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In March of 2001, indie comic auteur Jhonen Vasquez, previously known for the cryptically comical comics Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee, unleashed his first animated series for a younger audience on Nickelodeon called Invader Zim. Following the adventures of a hyperactive would-be world conquering alien disguising himself as a human schoolboy, Zim struck a chord with audiences for it’s bizarre characters and strange humor. But after only 26 episodes the show went off the air in 2002 and the adventures of Zim came to an end… until now.
Oni Press (publishers of Blue Monday, Scott Pilgrim, and Queen & Country) have announced that they will bring back Zim as a new comic book series. The comic picks up where the show left off and is being done in collaboration with Vasquez and show staff Aaron Alexovich, Eric Trueheart, and Rikki Simmons. Issue one will be released July 1, 2015.
“I’m always confused when people say how much they miss Invader Zim because the show never stopped running in my head, and then I remember everyone else isn’t in my head," said show creator Jhonen Vasquez. "I try to imagine the world for all those people who don’t know what Zim’s been up to since the show went off the air and it makes me shudder. How can people live that way? Hopefully this comic helps make the world a better place.”
To learn more, go to: http://onipress.tumblr.com/
1993 was an interesting time for comics in America. Image and Marvel were grabbing media attention left and right with the likes of Spawn, X-Men, and The Maxx and embossed foil covers with holograms were starting to become the rage. Dan Clowes and Peter Bagge were becoming the darlings of the indie scene with Eightball and Hate. Manga was trickling into comic book stores thanks to Kitchen Sink Press. But emerging onto shelves in comic book and book stores alike was a tome created to make sense of this brave new world of illustrated storytelling. Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud dissected both the history of comics and the storytelling possibilities of the medium like never before. McCloud broke down the mechnics of comics in an easy to understand way that had never been seen before, while also predicting the importance of the internet as a place of artistic expression in comics.
McCloud, who also wrote Zot!, Reinventing Comics, and Making Comics will be speaking at the 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY) as part of All About Comics with Scott McCloud on February 3, 2015. Along with discussing the history and craft of comics, MCloud will also be showing his latest graphic novel published by First Second, The Sculptor, in which the titular artist finds out he has only 200 days left to live due to a Faustian pact and strives to create his masterpiece.
Having previously lectured at Sony, Google, Pixar, and the Smithsonian Institute, McCloud is considered one of the world’s greatest proponents for the versatility of comics as a medium and their rich culture and history. If you’re a fan of comics, young or old, seasoned pro, or ambitious amateur, this is the lecture for you.
To learn more, go to: http://www.92y.org/
All About Comics with Scott McCloud
February 3, 2015
The 92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10128
From New York to LA, Chicago to Paris, and nanny to photographer, Vivian Maier (1926 – 2009) took over 150,000 photographs of American urban life and Europe. Maire photographed the faces of women, children, and men from all walks of life showing hope, strain, serenity and uncertainty in a unique time in American history. The Calvin-Morris Gallery (210 Eleventh Ave, Ste 201, NY NY) will be showcasing a retrospective of her work from December 9 – 13th. The exhibition comes from the collection of Ron Slattery, who was one of the first purchasers of her work.
While most of Maier’s work remained in obscurity, with the negatives stored in a box until an auction around 2009, this exhibition features over 100 photographs printed during her lifetime, many of which have never been shown to the public.
To learn more, go to: http://www.cavinmorris.com/blog/
Vivian Maier
December 9 – 14, 2014
The Calvin-Morris Gallery
210 Eleventh Ave, Ste 201
New York, NY 10001
When you think Christmas you think about families joining together, snowy nights, presents old standards on the radio, and Connie Marble from Pink Flamingos. The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 W 42nd St, New York, NY), which has played host to Joan Rivers and virtually the entire cast of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, will be featuring John Waters alum Mink Stole’s Christmas show, OMG! IT’S CHRISTMAS! from December 11 - 14th.
A cult cinema legend, Mink, known for her performances in Cry-Baby, Serial Mom, Hairspray, and other films, will be performing with Her Wonderful Band, and giving a unique spin on some old Christmas favorites like Little Drummer Boy, Pretty Paper, the 12 Days of Christmas, and more.
There are two kinds of people in this world: Those with Christmas cheer that want to see Mink Stole strut her stuff, and assholes.
To learn more, go to: http://www.westbankcafe.com/beechman_theatre.html
OMG! IT'S CHRISTMAS!December 11 - 14, 2014
The Laurie Beechman Theatre
407 W 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036