I realize that Jimmy looks a little bit like a leather daddy or some kind of Judas Priest reject if you don’t understand the visual reference I’m making with today’s strip. That’s why I was so explicit in his visual representation.
Need a clue?
Perhaps a more contemporary take?
If you’re still at a loss, Google the title of today’s strip and get back to me. Hey – at least I was good enough to toss in a Pee Wee’s Big Adventure reference, right? Or does that not apply to anyone born after 1982?
I’ve only done a couple of single-panel strips like this one and it always kind of feels like a cheat. But at the same time, they are a relief to do because I don’t have to worry about moving characters around or being responsible for multiple expressions. Despite my guilt, I think they turn out really well. I guess it’s a change of pace.
I hope you like today’s comic. It signals our transition into full-scale flashback territory. Next week is all about Jimmy’s rebellious past. Ain’t I a stinker for making you wait for it? All the more reason to keep checking the site, right?
Tonight Cami’s parents offered to take Henry off our hands and we’re planning on seeing He’s Just Not That In To You. Reviews have been tracking on the mid-to-low end, but not as poorly as Push or The Pink Panther 2. I don’t particularly care. We’ve both had a rough week. A romantic comedy feels like the right thing to see right now.
I’m still eager to see Push, but I’ve been reading so many over-the-moon reviews for Coraline, I’m wondering if I shouldn’t switch my focus.
Coraline looked like the kind of movie that I would have been content to let slip through the theaters and then catch on DVD later. But I guess I hadn’t been paying attention to the fact that the film is also being presented in 3D, and I almost always fall for that when I presume the content of the film to be bearable.
I don’t want to give the impression that 3D is the only thing that would pull me into the theater on this one, but it kind of put things over the top. I mean, stop-motion in 3D – has that been done before?
At any rate, it looks like a great weekend for movies and I’m excited to go out there and see ’em. Which movie do you think will take the box office crown? Are you surprised by The Pink Panther 2’s 8% positive rating at Rotten Tomatoes? What do you think about today’s strip? Are you excited to see Jimmy’s past life as a motorcycle punk?
Leave your comments and let’s talk about it!
You didn't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I was a loner, Tom. A rebel.
...A completely different person.
“I mean, stop-motion in 3D – has that been done before?” Disney has been re-releasing The Nightmare Before Christmas every year for the past couple of years, so there’s that.
And the reviews have also been made me keen on seeing Caroline. I’m quite the animation buff and I’ve enjoyed Henry Selick’s previous animated films, so this definitely seems up my alley.
Well, I was born in 1984 and got the Pee Wee reference… It’s only one of the most quality movies ever…
I’m okay with the “The Wild One” reference, just as long as you reference that other Brando classic “Last Tango In Paris.” I don’t want to see Jimmy’s jimmy.
I actually just picked up The Wild One from the library. Perfect timing. 🙂
I’ve actually been really excited to see “Coraline” since I heard about it, and when I saw that Entertainment Weekly gave it an A, I decided that I HAD to go see it. Push looks interesting too, but I’ll probably wait for DVD for that one.
Oh! BTW: have you heard about the movie Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov are producing called 9?” You can check it out here
. It’s CGI but looks a lot like stop motion. It looks amazing, and since we’re discussing “Coraline” I though I’d bring it up.
Stefan,
To be fair, The Nightmare Before Christmas was not *filmed* in 3D. It’s an application they’ve applied to the print since it’s release.
Showtyme,
Glad you got the reference. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure was released in ’85, I think. So I figured you had to be of a certain age to have fallen in love with it.
Cody,
There will NOT be any Last Tango in Paris references. Old, naked Brando? Yeechh.
Manda,
I have heard of 9, but I don’t know what to think of it yet. Bekmambetov is like the Russian Michael Bay to me. I’m skeptical of how his style will mesh with someone like Burton who is a bit more poetic and mystical. I suppose they share a sense of the macabre. Maybe it’s a good fit?
Seeing Jimmy on a motorcycle in leather is like if I saw my dad on a motorcycle in leather….DOES…NOT…COMPUTE!! I’m curious…
Oh, and go see Coraline so you can tell me if I’m right in my Stepford assumption!
I think this is my favorite strip you’ve done in a while.
It made my morning.
Mat,
Thanks for your compliment. I really appreciate it! It made *my* day! 🙂
So Jimmy went through his “Wild One” phase in the late ’90s/early 2000’s? That was probably awkward for everybody… But yeah, I enjoyed this one. Wouldn’t mind seeing you do more like it soon!
On the topic of “9”, I hate to pigeonhole it as video-gamey, but it seriously looks like Fallout-meets-Little Big Planet. Still, it looks like the kind of thing I might enjoy.
The juxtaposition of the realistic photo-esque art with Jimmy’s cartoony face is absolutely ludicrous, and it made me laugh out loud. Nicely done, Tom.
I’ve always been a fan of such juxtapositions. Like putting Homer Simpson’s face on Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” I think there were a bunch of old Warner Bros. cartoons where they would kind of do the same thing – insert cartoon characters into realistic scenes or scenarios.
Thanks for your compliments!
Loved the wild one reference, R.I.P. Marlon B., it made my day.
Coraline did use stop motion. I’ve seen slideshows of pictures of all the various “puppets” and their heads (for the different facial expressions), the sets, etc. The puppets are used for most shots, and then CGI some inbetween stuff so that it doesn’t take as long as an entirely stop motion only project.
Since I never seem to comment on the comics…
The page peel is cool, and I am wildly curious about Jimmy’s mysterious past! Definate bonus points for the Pee-Wee reference.
Actually, Manda, Coraline IS stop-motion. I couldn’t believe it myself actually, but Henry Selick said so in a sneak preview of Coraline. I thought it was CGI at first, but nope. I’m pretty amazed at how good Coraline looks for a stop-motion.
I want to see the film as my little sister brought home the book once and it looked interesting so I read it. I was surprised at how great it was for a children’s story. Hopefully, the film will be just as good.
Anyways, I LOVE today’s comic, Tom 😀
It’s great.
So you weren’t excited for Coraline from the minute you heard about it?
Were you not a Mirrormask fan?
Khoryos,
I’m not an ardent follower of Gaiman. I really didn’t even know Coraline was his until a few weeks ago!
just saw Coraline, unfortunately NOT in 3D (screw you Pittsburgh!). even still, it was an amazing movie. and its amazing how it smooth it is. some computers definitely got in there to clean it up, but even still, it shows how good a job Selick did at directing and how skilled the animation team. do not miss Coraline. see it! you won’t regret it.
I got the Pee-Wee reference, and I was born in ’83. I’m also a Burton fan, though, so I guess I don’t count. Have fun with what you will, I guess. As far as the Gaiman thing goes, I liked Stardust. So, you know, whatever.
i saw push tonight, it was pretty good. a little long, but it could’ve been that i was sleepy.
i have to drive 40 minutes to a nearby town this week if i’m to see coraline in 3d.
since i had my 8 eye surgeries to regain my vision, i see every 3d movie i can find. i even saw the one about astronaut flies! i saw monster house 5 times (partly because of the 3d and partly because it was an awesome story.)
Monster House *IS* the bomb.
I went and seen Coraline on Friday with my wife and some friends.
It was definatly a good movie and I think it was worthy of the praise, it’s dark twisted and macabre. Definately not for the wee ones though thats for sure.
P.S- Love the MB reference Tom, good choice
Tom, I have to insist that you see Coraline in the theater in 3D if you love stop motion animation. They really make good use of the technology and the film itself is just such an amazing trip visually. Trust me, it’s weird but it’s a very cool weird. We’re going to go see it again this week just so I can try to soak up some more of the visuals that I’m sure I missed the first time through.
I’ve heard nothing but enthusiastic praise for Coraline. I want to see it – especially in 3D – but I think I hardwired myself into thinking I need to see Push first. I don’t know where that comes from?…
Dude! You Totally traced that picture! heh heh heh
Well, I was making a very specific reference. I didn’t want there to be any confusion.