In conjunction with the SXSW premiere of Here's Johnny, a new film about artist John Hicklenton and his battle against Multiple Sclerosis, we'll have the Judge Dredd and Nemesis the Warlock artist here in the store for a signing! Click the link above for a preview of the movie.

In addition to Johnny Hicklenton, the filmmakers will be here for the event. There will be high-quality prints available for purchase. 13" by 19" prints are $50, 23" by 33" will be $250. Beer will be provided.

In addition, we'll have a visit from Judge Dredd, himself! Obviously, you'll want to bring your camera to this one!

From the website:

Here's Johnny enters the surreal world of renowned graphic artist Johnny Hicklenton, who is battling against Multiple Sclerosis. Living in an increasing state of immobility and frustration, Johnny escapes the confines of his frontroom through his artwork.

Through the expression of his brilliant and sometimes troubled imagination we learn about the disease that he cannot escape from.

Launched at the Science Museum on January 30th 2008, Here's Johnny will premiere at South by South West film festival in March.

 
Where's the best place to see a live performance during SXSW? At the comic shop, of course! Brooklyn-based band Scary Mansion will be here on Saturday, March 15th at 7pm to perform a live show! In addition, the vocalist (and illustrator) Leah Hayes will be signing her new Fantagraphics book Funeral of the Heart! Check out the band's MySpace link above to get a sampling of the rock in store for the Live Music Comic Shop of the World!

Leah's bringing the rock, and we're bringing the beer! Scary Mansion CDs will also be available for sale.

About Funeral of the Heart, from the Fantagraphics website:

Funeral of the Heart is Leah Hayes' stylistic tour-de-force and graphic novel debut, featuring a series of short stories by Hayes and illustrated entirely using the otherworldly medium of scratchboard. Hayes creates a world of unease and ambiguity populated by obsessive characters, forlorn animals, and mysterious, inanimate objects; odd occurrences, unnerving deaths and unconventional but genuine love bind these characters and their stories together. In "The Bathroom," a middle-aged couple discover a mysterious tunnel in their poolhouse after a neighbor's child accidentally drowns in their pool - leading to an immaculate bathroom and another drowning. In "The Needle," two sisters suffer the death of their grandmother as well as her possible resurrection at the hands of the woman with the needle.

The stories are hand lettered and juxtaposed against stark, highly stylized, graphically powerful, black and white images. Stories with titles like "The Bathroom," "The Needle," and "The Hair" sound innocuous, but they aren't fables that should be read to one's children - unless your children enjoy being made uneasy by beautiful things.