Young pop artist Brandon Bird has obsessed over the strange phenomenon that is Law & Order for years. The ubiquitous basic cable franchise is probably more universally recognized in the US (and the rest of the world–go to Latin America and ask about La Ley y El Orden and you'll see) than the vast majority of network shows of the last 20 years.

Bird gained a little internet fame a while back with images like the L&O valentine cards (above) or his Batman-enhanced rendition of the show's classic “we all walk towards the camera” that ends the titles (caption: “In the Criminal Justice System of Gotham City the people are represented by three separate, yet equally important groups: The police who investigate crime, the District Attorneys who prosecute the offenders, and the goddamn Batman. These are their stories”).

Bird is back this weekend with a new L&O-themed art show at Meltdown Comics.

From Bird's website, where you can check out some of the images:

For twenty years, the heroes of “Law & Order” have navigated literally hundreds grotesque tragedies, moral quandries [sic], and improbable crimes.

Each piece is an artist's interpretation of a one-line episode summary from the DirecTV program guide. Like the series that inspired them, they are sometimes straightforward and sometimes offer a twist; sometimes they contain no easy answers, and sometimes they are just plain goofy.

“These are Their Stories” will run July 24 to July 30, 2010 at Gallery Meltdown, 7522 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046.

Cake, ice cream, and snacks will be served all day opening day and at a special reception the night of the 28th (8:00 to 10:00 pm).

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