I was really hoping to get a new comic to you today, but the responsibilities of fatherhood got in the way.

I had just finished penciling and inking the last panel of what’s supposed to be a new 7-panel strip for you guys and Pearl was crying her head off. We couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. We tried rocking her, consoling her, reading stories, laying down with her – everything.

Eventually, we decided that we’d let her in our bed with us, but even that didn’t work. She didn’t have a fever, she didn’t need a drink, she had a clean diaper… we couldn’t figure it out. She kept writhing around and crying all night.

So, yeah. The comic didn’t get finished.

Thank goodness for this guest strip from Bob Dahlstrom!

I’ve known Bob a good long while. He used to have a comic called Think Tank that I used to really, really enjoy. These days he’s got a new comic called Egomaniac; an journal comic which… I think I enjoy more!

It had kind of been a while since I checked in with Bob, so I was really surprised by his work. His line work has really improved. His inking, too. It’s always really cool to watch how people’s techniques evolve.

Bob actually hit on something I wanted to discuss, kind of by accident by bringing up Adam Sandler and That’s My Boy.

First, take a look at the trailer.

Shamefully, I’m going to admit that looks kind of funny to me. Although I think a lot of this film’s success is going to be attributable to Andy Samberg.

Oh, I know exactly what Sandler is doing here. Irresponsible man-child shows uptight square how to let loose a little while learning something about responsibility on the way. Pepper the script with a couple fringe members of society and add a liberal dash of butt jokes. Step 4: PROFIT.

But here’s the thing… I think Adam Sandler might be this generation’s Jerry Lewis.

Hear me out.

Both of them started in nightclubs before moving up to venerable comedy institutions. Martin and Lewis and Saturday Night Live, respectably.

Both of them went solo, starring in a string of successful films heavy on slapstick. The Delicate Delinquent, Cinderfeella and The Bellboy for Lewis. Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore and The Wedding Singer for Sandler.

In later years, their popularity waned and the both took several hits from the critics. But both continued to be box office successes. Lewis’ film Hardly Working made $50 million at the box office in 1981 despite being panned by critics. That’s almost $120 million today.

Sandler continues to be a bankable movie star today. His last movie, Jack and Jill swept The Razzies last year and had a 3% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes but it still made almost $75 million at the box office.

Both men are philanthropists. Lewis’ name is synonymous with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His annual telethons have raised over $2.6 billion to fight the disease. He hosted those telethons for 44 years. Sandler is just getting started in this arena. In 2007, Sandler donated $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club in his hometown, Manchester, New Hampshire.

Look, all I’m saying is that Sandler is about 15 years away from the French calling him a genius. Wait and see if I’m right.

Anyway, that’s it for now. Thanks again to Bob for the fantastic guest strip! Keep your eye on the site in the next day or two. I should have my comic finished shortly!

And, by the way, if you want to submit a guest strip to me in the last few weeks the site is up, feel free. I’m basically opening the flood gates and giving everyone the chance to contribute. Think of it as a big going away party!

If you’re interested, send your comic to theaterhopper@hotmail.com. 525 pixels wide, JPG format, and no swears. Other than that, feel free to come up with whatever you like!

Talk to you soon!