COMIC - File #76: "Tech Support," Part 3

So Mainframe hooked up with some chick. But what kind of girl is she?


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Arbco Islands - They Built This City On Rock & Roll

Cobra's settlement in the Cayman Islands grows more powerful with each passing day! Here's what a local newspaper had to say:

THE PLANETARY BUGLE
Saturday, 23 January, 2009. Late Edition.

"Cobra Sinks its Fangs into Cayman Islands," by Clark Parker

One of the newest settlements has already become one of the most powerful. Cobra Command (Stock Symbol: FJoe) established a base on the islands in December and the influx of Cobra followers has resulted in an industrial revolution of unheard-of speed and tenacity.

Throughout the colony, known as the "Arbco Islands," Cobra's followers busy themselves with agriculture, industrialization, building a transportation system, and other "surely nefarious schemes," according to an unnamed U.S. Military General. What began as a few log cabins has escalated into a downtown core of high-rises with houses resembling those of Springfield, USA, and a pair of factories, presumed to be fuel processing plants for Cobra aircraft.

The Arbco Islands settlement is currently the 73rd largest city in the Cayman Islands, with a population estimated at around 120 devoted Cobra followers. Cobra Command's intentions are at this point unknown. International forces have yet to react.


Cobra's little town is growing, and is currently the 73rd largest city in the Cayman Islands. Will it reach #1, conquering the Cayman Islands and the hidden riches they possess? If they're going to, Cobra will need YOUR help! Visit the Arbco Islands today! Each time someone goes to http://arbco.myminicity.com, the town's population will increase and the city will develop. When the population gets high enough, more development options will be available, such as improved transportation and new factories. So if you want Cobra's new overseas base to survive, visit it and/or send the link to some friends! Maximum of one visit per person, per day. COBRAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

COMIC - File #75: "Tech Support," Part 2

Last time, Mainframe found out that doing tech support isn't all bad. But how good will it get...?


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Q & Ages 25 & Up #13: January 2010

Welcome to another Ages 25 & Up Q&A session, the FIRST of 2010! Resident quizmaster Monkeywrench recurited some of the comic's loyal readers from HissTank.com and together they will get their questions answered. I couldn't keep them waiting as I really enjoyed these questions. Here goes!

Question #1 - Monkeywrench asks:
What can we expect in 2010? Can you share some thoughts on some of your plans for the 1st quarter?

1337W422102 answers:
I don't want to say much due to potential spoilers, but I will say this: the list in the final panel of File #72 is accurate. Those are all things I'd like to do this year. We will see new characters, we will see familiar ones, and we will have crossovers. There will also be some "different" stuff, so be ready for the occasional experimental strip now and then!


Question #2 - Monkeywrench asks:
In File #71 we saw the first appearance of Helix and there was 2 of them! Will the Helix twins get a introductory story?

1337W422102 answers:
Strictly speaking, that final panel was more of a fanservice than anything. I mean, a lot of the characters haven't been introduced yet, and others show up more than once! And don't get me started on the Combat/Robot Heroes!

But to answer your question in a way that's pretty much avoiding it, we might see more of the Double Helix. Maybe. Stay tuned to find out!


Question #3 - FlyingFigg asks:
How do you keep track of your upcoming storylines? Do you have it all written down on paper or do you make it up as you go? For example: on a multi-part comic, is it all scripted before you start or do you figure it out when you get there? Also how closely does the finished product compare to your initial ideas? Does it tend to vary away drastically or is it fairly close to what you intended? I’ve done some dios in the past and even though I had everything written down I found myself making revisions right up to the completion. I’m curious as how you do it.

1337W422102 answers:
I have crap written down everywhere: notepads on my desk, notes scribbled onto my calendar, emails I sent to myself from school when I got an idea, and various .txt files on two computers.

What I do is, once I come up with an idea, I try to develop it a bit. Is it do-able? Do I have the figures to make it work? How long would it last? Would it be funny? Once I've fleshed it out a bit, I start to think of other elements: would it be a single-issue, or span a few? I'll begin thinking of dialogue. At any time during any of these processes, I'll write down/type up a few notes.

That being said, I'm also constantly changing stuff. What I come up with in my head isn't always what ends up being posted - different characters are used, dialogue changes, etc. When doing multi-part stories, not every issue is written when I start. I normally have the story divided up into parts (issues) in my head. Then I write each part as I need to. Also, sometimes due to time limits, what I've written as one issue gets split into two. That's why a lot of the comics from the Captain America story were real short.

Not everything I come up with gets used. I've been fleshing out arcs in my head for months which don't get anywhere.


Question #4 - G.I.Eddie asks:
Have you ever thought of giving the Numbers character at least a small cameo in every comic? Ya know, like how Stan Lee does in all his movies.

1337W422102 answers:
You mean like a "Greetings, True Believers!"-type greeting as seen in the '90s Marvel cartoons? I hadn't considered that. And if I did, it wouldn't be every comic. I'd probably get tired of seeing myself. Maybe if I looked like Stan Lee, I could pull that off!


Question #5 - G.I.Eddie:
Have you ever considered sponsors in your comics? Maybe subtle product placements.

1337W422102 answers:
If someone's serious about giving me money to plug their product and/or service, I'd probably be down for that (as long as it was kept within reason). A tongue-in-cheek infomercial comic could be funny, too.


Question #6 - G.I.Eddie asks:
Have you seen the trailer for the new The A-Team? If so, what are your thoughts on them producing a movie that stays very true to the source material?

1337W422102 answers:
Holy crap, I didn't know they released a trailer yet! I'll have to check that out.

I'm all about staying true to the source material. If you're not going to, there's no point of bearing the name of whatever it is you're pretending to re-create. With that in mind, I'm real excited for the upcoming Kick-Ass movie. If you haven't read the comics, stop reading this now and get to a comic shop.


Question #7 - G.I.Eddie asks:
Do chicks dig your work, your comics? Not just members, but maybe girls who know nothing about Joe.

1337W422102 answers:
I honestly have no idea. Besides for the occasional HissTank.com member, I don't know of any ladies who read this.


Question #8 - TU482 asks:
I think you should make an arc out of “Rip Cord's revenge on the Wayans.” You could make it “noir-ish” if you're so inclined, or just a straight up bloody “Rambo 1 vs. many" battle. What do you think?

1337W422102 asks:
I don't have any Wayans brothers figures I won't get any of them. Rippy will just have to settle for a 25th Anniversary body for the time being.

That being said, I AM planning a film-noir Joe story which will be dark and serious. Writing it is hard but damn, it is fun! I really want to get started on it, but I'm still writing it and thinking about the sets. When the current arc is done, though, maybe I'll bring on the noir.

The rain came down like angels' tears, each drop a lament for long-forgotten sins.
As long as there were sinners in this town, the rain would fall.
The pavement was always wet. The puddles reflected the city's dark heart.
It rained in Springfield. It rained every night.

I have a feeling the Photoshop desaturation tool and rain effects will come in VERY handy.


Question #9 - TU482 asks:
Will we be seeing a team-up/battle between Cap and the Americans and the Canadians? I know we only have Wolverine and Guardian so far but it’s something I think would be great. Keep up the good work and thanks for the laughs.

1337W422102 answers:
Thanks! And don't forget, we have Deadpool, too!

I'm not planning anything like that just yet, though. In the A25Universe, the Cap is roommates with Union Jack and Guardian. They probably just assume he went to get groceries, or something.


Question #10 - Sparhawk asks:
When will there be a full on Cobra/Joe bar fight? You can’t have a successful strip without a bar fight.

1337W422102 answers:
I've been meaning to do something like this for a long, long time now, but I'd have to build an entire Joe-scale bar set with tables, chairs, the bar itself, shelves of drinks, etc. I'll have to get around to it one day.


That's it for now! Thanks to everyone for taking part in this month's session! Report back on Saturday for a new comic. See you then!

COMIC - File #74 - "Tech Support"

It's time once again for a comic!


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COMIC - File #73: "Flint Teach's Sum Lesson's"

Welcome to Ages 25 & Up 2010! This is the first comic of the new decade, and I hope you guys like it. Please bear in mind that it is not aimed at anyone/any site in particular.


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Happy New Year

2010 has arrived. Another year, another decade, etc. Hope it's been good to you so far.

If you haven't seen it, Penny Arcade has put up a comic about New Year's resolutions, a theme I also used in File #72, which I posted yesterday. I know, it's not Saturday yet, but I felt it wouldn't be right unless I posted the comic in 2009. It's the final comic of the decade!

All the best, gang. See ya next week.