69 Tints of Rebel Mummy Chapter 4: The Alien Way

Writing badly is fun. Pretty much that’s it in a nutshell. Also again, a comic that started as a simple concept spiraled out of control. Which is good. Sometimes.

So you don’t get the eye strain and because I care, here’s the page.

CHAPTER 4
The Alien Way

SHE AWOKE AT DAWN. The sun shone through the gaping holes in the agey brickwork from the previous nights battle with the Dystopasoldierd. Felicity watched the bandage covered stranger standing in the light. The beams seemed to evoke a mysterious, paranormal twinkling from the wrappings filling her with awe.

“Thank you for saving me. I don’t remember you from the opening ceremonies of the Insomnia Challenge. Who are you?” she asked. He turned and gazed at her, his tall regal handsome rugged frame dark against the sun.

“My name is Pharaoh Phillipe Nun Photoblu and I believe together we can win the Challenge and destroy the rulers of Dystopiadome Six, returning freedom, love, and music to the people.” “But how?” she pleaded. “Our deep thoughts and emotions that none but us in the world feel make us special, but is that enough?” “Perhaps not. But…I have a secret.” he said, pausing to look at the Rebelliofire symbol on his gloves. “I…am not human. I come to your people from Saturn. Only I did not expect to find this human emotion of love.” he finished, looking at her inquisitorivaly.

“On Saturn” she said, moving closer to him, “do people express affection?” “Yes,” he began hesitantly, “but not as you earthlings know it.” “Show me” she whispered coquettishly.

He reached into his satchel. “Can you beat me into unconsciousness with this loaf of stale pumpernickel while reciting The Tay Bridge Disaster?” he breathed.

Gingerly she took the crusty bread and with a heavy

The Misfit Alien Quontology: 69 Tints of Rebel Mummy

I try not to judge anyone by their taste in books or movies. My own is eclectic which I am self-aware of, and I don’t mean that in a ‘I’m a cool hipster into all the stuff no one knows about’ way. And I am ok that there are some things I hold dearly that I know are not going to be listed among the high points of culture by the futuristic alien archaeologists of 3023. Still some of the current entertainment has me at a loss. Is it me? It’s probably me. It usually is.

Two thoughts on making these inky runes. First, I really need to work on my typography. For whatever reason I do these by hand, bristol, ink, pencils…the only thing I am missing is perhaps a guttering candle and a goat hair robe. Perhaps I shall spend a day copying the phone book by hand with a quill pen in Belwe.

Also – it’s interesting how the long term story vs. one off comic alternates. After a run of one or two off  comics, I start to think ‘I haven’t done anything substantial in a while. Something to really look at the characters. I shall do that.’. Then about halfway through it becomes ‘I so desperately need to draw them doing something incomprehensibly stupid.’

We’ll see how far this story goes. I’m not even sure at this point. Is that disorganized or hapless? Maybe? Yes? Probably.

 

Valentines for that special someone

Looooooooooooove…exciting and neeeeeeeeeeew. Or something.

Valentine’s Day is upon us, whether you like it or not. It may possibly be a more polarizing holiday than Christmas, evoking some intense emotions on all steps of the scale. I suspect even Eros approaches mid February with trepidation these days. But you can bet he doesn’t forget to bring home Psyche a card and box of candy, ’cause ain’t no immortal need that stress am I right?

Misadventure

Adventure was just about my favorite Atari console game when I was a kid. I spent hours avoiding dragons, exploring mazes, and getting stuck in walls as some damned bat would fly off with the bridge as I was half way through. There is a metaphor for life in there somewhere. If only real life had a Grey Dot.

When my son gets frustrated with a video game in this day and age, I usually respond with “You have no idea how good you have it. When I was your age the game was to move the dot to get the dot. While not getting hit by the dot.”

Were I Winston, I’d not give that chalice up either.

New Year, ready or not

The New Year is upon us, left slumbering on our doorstep by a predecessor who, quit of his responsibilities, runs off as a fugitive into the night. Or something.

On a practical note the sharing buttons have been uncloaked from the hover button to make your sharing and hand held technology more comfortable. So please share away if the spirit moves you. Even if it doesn’t really.

Wishing all the best for the coming year.

TO BECOME A LEGEND. Or a cautionary tale. Or both.

It’s a melancholy time of year. The leaves are falling, winter is coming, and it’s almost time to put the cinderblocks away for another year. Makes one think. About…things….or something. This is not as nostalgically investing as I thought.

But remember – if you’re going to do it….do it for Johnny.

Motivation inundation

As all great coaches know, motivation is key. Whether the team wants it or not.

On a more focused note, playing with the layout is something I continually try to do with the strip. Finding a balance between a stable panel layout and trying out something out of the ordinary that helps make things more visually interesting. For some a straight grid works because I feel it guides the story and lets the characters almost ‘animate’ through the panels based on the consistency. Still when that goes on for a few strips it’s time to break the thing and see what happens. Good or bad.

Or so I think.