Weekanerd NYC: Comic Signings, Text Messaging and Drunken Game Shows

Monday, April 14

• Signing w. Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction & Jen Grunwald
• FREE! 6:30-7:30pm @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W 33rd Street, Manhattan

The hottest writer in comics is joined by other big names for this quickie signing. A scheduling conflict came up last minute that keeps this event restricted to one hour, so get there early or you'll be crying all the way home with your un-scribbled upon comic books.

Text messages, drunken game shows and dolls for boys after the jump...

Tuesday, April 15

• Unprotected Text LIVE
  
• FREE! 2:30-10:30pm @ 42nd St b/w Times Sq and Broadway, Manhattan
  

Unprotected Text is a comedy performance troupe that collects text messages and then acts them out. Sounds like regular improv but without the yelping audience, right? Well maybe so, but they also have loftier goals, such as "conducting a video study of what role text messaging plays in participants lives." You want loftier? Something with more loft? Ok, how about "We want to explore the use and relations with have to technology that is already intergrated into our daily live." Throw about four [sic]s in there and you'll understand. If you're still unconvinced you can check out their YouTube channel, but I'm willing to bet it'll be more entertaining live so don't get discouraged.

Wednesday, April 16

• Dick Swizzle's Sudden Death Game Show
  
• FREE to watch/$5 to play, 8pm @ Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Brooklyn
  

This boozy Jeopardy-style game show is a significant upgrade to the standard bar trivia night. Buzzers, multimedia, all that jazz. The winners of each round get free shots; the finalist wins money; and the losers win a bottle of Budweiser and a special prize. Expect a sprinkle of raunch. Must be 21 or older, so stay away my young friends.

Thursday, April 17

• Captain Action Signing w. Fabian Nicieza and Mark Sporacio
  
• FREE! 6:30pm @ Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W 33rd Street, Manhattan

It's back to JHU for another signing tonight. Don't know who Captain Action is? Well, he's "the original super-hero action figure," created by the same guy that created G.I. Joe. You would buy the "default" figure and then clothe him in sold-separately outfits that would turn him into Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Captain America and a slew of other heroes. He proved popular enough to get a comic book from DC, but they disappointingly dropped the "I can be anyone" gimmick and instead gave him some magical coins that granted him generic powers. Some big names worked on the five issue series, including Wally Wood, Jim Shooter and Gil Kane. Well anyway, Fabian Nicieza is resurrecting the franchise and he'll be on hand with the artist Mark Sporacio to sign issue #0.

Weekanerd NYC - Hitchcock Galore, High Concept Bar Trivia, and Bio-Shock Comes Out Intentionally

Monday, August 20, 2007

• Bryant Park Summer Film Fest: Psycho
  
• 5pm @ Bryant Park, 6th Ave btw 40th-42nd St, Manhattan.
  

Reet! Reet! Reet! Reet!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

• Bio-Shock Is Released (intentionally)
  
• Stores everywhere
  

Didn't get a copy when this game was accidentally released two weeks ago? Here's the real nationwide release date for this first person shooter, currently rated at an impressive 99 at Metacritic.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

• Dick Swizzle's Sudden Death Game Show
  
• 8pm @ Magnetic Field, 97 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn
  

The only trivia contest in NYC with a full game show setup - contestant podiums, buzzers, flashing lights, and of course a sleazy host. Supposedly also one of the easier big quiz contests around, so serious trivia nerds could win some cash. $5 entry fee.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

• NYC Noir: Rear Window and Rope (2 for 1 admission)
  
• Various showtimes @ Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St, Manhattan.
  

Didn't get your Hitchcock fix on Monday? Get a double shot of with an AFI- stamped classic and an earlier, technically adventurous, subtext-heavy work.