Refs: Roark | Mikhail and Stefan | Not being left behind | Monica
I was quite pleased with how this comic turned out, in terms of both dialogue and art. I even managed to make the Mulinix Hall nameplate visible!
Next week begins a new arc!
Location: Percy’s House
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Johnny Can’t Play The Fiddle
This is the comic that I mentioned on Twitter a while ago about how I was getting a real Lit Brick vibe from this script. While many comics make parodies of famous literature, it was the “Devil Went Down to Georgia” musical reference that really drove home the Lit Brick vibe. I threw that in there at first as a mildly funny joke, but then I realized while finishing up this comic that the main character in the song and our favorite Commie-hater share the same name. (Reference just in case no one has heard this song, or for those of you who now want to listen to it as a result of this comic).
Not to toot my own horn too much, but I felt that Panel 3 shows that I’m starting to get the hang of comedic timing. Also, Ichabod’s safety glasses were a last-minute addition that cracks me up. A white lab is really contrasting with John’s darkened house, but I tried to offset it by showing more window. Also, tried a new hairstyle for Nikki, as long hair and labs don’t mix. As one of my students eloquently put on their safety quiz: “Fire + Hair = No hair”
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Roark
In case it wasn’t clear, Roark is referring to the Pearl Harbor attacks in Panel 1. The Fountainhead came out in 1943. I was going to make the connection clearer, but this strip is wordy enough as it is. Anyway, yes, this explains the significance of the splash page (adapted from a Fountainhead cover). While I am writing this so that even if you haven’t read The Fountainhead you can follow along, there will be a few references. Mainly it is the presence of Roark, Ayn Rand’s hero in The Fountainhead. The tl;dr version of The Fountainhead is that Roark is what American values should be and is everything Communism isn’t.
I love Roark’s comeback in Panel 3. The encounter with the bunny is a reference to Sluggy Freelance’s ghost of Ayn Rand arc.
And yes, I abused copy/paste in this arc. I was fighting off a cold for most of last week and got behind in grading as I was trying new teaching styles (you know, my REAL job), so I had to push this one out faster than I would normally do. Back to the usual quality next week, though!
Stop laughing.
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Boo
Updated for eight straight days on top of school starting! It’s been awesome, but boy did I barely have the time to do that! I’m going to go enjoy my Labor Day weekend now!
John’s line in Panel 1 is a reference to the movie Clue. That movie cracks me up every time.
On a fun note, I got Katy Manning to retweet the comic! Score one for a “celebrity endorsement”! (She played Jo Grant, the Third Doctor’s companion and later appeared in the Sarah Jane Adventures episode Death of the Doctor.)
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Busted
John Whitebucket remains one of my favorite characters. One of my New Years’ resolutions is to draw more strips with John in them.
Finally feeling like we’re back on track in terms of art quality. Getting used to a new computer can be a little difficult at times, but I think we’re golden now. There may be a few more tweaks in the future, but nothing as jarring as the last few weeks.
Have fun!
~Stretch Longfellow~
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Takeoff!
Ref: Last appearance of Susan and Holly (has it really been almost a year?!?)
Rubber mallets are amazing props. And for those of you blaming me for copying Doctor Who (particularly in light of the last story arc), I was using a rubber mallet as a prop in my daily life long before I watched a single episode.
I felt that all of Percy’s family should be shown during this arc, given that Christmas is a time for family. This is likely the last you’ll see of them this Christmas, however.
For some reason, I find the idea of naming the cylinders of an engine hilarious.
Also, yay for fun new fonts!
Have fun!
~Stretch Longfellow~
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Father-Son Time
Ref: Last appearance of John | The last sleigh ride
What’s this? A full-color comic? As a Christmas bonus, the comic will be in full color. And because of this, some minor character design tweaks are being made, such as Percy’s hair. This makes it SO much easier to color! This is also an experiment to see how viable a full-color comic would be.
Have fun!
~Stretch Longfellow~
