OMGZ, the return of T.I.P.S. aka the Ink Panthers Show! After a thirty-eight month hiatus, the All-New, All Different Panthers have hit the airwaves with the same old guys, Mike “Gags” Dawson and Alex “the Reliable Panther” Robinson. It took over three years of gestation, but there’s a new Panther Cub, Ewan Ram Dawson, or the Littlest Panther. Due to some confusion regarding the proper pronunciation of the name Ewan, we learn from the Panthers that teachers are assertively dominant. You and we know you win when teachers can’t say Ewan, but Ewan Ram? Ewe and Ram? C’mon, Mike. Also, it turns out Ewan will have nothing better to do in twenty years than listen to this podcast during a thousand year hurricane. Speaking of which, Mike, like us, finds re-entering society strange after Hurricane Sandy destroyed everything we know and love. Unlike us, Mike went feral immediately after attempting re-entry and has quit his job to pursue his dreams of being a homebound, layabout house husband, or “artist.” Alex and Mike have been diligently working on their television pilot, SlaveShow, which is like Downton Abbey without the glamorous wages or freedom. While they’re busy, we can all start reading the first Ink Panthers Book Club Selection, which is: nothing. Way to knock the rust off, guys.

T.I.P.S! 151 – The Return

www.mikedawsoncomics.com

The hiatus is over - Mike and Alex are back in The Lair. Find out what's been happening over the past few months: hurricanes, society collapses, new babies, Mr. Moms. Also, the introduction of The

PEOPLE OF THE CHICAGO: Tonight is different from all nights because Edie Fake has a one man show at the Thomas Robertello Gallery in your town. Edie's got a whole queer history on the walls. On the walls are doors, drawings of doors, of places real and imagined in honor of Chicago's gayest past and gayest heroes. There's a look at the future, too. It's a beautiful memorial, yes, but the history makes for a great resource here in the present. It's also Edie Fake art, which means it is as precise as it is beautiful. We've seen some of this in person and found it difficult to believe that it was made by a human being. Not to say it's mechanical at all. It's just so immaculate that there doesn't seem to be even a suggestion of an artistic process, like it was always there on the paper. Do not miss this. The show will be up through February 16th, but you can catch Edie himself there tonight. If you've already met him, then we don't need to convince you that it's worth the trip. If you haven't met him yet, rectify this immediately. More details at the link below.

Thomas Robertello Gallery - Exhibition - Edie Fake

www.thomasrobertello.com

contemporary art gallery Chicago West Loop

"Thanks, Annie! Happy New Year!" on their own link.

"We didn't see that one coming,..." on their own link.

Finally, finally, finally our final blog post of 2012 is up right this very minute. In previous years, for our ultimate posts, we've taken a look back at the year that was. We decided against that this time. Secret Acres had a great year, because there is no stopping Secret Acres. As you know, we personally got our asses kicked, and so were the asses of many of our loved ones kicked. While we are recovering in style (and then some), 2012 can still go suck it. For the first time, we're giving you a look at what we've got coming up. It's going to be a very good year for Secret Acres once again. There are at least three new folks in our gang, some of whom may be familiar to you. There are at least two old folks coming back with new books, including one comic you'd have no reason to expect, but you'll have plenty of reason to jump up and down when you see this thing. So, to all of you who are keeping us rolling, we love you. It's all for you, anyway. Now we're going to party like rock stars and when the hangover fades, we'll start our spring cleaning. See you in a few (and don't worry, Joe, no more smokes for us).