Fantagraphics: Seattle’s alt-comix headquarters

If someone were so inclined to venture into Georgetown they would most likely find dilapidated brick buildings, old taverns and subversive coffee shops. If one looked a little harder, on 1201 South Vale Street, they would find Seattle's hidden gem, Fantagraphics. Located kitty-corner to a worn down brewery, the store adorns a "comic book guy caricature" on the window that entices anyone who passes by it to take a look inside.

The graphic novels at Fantagraphics are generally more alternative than Batman or Superman and deal with other issues than archetypal good and evil.

Larry Reid, the curator and events-coordinator of the shop, spoke of the alternative nature of Fantagraphics saying, "[Fantagraphics] is more of a cause than a business and the choices the company makes is driven by the love of the medium, not the bottom line."

Reid has worked at the store since its opening four years ago. He has also worked for Fantagraphics publishing since 1991. Reid generally busies himself with promoting books that are being featured in the showroom. His most recent event was on Nov. 13 where "Destroy All Movies," a documentation of punk influence on cinema, was being showcased.

When Reid isn't promoting, he's reading graphic novels, which have become the new face of the comic book scene. Reid spoke on the change from superhero comics to graphic novels as something of a generational change.

"The comic books just weren't as relevant to the new demographic."

Reid discussed how initially this shift to graphic novels was slow and arduous due to the fact that most bookstores were marginalizing this particular medium. Reid pointed out this disrespect paid to the industry by the fact that many bookstores, up until fairly recently, were placing the Pulitzer Prize winning "Maus" next to "Garfield."

Now Reid claims that graphic novels are taking off as more and more bookstores are acknowledging them for what he believes they are—works of visual and literary art.

As this graphic conversation was taking place, a customer, specifically the only customer in the store, crept out of the adults only section to offer his two cents on the scene. From the familiar smile Reid greeted him with, one could tell he was a regular. He went by the name of "cool-guy" and the dried mustard in his goatee belied, or perhaps pointed to, his expertise of comic books.

"I think it's great that mainstream bookstores are finally carrying these things. The only problem is that you have to buy something if you want to use their bathrooms and their selection isn't as good," Cool-guy said when comparing Fantagraphics to stores like Barnes and Noble.

He went on to say how the culture of Seattle itself is an important factor to the success of the graphic novel industry and how Fantagraphics caters to that culture.

"It's almost completely independent here. This store has everything for everyone, even for people like Cool Guy," he said emphatically before he left.

John may be reached at jbeaton@su-spectator.com