Ok, this is not the final page for the "Jhonen Experience", this is just a page of a few samples to show you what we mean and to GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE! As you can see, none of us are Pulitzar prize winning writers here, just Fangirls (and boys?) who wish to pay their respects to Jhonen on the holiest of days, September 1st! Please, take these people as examples and send in those Jhonen Experiences! After all, why does this page even exist?0_o..
~Verdi
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My first encounter with the wonderful and twisted world of Jhonen Vasquez was actually Invader Zim. I was reading my local newspaper and the journalist was giving a summary of new mid-season replacements. I came across a brief summary for Invader Zim. I had first read about it earlier, prior to this from the Web and discovering that Richard Horawitz was doing the voice of Zim himself (at the time I was a big Angry Beavers fan).When the big day came, I missed the airing. I actually didn't catch it until Nick repeated the first episode Saturday night. After viewing it, I instantly fell in love with Jhonen's style of art and mood throughout the cartoon.It was dark humor mixed with science fiction with created a delightful mixture that was addictive. Soon after, I had begun a quest to learn about Jhonen and his earlier projects, which included Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee! I lucky enough to pick up the first issue of JTHM and quickly fell in love with it as I had with Invader Zim. Up until that point,I wondered why Jhonen's artwork was very appealing to me. Then it hit me: He reminded me of Tim Burton, who I had always loved since I was a child. I now consider Jhonen Vasquez a very influencal artist and writer who has inspired me to create my own dark humor stories and artwork.
*~*~*Nicole

I sat upon the living room floor awaiting the bran-new show for Nickelodeon. The screen became dark then lit up showing a screen with a thousand little buttons, then a little green alien. "Created by Jhonen Vasquez." Jhonen Vasquez. I had never heard the name before. I sat and watched the priceless cartoon. I sat there mesmerized. The small green aliens life had melted mw heart. When it was over I rocked back in forth in a dark corner of the room, with a hoarse voice chanting, "Need...more...Zim..." Surely this "Jhonen" must be the greatest cartoonist EVER! From then on, day and night, I worship the Almighty Jhonen Vasquez. The End.
*~*~*Zine

As luck would have it, my first "Jhonen Experience" happened in the most unlikely of places: an Anime Con, 0_o? Yes, what a strange twist of fate. The funny thing is, if it had not been for one tiny, almost miniscule event, I wouldn't be here writing this. Had I not stopped at the BP station earlier that morning, where upon I purchased the cheapest batteries I could get my hands on, and then pulled over by the coppers for improper restraints (damn "click it or ticket" laws!), the wonderful and, often times horribly disturbing, world of Vasquez would still be a spooky mystery to me.
The batteries in my CD player just happened to die an excruciating, acidy death the moment to very spooky people behind me commented on another boy's shirt. But you can't guess what was on it. Our beloved massive-headwound recipient, Nny! (yes! they may not be stylish, but the shirts serve a purpose!) Not usually one to be drawn to such ghastly violent things (what the hell was I doing at an Anime Con then?!) such as JTHM, the title just happened to have a sadistic ring to it that filled me with a warm, fuzzy sensation. I must learn more! I thought.
That was one year ago. Ah, humble beginnings did my obssession come from. It took me about a month to actually get to a comic shop to investigate the whole thing. Heck, I just opted for the most convenient route and bought the Director's Cut right away. So many things did I come to see after reading the pages of JTHM. I honestly beleive, as Rob Schrab said in the introduction, that all Vasquez's fans are stronger becuase of him and his generosity to share his twisted visons with the world.
Many more Vasquez comics have I purchased since that fateful day back in 2000, but everything truly valuable I got out of the pages of Johnny (HA! You didn't trick ME into buying the bad art collection! Isn't that right Mr. Spooky? ::squeezes Mr.Spooky toy:: Like we'd buy something just because you slapped you name on it..) I'd like to thank you Jhonen, for bringing your creations to the world and letting the lessons they teach enpower people. Most of the time. If ever there was one who deserved to reign omnipitently with an iron fist, it is you! May your doom rain down upon the heads of the infidels!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JHONEN VASQUEZ!
*~*~*Verdi