NYCC 2010 Photos Part II

A week later, and here’s part two of the NYCC 2010 blog post.

During the the three-day weekend of the NYCC (New York Comic Con) 2011, I was stationed mostly behind my table. When Sunday rolled around, figured it was time for some quick explorations. Inside the Jacob Javits center, the NYCC took most of the main floor, while New York Anime Festival was downstairs.

Costumes from the NYCC/New York Anime Festival, Oct. 2010. Jacob Javits Center, NYC.

I’m not really familiar with the whole Manga/Anime/COS underworld. It’s not my thing, although I like some of Osamu Tezuka’s work. Like upstairs, the lower level where the Anime Festival was jammed packed.

Downstairs at the New York Anime Festival, Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2010.

Upon entering the Anime section, it was crossing into a whole other world. The general age of this Anime/COS crowd was probably tweens, to early teens. Almost everyone other than the artists and vendors were sporting some kind of costume.

New York Anime Festival/NYCC 2010. NYC

Don't ask, don't tell. New York Anime Festival, downstairs at the NYCC/Jacob Javits Center, NYC. Oct. 2010.

On the mini-stage was some sort of singing contest, with a costumed female contestant warbling off-tune. I walked around the Anime section some more, when some sort of COS conga-line broke out. Half-scary, half amusing, I figured that I had my fill of this mini-Neverland. Time to go back upstairs.

COS play outfit from the New York Anime Festival. NYC, Oct. 2010.

New York Anime Festival 2010. Jacob Javits Center, NYC.

My favorites were the like the frilly Victorian-style of the “Lolita” costumes. If I could get away with it, maybe I could have one of those Lolita dresses hanging in my closet.

From the New York Anime Festival/NYCC 2010. NYC, Oct. 2010.

NYCC/New York Anime Festival 2010. NYC

NYCC/New York Anime Festival 2010. NYC

Back upstairs to the NYCC:

BuzzBuzzBuzzBuzz...or as someone said on Facebook: "Where's the bug spray?" NYCC 2010. NYC

Is it a peanut? Is it a waffle? The result of too many carbs. NYCC 2010, NYC.

The real reason why I was at the NYCC 2010; I had a table in the Artist Alley section:

The section my table was located, NYCC 2010.

My DIY sign. NYCC 2010. NYC

Jammed full of goodies at my table. Artist Alley section at the NYCC 2010. NYC

My next two appearances: Welcome To My Nightmare 5, Williamsburg Brooklyn, March 27th 2011. MoCCA Art Fest 2011, NYC, April 10-11, 2011.

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NYCC 2010 Photos Part I

Okay, so I’m late with this…better late than ever. Here’s some photos I took at last year’s New York Comic Con (NYCC 2010)

My table at the NYCC 2010.

I think this one was an Ugly Doll, not too sure. NYCC 2010

Costumes like these, I love it. This one is Angry Penguin. I've seen him before at other cons. NYCC 2010

Why so sad? One of the many patrons from the NYCC 2010.

Salior Moon is a staple now at comic cons. This one being no exception. Salior Moon drag, NYCC 2010.

More costumes at the NYCC 2010

From the shoulders up, they remind me of the "Way-Outs." The Way-Outs was a garage type band on a Flintstones episode. NYCC 2010.

Not just for comicbook and anime costumes. Someone went as The Old Spice dude. Brilliant if you ask me. NYCC 2010.

I do not get this "Free Hugs" thing. His costume was cute and all, but I do not get this free hugs trend. Maybe it's because I'm become slightly misanthropic over the past few years. I dunno. Plus I'm weary of hugging strangers. Ever heard of scabies? Still, a cute costume. NYCC 2010.

Part two will be photos of various Cosplay/Anime costumes. Stay tuned!

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Next Weekend! New York Comic Con 2010!

Before I forget, letting everyone know that I will have a table at the New York Comic Con 2010. The New York Comic Con or NYCC 2010, will be held Oct. 8 -10 at The Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street. Just find my table, T14, in the Artist Alley section.

http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en/NYCC/Artist-Alley/

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Fourth of July, Oversized Captain America Style.

“I stayed at home on the Fourth of July
And I pulled the shades so I didn’t have to see the sky
And I decided to have a Bed In
But I forgot to invite anybody”

- “Fouth of July”, a song from the 1990 album “This Is Our Music” by Galaxie 500.

Those following lyrics that I just quoted…that’s exactly what I did today. I stayed at home for the Fourth of July. Not complaining though, ’cause I was working on some forthcoming stories. One is for the next season of Shitty Mickey, the webcomic I’m doing with writer extraordinaire John Reed. The other story is for a future comicbook anthology.

Lady Gaga on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, July 2010.

I only stepped outside once today from my apartment. Got my usual iced coffee and the latest issue of Rolling Stone, which I haven’t read in a hot minute. On the cover was Lady Gaga adorned in riffle gun glory. Ted Nugget would be jealous. The current cover price for Rolling Stone circa 2010 is $5.99. Made me wax nostalgic for the days when comics were $1.oo, and music magazines were $2.00 -$3.00 a pop. Not gonna lie; during my ‘tween’ years I wasted my allowance way more on music magazines than on comics. You see, I went from Harvey comic titles straight into Rock and 80s New Wave. Later on I became a serious comic fan thanks to Love and Rockets.

Safe to say that if I was a teen today, I would probably skip publications like Rolling Stone and go straight for graphic novels. For starters, most new music is utter crap. Knowing me, I would probably be the only kid in junior high who would know, for example, who The Gossip is. That’s exactly what my tastes would most likely gyrate to.  Like back then, I was the only kid into bands like (early) The B-52s, Devo, Bow Wow Wow, etc. And I watched reruns of Doctor Who, when Tom Baker was king. So most likely, if I was a kid now, I would probably go online and order graphic novels from Amazon. I mean…$5.99 for Rolling Stone? And where’s my hommie, Hunter S. Thompson? No thanks.

Anyway, a few hours later, the boyfriend starts digging through his Captain America back issue slash. For the occasion, he showed this particular one:

Captain America 1976. Marvel Treasury Edition. Artwork by Jack Kirby.

Wow, this took me back. For those who don’t know, the Marvel Treasury Editions were oversized comics popular in the 1970s. Usually it had the legendary characters like The Hulk, Conan, Thor, as well as the lesser known ones like The Defenders and Luke Cage. DC had oversized comics too, but for today we’ll focus on the Marvel stuff. Oh, and btw, you know you were made in the 1970s when you landed your very own Marvel Treasury Edition. The infamous rock band Kiss had their very own edition. So if you translate this into today’s terms, no doubt Lady Gaga would have one to call her own.

The films of the days got their own Marvel Treasury adaptations as well. I can fondly recall getting my Star Wars copy, thanks to mom. Strange, I have no idea whatever happened to that issue. Actually, I can’t really recall whether I had issue one or issue two, but I did own a Star Wars edition.

Star Wars Issue One. Marvel Treasury Edition.

You learn something new everyday. I just found out that Stanely Kubrick’s seminal 2001: A Space Odyssey” also reached Treasury status. Bet you it must be really trippy.

2001: A Space Odyssey. Marvel Treasury Edition. Artwork by Jack Kirby.

Years later as an adult, I got a Treasury edition of Howard The Duck. Picked this one up last year at the Boston Comic Con.

Howard The Duck, Marvel Treasury Edition.

Back to the Captain American issue. The artwork was done by the man himself, Jack Kirby. Check out the back cover featuring Uncle Sam (which Cap affectionately just calls ‘Sam’) and a funky inside splash page. The back cover is particularly fetching since Jack Kirby was a veteran of World War II.

Captain America Back Cover, Marvel Treasury Edition. Art by Jack Kirby. 1976

Funky splash page. Captain America, Marvel Treasury Edition. Art by Jack Kirby. 1976.

Sorry about not being able to fit the full size of these Marvel Editions onto my scanner. These Marvel Treasuries are of course, oversized. Then again, its “fitting” to say that nothing’s more American than being ‘oversized.’ The only difference between these and let’s say a McDonald’s ‘Supersize’ meal is that these comics were much more healthier. Plus comics last longer. You never have to worry about sequential art infecting your colon while leaving behind unwanted calories. So there.

Squeaky, July 2010

http://www.angelfire.com/comics2/treasury/

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Glam Bam Madam (Late May 2010)

Here’s a recent illustration inspired by two things: Beto Hernandez’s cover for New Love issue one and Lady Gaga.

Glam Bam Madam. Illustration by Michele Witchipoo 2010

I’ve always loved Los Hernandez Bros. I especially love the 1996 cover to New Love issue one, published by Fantagraphic Books.

New Love by Beto Hernandez

As for Lady Gaga…I should hate her. I’m aware about how she puts product placement in her videos. Check out her ‘Telephone’ video for example. Let’s see, there’s Virgin Mobile, her special line of Heartbeats headphones, Beats laptop, among others. If it wasn’t for this video extravaganza, I would have never known that PlentyofFish.com was an actual dating website.

Lady Gaga Pulls A Poker Face

Besides the brand name dropping, Lady Gaga has obviously ripped off many of edgy entertainers that came before her. On the roll call you can find Grace Jones, Dale Bozzio, and maybe a tiny bit of Madonna. If you’ve heard the rumors of Lady Gaga being either a transsexual or a hermaphrodite, nods can be given to both Amandas. Amanda Leer along with current model Amanda Lepore. Then there’s the various Disco 2000 club kid outfits. No question Leigh Bowery was one of the many influences behind the Bad Romance video.

Lady Gaga From Bad Romance Video

Leigh Bowery

Despite all of the evidence, I can’t bring myself to hate Lady Gaga. In fact, I love Lady Gaga. Her kind of music isn’t what usually gets me into the groove. Doesn’t matter though.

I adore the garnish stage outfits, admire her “don’t give a fuck” attitude, and thinks its awesome that she brought back extreme glam fantasies into the pop consciousness. Besides taking the crown from Madonna, she’s this generation’s answer to music extremities. We needed a Lady Gaga actually. After a while, you get bored with manufactured sex kittens like Britney Spears. You just wanna puke after watching blank slates try to build their careers on the American Idol factory line. Plus underneath the electro euro trash beat, there’s a woman who could actually sing. A muse for the odd kid stuck in suburban wasteland.

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…I’m Gonna Walk All Over You

Well, one can interpret these snappy sandals anyway they want. Talk about having people right under your feet!

Sandals Designed By Rupert Sanderson

Originally designed by Rupert Sanderson for Amneris in the Royal Opera’s production of Aida. If this isn’t the ultimate in high end fetish fashion, I don’t know what is.

Original link here (with more photos): http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/fashion/shoes/rupert-sanderson/100506-shoes-fit-for-a-princess.aspx

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Death Of A Favorite Villain (Malcolm McLaren)

Whether you loved him or hated him, Malcolm McLaren did have an impact of music still being felt to this day.

McLaren is best known as the controversial, double handed yet charismatic manager behind The Sex Pistols. After a short stint as a manager for the seminal Glam band The New York Dolls, he went back to his naive U.K. and helped create the British Punk movement. Along with his former girlfriend, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, and a dwindling English political climate, McLaren helped shaped the iconic images associated with early U.K. Punk. Let’s just say the notes he took during his time with the Dolls served him well.

Later on he added Adam & The Ants and Bow Wow Wow on his management list. Controversy followed McLaren yet again, particularly with the lead singer of Bow Wow Wow. Annabella Lwin was only 14 years old when she posed for a band publicity photo based the Manet painting The Luncheon on the Grass (Le déjeuner sur l’herbe). The images teenage dreams are made of.

Speaking of controversial album covers, my own mother was outraged. So thanks to Lwin’s nude posing, along with a Nina Hagen album these records were banned from my own household. Ah, the good old days.

Not to outdone, Malcolm went to New York City yet again, and tapped into the budding Hip Hop movement. Mixing Bronx street life, international music and English art school fashion, the result was the hit song ‘Buffalo Gals’ from the album ‘Duck Rock.’ Other solo ventures Malcolm ensued, such as the hybrid of electronic music and opera in the 1984 single ‘Madame Butterfly.’ Later solo projects, although innovative, were not as successful.

Was not aware of this fact, but supposedly Malcolm McLaren was involved with a film project, using a script by comic book writer Alan Moore. The film itself was never made. Later on, Malcolm went on to be one of the producers in the film adaptation of Fast Food Nation.

Why Malcolm McLaren could be considered a “favorite villain” was due to the fact of his questionable manger practices. During the 1980s, former members of The Sex Pistols took McLaren to court over contract rights. Johnny Lydon, formerly known as Pistols’ lead singer Johnny Rotten won and gained complete control from McLaren (and rightly so). After the Pistols’ breakup, Lydon formed the post punk band Public Image Ltd.

Personally speaking, I saw P.I.L. on concert during the mid-eighties. Not only showing my true age when admitting this; I will also humiliate myself when I tell you about accidentally getting kicked in the head by a ‘slam dancer’ (now known as ‘mosher’) during the show. Johnny Lydon insulted everyone during the entire concert, and the audience retaliated by throwing pennies at him. The pennies was the crowd’s physical way of telling Lydon he was a “sell-out.”

Back to Malcolm. My ex-boyfriend from high school met McLaren during his usher shift at a local NYC art film theater. McLaren had gone to see a movie, and my ex took his ticket stub. According to the ex, McLaren was a nice guy.

A few weeks prior to his death, somehow the song “Buffalo Gals” kept on running through my head. It was a song I had remembered from my pre-teen years. This was when I was growing up in Queens, NY. I was a huge Joan Jett fan during this period, but a friend was trying to get me into Hip-Hop. So she played “Buffalo Gals” for me. However, I was too into Rock music at this time and wasn’t willing to budge. Years later, I realized this tune was way ahead of its time.

I’ll end this with two videos posted on YouTube. One is Adam Ant with a spoken tribute, the other is the promo video for Buffalo Gals.

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Hipster Ghetto

Walked around Williamsburg, Brooklyn last night. After an hour of walking around, couldn’t wait to get back home. This was never so evident when a random European Hipster, holding hands with his bulimic girlfriend growled in my face. What the fresh hell…?

As I walked down Bedford Avenue, I slowly got more nauseous with each step. The conversations that I had overheard hit hard the most. Hipsters trying to be funny and ironic with various snide comments. Honestly, I don’t know which was worst; Bedford Avenue or the local mall.

Neighborhood gentrification isn’t anything new in New York City. In fact, its come to be expected. Greenpoint, Astoria, even Bed-Stuy, these areas are also experiencing a gentrification influx. Jersey City has attempted gentrification, but let’s face it. That particular area always has and always will suck. However, with the case of Williamsburg, it totally crawls of Hipster roaches. Perhaps you should consider putting a can of Raid inside your purse. Riding the L train during rush hour is proof of Hipster infestation. A Williamsburg bar during the weekend is a lot like being inside a Hipster roach motel. You can check in, but you can’t check out.

I shouldn’t bitch too hard. Still happy to be here in NYC than anywhere else. Plus, being anti-Hipster is just as trendy as being a hipster. For now I’ll just consider Williamsburg as the Hipster Ghetto.

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Conceal This!

This is kinda clever, I suppose.

A few years back, I did catch a few episodes of Miami Ink. Didn’t think that much of the show except for Kat Von D.Guess that’s why she ended up getting her own program. Still prefer Tattoo Highway but hey.

Don’t hate on Kat too much. First of all, she is naturally beautiful, and knows how to style herself. Nothing wrong with making a buck by being simply yourself.

Anyway, Kat Von D has created a line for Sephora, the makeup and skin care brand. Apparently her and the corps that be figured out a few things. Since tattoos are getting more popular, there’s also more of a demand for temporary cover-up. You know, for job interviews, auditions, crappy family functions, running away from the law, etc. Whatever the occasion, its a cute idea. Never know when it might come in handy. Not just for tat cover-ups, the product also has multiple uses.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P231113&categoryId=C18697#moreInfo

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Basket Case (Movie Trailer of The Week, Feb. 15th, 2010)

Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite wishes he could relive the year of 1982.

It wasn’t bad year in pop culture history, I suppose. Except for when The Equal Rights Amendment didn’t make enough votes to pass in congress. That kinda sucked as Phyllis Schlafly and the good old Christian right reveled its its defeat. Former Saturday Night Live alumni and converted punk rocker John Belushi (Belushi was a huge fan of the L.A. punk band Fear) dies from a drug overdose. So there was consolation in Atari 2600 video games and the creation of the CD player. Across the Atlantic, Princess Diana gave birth to her first son William. Meanwhile onward British soldiers as they fought in the Falklands War.

One of the top grossing films of that year was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. However, when everyone else was oohing and ahhing over that butt-ugly alien, there was a few horror fans across the sleazier side of town. They were asking what was in the basket.

Basket Case is a 1982 horror classic totally worth checking out. It’s definitely a proud addition to my own personal DVD collection. The director, Frank Henenlotter went on to produce another horror classic in 1990 titled Frankenhooker.

Without no further hesitation, here’s the trailer to the original Basket Case:

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