COMIC - File #84: "Tech Support," Part 10

It's finally here. The final chapter of the Tech Support story!


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Q & Ages 25 & Up #15: March 2010

The March Q&A is here! Monkeywrench and the HissTank.com readers want answers! I'll do my best....

Question #1 - Monkeywrench asks:
File #100 is approaching! Are you planning something big for it? Can we expect another Yearbook issue?

1337W422102 answers:
I'll have to plan something big. Not sure yet what I'll do. A Yearbook could work, but I did that for #50 and I'd like to do something bigger this time, if I can!


Question #2 - Monkeywrench asks:
I’ve been enjoying seeing Cobra Commander locked up in the Pit. It’s a nice touch seeing him in the background all the time. When is Cobra going to form a plan and break out their leader?

1337W422102 answers:
A jailbreak? Why, he seems quite comfy in his cell - in the New Year's comic, he told me he wasn't planning on escaping. And you'd be making a large assumption if you think he can't lead his army from behind bars!

But to answer your question, he will try to play his get-out-jail-free card in an upcoming story arc this year.


Question #3 - Monkeywrench asks:
Now that the Resolute 7-packs have been revealed, what are your impressions? I know in the past you have expressed interest in making some Resolute comics, after the 7-packs get released. Do the 7-packs get you more excited or are they a let down?

1337W422102 answers:
To be honest, they waited way too long to release them, and I no longer have the funds or interest to track them down. Most of the figures look okay, but the females' heads look rather atrocious.

That being said, I do have a few of the Resolute-style figures, such as the Cobra guys I used in the past, and Gung-Ho and 'city strike' Snake-Eyes. They'll show up again.


Question #4 - Freedom asks:
When will Beard Force make their return?

1337W422102 answers:
I'm writing a story to explain just what they've been up to behind the scenes all this time. They're still around, so don't worry - you'll see them again!. And they'll be back in action in an upcoming crossover story arc!


Question # 5 - Night Viper 143 asks:
So, it looks like you have made dummy facebook accounts for Lift-Ticket and a few others. I’m ignorant and can’t find them. Can you shed any light on this conundrum?

1337W422102 answers:
Wait, there are other G.I. Joe character failbook pages? The only one I made is Helix's which you can find here. Go ahead and become her friend if you want! You guys and gals are all more than welcome to post stuff on her page, make comments, etc. Go wild and have fun! I update her page regularly each week with links to the new comics, and other in-character updates from Helix so you can know what she's been up to - from hanging out with Mainframe to backflipping and shooting stuff, rock'n the autopistol akimbo. I don't have any other accounts for the other characters, though.

If you're wondering about which characters commented on her page in the comic, here's a list of their file names with their code names, to clear up any confusion:

In #79: Mainframe (Blaine Parker), Bazooka (David Katzenbogen), Outback (Stuart Selkirk), Lift-Ticket (Victor Sikorsky), Clutch (Lance Steinberg)

In #81: Outback (Stuart Selkirk), Grand Slam (James Barney), Bazooka (David Katzenbogen), Scarlett (Shana O'Hara), Law (Christopher Lavigne), Flint (Dashiell Faireborn), Psyche-Out (Kenneth Rich), Lady Jaye (Alison Hart-Burnett), Snake-Eyes, Mainframe (Blaine Parker), Clutch (Lance Steinberg), Lift-Ticket (Victor Sikorsky), Gambit from the X-Men (Remy LeBeau), Iron Man (Tony Stark)


Question #6 - G.I.Eddie asks:
Personally, I get very impatient when setting stuff up just to take pictures for customs and they keep falling over, or the cat walks in the shot. I can only imagine how tedious things can get for you. So how patient are you and do you ever boil over and lose it?

1337W422102 answers:
You have no idea. One of the reasons I shoot the comics alone is because they take so damn long. The shoot for Part 9 of "Tech Support" lasted from about 9PM to midnight. And I had a class the next morning!

Taking a long time to take photos is nothing new to me. Besides for my gig as a photographer and various photography projects I did, I used to do stop-motion before I started the comic and that took freakin' forever. Same for customizing. I was so angry trying to crack open 25th Tiger Farce Flint that once I had the arms out, I annihilated that body. Stabbed it with picks, smashed it with a hammer, crushed it in a vice. Felt good, man. I just hope I won't need that part for another customizing project or I'll rage but hard.


Question #7 - G.I.Eddie asks:
From the very beginning, I’ve noticed few “exterior” shots in the comics… Is there a reason? I think some aquatic scenes or even aerial shots of the exteriors of the cockpits with the dialogue could be interesting.

1337W422102 answers:
I just find it easier to make the sets look somewhat plausible when I deal with interiors. Especially when I can use a playset like the Headquarters as a set! That being said, I do take exterior shots when I can and when I have to. I just find they're harder to work with, especially with this small scale.


Question #8 - G.I.Eddie:
In some of the first few comics you used the O-ring counterparts of figures that had not been yet released 25th style… Any chance we might see Footloose, Lifeline, Lowlight or other great classics make an O-ring appearance?

1337W422102 answers:
Of the three you mentioned, the only one I have is Lifeline, and he made a couple of cameos in #3 and #72. He will continue to appear, too, when duty calls.

I'm planning a story that will feature more O-Ring figures. Not sure when I'll make it yet, but it's on my to-do list!


Question # 9 - Sparhawk asks:
It would please me to see a Snake Eyes/Scarlett wedding dio. What’re the chances of this happening?

1337W422102 answers:
I don't have the skills to pull that off (building the set, making the tiny costumes), and it's not planned for any of the story arcs I'm working on... If some of my friends got married, maybe then I'd consider it. (Notice that it's never been established that they AREN'T married, either!)


Question # 10 - Imperial Serpentor asks:
Are you planning on getting the Adventure Team figures from the G.I. Joe Club, and if so will they become part of Beard Force?

1337W422102 answers:
As cool as those figures are, I don't the finances to get them, and I don't want them THAT badly. And they would in all likelihood refuse to join Beard Force, too. I see them more as cantankerous old bastards who are badass and they know it. Like cranky Clint Eastwoods. "Back in our day, we didn't have no special team of bearded fellas. You had to HAVE a beard to join us! You punks with ball-jointed-this and swivel-peg-that. We didn't need them and we liked it that way!"


Question #11 - Freedom asks:
Will Tony Stark/Iron Man ever show up to give Clutch, Flint, and Gambit a run for their money?

1337W422102 answers:
What with all of those badass Iron Man figures coming out, Stark is bound to show up. And he might bring some friends, along too!
The last time we saw him, he WAS giving Clutch, Gambit, Vega from Street Fighter, Captain Kirk, and Duke Nukem a run for their money in the Christmas special, as he was getting real friendly with the Baroness. Sure, her champagne glass was blocking his face, but you know it was him - plus, he's been bragging about it since Boxing Day.


There you have it! Another month's Q&A session! A big round of applause to all who participated! Thanks again, and join us next week for a new comic.

COMIC - File #83: "Tech Support," Part 9

So Helix and Hawk are going to meet up at a place her sister suggested. Maybe he'll become her friend. You can be her friend too by adding her on facebook.

The March Q&A will be up shortly. Have a good weekend!


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Arbco Islands - Uprising!

Disturbing news regarding Cobra's colony in the Cayman Islands. Here's an article from a local paper, fresh off the presses:

THE PLANETARY BUGLE
Sunday, 16 March, 2010. Early Edition.

"Cobra Colony on the Rise," by Clark Parker

Last year, Cobra Command (Stock Symbol: FJoe) created a small colony on the remote Cayman Islands. An unnamed source informed the authorities that the settlement is administrated by a man named Fred Arbco, better known as "Fred 69." Under his control, the population of the "Arbco Islands" continues to grow and shows no signs of stopping.

Since then, the Cobra colonists have experienced an industrial revolution, establishing themselves as an important exporter of experimental aviation fuel. Now, Cobra seems to be taking the operation in a different direction. They have erected an immense tower in the Arbco Islands' downtown core. This tower features a prominent spire and 5 communication antennae. "A [system of that nature] is almost guaranteed to be a radar jamming station," commented Alvin Kibbey, a communications specialist associated with the U.S. military.

Cobra has not yet made any demands nor threats, and their intentions are presently unknown. International forces have yet to react.

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen! Cobra continues to develop their Arbco Islands base and they 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. Rather than simply increasing the population, you can choose to build a new factory or improve the transit network. Maximum of one action per IP address per day. If you want Cobra's settlement to survive and thrive, and most importantly, become the largest and richest city in the Cayman Islands, send some links to friends! COBRAAAAAAAA!!

COMIC - File #82: "Tech Support," Part 8

Mainframe sure is one lucky guy! If you want to be like him (maybe/sorta), you can add Helix as a friend on facebook.


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COMIC - File #81: "Tech Support," Part 7

Helix is updating her failbook page. Sounds like she's planning something big...
Don't forget that YOU can become her friend, too. Just add her on facebook.

If you're wondering which Joes posted on her page, just check out this comic's entry in the Archive.


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