Archive for August, 2005
18 items.
Morons should not be allowed to drive The General Lee. They don’t know how to get in.
Okay, first things first. A few of you are going to look at today’s strip and exclaim – “OH MY GOD! HE’S TOTALLY RIPPING OFF SCOTT KURTZ!”
Well, I’m here to tell you “Congratulations for figuring that out. In fact, if you ∗didn’t∗ figure that out on your own, I’m going so far as to actually provide you a link to the comic I am directly referencing. It’s called “an homage” and I’ve also provide you a link to the definition of that word just in case you are unfamiliar with it.”
At any rate, it’s wholly intentional and I have plans for using the visual repeatedly in a storyline this week, so get used to it.
Oh, I wish I could unveil my grand plans for how I plan to wrap things up on Friday. What I have in store is delectable. But I can’t share it! That will ruin the surprise!
Is anyone else psyched to see Dukes of Hazzard this weekend? I am. I wish I could put a finger on my affinity for that old television chestnut. I think I am so fond of it because it was a show I would often watch when I would visit my grandparents. We would hang out at their place and I would watch reruns and those were happy memories.
Plus, it is – be default – AWESOME to watch a stunt driver launch a car over a crevasse…
Something else I’m excited for is Wizard World Chicago. Me and a whole bunch of other cool people are going to be there this Thursday through Sunday and I’ve been looking forward to it all summer. This year’s outing is shaping up to be one of those events that will never happen again in your life. I can already sense it. All the pieces are already falling into place. All the people I like will be there and I know we’re going to have fun just socializing and catching up. I can just tell that this will be something special. Something we will never be able to recreate again and I think it’s great.
I’m leaving town at noon on Wednesday. Think of me while I’m on the road, listening to my recently purchased copies of the new Sleater Kinney and Dane Cook records to whittle away the six-hour car trip.
When I was a kid, six hours in the car was tantamount to torture. Nowadays, I can do six hours standing on my head. I drove to Memphis and back in a straight shot. Dallas, too. Those are about 12 hour jaunts.
It doesn’t start to bother me until I think “Hmm. Six hours. That’s one-fourth of my day. I could watch 3 or 4 movies in that time span. Maybe 3 or 4 if they’re really good Hollywood classics like Citizen Kane or Bridge Over The River Kwai. Anything with the pre-Star Wars editing sensibility. You know the ones where they actually settle on an image and let you ABSORB IT for longer than two seconds?
I’m getting off track.
Something I was going to discuss on Friday that didn’t get discussed what a revision to our archiving structure.
First, major thanks to Steve Napierski for stepping up to the plate with an awesome solution. Steve has a comic called the outer circle that you need to check out. I’ve yet to properly thank Steve personally, but perhaps by sending some traffic his way this early in the morning, it will buy me some time and I can compose a proper e-mail.
That said, Steve solved a problem that has been plaguing me for a long time. Whenever I asked for guest strips, I always felt bad about shuffling them off into the Bonus Materials area of the site because I felt the people who contributed deserved high-level recognition and their work (and links to their site) front and center on the main page.
The conundrum came into effect when I felt guilty for misrepresenting MY OWN contribution to the site.
For example. Before Steve’s solution came into effect, the archive said I had over 470 comics. When IN REALITY, I only had 450.
I want what’s out there to be honest and reflect my individual efforts. So when I go about town someday down the road bragging “I have 10,000 comics in my archive!” no one will come along and say “You’re full of it, Brazelton! You only have 730 comics! The rest of them are all guest strips!” (extrapolating the amount of guest strips I’ve run so far this year, my figures do not seem out of bounds)
What Steve did was modified the archive code so that any title that begins with the words “GUEST STRIP” have their numerical place in the archive skipped over, but their physical location to remain rooted on the front page. Additionally, on the archive page, guest strips are given their own special location, organized by date.
How’s that for the best of both words!
So I am very happy with the outcome and want to again thank Steve for his help. There were a few other people eager to lend their support that I had to unfortunately turn down. Again, like Steve, they don’t know this yet because I haven’t had a chance to e-mail them. Sorry, guys! But I will catch up with you soon!
Now all that’s left to do is add back some of the earlier guest strips into the archive. Be on the lookout for those in the near future.
Things are going to be hectic for me this week as I prepare to go to Wizard World. I really only have tonight and tomorrow night to get my ducks in a row.
What really sucks is that I came up with a cool idea for a promotional give-away about 5 hours ago. I’m going to make custom 1″ buttons for the show that I’m giving away for free. So if you stop buy, feel free to grab one.
The artwork is 90% done. It has everything but text, otherwise I would share it with you. That will come later. But once I get the art back from the printer, I need to start assembling buttons when I get home from work. This, in addition to staying ahead of my update schedule so you guys will have a fresh comic on Friday while I’m out of town.
I tell you, this train doesn’t stop!
I should have some time to kill Thursday morning to make a batch of buttons in the hotel room as I wait for them to open the floor for preview night. Since I’m taking my button making machine with me to the con, I can always make more if I run out. So that will be nice.
Anyhoo – just giving you a fairly large peek into my world! Time for bed!
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There won’t be another new incentive sketch for the rest of the week, so get your jollies from this one while you can. The reasoning for a lack of sketch is explained there in.
Oh, heck. I can’t keep you in suspense! I’ll be away from my desk whooping it up Windy City style in Chicago for the Wizard World Chicago comic book convention and nerd-a-palooza this Thursday through Sunday.
I think this is going to be one hell of a show. From the sound of it, a lot of people are going to swing by the booth – which I consider serendipitous and not an indicator of any fictitious “internet fame.” Come out to see the show if you can!
I’m a little delirious right now because I had to draw, ink, color and letter two comics back to back. Since I won’t be near a computer on Friday, I had to finish that comic today to put it in the system for later. As such, I had to cut corners a little bit and leave out the shading. But I hope to toss that back in when I come home next week. You guys don’t mind, do you?
I don’t mean to get too topical regarding the confederate flag atop The General Lee, but since the show went off the air, the symbol has become an anachronism and certainly more offensive. I’ve heard that the new Dukes of Hazzard movie somehow deals with this in a humorous manner, so it’ll be interesting to see how they playfully laugh it off while still staying true to the original General Lee design.
Anyway, it’s late here and I need to be up for work in a few hours. I’m leaving town at noon and have a 6 hour drive ahead of me. If you’re reading this in the afternoon, think of me. I’ll be blaring the new Clutch record at top volume somewhere in either Iowa and Illinois!
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Just wanted to send a quick shout-out to the newly formed Boxcar Comics – a new web comic collective that launched on Monday. I have a lot of personal friends who have hooked up with Boxcar and the rest of their stable is rounded out by a bevy talented artists and writers. I know these guys are going to do a great job motivating each other to improve their work and bring attention to the great stuff they’re producing. I just wanted to say “good luck,” so… “GOOD LUCK, GUYS!”
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The fourth panel in today’s comic kind of comes out of nowhere. So to make sure everyone is on the same page, that’s Ben Affleck Jared is beating up there.
Y’know. Because it’s supposed to be a dream sequence after all.
Does anyone want to allegorically take a jump with their liberal white guilt in the General Lee? Because now I find myself wishing that was actually possible. We should be friends – me and my guilt.
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Remember on Monday when I was talking about that comic that PvP’s Scott Kurtz originally drew and how I was going to tie it back to something fun today? I keeps my promises!
Okay, maybe it plays a little “inside.” Some of you won’t be getting that big a kick out of it if you haven’t been following PvP. But to me, the idea of Tom and Jared colliding mid-air with Cole and Brent in their respective fantasy world General Lee’s was too hilarious to pass up. If today’s comic left you Poker-faced, you can always go back and read Scott’s original comic for reference.
Nothing much clever to add today. I actually wrote this blog on Wednesday and time stamped it so it would appear with today’s comic. I’ll be back from Wizard World Chicago on Sunday night.
Have a great weekend!
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I know today’s incentive sketch makes it look like I had a pretty rough time at Wizard World Chicago. Those things did happen, but in total truth, it was one of the best cons I’ve ever been to. Lots of success, great ideas gathered and a few doors opened through the magic of networking.
Sadly, commentary for today’s comic as well as a recap of the convention will have to wait. I drew and inked today’s comic yesterday while I was still in Chicago and immediately sat down to color it when I got home.
I have that bouncy feeling like I’m still in motion after the 6 hour drive home. I’d like to take a shower and spend some time with Cami and Truman. The rest will have to wait.
Come back to the site later this evening for more.
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This isn’t the first time Tom has taken flight. It isn’t the first time he’s seen a movie with his web comic contemporaries, either. But as I place great importance on tradition, so goes today’s strip.
For the record, great thanks must be extended to the fabulous Joe “I’m So Fast I’m Already” Dunn who not only helped whip up the punch line of today’s comic, but also added some compositional suggestions to the last panel.
Anyone who dares to doubt that Joe is the most talented man in web comics needs only sit next to him for 15 minutes. The man works so fast and with such precision, the fact that he’s able to churn out work for four to five web comics a week starts to come into focus. Seriously. The man doesn’t even pencil out his work first. He reaches straight for an ink brush. He’s THAT good. I’m hoping that by hanging around him for those four days at the con that I can absorb a little of that talent. I don’t know how. By osmosis or sumthin’.
# THE REST OF THIS BLOG WAS LOST WHEN THEATER HOPPER MOVED TO WORDPRESS IN JANUARY 2009 #
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If picking your nose is the only criteria for becoming the next Rob Schneider, then Tom is well on his way.
I don’t understand the purpose of making a sequel to 1999’s Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo 6 years after the original hit theaters. Lazily titling it Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo – as of the play on words was a substitute for wit – immediately elicits the rolling of eyes on my side of the screen.
Let me tell you how this movie is going to break down and maybe I’ll save you the eight bucks. If you haven’t seen the first Deuce Bigalow, rent it. Afterwords, take a moment to sit back and ponder what would happen if that character set up shop in Europe. See where I’m going with this? It will be the same jokes. The same tired plot devices and outlandish set-ups. The only thing different will be the scenery. Nothing new will be added. This will only compound the disappointment since the writers had 6 years to come up with a good idea and you will feel used and abused.
There. Now take that eight bucks and put it toward Jim Jarmusch’s Broken Flowers when it comes out. You won’t be disappointed.
Why a sequel? Why now? Was the demand so large a sequel simply HAD to be made? Did multiple airings on basic cable generate some sort of groundswell for all things Deuce that I am unaware of? Was fan fiction appearing on the net about our pint-size hero and all his misadventures “man-whoring” about town with his flashy pimp T.J.? Were movie producers tossing and turning in their beds at night, muttering to themselves “Deuce… Bigalow! The world needs another… Deuce… Bigalow!”
Or perhaps Rob Schneider needed another easy payday so he could check into a clinic to have those bags under his eyes removed. HELLO! Those puffy wads of flesh under those dull portals are so big they say “Samsonite” on them. LOOK OUT!
Thanks. I’ll be here all week. Tip your waitress.
Originally, I wasn’t sure about posting a comic today. Those in the know are aware of some personal issues in my family regarding the health of a relative. It’s been trying. I want to keep things private, but at the same time, I’m ready to talk.
I think what’s best is to keep family matters close to the vest. All I’m saying that if I’m not around to update the comic in the next couple of weeks, there is a reason why. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
In the meantime, I’m trying to work through it with laughter. Trying to find something funny to talk about to take my mind off things. I don’t mean to bum any of you out with my personal problems. That’s not what you come here for. First and foremost, I want to make you laugh. I’m just saying this has been weighing a lot on my mind and this is an instance where having a creative outlet such as this comes in really, really handy. For that, I’m thankful and I’m thankful to you.
Sincere appreciation goes out to you for supporting the site. Everyone who visits keeps me motivated to keep trying harder.
I’ll be around the bend.
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Aug12
I have fallen in love with a man. A wild-eyed man with an ‘fro that cannot be tamed. A grin that makes the Cheshire Cat green with envy. A man who has seen the end of the world and took a Polaroid.
I’m sorry, guys. It’s late and I’m feelin’ kind of loopy. I don’t know why I’m so jazzed about these three new characters I’ve tossed into the mix. Basically, I tried to come up with a strip where Tom was saddled with three slightly deranged wannabe “brothers.” It seemed fitting he would meet them at the bus station. I churned up the names and out spat the rest. I wanna hang out with T-Bear. He looks like he knows how to tell a good story.
I don’t have my eyes on Four Brothers at all. I’ve been burned by director John Singleton too many times. I’m sorry – But you don’t make Boyz n the Hood and then turn around to pump out swill like 2 Fast, 2 Furious. I even did a comic or two about that…
From the look of it, the film is a straight up revenge caper in the vein of some 1970’s Charles Bronson flick. I dunno. Maybe it’s good. I’ve read reviews that say there isn’t a CG shot in the whole thing. No phony explosions or out-of-context wire work. It play authentic and feels fresh as hell because of it.
Funny critics would choose to laud a picture for doing the job it’s designed to do – to economically tell a story with depth and character without relying on the crutch of special effects and A-list actors. But then, we are in the thick of Hollywood Blockbuster Season(tm), are we not? So maybe they’re right.
Some people wrote in expressing concern about my family situation – the illness we’re contending with and whatnot. Let’s say that it’s improved and leave it at that. I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and warm wishes. I received some very touching e-mails from people who tell me I worry too much about making sure there’s a comic here waiting for you each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
But that’s the bargain we made, you and I. You’ve given me so much. The least I can do is try to live up to my end of the bargain, right? If the situation changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.
I’ll be back later with more. Movie and site related, just so you can prepare yourselves…
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Can you imagine if the whole world had its contrast thrown out of whack Sin City style? I bet people would be walking around with screaming migraine headaches, that’s for sure.
With the thought of Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City hitting shelves on Tuesday with its release on DVD, I decided to revisit a little visual trick that seemed to impress some people back in May.
It’s not as effective this time around, I realize that. It’s visual paraphrasing at best. I didn’t have time to sit down and do the prep work like I did for the earlier comics. Actually, I just got back from Kansas City after going South to see Rufus Wainright and Ben Folds in concert. The concert was delayed an hour due to the weather and we ended up getting rained on anyway, but it was totally worth it. I have a bunch of pictures from the show that I’ll have to share sometime later.
Apologies for the short blog. I’m just out of words for the moment.
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