First things first. What I’m suggesting in the last three panels is true.
While this comic marks the LAST APPEARANCE of Jimmy and Charlie in Theater Hopper, it does NOT mark their last appearance in webcomics.
Jimmy and Charlie are moving to Multiplex.
This was an idea that I had started to kick around probably sometime this summer. It’s taken this long to move the chess pieces around to get us there.
I talked with Multiplex creator Gordon McAlpin several months ago. I followed up with him last week to see if he still might be interested in adopting Jimmy and Charlie once Theater Hopper ended.
As fortune would have it, he was still interested! So I went ahead and drew Jimmy and Charlie’s last Theater Hopper comic, knowing that I was sending them off into an unknown future. But a future where I at least knew they would be in good hands.
Not to pat myself on the back too hard, but I like this idea of handing Jimmy and Charlie over to Gordon for use in Multiplex for several reasons.
First of all, Gordon’s a hell of a writer and relationships are his specialty. Jimmy and Charlie have a rich background – one I invested a lot of time into. Their lengthy back story was not something I had really tried before as a writer. Turning these characters over to a writer as competent as Gordon ensures their story will continue in some form.
I also like the idea because – from what I’ve gathered – it’s somewhat unprecedented.
Now, web comics as a genre run pretty far and wide. So I could be completely off-base, but I’ve never heard of one creator handing over a set of characters to another creator like this.
Sure, characters change hands between writers and artists all the time. But usually they stay confined within the universe they were created in. How often has it occurred that a creator establishes characters in one universe and hands them over to a creator with their own established universe? It would be like Marvel turning to DC Comics and saying “Here. You can have Spider-Man from now on. Have fun with him!”
I don’t know. I could be completely wrong. If I am, I take it all back. I didn’t intend to offend. But I haven’t come across it in the last 10 years I’ve made web comics.
Lastly, the reason I like this idea is because it gives the people who supported Theater Hopper a place to land once the comic ends next week. My comic and Gordon’s comic have always had a close affiliation. I’m certain there is a lot of overlap between our fans. But in case there isn’t, Jimmy and Charlie showing up in Gordon’s comic gives my fans a conduit through which to explore one hell of a great comic in Multiplex. If you like Theater Hopper, I know you’ll find a lot to enjoy there.
Whatever happens, I told Gordon he’s free to do with the characters whatever he wants. If he decides to make Jimmy a serial killer and Charlie a lesbian, that’s his choice. The characters are his now to do with as he pleases. I don’t want Gordon to write the characters as I would have. I want to witness with everyone else the new places he takes them.
I don’t know for sure when Jimmy or Charlie will first appear in Multiplex, but Gordon indicated it would be sometime early next year – as soon as his current story line concludes. So help me keep an eye out for them, will you?
I’m very excited about this step forward. I think it’s unique and a lot of fun. I hope you guys feel the same way about it as I do.
If you could help spread the word about this comic, I would greatly appreciate it. I originally intended to upload it last Friday. But a blizzard that whipped through town last Wednesday left our home without power for over 24 hours. We were kind of scrambling to get things back together on the homefront and the Friday update didn’t happen.
A change like this is a blockbuster and I’m worried that not a lot of people are going to see it due to the holiday. If you’re reading this right now, MAKE SURE OTHERS SEE IT. Share it on Facebook or Twitter. Let your web comic reading friends know. Even if they don’t read Theater Hopper or Multiplex, the might get a kick out of what we’re doing. Who knows?
I have another comic that I intend to work on and update for Christmas. We’re doing another small leap forward in time so the comic I’m posting on Christmas actually takes place on Christmas. So be on the lookout for that.
After the Christmas comic, there will be one more comic this week. After that, the VERY LAST THEATER HOPPER WILL BE PUBLISHED MONDAY, DECEMBER 31.
Be there, guys. I can’t imagine it without you.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Yes. the sugar left behind should keep the displaced rat population fed for a few more weeks...
All part of the plan.
So what about you? What's next?
I know a guy in Chicago who works at a movie theater.
I'm going to see if he can hook me up with a new job.
Wow. We'll best of luck to you, man.
Maybe we'll see you around?
Sure thing. Look us up sometime!
MEANWHILE, IN CHICAGO
YYY-HHHGGH!
What the hell was that about?
I don't know!
I just got the chills for a second there!
It will be interesting to see what Gordon decides to do with them. They almost seem too happy now to be in Multiplex. 🙂 (Just kidding, Multiplex has some stable relationships, such as Kurt and Melissa.)
The only examples I can think of off the top of my head of a webcomic taking over another webcomic’s characters both involve Randy Milholland’s Something Positive. T. Campbell gave Randy the character of Helen from Penny & Aggie. And before that, Aeire gave him Kestrel from Queen of Wands. Neither appear very often. In fact, I can’t think of the last appearances of either.
The wrap-up is going well, Tom. Hang in there.
I have another! Speaking of Randy… his comic’s cat Choo-Choo Bear, and Danielle Corsetto’s cat Sprinkles (Girls with Slingshots) got together and had kittens! The “gave” the kittens to a couple other comics, and they are thriving, cutely!
Here’s one: http://www.allnewissuescomic.com/2012/12/24/happy-holidays-2012/
I’m not sure it’s fair to lump Danielle and Randy’s characters in here… they share them all the time, and sometimes draw each other’s comics for a while 🙂 They’re like twins.
I’m so glad Gordon will be taking Charlie and Jimmy over 😀 I think you’re both pretty close wavelength-wise.
Wow! That is such a great idea! I’m just blown away! I’m so excited that their story will continue with Gordon and Multiplex, of which I have also been a long-time reader. I can’t wait to see what happens with them!! I’m just too excited for words!
This comic made me laugh and made me tear up a little.
perhaps I have been reading this too long. 🙂
I am glad a little bit of theater hopper will live on. Multiplex is a great comic and it will be nice to see some characters from the internet’s oldest running movie based comic hanging out with the new blood. (Well, not that young but still)
The idea of trading off characters to another webcartoonist is awesome and genius. Good luck to both of you!
There used to be a webcomic called The Repository of Dangerous Things. When the series ended, the author auctioned all the Things off to other webcartoonists for them to use as they like.
I never read The Repository of Dangerous Things. What I did read was a comic called No 4th Wall to Break, which ended up with a character called Quote Guy as a result of this auction as well as a Monkey’s Paw and a bottomless dresser.
For the curious, both comic’s sites are broken and featureless; the latter has been “under repair” with no word from the creator since 2010.
Such is the world of webcomics.
As soon as I heard CHICAGO, I flipped! I love this idea and can’t wait to see it all tied in. You know, after the baby is born, Tom and Cami may need a vacation *wink* *wink*
Actually Something Positive also adopted Kestrel from Queen of Wands when that ended. He immediately ran her over with a car. She got better.