French Graphic Novel Week Starts Wednesday

Seattle's Alliance Française--cheese-eating commies, the lot of them, but what would we do without those fabulous sauces?--is celebrating the graphic novel (or "bande dessinée") this week. Things kick off Wednesday at the Alliance Française with an introduction to 20 giants of the genre by Fantagraphics's Kim Thompson. (Not for kids! they say.) Then Thursday is a screening of the documentary Tintin et moi at the Northwest Film Forum. This will disabuse you of the notion that Europeans aren't racist, imperialist pigs just like us. Friday it's down to Fantagraphics to Meet David B. and his art, then Saturday it's David B. again giving at talk at the Seattle Central Library. Sunday David B. joins Jim Woodring and Peter Bagge at the Henry Art Gallery, for a talk moderated by Kim Thompson. Ça y est!