A treat for you old timers of the comic. One, we get to see how the Mystic Frog ended up in Jeff’s possession and how its first meeting with Bud did not go so well. Two, for you really old timers of the comic, a big nod to you as I put some posters in the background of the third frame. I use to do this in the very early comics as a way of reminding people the comic was taking place in 1977. But, it’s technically against copyright laws for me to feature the actual posters, so I quit using them. Copyrights are a bitch.
So, this week we’ll recap the Mystic Frog’s introduction. I’m doing this mainly as the Mystic Frog is going to return to wreck some havoc once again.
And now for you “Gremlins” fans, Mr. Wing and Mogwai make a little appearance as I nod my hat to that film. I wanted Jeff’s Dad to go to the same store as featured in “Gremlins” and I even follow the basic story line of having the father searching for a present on Christmas eve. Note the three rules for the Mystic Frog. They’ll come in handy in the future. “Gremlins” was a fun film and my kids enjoyed it. So, in honor of Mr. Wing, here’s Heart’s “Magic Man”. Not quite the same meaning, but hey, sue me… everyone else has. 🙂
Discussion (31) ¬
Never seen Gremlins and have no desire ever to do so, but your use of light and shadow in today’s strip – and the gorgeous depth and intensity of the colours – is pure win!
I kinda whipped out Jeff’s Dad… so I’m not real happy with his appearance at the moment and he’ll change for sure (and I can explain it as he had plastic surgery done since he’s in CA and rich… I’m clever sometimes).
But over all I love the way this comic looks too. I’m getting more comfortable with the medium and style and I think it shows (hopefully).
🙂
Well, ‘he got rich and had plastic surgery’ certainly beats ‘it was all a dream’ 😀
No pizza? o,o Also, it’s been a while since I watched Gremlins. This should be interesting xD.
I haven’t seen “Gremlins” in ages… I had to Google the images and storyline. It was fun for its time. Yep, no pizza… that will be an issue (hint).
🙂
Nice, a flashback storyline mini within the world of 1977. 😀
As I dig deeper into the characters, you’ll see this from time to time. I won’t over use it, but it’s necessary to expand on the character’s back-story at times.
1. Is the appearance of Jeff’s father and the dog in the second panel intended as a Scooby-Doo reference?
2. Is Jeff’s father intentionally disobeying the rules against handling the pets or did this snake jump into his hands? ( I noticed the surprised expression on his face. )
3. This is a request / challenge. I’d like to see a Ranma 1/2 reference in this storyline if you’re up for it.
Yeah, that’s Gizmo, or Mogwai, in the second panel. I know it’s a stretch as he’s in the foreground, there’s no size reference.
Jeff’s Dad, being a rich bastard, does not follow rules. So, yeah, he ignored the sign and just picked up the snake much to his chagrin.
Being as I don’t read Manga, I have to admit I had no idea what Ranma 1/2 was, but having Googled it, I may be able to accommodate that request. I know sex changing main characters is kinda a tradition in comics (who knew, I didn’t) so Bud’s “curse” is not that unusual… in comic-land.
🙂
Nice amp name!
I knew you’d get it… 🙂
Nice! Love the Origin story, and especially love the shout out to one of my favorite movies, Gremlins. I remember going to the movies to see it when it was released. I even had the Spike and Gizmo toys as well. Once again some of those things I wish I’d held onto.
The things my boys and I have managed to lose or destroy over the years, including an extensive ST:TNG, Ghostbusters and TMNT toy collections just appalls me sometimes. But, they were kids and money wasn’t an issue at the time. Yeah, I spoiled my boys.
🙂
I believe that Jeff’s father is being “hypnotised” by the snake in frame 1! 😀
Frame 2, that ain’t no dog! 😉 Mogwai! 😀
Finally, Magic Man / Dreamboat Annie, one of my favourite all time albums! 😀 So under-rated at the time. I got a copy and it was so badly warped that I took it back to the guy who sold it to me. He replaced it after a couple of weeks, but I later found out all he had done was press it under a large pile of books! It did eventually play, but I was not a happy bunny! 🙁
Still, a brilliant album and I managed to introduce my younger brother to Heart via this album and he also became a major fan! 😀
For some reason I had a soft spot for female vocalists / musicians during my youth (still do as a matter of fact) all based on musical integrity and ability of course, nothing to do with them being “hot rock chicks”! 😀
I am a huge sucker for female vocalists, and it’s completely not because they’re hot or not, it’s about the talent. Love the sound of woman’s singing voice. All but Stevie Nicks… man, she grates me big time.
Heart, Fanny, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Garbage, Melissa Manchester… yes, even Karen Carpenter, have all graced my turntable at one point or another.
Girls rock, man. 😛
I hear that! And for me Stevie Nicks voice just hits the “dirty girl gravel voice” that outs tingles up my spine! 😀
Have you ever heard Alisha’s Attic? Cutesie-pie voices which again have something going for them! And some very, very clever songs and lyrics.
Oh and recently, Karo Emerald! Phwoaaarrr! 😉
LOL
Like you I am very touchy on using copyrighted stuff. Though I did for my Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett tribute as doing it in my own style would have lost the effect. Think the same is true for your stuff.
Yeah, it’s touch and go. They can technically tell us to cease and desist. Now, if I were to prepare these comics for any major release, I’d remove the posters for that purpose as making money in that sense is really against the copyright rules.
But for a free webcomic, we can get away with it… until we get that little love cease and desist letter. I was actually hoping to have gotten one by now… that would be fun to have.
😛
ohhhh… bright light…. bright light… 🙂 I want to see that frog, hehe.
You’ll see him on Wednesday and very soon in regular comics.
🙂
Gremlins 2 is still one of the funniest movies of all time…I said it, and I ain’t ashamed of it!
Yeah, never saw it, but heard it was done more for laughs than being a dark comedy like the first one. But, by the time G2 came out, the merchandising part of the franchise had taken over and they wanted every little kid in the nation to have Gremlin toys or games. Which I think they did at one point.
🙂
Oh BTW in 1977 I bought my last bike, a full dress Honda Goldwing, and put 100,035 miles on the puppy, and love every minutes of it. Motorcycles, now there something that can sex a run for the money.
Bikes are the best. I’ve not ridden many, but they’re a blast.
Never saw a frog with eye brows
That’s because he’s a mystical frog! All magical creatures have bushy eyebrows. 🙂