Posts Tagged ‘Milk Duds’
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I wish I could tell some grand tale of angst that lead me to create today’s strip, but truth be told, I was strapped for ideas.
Originally, I was going to do a strip about forgetting my wallet at the theater while attempting to buy tickets. This really happened to me on Friday when we went to see Old School. The punch line would have been something like “It’s like those dreams where you’re standing around in your underwear!” And there I would be in my skivvies.
But then I thought, “Nah. It’s been done.”
Then I was going to do a strip about The Pianist. It was pretty much a one note affair (no pun) that was a play on the pronunciation of the movie’s title. I’m sure if you take a minute to pause, you can envision where I’m going. Figuring it was kind of third grade, I decided to pass.
Today’s strip doesn’t relate to anything other than my utter disappointment with the big screen offerings Chris Rock seems to be falling for these days. If you’ve seen the trailer for Head of State, you know what I’m talking about. Bad Company, Pootie Tang, Down to Earth. This guy has to be one of the sharpest social satirists of the modern age and he’s making this crap? Oh, well. I guess Richard Pryor was in Superman III.
As I mentioned above, I was able to go out and see Old School this weekend. I was going to write a review about it, but truthfully remember very little of the movie. Maybe it was the beer I drank before the late showing to get into the spirit or maybe it was because there was nothing particularly worth recalling in detail.
The film was funny, but I don’t remember any scenes worth re-enacting for my friends and co-workers. Will Ferrell is the best reason to see the movie. His performance makes up for everything Luke Wilson lacks and smooths over the rough edges of Vince Vaughn’s character, who is somewhat unlikable.
Ferrell plays things kind of dumb, but delivers his lines in a way that milks every last ounce of funny from what he has to work with. Surprise cameos from Sean William Scott and Andy Dick played well.
I’d probably see the movie again when it comes out on video. Actually, I’d probably buy it on DVD. But I have no need to see it in a theater again. Check it out if you’re looking for a movie where you can just turn off your brain and laugh for an hour and a half.
In site news, I am working on implementing a script that will result in the site being converted to .php format. I grabbed the script from Comrade F, who you may have noticed running around over at Snafu Comics and Mall Monkeys. He’s a good guy and has been helping me with the conversion.
Making the upgrade shouldn’t affect your viewing of the strip, but it will help me to keep the site more organized. There may be a few tweaks involving the addition of graphics, but that can only enhance your experience in my estimation.
Anyway, in March I will have been in the game for half a year. I figure now is the time to get serious about things before the archive gets too big for me to manage.
Just something for your breadbox.
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buzzcomix still seems to be down, so no incentive sketch for you today. Sorry about that, but it’s totally beyond my control.
So, here’s part two of my special arc celebrating the opening of the Century 20 in my humble hometown digs. Maybe this is a little racier than usual for me, but why should Fenris get to draw all the hot babes?
If all things go to plan, I should be stepping foot inside the mythical Century 20 sometime tonight. What movie will we christen this experience with? How about Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. And for the record: No, the irony in this choice does not escape me.
Yesterday was the 2-year anniversary of Theater Hopper. I wanted to make a bigger deal out of it, but right now I’m doing a pretty piss-poor job of it.
Thank goodness there are creative types like Dave Buist who send me wonderful, congratulatory pieces of fan art. Y’know, I had no idea how violent this comic was until Dave collected every instance of a character being slapped, punched or gouged in one handsome piece of work. Dave also happens to write and draw Taking the Bi-Pass which you should check out because it is hilarious.
Now is as good a time as any to reflect on the success of Theater Hopper. Scott Kurtz just offered to put PvP into newspapers for free while Eric McCurdy and Tauhid Bondia announced their comic Suzie View is being looked at by United Feature Syndicate for placement on the Comics.com website – a stepping stone to syndication in print.
Reading things like this make me contemplate how far I’ve come with my rinky-dink operation.
Is syndication a goal of mine? No. But like Scott, Eric and Tauhid, it would be nice to gain a little recognition and maybe a little money for your effort. That’s not what motivates me, though.
Cami and I were actually just talking about this last night. Realizing that Theater Hopper is reaching more people now than it ever has before, it’s easy to slip into a pipe dream where someday the comic will become our sole source of income. It’s a nice thought, but I don’t ever want to force things that would send me racing to that ultimate conclusion.
I started Theater Hopper as a dare to myself. Just to see if I could do it. Once I established myself, I made a goal to remain consistent. Once I established a work pattern, I attempted to broaden my writing and drawing skills. I feel confident that these goals have been met and continue to be built upon to this day.
In order to get to this point, I don’t feel like I whored myself out excessively. People just started finding their way to the comic organically. Throughout this process I’ve met some really great people. Other creators that I would consider close friends as well as fans who I talk to daily in the THorum. All individuals that have enriched my life through the free exchange of ideas and interests.
I can count the number of hate mails I’ve received on one hand. And I would know how many pieces of hate mail I’ve gotten because I’m sensitive to that kind of thing. After 2 years in the game, I would say that’s an accomplishment all its own.
I guess I don’t know what the point of this is. I started out talking about the success of other creators and comparing it against my own. Is that even fair? I already feel like I’ve succeeded. I get to write and draw characters I love. I get to talk with interesting people every day. And hopefully, I’ve created something that will last another 2 years and beyond and bring a little bit of happiness to people willing to receive it.
Money, recognition and anything else is just icing on the cake at this point.
Thank you for reading Theater Hopper. Here’s to another 2 years and another 2 on top of that (if we’re lucky!).
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The confrontation depicted in today’s comic could have ended any number of ways. Jared being thrown through a plate glass window, for example. Vote for Theater Hopper at buzzComix to see what I mean…
For those of you concerned that I’ve been rambling about Alien vs. Predator for too long, don’t worry. I think I’ve gotten it out of my system. I mean, 5 comics on one movie is kind of overkill. But then again, AvP was a little bit of overkill as well… ON THE PART OF MY BRAIN THAT DECIPHERS A REASONABLE PLOT!!!
Ahem… I’m twelve-stepping this. I’ll kick it. I swear.
I went to see Garden State this weekend. Walking out of the theater, I learned two things:
1. I need to buy the soundtrack to this movie.
2. I have been SERIOUSLY underestimating writer/director/actor Zach Braff.
All that talk about Garden State being our generation’s The Graduate isn’t just a bunch of bluster. I know it’s easy to dismiss that kind of praise. It seems like every sci-fi movie that’s come out in the last 20 years has been heralded as the next Star Wars, or whatever. Heck, even that new shark movie Open Water is being called the next Jaws.
But comparisons aside, Braff perfectly captures the alienation of a man in his mid-twenties. The aimlessness. The detachment. Yet, at the same time, there is sweetness to his exploration and humor in his struggle to reach out to others. His chemistry with Natalie Portman never feels forced. I’ll probably see it again. It had a very profound effect on me.
Make a deal with me right now, America. Take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror. If you were planning AT ALL to see SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 when it opens on Friday, put it off for another week and see Garden State instead. You won’t regret it.
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