Art Villains & Kitsch Kriminals

[jack_babalon]

Riddle me this LJ, are these supposed to be songs sung by the actor Frank Gorshin or are these supposed to be songs sung by The Riddler as portrayed by the actor Frank Gorshin?

I prefer the later.

Imagine a parallel universe not filled with zombies or golden age duplicates of our favorite heroes, but rather the versions we used to see on the old Bat-Man television show from the 60's. Earth-Camp maybe? Where the villains are more eccentric than homocidal. Kitsch-Kriminals really. Their themed crime sprees reeked more of performance art than an expression of nihilistic hostility towards society. Some of them seemed to be possessed by a vast array of archetypical Trickster Gods, the stirring of Clown Loa's, Puzzle-Priests and Cat Goddess Cultists in the collective subconscious. Some of them just seem to be in it for the kicks, man. We see the Bat-Man emerge not as a brooding vigilante but rather as a crime fighting Mod-Shaman, a two fisted psychoanalyst doing the Bat-watusi in night clubs and appearing in classroom to discuss the dangers of 'super-villain-ry'.

A world where the Riddler went on to pursue a singing career, deciding to cash in on his status as one of Gothams more well known Art-Villains. It was a colorful life for Mr.Nigma from there. After a few appearances on Carson and a few stints on "Laugh-In" he becomes a minor celebrity. He befriends a certain Doctor Timothy Leary and the two men influence each other greatly. Leary going on to dose the Gotham Water Supply in '67 as the Kitsch-Kriminal known as the "Tripster". While the Riddler produced a series Zen Koan inspired non-crimes. Once forcing Robin to achieve Satori in order to escape a certain "death-trap" (the trap was just a hoax really). He even made the most famous roll call of the time, appearing between Mae West and Aleister Crowley on the "Sgt. Pepper's" cover.

While the 70's was a sordid time for most of Gotham's criminals the Riddler laid low. He hung out in europe with El Myr for awhile (who can forget him talking about the role of the artist as criminal in Orson Welles documentary, "F is for Fake"). He spent some time hanging out with Zappa, Burroughs and a young Jack Nicolson. By the time punk was starting to break in the late 70's, he was amused at the bands his crimes had inspired such as "Johnny Thunder & the New York Riddlers" and the masked "?'s".

The 80's were the 80's. Too old for art-crime now he found himself pursuing a more literary career. However his daughter continued the family business, so to speak, as The Koan. His autobiography "Riddle me this" became a national best seller in '88. He did back up vocals on a Laurie Anderson track and was on a first name basis with David Byrne.

Edward Nigma remained a fixture of the Gotham avant garde scene until his eventual passing in 2005 after appearing as himself on an episode of CBS's CSI.

Comments

[therealmacgyver.livejournal.com]

Great, though scary assed, world that might be, but the time you get to now the arty criminals would either be extremely weird obscure crimes that no one gets, or some kind of industry manufactured cookiee cutter crime. A never ending parade of pretty boys and barbie girls doing boring assed robberies sponsored by Pepsi

[jackbabalon23.livejournal.com]

You'd probably get a lot of "boy-band" teen teams with carefully manufactured and equally marketable enemies. Though with the emergence of that worlds internet you'd probably see a dazzling array of cyber-crimes and (more prodominatly in Europe) an uprising of politically motivated super villains more concerned with the World Bank than say the Justice League.

[autumnsjunk.livejournal.com]

Hey,

Jean suggested you could help me figure out a costume for DC. Any help would be greatly appreciated:)

[jackbabalon23.livejournal.com]

I'll do my best.

A good bet is what interests you? Comic books, sci-fi shows, books or movies.

I believe last year I suggested Kaylee from Firefly for you, did you end up doing that one?

[autumnsjunk.livejournal.com]

I did not end up dressing up in costume unfortuanly. Just wore my goth gear since I was very broke.

The thing is I don't ever follow books, sci-fi, not very many movies. I do love to read but I mainly read vampire stuff.

I pretty much want something that will have a neat costume for me to make. I have a few bucks to throw around and I'm good at making stuff. I had thought about poision ivy but I was hoping for other ideas.

[jackbabalon23.livejournal.com]

Sorry let me try that again.

I recommend Kaylee Frye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaylee_Frye) from the cult classic Firefly.

Click this link to check out an image of her here (http://www.firefly-browncoats.com/kaylee.html).

As you'll notice you have the face & hair for it, her most popular look is the blue kimono w/parusel.

[daucus-carota.livejournal.com]

Do it! Kaylee! Perfect!
xxx

[daucus-carota.livejournal.com]

Not exactly my fantasy parallel universe, but I like the hanging with a young Jack!
xxx