"April 24, 1981"

"I know all your life you wondered about that step we all take alone. How far does the spirit travel on the Journey? You must surely be near heaven and it thrills me to the bone to know Daddy knows the Great Unknown."

I don't know about you guys, but I'm a huge Rick Springfield fan. I listened to at least 5 of his albums when I wrote/shot/edited the last comic, and gave him a shout-out in the previous one. On this day in 1981, Rick's father died, and this naturally had a huge impact on him. References to fathers, daddies, and parenthood appear throughout several of his songs, although not always with negative/sad connotations. His music is filled with so much energy and much of the comic has been fueled by his rock anthems. Much, if not all, of the Army of Plastic story was shot/edited to Legendary, Rock of Life, Tao, Success Hasn't Spoiled Me Yet, and, of course, the unforgettable Working Class Dog. Nothing rejuvenates me like throwing on Working Class Dog, other than the gentle perusal of Yotsuba manga (the essence of fun itself, captured on paper).

Queen is my favourite band, as you can probably tell by the title of the Radio Ga Ga story and its fourth chapter. But Rick Springfield is one of my favourite singers and if he's one of yours, you might be in luck. He's touring, and he might be coming to a town near you. He's coming to Montreal on September 24 (the only Canadian stop, it seems), and I know where I'll be that night. You can check out his year-at-a-glance calendar to see where he's going, and his website, RickSpringfield.com, for information and a whole lot more.

I know this is completely unrelated to the comic, besides for a few references here and there, but I just thought I'd let you guys know in case anyone is interested. Enjoy the weekend, gang!

COMIC - File #88: "Radio Ga Ga," Chapter 4

Apologies for the slight delay this week. The comic is ready and the Q&A will be up some time next week.

Last time, Beard Force realized they need to reach a larger audience with their pirate radio station. Will they manage to? Stay tuned and keep reading to find out!


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COMIC - File #87: "Radio Ga Ga," Chapter 3

Sorry for the delay!


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Slight Delay this Week

Sorry I have to do this, but this week's comic is going to be late. It should be up on Sunday.

COMIC - File #86: "Radio Ga Ga," Chapter 2

The story continues, and the plot thickens. Read on!


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Happy Easter/End of Passover/Long Weekend!

Hey, gang! I hope you're all having a good spring so far. I just wanted to wish you guys a happy Easter, and/or hope you had a happy Passover, and/or enjoyed the long weekend, and to thank you for the birthday greetings!

The "Radio Ga Ga" story continues this week, so tune in on Saturday for a new comic.

COMIC - File #85: "Radio Ga Ga," Chapter 1

It's time once again for a new story arc!


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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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