Johnny the Homicidal Maniac

thrAsher · August 13th, 2005, 08:29 PM

I've like Jhonen Vasquez for a long time for bringing us the very awesome, very cool 'Invader Zim' cartoon (R.I.P. Zim). And pretty soon after discovering 'Invader Zim', I found out he was a comic book artist by nature, but the only thing I've ever read is Filler Bunny. Good comic, sure, but short, and well, NOT Zim.

Well, recently have gotten back into buying graphic novels, and even some manga, so saw 'JTHM - Director's Cut' (harhar) at the store the other day, and decided, what the hell.

Well, I've finished reading it, and let me say two things:

1) OMG I should NOT be laughing......HAhahahahAHHAHAHA!

2) I must find more Vasquez!!!!!

So, while Johnny the Homicidal Maniac might not be up everybody's alley, the artwork and the general insanity of the comic is worth it alone. Johnny is possibly the most fiendish, twisted protagonist in anything I've ever read (although he does make me think of the old man from 'Notes from the Underground' in a way).

Here's a bit of JTHM for your viewing pleasure:

Anyhow, thought I'd share w/ you guys, and hoped some of you might know Vasquez's printed stuff and have some leads for what's good to pick up. I'm pretty sure it was shAdyOne who used to pimp a JTHM avatar at XBox Avocado, and I expect Flood is very keen to Jhonen's stuff.

jHawk · August 13th, 2005, 09:05 PM

That's not disturbing at all.

GET HELP!

Nurb · August 13th, 2005, 09:20 PM

I read through a few issues last time I was in a comics shop, it was slightly funny, but appeals mostly to angsty teen goths who think they're deep, and spend too much time at hot topic

Motoko · August 14th, 2005, 12:06 AM

I used to like JV's comics, but I slowly learned that after the first five times, there's really nothing funny about some weird, dark, and cynical creature that recites random one-liners such as, "I like cheese."

Eh...I purchased many a JTHM comic book in my day. If I were to go back and read them today, I'd probably chuckle at the gore, then get tired of the over-the-top aspect of the "dark" humor and throw the book out.

I can't even bear to look at my old Invader Zim shirts from middle school. I thought it was such a unique show.

Hey look! Gir, the robot dog, is running around yelling silly pseudo-vulgarities and saying things that don't make sense, like "food is good!" How hilarious!

**maneatingcow** · August 14th, 2005, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoko

I can't even bear to look at my old Invader Zim shirts from middle school. I thought it was such a unique show.

Hey look! Gir, the robot dog, is running around yelling silly pseudo-vulgarities and saying things that don't make sense, like "food is good!" How hilarious!

You'll find that EVERY cartoon show on Nickelodeon has similar structure and ethics. Nickelodeon likes to run things to a certain spec, and that can often screw with what the creators want to accomplish.

Jhonen Vasquez has a facination with Robots/Aliens/Space, so he made a show about it. For the amount of random restrictions Nickelodeon forced on the show, they were still able to pull off something interesting and along the lines of Ren & Stimpy, back when it was also neutered then shoved onto the airwaves.

**lllusion** · August 14th, 2005, 01:19 AM

rockos random world.. ahh i hearted that show..

mec, *takes a double take* mec?

Darkside · August 14th, 2005, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurb

I read through a few issues last time I was in a comics shop, it was slightly funny, but appeals mostly to angsty teen goths who think they're deep, and spend too much time at hot topic

ouch.... I may be angsty..... I may be a teen..... and I may think I'm deep at times.... but goths? most of the people that I know who read it are more of the nerd type..

Nurb · August 14th, 2005, 02:56 AM

not like I was insulting you, buddy

Lax · August 15th, 2005, 01:42 PM

I heart Johnny

Vasquez is quite teh awesome. My friend showed me some JTHM 3 years ago. Such hilarious stuff.

Flood · August 15th, 2005, 02:21 PM

jthm rules. as does the spinoff Squee

jHawk · August 15th, 2005, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllusion

rockos random world.. ahh i hearted that show..

mec, *takes a double take* mec?

rocko's modern life?

thrAsher · August 15th, 2005, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lax

I heart Johnny

Vasquez is quite the awesome. My friend showed me some JTHM 3 years ago. Such hilarious stuff.

As always, I'm late to the show. I like the comic a lot. It's funny in a disturbing, but creative way. "Happy Noodle Boy" sucks, plain and simple, and is not funny. I skipped a few of them toward the end. But overall, 'JTHM Director's Cut' is a nice toilet read, especially first thing in the morning as you're getting ready for work.

My biggest gripe is the comic doesn't feel 'finished'. It just ends.

In other Vasquez news, does anyone know if 'Invader Zim' will come out anytime soon in a complete box-set? Or is there one now?

Darkside · August 16th, 2005, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrAsher

As always, I'm late to the show. I like the comic a lot. It's funny in a disturbing, but creative way. "Happy Noodle Boy" sucks, plain and simple, and is not funny. I skipped a few of them toward the end. But overall, 'JTHM Director's Cut' is a nice toilet read, especially first thing in the morning as you're getting ready for work.

My biggest gripe is the comic doesn't feel 'finished'. It just ends.

In other Vasquez news, does anyone know if 'Invader Zim' will come out anytime soon in a complete box-set? Or is there one now?

I believe that http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd is the "complete" box set.

**maneatingcow** · August 16th, 2005, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkside

I believe that http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd is the "complete" box set.

Yes sir it is. The large house stores all 3 dvd volumes, plus the additonal bonus disc (With the uncut version of the Xmas episode). From what I've heard, the bonus disc is not all that spectacular, only for the real obsessive fans.

Same Boxed Set For $78: Deep Discount DVD

For those that may take a peek at the series, take note: The first episode is 90% setup, and only shows a slight bit of what is in store for the series.

thrAsher · August 16th, 2005, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maneatingcow

Yes sir it is. The large house stores all 3 dvd volumes, plus the additonal bonus disc (With the uncut version of the Xmas episode). From what I've heard, the bonus disc is not all that spectacular, only for the real obsessive fans.

Same Boxed Set For $78: Deep Discount DVD

For those that may take a peek at the series, take note: The first episode is 90% setup, and only shows a slight bit of what is in store for the series.

Thank you, MEC, Darkside. I'll be getting this soon. From what I read elsewhere of all the episodes, it seems I missed quite a few over the short run Zim had. Good to know.

**maneatingcow** · August 17th, 2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrAsher

Thank you, MEC, Darkside. I'll be getting this soon. From what I read elsewhere of all the episodes, it seems I missed quite a few over the short run Zim had. Good to know.

The earlier episodes are okay, but pale in comparison to the 3rd season. They finally hit a nice stride and seem more comfortable with how the series is. Also - If you are the type that enjoys, listen to the commentary. Although edited a bit by Nickelodeon (you will hear large silent segments, more so in the earlier episodes), they are very interesting and a nice complement to the series.