacques Boyreau and will be followed by a book signing and reception. Admission is free as always.

Lots of Creepy events this week at Cafe Racer!

Wednesday October 28: Matt Romero & Tim Tenson 9PM

mONDAY sAINT sIREN AND THE cORRESPONDENTS 9pm

September 3, 2009 – SEATTLE, WA. 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 a map of participants and related information please visit: www.georgetownartattack.com.

Another Glorious Day at the Nothing Factory is a revealing examination of the artist’s transition from adolescence to adulthood. Franklin’s impressionistic narrative complements the austere hand cut imagery in her exquisitely crafted autobiography.

Drop by and meet this extraordinary young artist this Saturday. While you’re there you can enjoy a cold beverage and take in our delightful exhibition of Seattle cartoonists including new work by Fantagraphics superstars Jim Woodring, Peter Bagge, and Jim Blanchard together with Franklin and her fellow Xeric alums Ellen Forney, Megan Kelso, and David Lasky among other local wonders.

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. Open daily 11:30 until 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

The August 8 installment of the Georgetown Art Attack includes: “CB” a photography exhibition exploring the culture of the café racer motorcycle by Jaime Forero at Smarty Pants; a special display of Tina Randolph’s large-scale linocut print recently produced during the Flat Stanley Steamroller Print Initiative in Georgetown at Frida/Georgetown Tile Works; “Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists” celebrating 20 years of Fantagraphics Books’ presence in the region featuring Peter Bagge, Jim Blanchard, Charles Burns, Ellen Forney, Roberta Gregory, Ted Jouflas, Megan Kelso, David Lasky, Jason T. Miles, Patrick Moriarity, Eric Reynolds, Jim Woodring, and introducing Eroyn Franklin at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; Recent works by Georgetown painter Tyler Kohat at All City Coffee; West Coast punk rawk show with Koalacaust from Santa Cruz, Joyce Manor from Long Beach, Tacoma’s Premise Beach, and Jason Clackley of Seattle at Squid & Ink; and the usual spontaneous mirth and merriment we’ve come expect during the Art Attack.

Additional information and map at: www.georgetownartattack

July 29, 2009 – SEATTLE, WA. Since relocating to Seattle from Southern California 20 years ago, Fantagraphics Books has remained committed to nurturing and promoting the diverse practitioners of alternative comics in the Northwest. The country’s most successful purveyor of challenging comics routinely employs local cartoonists and publishes the work of regional artists which has contributed to Seattle’s international reputation as the unrivaled center of alternative comics. To celebrate this association, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery presents “Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists” opening Saturday, August 8.

This exhibition will feature over a dozen emerging and established artists, including many of the most accomplished cartoonists in the alternative movement. Among them: Peter Bagge, who coined the term “alternative comics” in 1990 and as the highly-regarded creator of the phenomenal HATE comic book series attracted dozens of young cartoonists to the city during the 90s decade; Seattle native Charles Burns, whose teen years are fictionalized in his amazing graphic novel BLACK HOLE, soon to be a motion picture directed by David Fincher; Visionary artist Jim Woodring, one of only a handful of cartoonists to be embraced by the fine art world, having been awarded the United States Artist Fellowship in 2007 and a 2009 Art Trust Washington State Artists Fellowship, who will exhibit work from his forthcoming graphic novel WEATHERCRAFT; Ellen Forney, whose collaboration with local author Sherman Alexie won the prestigious 2008 National Book Award; David Lasky who will exhibit pages from his collaboration with Seattle writer Chris Estey “The Last Testament” from HOTWIRE #2; Second wave Seattle alternative cartoonist Megan Kelso; emerging artist Eroyn Franklin, who will exhibit hand cut pages from her Xeric award winning graphic novel ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY AT THE NOTHING FACTORY; current and former Fantagraphics Books staffers Jim Blanchard, Roberta Gregory, Patrick Moriarity; Ted Jouflas; Jason T. Miles and Eric Reynolds.

In addition to the display of original artworks, an eclectic array of comics and graphic novels by exhibiting artists will be available. Many featured artists will attend the opening reception of Saturday, August 8 from 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 historic artists’ enclave.