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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 1996)
* V. iti Brian Priesman I • 'Sin City’ crime comic still on top Ahh... Frank Miller, how do I love you? Let me count the ways ... 1) “Daredevil,” for Marvel comics. 2) “Batman: The Dark Night Re turns,” for DC Comics. 3) “Batman: Year One,” for DC Comics. 4) “Ronin,” for DC Comics. 5) “Give Me Liberty,” for Dark Horse Comics and Legend. And last but not least: 6) “Sin City” for Dark Horse Com ics and Legend. He is so cool. In the ’80s, Frank Miller redefined the super-hero with his epic version of the dark knight, Batman, and Marvel’s own dark knight, Daredevil. Now Miller is at it again, revitaliz ing a genre that has been ignored for too long— the pulpy world of P.I.’s, prostitutes and gritty crime. “Sin City” is a direct, albeit more mature, throwback to the glory days of comic books. Miller’s.“Jiiri£ity” bears striking resemblance to the “True Crime” comics of the late ’50s, the same comics that prompted both the congressional hearings on comics’ impact on youth and the creation of the dreaded Comic Book Code. Frank Miller also injects some much-needed energy into the dying field of black and white comics. He proves with his gritty and stylistic de signs that black and white paintings can convey as much emotion and en ergy as computerized hues on Wolverine’s claws. And Miller’s stories! None of his characters have superpowers. None of them are aliens raised as humans. They’re all just normal humans who can bleed, love and die like the rest of us. Millers Sin City’ stories don’t | have a star. Every story deals with a different person and a different aspect of the city. The city is the real star. Marv, Dwight and the other people we’ve had the pleasure of meeting are just supporting cast. And perhaps that’s the beauty of “Sin City.” By using this revolving cast of characters, Miller can explore issues and subjects as he wants to. He can kill characters off, and it doesn’t even matter. There is still a huge city to ex plore. The first “Sin City” tale — called simply “Sin City”—tells the story of Marv, an ex-con who likes to kill people and has a slight problem with reality. Unfortunately, Marv dies at the end of the story. Another “Sin City” tale is “Sin City: Silent Night,” a Christmas tale starring Marv before his death. What’s unique about this tale is that there are only a dozen or so words in the entire story. The rest is silent. Frank Miller has created a master piece with “Sin City.” He has single handedly revitalized the crime comic genre and the black and white comic field. If you haven’t read “Sin City,” you should. And if you already are read ing it, then keep it up — Frank Miller needs your support. Priesman is a freshman theater and news-editorial major and a Daily Nebras kan staff reporter. Peking troupe set to dazzle lied audience By Lane Hickenbottom Staff Reporter The Los Angeles Times called their perfor mance “seemingly impossible” and “virtually unbelievable” Tonight you can decide for yourself when The Peking Acrobats perform their superhuman act at the Lied Center. Straight from the People’s Republic of China, the 22 gymnasts, tumblers, contortionists and jugglers continue their world tour with a one-night stop in Lincoln. Expect nothing short of amazing. The Peking Acrobats arc a highly acclaimed acrobatic troupe. These young men and women, who have been training from as early as five years of age, and the 2,000-year-old tradition they practice have continued to dazzle audiences dating back to the dynamic Chi’in Dynasty. Although they are known for many things, the acrobats are famous for their Tower of Chairs. Seemingly glued chairs arc stacked one atop an other. Meanwhile, seven performers balance on both the chairs and each other to create a leaning tower of handstands. The Lied Center’s program for tonight’s per formance recommends “that you advise your children that what they see on stage takes years of practice and should not be tried at home.” Separating intensive stunts, the Peking Acro bats perform acts of comedy, giving the audience members a chance to let their heart rates return to near-normal. The Seattle Times reported that nearly every thing the Peking Acrobats did “was amazing — and stunning audi)reathtaking and WOW!” " Tonight’s performance takes place at 8. Two pre-performance talks will be given by Francis Allen, the Nebraska men’s gymnastics coach, at 55 minutes and 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets for the performance are $20, $16 and $ 12 at the Lied Center. Half-price tickets are avail able to those 18 and under and to UNL, Wesleyan and Doane students. Photo courtesy of SRO Artists Incorporated The Peking Acrobats will bring their world-famous feats of balance, dexterity and courage to the Lied Center tonight. New businesses popping up with success By Gerry Beltz Senior Reporter Not unlike the flowers of springtime, new busi nesses are blossoming in Lincoln. Granted, not every single new business will be listed here, but these are a few sighted around Lincoln which may be of interest to the average college student. Sobik’s Subs (1401 N. 10th St.) just opened up on Tuesday and features several kinds of hot and cold subs, salads, and spaghetti. It’s also very close to campus, located across the street from a UNL Shuttle bus stop. Marie Vanness, a manager at Sobik’s, said she was pleasantly surprised by the amount of busi ness the store had received so far. “Business has been going pretty good, con sidering we haven’t advertised,” she said, “The f surrounding community has been very support ive of us” Kenny Rogers Roasters (2900 Cornhuskcr Highway) is part of a nationwide chain and the first one in Nebraska. But this Lincoln restaurant won’t be the only one. “There are plans to open one in Grand Island by mid-summer, and after that maybe one or two more in Lincoln,” general manager Karen Myers said. Delicacies there include chicken and turkey roasted over a wood-burning fire, with baby back, ribs being added within two to three weeks, she said. “We’ve been open for just over one week now,” Meyers said, “and it has been very busy, just as we had hoped.” A-Bloom (1140 South St.) is “run from inside a house, but isn’t my home,” store owner Monica McClenahan said. A-Bloom carries all sorts of flowers and plants, baskets and balloons, and delivers both in the city and nationwide. Although the business has been open for only four weeks, McClenahan said she was pleased with how things had gone so far. “Business has been incredibly good,” McClenahan said. The Video Stop (5501 Holdrege) has moved into the space formerly occupied by The Video Zone. Inventory consists of the latest new releases and a wide variety of older films, plus Sega Gen esis and Super Nintendo cartridges to rent, and Sony Playstation will be coming soon. No membership fee is required; just a driver’s license will do, manager Mike Malone said. “We want to try to make things here as simple as possible,” Malone said. New Theatrix production moves without dialogue By Brian Priesman i_ Staff Reporter Theatrix will continue its spring season this weekend with a world premiere production. “The Night We Moved,” a movement piece without dialogue, was conceived by theater gradu ate students Lisa Mercer and Amy Gaither-Hayes. The project combines movement, dance, mu sic and rhythm, and explores, in three parts, the mysteries and phenomenon known as the human experience. The nine-member company has been work ing on the production since late January under the direction of Mercer, a senior music and fine arts student and one of the creators of the piece. " me first part of it explores different relation ships and greetings,” said Amy Jirsa, a freshmen theater major. Jirsa is one of nine company mem bers in the production. The second part explores how great works of art come to life inside of people. And the third part explores what happens when people’s facades fall away in the presence of ani mal magnetism. “The Night We Moved” opens tonight and will run through Sunday. All performances start at 8 p.m. at the Wagon Train Project, 512 S. Seventh St:, on the third floor. Tickets are $4 at the door with general admission. Sinatra scores one Grammy Wednesday night’s Grammy Awards saw both a twentysomething rock upstart from Canada and an 80-year-old American icon in the spotlight, among others. Alanis Morissette won in both the Rock Song and Rock Album categories for “You Oughta Know” and “Jagged Little Pill,” respectively. “Jagged Little Pill” also earned Album of the Year honors. Crooner Frank Sinatra scored his first competitive Grammy in 29 years for “Duets II,” which won in the Traditional Pop Vocal Perfor mance category. Other highlights included Hootie and the Blowfish’s win for Best New Artist and Seal’s victory with “Kiss From A Rose” for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. — Jeff Randall The Associated Press contributed to this report
