Allan's two debut graphic novels could not be more different than each other--the road to god knows... explores a teenage girl who is coping with her mother's schizophrenia, while Stargazer is more of a light-hearted, fantasy adventure into the supernatural. Allan has a serious knack for realistically drawing and capturing teens and tweens--an artistic trait that we've heard is quite hard to accomplish. If possible, we would definitely recommend reading these two novels back to back, as we did, to get the full scope of Allan's talent, depth, and versatility. more ›

The Emerald City ComiCon is this weekend (!!), so graphic novel and comic book enthusiasts of all stripes will be gathering at the Convention Center downtown to celebrate their passion. The Times just leaked that an intriguing announcement will be made there this weekend: the son of the man who arrested the Green River Killer is working on a 120-page graphic novelization of the dramatic story to be published by Dark Horse Comics sometime next year. The Pacific Northwest has a dark fascination with the saga, so we won't be surprised if it sells well. Still...weird. more ›

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! more ›