ToonSeum, Pittsburgh, April 1, 2011:
Godzilla, the legendary film monster, has destroyed the ToonSeum. With a single, crushing blow of his powerful, clawed foot, the ToonSeum came tumbling down. The ToonSeum, Pittsburgh’s only cartoon and comic art museum, seemed to be singled out in the attack. The destruction may have been a reaction to Executive Director Joe Wos’ recent statement that Godzilla’s nephew, Godzooky, is what caused the animated "Godzilla/Hong Kong Phooey Hour" to jump the shark in the early 1980s.
The catastrophic moment was captured on a special edition variant cover of the new Godzilla Kingdom of Monsters comic book published by IDW. The upcoming issue features 100 variant covers of comic book retailers nationwide. With the help of New Dimension Comics, the ToonSeum became the only museum in the nation destroyed on the cover.
Godzilla has appeared in several comic book incarnations since the 1970s. The latest incarnation by IDW promises to feature iconic monsters such as Mothra and Rodan.
The new Godzilla Kingdom of Monsters comic will be available at a special release party from 7-9 p.m. April 1 at the ToonSeum, located in the city's Cultural District at 945 Liberty Ave.
Tickets cost $10 and must be purchased in advance at www.godzilla.eventbrite.com.
Wos took the destruction in stride. When asked why he thought Godzilla had leveled the ToonSeum, he responded, "It’s Downtown. I think he just couldn’t find a parking spot."
