That pretty much wraps up the outside battle. We'll be back inside the Temple of Coragnor tomorrow.
Monday, March 31, 2014
HFSAC 22-11
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 11.
That pretty much wraps up the outside battle. We'll be back inside the Temple of Coragnor tomorrow.
That pretty much wraps up the outside battle. We'll be back inside the Temple of Coragnor tomorrow.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Skull Mob 4-16
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 16.
Welp, that wraps up Issue 4 of Skull Mob. Skull Mob is going to go on indefinite break for now, while I get ready for something else.
Welp, that wraps up Issue 4 of Skull Mob. Skull Mob is going to go on indefinite break for now, while I get ready for something else.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
HFSAC 22-10
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 10.
So. Killing. Traditionally, in Superhero comics there's been a Code about Killing, namely, that Superheroes don't do it. Nowadays, this little Code has been a somewhat...lax. Some anti-heroes like the Punisher, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider have been killing bad guys for years, but with the advent of the Ultimate Universe and Marvel and DC cranking out movies and teevee shows set in a more realistic world, the whole "no-killing code" has pretty much gone out the window. Movie Batman kills (kinda), and apparently even movie Superman will break a neck if he's gotta. Some people have defended the old Code, saying that Superheroes are "better" than that. Superheroes are above killing. And it makes sense that some superheroes don't kill. Spiderman started out as a kid. He don't wanna kill no one. Superman shouldn't kill, cause killing would be too easy for the guy. A Superman who does kill all willy nilly is a terrifying thought. Batman doesn't kill because he doesn't want anyone to have suffer the way he suffered when his parents died. Sometimes it makes sense for Superheroes not to kill.
But seriously, Superheroes not killing is some stupid crap.
You look at it logically, from every angle, it's stupid that superheroes don't kill. Cops kill. You run from a cop, they shoot you. You assault a cop, they shoot you. You shoot at a cop, they shoot you. Soldiers kill. When you get down to brass tacks, that's the whole point of being a soldier, killing people. When you're at war, you shoot at people and try to blow them up. If you're in a life or death, do or die situation, it's kill or be killed, whether it's on the battlefield or the streets or even your own home.
Now, imagine you're a superhero, and you've got a guy riding around on a flying sled, throwing explosives and spinning blades and laser beams at you. Every time you dodge one of these deadly, deadly weapons, one of them could fly loose and hit an innocent bystander, KILLING THEM. A stray explosive could go flying inside an apartment building, killing a family, setting fire to the building, and possibly even setting off a gas line causing an explosion that could level the entire building, killing lots and lots of people. This crazy masked man on the flying sled is a sociopath who will stop at nothing to KILL YOU, and if he gets half a chance, HE WILL KILL EVERYONE YOU LOVE.
So, whadaya gonna do, hero? Are you gonna punch this guy out, hand him off to the police, and wait for the wheels of justice to lock this guy away for life? Even though this sociopath is a genius (he built a flying sled and a bunch of compact deadly weapons for crying out loud), so chances are pretty darn good that he's gonna break out of jail or, better yet, hire a really slick attorney who will somehow get him off scott free. And when he gets out, he's coming right after you, and chances are pretty good that at least a few innocent bystanders are gonna die in the crossfire.
So you let him live, and lots of people die. Or you kill that Bad Guy, and the world has one less Bad Guy. This isn't really hard math, is it?
Now, I know that I have argued on more than one occasion that Logic has no place in comics. And I stand by that. Reality has no real place in our endlessly impossible world of the imagination. If you like the idea of a world where superheroes don't kill, that's peachy keen. But at the same time, comics writers should write from the gut, write about what they feel is true. And if some psycho who has the power to level a city block is coming at me with the intention of killing me and anyone who gets in his way, and I have the power to stop him...
I'm gonna drop that scumbag and make sure he don't get back up.
(heeheeheehee... I always think it's funny when I pretend to be a tough guy... teehee)
So. Killing. Traditionally, in Superhero comics there's been a Code about Killing, namely, that Superheroes don't do it. Nowadays, this little Code has been a somewhat...lax. Some anti-heroes like the Punisher, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider have been killing bad guys for years, but with the advent of the Ultimate Universe and Marvel and DC cranking out movies and teevee shows set in a more realistic world, the whole "no-killing code" has pretty much gone out the window. Movie Batman kills (kinda), and apparently even movie Superman will break a neck if he's gotta. Some people have defended the old Code, saying that Superheroes are "better" than that. Superheroes are above killing. And it makes sense that some superheroes don't kill. Spiderman started out as a kid. He don't wanna kill no one. Superman shouldn't kill, cause killing would be too easy for the guy. A Superman who does kill all willy nilly is a terrifying thought. Batman doesn't kill because he doesn't want anyone to have suffer the way he suffered when his parents died. Sometimes it makes sense for Superheroes not to kill.
But seriously, Superheroes not killing is some stupid crap.
You look at it logically, from every angle, it's stupid that superheroes don't kill. Cops kill. You run from a cop, they shoot you. You assault a cop, they shoot you. You shoot at a cop, they shoot you. Soldiers kill. When you get down to brass tacks, that's the whole point of being a soldier, killing people. When you're at war, you shoot at people and try to blow them up. If you're in a life or death, do or die situation, it's kill or be killed, whether it's on the battlefield or the streets or even your own home.
Now, imagine you're a superhero, and you've got a guy riding around on a flying sled, throwing explosives and spinning blades and laser beams at you. Every time you dodge one of these deadly, deadly weapons, one of them could fly loose and hit an innocent bystander, KILLING THEM. A stray explosive could go flying inside an apartment building, killing a family, setting fire to the building, and possibly even setting off a gas line causing an explosion that could level the entire building, killing lots and lots of people. This crazy masked man on the flying sled is a sociopath who will stop at nothing to KILL YOU, and if he gets half a chance, HE WILL KILL EVERYONE YOU LOVE.
So, whadaya gonna do, hero? Are you gonna punch this guy out, hand him off to the police, and wait for the wheels of justice to lock this guy away for life? Even though this sociopath is a genius (he built a flying sled and a bunch of compact deadly weapons for crying out loud), so chances are pretty darn good that he's gonna break out of jail or, better yet, hire a really slick attorney who will somehow get him off scott free. And when he gets out, he's coming right after you, and chances are pretty good that at least a few innocent bystanders are gonna die in the crossfire.
So you let him live, and lots of people die. Or you kill that Bad Guy, and the world has one less Bad Guy. This isn't really hard math, is it?
Now, I know that I have argued on more than one occasion that Logic has no place in comics. And I stand by that. Reality has no real place in our endlessly impossible world of the imagination. If you like the idea of a world where superheroes don't kill, that's peachy keen. But at the same time, comics writers should write from the gut, write about what they feel is true. And if some psycho who has the power to level a city block is coming at me with the intention of killing me and anyone who gets in his way, and I have the power to stop him...
I'm gonna drop that scumbag and make sure he don't get back up.
(heeheeheehee... I always think it's funny when I pretend to be a tough guy... teehee)
HFSAC 22-9
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 9.
This is an odd page because there are no Fudgeheads on it, and the Bad Guys are inexplicably fighting each other. Wonder what'll happen next?
This is an odd page because there are no Fudgeheads on it, and the Bad Guys are inexplicably fighting each other. Wonder what'll happen next?
Sunday, March 23, 2014
COMIX
So, my wonderful girlfriend got me "Arrow" Season 1 on DVD for Christmas. She wanted something we could binge watch (what an odd term) together that neither of us had seen before, thus preventing either of us from spoiling it for the other. Anyway, we've been working through the series, and it's pretty darn cool. Really good, really entertaining teevee. With the hour long format there's tons of time for Action, Romance, Personal Conflicts, Soap Opera Stuff, and Flashbacks to Green Arrow's 5 Years he was stranded on the Island. There's lots of little in-jokes and references for all of us Geeks, and they've been smart enough to add plenty of characters from the DCU to further interest us comic geek types (a pretty large tactical error on the part of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD (which I'm not dumping on, SHIELD is a pretty darn good show too, and they've been smart enough to tie the show into the movies, so there's that)).
Arrow and SHIELD (heck, we might as well talk about both) are both rooted somewhat deeply in reality. I mean, yeah, both shows have lots of "not real" elements. People get superpowers and Asgardians show up and we invent weird drugs called Vertigo and whatnot, but they still try to create a couple of shows where there's enough of a foothold in the real world to make it accessible to all audiences. This coincides with a running theory that I have that movies and teevee have to present a believable reality in order for audiences to accept the show/movie. Take "Star Wars" for instance. Star Wars is a sci-fi movie set in a distant galaxy and features highly advanced technology. Not all that believable, right? But Star Wars sold its outlandish premise through great costumes and cutting edge special effects. Compare Star Wars to its cheezy, low budget, poorly made counterparts sometime. Oh wait, you can't find those movies? Yeah, that's because they've been lost to the annuls of time because they're not "believable". No matter how ridiculous or impossible a movie can be, if you root it in a level of reality, audiences will buy into it. On the other hand, if you go all "over the top" with what you're doing, like the ill-fated but still excellent "Scott Pilgrim" movie, then audiences won't buy into what you're doing as much.
And as I've been watching Arrow and SHIELD and the Marvel and DC movies and enjoying the heck out of them, I have also had a running thought while watching them:
"These would make absolutely sucky comix."
I'm in a weird place with comics right now. You have to understand I have read everything by now. EVERYTHING.
40s and 50s Superhero comics (mostly Kirby, but I've got some really weird stuff in the collection too).
50s horror comics (I got a little EC and some 50s Kirby).
60s superhero comics (Kirby, Kirby, and more Kirby, oh and Ditko).
60s underground comics (mostly R. Crumb).
70s progressive comics (more Kirby, some Starlin, and Gerber.)
80s Coming of Age comics (when we "grew up". Allan Moore and Frank Miller mostly. I don't care about Byrne. Sorry.).
80s Independent comics (classic TMNT, Cerebus, and pretty much everything by Ted McKeever)
90s Flash and Trash comics (still got a soft spot for those).
New Millenium revival comics (Astro City and whatnot).
Fancy Pantsy British guys writing American comics comics (Moore, Morrison, Ellis, Milligan, Gaiman, Ennis).
British guys writing British comics comics (yep, I got me some Judge Dredds floating around somewhere, along with some other stuff).
European comics (Asterix, Metal Hurlant, Jodorowski, and a leetle bit of Moebius).
Classic Japanese manga (Tezuka and Monkey Punch to name a few).
Modern Japanese manga (One Piece, Naruto, and whatever else was running in Shonen Jump when that was around).
High class American Independents (Los Bros Hernandez, Clowes, Ware, ect).
Weird, primitive Underground comics (Gary Panter and everyone influenced by him).
Don't even get me started on comic strips.
And tons of Small Press and Mini-comics.
I have read everything. EVERYTHING. And much like movies, whenever I had watched just about every dang movie ever made, I find myself in the unusual position of honestly asking myself a very simple question:
What DO I like?
And this question has started to shape my approach to what I pick up and enjoy. The biggest thing I've discovered is that I want the exact opposite of the "Movie and TV" approach. I don't want reality. I don't want something down to earth and rooted in our world. I can get that from movies and tv. Comics should be Comix. They should be big and bold and wild and untamed. They don't need to be tethered down and introspective and "real". Real is all around us all the time. And the real that they present on movies and teevee isn't even really real anyway. It's like that joke about the tv series "24": For 24 straight hours Jack Bauer won't go to the bathroom!
Comix are words and pictures on paper. They're marks of ink or, nowadays a buncha digital pixels and fancy techno-nonsense. You can do anything in a comic. You can be as wild and big and impossible as you want. You can be as real as you wanna be, but why would you want to when you can build entire universes any way you want?
I figure in a few years my tastes will change. I'll get older and I'll want comics that are simpler and smaller and more grounding in reality. I will want deeper, more emotional, more introspective, character driven comics.
But right now, if it's not big, if it's not wild, if it's not impossible, then it's not COMIX.
And if it ain't COMIX, I ain't interested.
Arrow and SHIELD (heck, we might as well talk about both) are both rooted somewhat deeply in reality. I mean, yeah, both shows have lots of "not real" elements. People get superpowers and Asgardians show up and we invent weird drugs called Vertigo and whatnot, but they still try to create a couple of shows where there's enough of a foothold in the real world to make it accessible to all audiences. This coincides with a running theory that I have that movies and teevee have to present a believable reality in order for audiences to accept the show/movie. Take "Star Wars" for instance. Star Wars is a sci-fi movie set in a distant galaxy and features highly advanced technology. Not all that believable, right? But Star Wars sold its outlandish premise through great costumes and cutting edge special effects. Compare Star Wars to its cheezy, low budget, poorly made counterparts sometime. Oh wait, you can't find those movies? Yeah, that's because they've been lost to the annuls of time because they're not "believable". No matter how ridiculous or impossible a movie can be, if you root it in a level of reality, audiences will buy into it. On the other hand, if you go all "over the top" with what you're doing, like the ill-fated but still excellent "Scott Pilgrim" movie, then audiences won't buy into what you're doing as much.
And as I've been watching Arrow and SHIELD and the Marvel and DC movies and enjoying the heck out of them, I have also had a running thought while watching them:
"These would make absolutely sucky comix."
I'm in a weird place with comics right now. You have to understand I have read everything by now. EVERYTHING.
40s and 50s Superhero comics (mostly Kirby, but I've got some really weird stuff in the collection too).
50s horror comics (I got a little EC and some 50s Kirby).
60s superhero comics (Kirby, Kirby, and more Kirby, oh and Ditko).
60s underground comics (mostly R. Crumb).
70s progressive comics (more Kirby, some Starlin, and Gerber.)
80s Coming of Age comics (when we "grew up". Allan Moore and Frank Miller mostly. I don't care about Byrne. Sorry.).
80s Independent comics (classic TMNT, Cerebus, and pretty much everything by Ted McKeever)
90s Flash and Trash comics (still got a soft spot for those).
New Millenium revival comics (Astro City and whatnot).
Fancy Pantsy British guys writing American comics comics (Moore, Morrison, Ellis, Milligan, Gaiman, Ennis).
British guys writing British comics comics (yep, I got me some Judge Dredds floating around somewhere, along with some other stuff).
European comics (Asterix, Metal Hurlant, Jodorowski, and a leetle bit of Moebius).
Classic Japanese manga (Tezuka and Monkey Punch to name a few).
Modern Japanese manga (One Piece, Naruto, and whatever else was running in Shonen Jump when that was around).
High class American Independents (Los Bros Hernandez, Clowes, Ware, ect).
Weird, primitive Underground comics (Gary Panter and everyone influenced by him).
Don't even get me started on comic strips.
And tons of Small Press and Mini-comics.
I have read everything. EVERYTHING. And much like movies, whenever I had watched just about every dang movie ever made, I find myself in the unusual position of honestly asking myself a very simple question:
What DO I like?
And this question has started to shape my approach to what I pick up and enjoy. The biggest thing I've discovered is that I want the exact opposite of the "Movie and TV" approach. I don't want reality. I don't want something down to earth and rooted in our world. I can get that from movies and tv. Comics should be Comix. They should be big and bold and wild and untamed. They don't need to be tethered down and introspective and "real". Real is all around us all the time. And the real that they present on movies and teevee isn't even really real anyway. It's like that joke about the tv series "24": For 24 straight hours Jack Bauer won't go to the bathroom!
Comix are words and pictures on paper. They're marks of ink or, nowadays a buncha digital pixels and fancy techno-nonsense. You can do anything in a comic. You can be as wild and big and impossible as you want. You can be as real as you wanna be, but why would you want to when you can build entire universes any way you want?
I figure in a few years my tastes will change. I'll get older and I'll want comics that are simpler and smaller and more grounding in reality. I will want deeper, more emotional, more introspective, character driven comics.
But right now, if it's not big, if it's not wild, if it's not impossible, then it's not COMIX.
And if it ain't COMIX, I ain't interested.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
HFSAC 21 Now Available
This kinda got lost in the shuffle, but The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club #21 is now available for sale from TORC Press. Here's the cover:
It's $3.50 plus $1.50 S&H. If you've already read the book for free online, then purchasing a copy kinda works as a nice little "tip" for yours truly. Also, the book looks great in print, especially the Splash Pages. Anyway, you can purchase a copy 3 different ways:
1) Head to my online store at http://www.torcpress.com/store/ and score it right off the interweb.
2) E-mail me at cactusfnjoe@hotmail.com with "Ordering Info" in the Subject, and I will send you a Paypal Invoice for the comic.
3) Or, if you're Old School, you can send a check or money order for 5 bucks to:
TORC Press
c/o Joseph Morris
330 S 5th St SW
Clay City, IL 62824
So, there you go.
1) Head to my online store at http://www.torcpress.com/store/ and score it right off the interweb.
2) E-mail me at cactusfnjoe@hotmail.com with "Ordering Info" in the Subject, and I will send you a Paypal Invoice for the comic.
3) Or, if you're Old School, you can send a check or money order for 5 bucks to:
TORC Press
c/o Joseph Morris
330 S 5th St SW
Clay City, IL 62824
So, there you go.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Skull Mob 4-14
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 14.
Welp, we're officially in the wind-down portion of this issue. I do like how Doom Eagle just can't let the argument go, he has to get the last word in.
Welp, we're officially in the wind-down portion of this issue. I do like how Doom Eagle just can't let the argument go, he has to get the last word in.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Adventure Time Season 5 Wrap Up
So, we're gonna do something a little different and drop a blog on something not TORC Press related. Anyway, if you know anything about me, you know I Loooove Cartoons, and my favorite cartoon right now is "Adventure Time". Season 5 just wrapped up, and it was a darn fine season of cartoon teevee. Finn had a lot of rough moments this season. His romantic life was a trainwreck, he embarrassed himself a lot, and he was forced to break his Family Sword. But, Finn had some pretty cool victories as well. Jake became a Dad to a litter of Rainicorn Pups (who all grew up really fast). We learned a bunch of stuff about the histories of Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, and the Ice King. Tree Trunks got married, B-MO's origins were revealed, and we got a couple of sets of Graybles. All in all it was a really cool season. Anyway, I used Wikipedia to go through the season, and figured out what my Favorite and Least Favorite episodes of the season were. This was a HUGE season, with a whopping 52 episodes in total. Anyway, I've got my 5 Least Favorite Episodes, my 5 Honorable Mentions, and my 5 Favorite Episodes of the Season. Here we go:
My 5, these episodes ain't actually Bad, I just didn't like em so Much Episodes:
5. Red Throne- Plot: Flame Princess, having taken the throne of the Flame Kingdom, is overthrown by the tag team of her father and the mystical Don John. Flame Princess and Cinnamon Bun enlist Finn to get the throne back.
Why I'm not so into it: In a lot of ways this is a great episode, but this episode is, essentially, the final nail in the coffin of Finn's relationship with the Flame Princess. I really liked the Finn/Flame Princess romance, and it bummed me out to see it irrevocably come to a close. Also, Finn is kind of a dingus throughout this episode. Finn sums it up best at the end when he says, "Man, I got showed up by Cinnamon Bun."
4. The Party's Over Isle de Senorita- Plot: After having a "fight" with Princess Bubblegum, Ice King gets lost at sea and washes up on an Island that is, in fact, a giant woman. Hijinks ensue.
Why I'm not into it: Again, this really isn't a bad episode. There's neat stuff in here. Unfortunately, this episode is really, really creepy. The Ice King's delusional romance with Princess Bubblegum, and his perspective on their (non-existant) relationship is normally kinda funny or sad, but in this episode it's just creepy.
3. The Suitor- Plot: Deciding that Princess Bubblegum isn't getting out enough, Peppermint Butler tries to get Bubblegum to date a young candy-man named Broko. Things do not go well for young Broko.
Why I'm not into it: As the series has progressed, we have had a number of "Princess Bubblegum is a B.... Not a Nice Person" episodes. This may be the worst of the lot, as Princess Bubblegum essentially tortures a poor schmuck named Broko. Broko's ardent and doomed pursuit of the Princess is painful to watch, sucking all of the fun stuff out of this episode.
2. Davey- Plot: After saving a bunch of Candy People from a Dragon, Finn is mobbed with admirers. Attempting to escape them, Finn creates an alter ego named "Davey".
Why I'm not into it: I hate the old "I'm an awesome guy, but I just want a normal life" trope. Hate it. This episode is one of those kind of episodes. So, boo.
1. Box Prince- Plot: A bored Finn discovers a kitty cat with a box on top of it. Soon Finn discovers an entire cardboard kingdom populated with cats living under boxes. Convinced that his kitty is an overthrown prince, Finn sets out to restore the "Box Prince" to his Cardboard Throne.
Why I'm not into it: Ugh. This episode is just a total waste of time. Finn wastes his time in a pointless plot, and in the meantime Jake spends the whole episode trying to get a tortilla chip out of his teeth. I know a lot of people worked hard on this episode, so I feel bad crapping on it. Still, this one is a total botch job. Sorry.
My Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
5. Blade of Grass- Plot: Having broken the Family Sword, Finn needs to get a new sword. He ends up with a "Grass Sword", which just happens to be cursed. Whoops.
Why I Dig It: Finn gets a new sword. A cool new sword. Also, a cameo by Choose Goose. And Grass Monsters.
4. Billy's Bucket List- 5th Season Finale- Plot: After winning a rap battle with a bear, Finn sets out to settle the Bucket List of Billy, the Greatest Hero Ever.
Why I Dig It: After an entire season of Finn kind of falling on his face, Finn finally has a really good episode where things go well for him. Also, fighting Giant Lizards on the back of a motorcycle. Also, the Cliffhanger ending.
3. Play Date/The Pit- Plot: In this 2 parter, a Demon shows up and drags Jake off to be tortured, thinking Jake is his Dad, Joshua.
Why I Dig It: This is something of a sequel to my All-Time-Favorite episode "Dad's Dungeon". On the downside, Finn loses his Family Sword. On the upside, everything else.
2. Finn the Human/Jake the Dog- Plot: In this other 2 parter, the Season 5 Premiere, Finn gets sent to an Alternate Universe where the Great Mushroom War never happened, while Jake hangs out in the Time Room with the omnipotent Prismo and the Cosmic Owl.
Why I Dig It: Alternate Universe Schananigans, the Cosmic Owl, Chloris Leachman as an elderly alternate Marceline, and hanging out in a hot tub with a 2 Dimensional Cosmic God who loves Pickles. Need I say more?
1. We Fixed a Truck: Plot- Finn finds a truck which he promptly names "Hot Daniel". Finn and Jake enlist Banana Man to help them fix the truck. Also, Princess Bubblegum gets replaced by a Lizard Monster.
Why I Dig It: The Banana Man is voiced by Weird Al Yankovic, which is good enough. Other than that, reread the Plot Description. Need I say more?
My Top 5 Favorite Adventure Time Episodes from Season 5:
5. James Baxter the Horse: Plot- A horse named James Baxter shows up and cheers up kids by rolling around on a beachball saying "James Baxter". Finn and Jake become enamored with the Horse's act and attempt to imitate his act, with mixed results.
Why I Dig It: There's a whole, really neat story about this episode that you can read all about on this episode's Wikipedia entry. Other than that, there's a lot of fun and cool stuff scattered throughout this episode, and the ending is brilliant. "Ja--a-a-ames Baxxxxter!!!"
4. Dungeon Train: Plot- Finn is bummed out from his break up with Flame Princess. He and Jake stumble onto an "Infinite Train" that is also a self repeating Dungeon. Finn becomes obsessed with the Train, while Jake just wants to go home.
Why I Dig It: Have you ever been really bummed out and depressed, and you just wanted to sit around and play video games forever? Of course you have (and if not video games, you can substitute movies or pizza or whatever). That's what this episode is all about. It's got some great lines ("You were just responding to the Butter! This whole Train is Butter!"), and some cool monsters. Also, I like Finn's collection of Mystic Weapons.
3. Vault of Bones: Plot- Back when Finn and the Flame Princess were still dating (remember those wonderful days?), Flame Princess gets bummed because the Flame King is trying to subliminally force her to be Evil. Finn takes Flame Princess on a Dungeon Crawl to clear her head.
Why I Dig It: I love the Dungeon episodes in general (see above), and I really love this one since it features Finn and Flame Princess when they were happy together. There's a lot of cool skeleton monsters (the King Skeleton is awesome). Also, I love the difference in approach between the way that Finn does a Dungeon Crawl and Flame Princess approaches it. Lastly, if you've ever ran around in circles in a dungeon (either in a video game or an RPG), you can appreciate this episode quite a lot.
2. Simon & Marcy: Plot- In a Flashback, we see a young Marceline and a pre-Ice King Simon Petrikov attempting to survive in a post-Apocalyptic world.
Why I Dig It: I'm pretty sure most people would argue that this is the Greatest Episode of Adventure Time ever, and I'm not really here to convince people otherwise. This is a beautiful, brilliant, amazing episode that cements Adventure Time's position as an incredible work of television. I get a little choked up at the end of the episode as Simon dons the crown and desperately sings the theme song from "Cheers" as a lifeline to maintain his sanity. A sanity that he is doomed not to maintain. I love this episode. Ironically, still not my favorite of the season. Speaking of which...
1. TIME SANDWICH!!!!!: Plot- Jake makes the Greatest Sandwich Ever. Before he can eat it, Magic Man shows up, steals the sandwich, and encases himself in a "Slow-Time-Bubble" so he can enjoy eating it. Jake needs to find a way to get inside the bubble and reclaim his sandwich before Magic Man can woof it down.
Why I Dig It: It's frickin' hilarious. It's utterly ridiculous. And it's about a sandwich. Hands down my favorite episode from an excellent season.
My 5, these episodes ain't actually Bad, I just didn't like em so Much Episodes:
5. Red Throne- Plot: Flame Princess, having taken the throne of the Flame Kingdom, is overthrown by the tag team of her father and the mystical Don John. Flame Princess and Cinnamon Bun enlist Finn to get the throne back.
Why I'm not so into it: In a lot of ways this is a great episode, but this episode is, essentially, the final nail in the coffin of Finn's relationship with the Flame Princess. I really liked the Finn/Flame Princess romance, and it bummed me out to see it irrevocably come to a close. Also, Finn is kind of a dingus throughout this episode. Finn sums it up best at the end when he says, "Man, I got showed up by Cinnamon Bun."
4. The Party's Over Isle de Senorita- Plot: After having a "fight" with Princess Bubblegum, Ice King gets lost at sea and washes up on an Island that is, in fact, a giant woman. Hijinks ensue.
Why I'm not into it: Again, this really isn't a bad episode. There's neat stuff in here. Unfortunately, this episode is really, really creepy. The Ice King's delusional romance with Princess Bubblegum, and his perspective on their (non-existant) relationship is normally kinda funny or sad, but in this episode it's just creepy.
3. The Suitor- Plot: Deciding that Princess Bubblegum isn't getting out enough, Peppermint Butler tries to get Bubblegum to date a young candy-man named Broko. Things do not go well for young Broko.
Why I'm not into it: As the series has progressed, we have had a number of "Princess Bubblegum is a B.... Not a Nice Person" episodes. This may be the worst of the lot, as Princess Bubblegum essentially tortures a poor schmuck named Broko. Broko's ardent and doomed pursuit of the Princess is painful to watch, sucking all of the fun stuff out of this episode.
2. Davey- Plot: After saving a bunch of Candy People from a Dragon, Finn is mobbed with admirers. Attempting to escape them, Finn creates an alter ego named "Davey".
Why I'm not into it: I hate the old "I'm an awesome guy, but I just want a normal life" trope. Hate it. This episode is one of those kind of episodes. So, boo.
1. Box Prince- Plot: A bored Finn discovers a kitty cat with a box on top of it. Soon Finn discovers an entire cardboard kingdom populated with cats living under boxes. Convinced that his kitty is an overthrown prince, Finn sets out to restore the "Box Prince" to his Cardboard Throne.
Why I'm not into it: Ugh. This episode is just a total waste of time. Finn wastes his time in a pointless plot, and in the meantime Jake spends the whole episode trying to get a tortilla chip out of his teeth. I know a lot of people worked hard on this episode, so I feel bad crapping on it. Still, this one is a total botch job. Sorry.
My Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
5. Blade of Grass- Plot: Having broken the Family Sword, Finn needs to get a new sword. He ends up with a "Grass Sword", which just happens to be cursed. Whoops.
Why I Dig It: Finn gets a new sword. A cool new sword. Also, a cameo by Choose Goose. And Grass Monsters.
4. Billy's Bucket List- 5th Season Finale- Plot: After winning a rap battle with a bear, Finn sets out to settle the Bucket List of Billy, the Greatest Hero Ever.
Why I Dig It: After an entire season of Finn kind of falling on his face, Finn finally has a really good episode where things go well for him. Also, fighting Giant Lizards on the back of a motorcycle. Also, the Cliffhanger ending.
3. Play Date/The Pit- Plot: In this 2 parter, a Demon shows up and drags Jake off to be tortured, thinking Jake is his Dad, Joshua.
Why I Dig It: This is something of a sequel to my All-Time-Favorite episode "Dad's Dungeon". On the downside, Finn loses his Family Sword. On the upside, everything else.
2. Finn the Human/Jake the Dog- Plot: In this other 2 parter, the Season 5 Premiere, Finn gets sent to an Alternate Universe where the Great Mushroom War never happened, while Jake hangs out in the Time Room with the omnipotent Prismo and the Cosmic Owl.
Why I Dig It: Alternate Universe Schananigans, the Cosmic Owl, Chloris Leachman as an elderly alternate Marceline, and hanging out in a hot tub with a 2 Dimensional Cosmic God who loves Pickles. Need I say more?
1. We Fixed a Truck: Plot- Finn finds a truck which he promptly names "Hot Daniel". Finn and Jake enlist Banana Man to help them fix the truck. Also, Princess Bubblegum gets replaced by a Lizard Monster.
Why I Dig It: The Banana Man is voiced by Weird Al Yankovic, which is good enough. Other than that, reread the Plot Description. Need I say more?
My Top 5 Favorite Adventure Time Episodes from Season 5:
5. James Baxter the Horse: Plot- A horse named James Baxter shows up and cheers up kids by rolling around on a beachball saying "James Baxter". Finn and Jake become enamored with the Horse's act and attempt to imitate his act, with mixed results.
Why I Dig It: There's a whole, really neat story about this episode that you can read all about on this episode's Wikipedia entry. Other than that, there's a lot of fun and cool stuff scattered throughout this episode, and the ending is brilliant. "Ja--a-a-ames Baxxxxter!!!"
4. Dungeon Train: Plot- Finn is bummed out from his break up with Flame Princess. He and Jake stumble onto an "Infinite Train" that is also a self repeating Dungeon. Finn becomes obsessed with the Train, while Jake just wants to go home.
Why I Dig It: Have you ever been really bummed out and depressed, and you just wanted to sit around and play video games forever? Of course you have (and if not video games, you can substitute movies or pizza or whatever). That's what this episode is all about. It's got some great lines ("You were just responding to the Butter! This whole Train is Butter!"), and some cool monsters. Also, I like Finn's collection of Mystic Weapons.
3. Vault of Bones: Plot- Back when Finn and the Flame Princess were still dating (remember those wonderful days?), Flame Princess gets bummed because the Flame King is trying to subliminally force her to be Evil. Finn takes Flame Princess on a Dungeon Crawl to clear her head.
Why I Dig It: I love the Dungeon episodes in general (see above), and I really love this one since it features Finn and Flame Princess when they were happy together. There's a lot of cool skeleton monsters (the King Skeleton is awesome). Also, I love the difference in approach between the way that Finn does a Dungeon Crawl and Flame Princess approaches it. Lastly, if you've ever ran around in circles in a dungeon (either in a video game or an RPG), you can appreciate this episode quite a lot.
2. Simon & Marcy: Plot- In a Flashback, we see a young Marceline and a pre-Ice King Simon Petrikov attempting to survive in a post-Apocalyptic world.
Why I Dig It: I'm pretty sure most people would argue that this is the Greatest Episode of Adventure Time ever, and I'm not really here to convince people otherwise. This is a beautiful, brilliant, amazing episode that cements Adventure Time's position as an incredible work of television. I get a little choked up at the end of the episode as Simon dons the crown and desperately sings the theme song from "Cheers" as a lifeline to maintain his sanity. A sanity that he is doomed not to maintain. I love this episode. Ironically, still not my favorite of the season. Speaking of which...
1. TIME SANDWICH!!!!!: Plot- Jake makes the Greatest Sandwich Ever. Before he can eat it, Magic Man shows up, steals the sandwich, and encases himself in a "Slow-Time-Bubble" so he can enjoy eating it. Jake needs to find a way to get inside the bubble and reclaim his sandwich before Magic Man can woof it down.
Why I Dig It: It's frickin' hilarious. It's utterly ridiculous. And it's about a sandwich. Hands down my favorite episode from an excellent season.
Skull Mob 4-13
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 13.
It seems to be Octopus Jones lot in life to be perpetually caught in the middle of dangerous and crazy situations. Good thing he's a natural peacekeeper. Also, I believe this is the first time we've seen OJ use his tentacles to bind someone. Traditionally, OJ has simply used his tentacles to smash and bludgeon people.
It seems to be Octopus Jones lot in life to be perpetually caught in the middle of dangerous and crazy situations. Good thing he's a natural peacekeeper. Also, I believe this is the first time we've seen OJ use his tentacles to bind someone. Traditionally, OJ has simply used his tentacles to smash and bludgeon people.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
HFSAC 22-8
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 8.
This page is something of a two-fer, as we have Tea Cup and Electric Cherry emerging from Loneliness (destroying him in the process), and we have Eyemo and Eyemii emerging from their Healing Cocoons and attacking Despair. Our heroes are rallying in a big way.
This page is something of a two-fer, as we have Tea Cup and Electric Cherry emerging from Loneliness (destroying him in the process), and we have Eyemo and Eyemii emerging from their Healing Cocoons and attacking Despair. Our heroes are rallying in a big way.
Monday, March 17, 2014
HFSAC 22-7
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 7.
The idea that I'm trying to convey here is that time moves differently inside the (seemingly) endless abyss inside Loneliness. As a result, Electric Cherry feels like she's been trapped inside this pit of eternal despair forever, even though it's only been a few minutes. Of course, the best way to combat Loneliness is to find someone. Then you're not Lonely any more. Simple as that.
A lot of the ideas and concepts for Null Vizor and his 4 Horsemen of Nothingness come from my own experiences with depression, a problem I've struggled with for most of my life. My greatest weapons in my own struggles with nihilism have come not from within but without. Having a great family, good friends, and now, the love of a wonderful woman have allowed me to combat my own personal darkness. And it's also why I'm enjoy Issue 22 a lot more than the previous issue.
Oh, and so far, the Fudgeheads have used Dancing and Kissing to save the day. This is TORC Press.
The idea that I'm trying to convey here is that time moves differently inside the (seemingly) endless abyss inside Loneliness. As a result, Electric Cherry feels like she's been trapped inside this pit of eternal despair forever, even though it's only been a few minutes. Of course, the best way to combat Loneliness is to find someone. Then you're not Lonely any more. Simple as that.
A lot of the ideas and concepts for Null Vizor and his 4 Horsemen of Nothingness come from my own experiences with depression, a problem I've struggled with for most of my life. My greatest weapons in my own struggles with nihilism have come not from within but without. Having a great family, good friends, and now, the love of a wonderful woman have allowed me to combat my own personal darkness. And it's also why I'm enjoy Issue 22 a lot more than the previous issue.
Oh, and so far, the Fudgeheads have used Dancing and Kissing to save the day. This is TORC Press.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Skull Mob 4-12
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 12.
Now, notice the difference in the fighting styles between the Death Moth and Doom Eagle. Death Moth's style is much more controlled and precise. Upkick from a Downed Position, Knife-Edge Thrust to the Throat, Palm Strike to the Face, and a Roundhouse Kick to the Midsection (and yes, I know it looks like he tags him in the boin-loins. That was my bad). The Death Moth isn't staying close like Doom Eagle was. Instead he's pushing him back. Yet, instead of stopping to yell, like Doom Eagle did, the Death Moth pounces, fueled by his anger. These two even fight different.
Now, notice the difference in the fighting styles between the Death Moth and Doom Eagle. Death Moth's style is much more controlled and precise. Upkick from a Downed Position, Knife-Edge Thrust to the Throat, Palm Strike to the Face, and a Roundhouse Kick to the Midsection (and yes, I know it looks like he tags him in the boin-loins. That was my bad). The Death Moth isn't staying close like Doom Eagle was. Instead he's pushing him back. Yet, instead of stopping to yell, like Doom Eagle did, the Death Moth pounces, fueled by his anger. These two even fight different.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Skull Mob 4-11
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 11.
What I would like to draw attention to on this page is Doom Eagle's fighting style. Although he is a black belt in Karate, Judo, and several other martial arts, you'll note that he fights somewhat like a brawler, very up close and personal. Every strike closes the gap just a little tighter: Haymaker, Knee Strike, Elbow Strike, and finally, Headbutt. No MMA crap here.
What I would like to draw attention to on this page is Doom Eagle's fighting style. Although he is a black belt in Karate, Judo, and several other martial arts, you'll note that he fights somewhat like a brawler, very up close and personal. Every strike closes the gap just a little tighter: Haymaker, Knee Strike, Elbow Strike, and finally, Headbutt. No MMA crap here.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
HFSAC 22-6
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 6.
Pengy Penguin dancing is a recurring trope in the TORCverse. This is at least the second, possibly third, time where Pengy's Dancing has Saved the Day.
I love Comic Books.
Pengy Penguin dancing is a recurring trope in the TORCverse. This is at least the second, possibly third, time where Pengy's Dancing has Saved the Day.
I love Comic Books.
Monday, March 10, 2014
HFSAC 22-5
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 5.
The Rally inside the Temple of Coragnor is on like Donkey Kong! I like how I drew Tea Cup in Panel 1. Also, Pengy is using a Telekinetic Beam to push Despair out of the way. So there you go.
The Rally inside the Temple of Coragnor is on like Donkey Kong! I like how I drew Tea Cup in Panel 1. Also, Pengy is using a Telekinetic Beam to push Despair out of the way. So there you go.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Skull Mob 4-10
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 10.
In the last of our Flashback Series, we get to see what Death Moth and Doom Eagle looked like when they first popped up, and I think it should be obvious why I changed them into their current forms. Jeez, those were some terrible character designs. I also think it's funny that when they were human superheroes they would have a conference on top of a roof, but when they became Monster superheroes they have a meeting in a trash covered alleyway. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Other than that, the Skull Mob that Bad Jack is referring to on this page is the Original version of the Skull Mob that appeared in "Monster King", not the current version.
In the last of our Flashback Series, we get to see what Death Moth and Doom Eagle looked like when they first popped up, and I think it should be obvious why I changed them into their current forms. Jeez, those were some terrible character designs. I also think it's funny that when they were human superheroes they would have a conference on top of a roof, but when they became Monster superheroes they have a meeting in a trash covered alleyway. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Other than that, the Skull Mob that Bad Jack is referring to on this page is the Original version of the Skull Mob that appeared in "Monster King", not the current version.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Skull Mob 4-9
Today's Webcomic:
Skull Mob. Issue 4. Page 9.
If you know much of anything about me, you know that I have a little brother (of course, at 6' 3" it's a bit of a joke to call him little) that I am very close to. We are bestest friends. Over in HFSAC, that relationship is represented by the brotherhood between the Clown and Tea Cup. With Death Moth and Doom Eagle, on the other hand, I wanted to explore the opposite relationship, namely a dysfunctional brotherhood.
Other than that, if you're new to the TORCverse for some reason, this is a flashback to the "Zero Age" of TORC Press, shortly before the Ortex Corporation rose to power and changed the world. Just to completely spell things out, Blue Eagle is pre-Doom Eagle, and Gold Hawk is pre-Death Moth.
If you know much of anything about me, you know that I have a little brother (of course, at 6' 3" it's a bit of a joke to call him little) that I am very close to. We are bestest friends. Over in HFSAC, that relationship is represented by the brotherhood between the Clown and Tea Cup. With Death Moth and Doom Eagle, on the other hand, I wanted to explore the opposite relationship, namely a dysfunctional brotherhood.
Other than that, if you're new to the TORCverse for some reason, this is a flashback to the "Zero Age" of TORC Press, shortly before the Ortex Corporation rose to power and changed the world. Just to completely spell things out, Blue Eagle is pre-Doom Eagle, and Gold Hawk is pre-Death Moth.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
HFSAC 22-4
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 4.
After getting the Print Edition printed of HFSAC 21, one of the things I noticed was how overwhelming the Blues were in the Backgrounds in the Temple of Coragnor. So, with this issue I'm trying to tone the Blues down a little. Also, @byss finally gets the opening he's been looking for. It's time for Team HFSAC to rally, baby!
After getting the Print Edition printed of HFSAC 21, one of the things I noticed was how overwhelming the Blues were in the Backgrounds in the Temple of Coragnor. So, with this issue I'm trying to tone the Blues down a little. Also, @byss finally gets the opening he's been looking for. It's time for Team HFSAC to rally, baby!
Monday, March 3, 2014
Ugh...I got a stupid Twitter
Ugh. I got a stupid Twitter. Much like Facebook and every other stupid thing, I've been convinced to get on the stupid Twitter thing. Boo. Anyway, I'm not entirely sure how this thingie works, but if you want to... sigh... follow me, you can find me either under Joseph Morris or @torcpress. I think.
The things I'll do to promote TORC Press and HFSAC.
The things I'll do to promote TORC Press and HFSAC.
HFSAC 22-3
Today's Webcomic:
The Hot Fudge Sundae Adventure Club. Issue 22. Page 3. Second Half of a 2 Page Spread.
Nothing much to say about today's page. It's a pretty impressive demonstration of Omni-Clown's destructive capabilities. I mean, there's 5 Angels getting vaporized on this page alone. Sadly, the Vertionce and Romiel have managed to dodge the Cosmic Wave of Doom. It would be so much easier on everyone if they just got killed here and now. Alas, twas not to be.
Nothing much to say about today's page. It's a pretty impressive demonstration of Omni-Clown's destructive capabilities. I mean, there's 5 Angels getting vaporized on this page alone. Sadly, the Vertionce and Romiel have managed to dodge the Cosmic Wave of Doom. It would be so much easier on everyone if they just got killed here and now. Alas, twas not to be.
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