Books & Lit
Zanta Returns
Where did Zanta go? Toronto's favourite shirtless wonder hasn't been seen on the streets of this city for ages. In 2007 Zanta (David Zancai) retired to Brampton after running into trouble with local authorities and spending time both in the Don Jail and the West Detention Centre. He was described as "probably a public nuisance" by Adam Vaughan and was banned from Taste of The Danforth, Yonge-Dundas Square and the Santa Claus Parade.
According to a National Post article printed in 2007 Zanta had aspirations for running for Mayor of Toronto in the coming municipal election. But so far, despite a flurry of activity from other contenders, Zanta has yet to officially throw his hat in the ring.
But one man, Jason Kieffer, doesn't want us to forget about the Yes! Yes! Yes! man. Kieffer is currently working on a 50 page comic book about Zanta expected to be completed later this year. And in December Kieffer published both a Zanta comic (see above) in the latest issue of Taddle Creek as well as a caricature (see below) in his new book called the Rabble of Downtown Toronto currently available at the Beguiling or online.
For long time readers of this site, the drawings in the Rabble of Downtown Toronto might look familiar. Back in 2007 Kieffer was a contributor to blogTO (see his posts here) when he first started sketching hobos, vagrants, bums and the alternatively marginalized. In this new book Zanta is merely one of 40 such recognizable individuals. For a sample of other caricatures check out this PDF posted on Kieffer's web site.
I met up with Kieffer last week over coffee at one of his regular hangouts. He showed me his in progress manuscript for the 50 page comic but admitted to not knowing much about what Zanta has been up to lately. One thing's for certain though - It would make a nice photo-op to have both of them signing copies of Kieffer's comic when it's finally published.
Previously:
Is Zanta back in Toronto?
Zanta's plea to the Chief of Police
Zanta Says Merry Xmas
And, for your viewing pleasure, the Zanta documentary:
Discussion
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I defend the idea of freedom of expression, but there is a saying that 'freedom of expression' does not include the right to yell 'fire!' in a crowded theatre. The man doesn't need to be thrown in a jail, but I do think he needs to be given a choice of self-control in public, or more rigorous mental-health care. Some of my own relatives have been nuisances because of their condition (bi-polar). It is not 'entertainment', or 'local colour'; it's somebody who needs help. Getting help to people who can't/won't understand they need help is a great difficulty.
He is nothing but a criminal with serious mental issues. I am hoping he never returns to this city.
I've never encountered him but I know I wouldn't be afraid of him. someone needs to offer him the chance to harness all of his energy and obvious goodwill.
Always welcome in my neighbourhood Zanta!!!
LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! PLEASE GOD LOOK AT ME! I NEED THIS LOOK AT ME! LOOOOK AAAAT MEEEE!
NOW DO A PROFILE OF THE JESUS GUY FROM DUNDAS AND YONGE!
> include the right to yell 'fire!'
That's not a saying, it's a case heard by the Supreme Court of the United States:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schenck_v._United_States
Of course Canada isn't the United States and free speech here has been subjected to substantially more limitations than it has there.
ZANTA IS WEIRD.
Im sure tourists aren't saying "gee, look honey.... a half-naked man in minus 13 degree weather charging at us in a santa suit- quick take out the camera!"...its going to be quick hide the wallet and run.
Zanta IS harmless, he would never touch or hurt anyone.
He should be allowed back, banning someone from public spaces is just absurd.
and jason keiffer draws exactly like joe matt, and even hangs out at rocket fuel. they must know each otherrr, i wonder if he makes porn mix tapes as well, mann comics are awesome
The publicity this guy gets goes straight to his head.
I just wish people would stop encouraging him. I'm sure a mentally unstable muscleman is hilariously novel to U of T frosh from Newmarket, but for the rest of us, it's just a grim reminder of the fact that mentally ill people often cannot receive (or do not want) the care they need.
He is nothing but a criminal with serious mental issues. I am hoping he never returns to this city.
I've only seen Zanta a couple of times, but one of those times I saw him lunge at a young woman while growling, clearly (and reasonably) scaring the hell out of her. It doesn't really seem to be a secret that he does this kind of stuff which makes it interesting that folks like Jason Kieffer don't find it worthy of a mention.
I think people like Meera and Adrian in the comments here need to realize that your "freedom of expression and self-determination" are not more important than the safety and well-being of others. Zanta does not have the right to distress and threaten people, even if that's not his intention (I think it is, he's an attention-whore)
You might think it's "novel" to watch someone else get harassed, but you might not be so amused when someone 3 times your size and obviously unstable corners you and strikes up a conversation or starts making strange noises.
Maybe your a hero to someone babygiraffe, I'm not gonna knock it...
We had him kicked out of a 100m radius of my former workplace (downtown) for causing daily, day-long public disturbances.
Just when I thought I was rid of him, we shared a subway ride together. He violently sprung into an impromptu handstand and blew out the power during morning rush hour, and everyone had to evacuate the train.
Then he started taking the 41 and 89 buses near my home in High Park. I'm frankly thrilled that I haven't seen him around lately.
Fk this guy.
If you find a simple conversation with a stranger threatening, perhaps you should seek mental help? Just a thought. Figured I'd throw that out there to ya.
I usually don't have "simple conversations" by screaming, yelling profanity, barking, getting in people's faces, and blocking them from leaving the bus. And if I did, I don't think I would do it to strangers, and even then, not to young girls, old women, highschool kids, etc.
If you can't tell the difference between a simple conversation and an obviously mentally disturbed man harassing vulnerable people on their bus ride home, perhaps you should seek mental help? Let me throw that back at ya.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/773167--fiorito-nasty-book-takes-aim-at-homeless
As a woman who has run into him several times in the past, I found him extremely polite. A little over-enthusaiatic, but a good laugh and very polite. More polite than most 'normal' people on the streets of Toronto, if I may be so bold ; P
YOUTUBE[ Win/Luck Compilation of 2011 Part 4 ||RWV™ ]
2:07 to 2:20 - Guy has a Santa hat, muscular chest, shorts like Zanta. It actually is rather entertaining. Is it Zanta?
Since when is Zanta entertaining rather than some pest that says 4-phrases and does pushups?