Gucci Goes Sci-Fi

And the nerds shall inherit the Earth...

Need more proof? Just watch Gucci's campy Star Trek-inspired Fashion Week 2017 film, and be sure to turn up the volume for optimal effect. [All credits included in embed.]

Introducing the #GucciFW17 film campaign. Motifs from sci-fi of the 50s and 60s appear in the video alongside a @StarTrek inspiration and the men’s and women’s collections designed by #AlessandroMichele. #gucciandbeyond Director: @_glen_luchford Art director: @christophersimmonds Star Trek elements courtesy of CBS. TM & © 2017 CBS Studios Inc. STAR TREK and related marks are properties owned by CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. Music: “Space 1999” written by Vic Elms, Barry Gray © SM Publishing (Italy) Srl Ⓟ 1974 ITC Entertainment Group Limited

A post shared by Gucci (@gucci) on Jul 25, 2017 at 5:46am PDT

New York Comic Con 2012

That's just the lobby overflow on Saturday. Artist Alley was past that Walking Dead poster at the end.

A comic con is my happy place. This happy place is made exponentially better when I don't have to get on a plane to get there. And though I'm one of "those" people who generally walks past the superhero stuff to get at the oddball vinyl toys (or stare at the Masters of the Universe display), shop the lowbrow art mini pop-up stores, or explore the more eclectic booths on the show floor, New York Comic Con has always been a good time. As a total bonus, I also get to check in with all the wonderful people I met during my brief stint in the comics world.

Even now, in its sixth year, as NYCC struggles to satisfy the sold-out capacity crowd with an exhausting amount of panels, screenings, show floor space, anime festival, autograph sessions, video game demos—in addition to the core of comics-based programming—it's still impossible to see it all. Craftman Tools had a booth, as did Hallmark and Taschen. NYCC even hosted a Trapped in the Closet sing-along. (Fun fact: according to a Crain's New York Business report, NYCC is the second largest event in New York City.)

Then there are the cosplayers. Few things in the world are more wonderful to see. Walking down aisles crowded with grown men and women dressed as Adventure Time characters, Poison Ivy, Dr. Who, Batman and a myriad of other pop-culture icons is just about the most insightful urban anthropological study one can be privy to.

This guy rules.

Want to talk about people giving no fucks? Cosplayers had no shame in their games and it was inspiring to watch. And photograph—since almost everyone's goal seemed to be finding a spot in a blog's photo gallery (mission accomplished). Truly, it's the least any of us can do to pay tribute to the many hours some spent on homemade costumes, perfecting every detail. And those who half-assed it were even more funny to check out.

On the metal tip, Kirk Hammett signed copies of his new book, the Metal Sucks bros shared a booth with Vertebrae 33 and hosted autograph sessions by Dee Snider, Alex Skolnick (who actually plugged in and played in the middle of the show floor) and tattoo legend Paul Booth. And Integrity frontman Dwid Hellion released a really ugly looking toy. As much as I love the band, there's no way I'm paying $85 for a figure that looks like a tar-dipped plucked turkey (and couldn't stand without holding the included staff).

Thee Black Heksen by Dwid Hellion

Things I bought included three of the five Frank Kozik x Kidrobot Goon Squad busts, the first Alex Pardee book, mini card prints by an artist named Seymour who showed at the Strychnin Gallery booth (a really cool Berlin-based gallery) and the graphic novel tribute to Mercyful Fate. Want to see what I saw? Check out my gallery here.

Until next year...

An Open Letter To Nathan Fillion

Dear Nathan,

We get it. You were once on a cult TV show called Firefly that some say was unjustly cancelled after only one season. But guess what? You bounced back. You’re on a fantastic new program called Castle that’s just been picked up for a full second season (and hopefully a third season is forthcoming, as well).

So it boggles my mind when you constantly hearken back to those days of yesteryear. Last night’s episode, "Vampire Weekend," with its gratuitous opening scene where you DRESSED LIKE YOUR OLD CHARACTER, was absolutely grating. Perhaps it’s because I was never a Firefly fan that I feel this way; but more importantly, by doing this you’re selling yourself short. The habitual shout-outs, Easter eggs and homages to Firefly are like the mass media equivalent of talking about some long-lost ex-girlfriend when you have a brand-new hottie on your arm.

Real talk: you are a handsome, charismatic slab of Canadian ham. Castle lets you explore your comedic timing, your depth of character by casting you as a family man, and a team player surrounded by a wonderful supporting cast (just ask Entertainment Weekly, who said as much in a recent issue). And let’s not underscore the sizzling chemistry you have with co-star, Stana Katic. Do you really think your demographic is limited to Firefly fanboys (or “Browncoats,” as it were)? You don’t see Susan Sullivan going on about her days on Falcon Crest, do you?

So please, Nathan, enough already. Do like your daughter on the show suggested and move on… However, should you ever decide to come over dressed like the sexy evil priest, Caleb, you played on that last season of Buffy, I’d keep it just between us.

Thanks, babe. Happy Halloween.

xoxoxoxo,

Z

SDCC Dreaming: The Cannibal Corpse Edition

I'm not going to lie, I have San Diego Comic Con on the brain. This is the second consecutive year that I will not be attending (after a pretty hot streak of going for the past five or six years), so I'm definitely yearning for some nerd magic in my life.

One of my favorite things to do at SDCC—besides starting trouble, baiting Glenn Danzig and seeing old industry friends—is perusing rows and rows of comics, toys, T-shirts and assorted other merch, thinking: "Who thought this would be a good idea?"

With that in mind, I present to you: the Cannibal Corpse comic book. I've never really liked CC, but I'm sure at least a handful of their black-clad fans have closed their eyes and tried to imagine what the visceral horror of Corpse lyrics would look like. Well, you can put that imagination away, kids. Available just in time for SDCC, Cannibal Corpse: Eviseration Plague illustrates every song from their latest album of the same name by acclaimed artist Vince Locke. At 96 pages, this graphic novel is a hefty testament to the artist's love of this death metal muses. And talk about exclusive—the comic is only available through Hot Topic during this summer's Rockstar Mayhem fest.

For a preview, click here. And for more coverage of the San Diego Comic Con, check out my forthcoming reports on The Beat.