Film Screening - Unauthorized and Proud Of It: Todd Loren's Rock 'n' Roll Comics

Friday, 8/22 7 PM. Admission, $5.00

Location: 600 4th St, West Sacramento (corner of 4th & F in West Sac, just over the river from downtown).

Unauthorized and Proud Of It: Todd Loren's Rock 'n' Roll Comics

"Unauthorized And Proud Of It" chronicles Todd Loren, the controversial publisher of unauthorized comic book biographies of rock stars.

A life-long music fan, he founded his comic book company in 1989 with the intention of creating histories of rock and roll performers that were like graphic novels. An enigmatic figure, he was a brilliant businessman and a First Amendment crusader, but he was also known for creating legions of enemies through his insufferable behavior.

Loren went on to publish hundreds of biographies of bands and other celebrities, despite numerous legal challenges from the people he was depicting, often in a scandalous, though accurate fashion. Rock ‘n’ Roll Comics was largely derided by others in the comic book industry and hated by the music business for its “Unauthorized and Proud of It” motto and attitude, yet it was Loren who fought the good fight and won a landmark court case that established First Amendment protections for comics and graphic novels.

At the height of his success, however, Loren was fatally stabbed. His murder remains unsolved 13 years later, though clues point to Andrew Cunanan, the reported serial killer who has been linked to the 1997 slaying of fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Features Alice Cooper, Mojo Nixon, comic book publishers Denis Kitchen and Gary Groth, and graphic artists Mary Fleener, Dennis Worden, Robert Williams, and Steve Crompton, "Unauthorized" provides a compelling and unique look into the worlds of independent comics, the music industry and First Amendment rights.

More info at http://www.shiny-object.com/screenings