Holy crud, can you believe we’re actually back?
PREVIOUSLY, ON THE SUPERFOGEYS…
Okay, it’s been a while. Let me catch you up.
It’s been one year since Captain Spectacular’s ex-wives Zurida and Dark Maiden and an alien armada invaded the United States of America and took it over. Now, the USA is now more. In it’s place stands the United States of Zurida, or USZ. Queen Zurida controls all of the former continental United States except California–now called New California and run by Spy Gal and the Society of Heroes–the former Fogeys from Valhalla!
Some heroes and villains, among them Dr. Rocket, have sided with Zurida, but most are with Spy Gal. Jerry is off traveling the world trying to gather the proper materials the destroy the Pilatian Power Crystal–the ultimate source of unlimited power–once and for all. Captain Spectacular, after being tortured by Zurida and Dr. Rocket for eight months, has finally escaped thanks to an alternate universe version of her old mentor, Money Man.
It’s in that alternate universe–called Earth-Avalon–where Swifty now resides. He’s discovered that his universe–called Earth-Abaddon–is a dark mirror of this other universe where an alternate version of the Thrice Evil is frustrated time and again. This other Thrice Evil means to come to Earth-Abaddon by any means necessary to accomplish the goal that has long eluded him–to rule.
To this end, Thrice Evil has manipulated Jerry all his life to fashion the world to his liking, and sent two emissaries–T-Magus and Gina–to prepare the way and inform Zurida of his coming. Zurida plans to join with him, which creates mistrust in her partner and co-queen, Dark Maiden.
As this chapter begins, on Earth-Abaddon, Dark Maiden has come to the Society of Heroes in New California to, she says, join the team. And Thrice Evil’s mother, “Mommy,” has been captured on Earth-Avalon and brought in chains to its version of the Great Hall of the Society of Heroes…
ABOUT THAT HIATUS…
It was a long six months ago the Fogeys signed off for an extended break that, at the time, Marc and I didn’t quite know when it would end. A number of factors played into the break, chief among them being just plain ol’ fatigue. SF has a loyal, fervent fanbase, but it’s never reached the level to where Marc and I could make any real money doing it. We’ve got families, I lost my job, and suddenly making a comic that brought in no money didn’t seem like much of a priority.
We knew we needed a break.
During the break I did my best to find a job (and ended up with no more money but an exciting situation nonetheless–more on that another day) and set up our Patreon page. When we did come back, I knew there had to be a way to turn this straw into gold or we just wouldn’t be able to do it anymore. Now, we have five issues up on Comixology and those of you who want to support what we’re doing have an easy way to do so–Patreon.
Those of you who have already signed up for our Patreon–thank you! Those of you who have been waiting to sign up until we came back with new strips–now’s the time! You’ll get lots of free content and other surprises. Speaking of surprises…
ANNOUNCING! A NEW MILESTONE GOAL!
We just added a new Milestone Goal for the SF Patreon! This is one is super special. It’s something you didn’t even know you needed.
If we can reach pledges totaling $75/strip (of this writing we’re closing in on $50/strip) I will give every single patron–from the $0.50 level to the $15 level–a copy of my super secret document “One Year Later.”
What is that? Well, back when the Fogeys storyline made the “One Year Later” jump the first thing I did was create a multi-page document detailing exactly what went on in the missing year. What is the Battle of Fresno? What did Cap do to get himself stuck in Zurida’s torture chamber for 8 months? How did Soviet Sam lose an eye? What did Percy do that was so bad? What is Dr. Rocket’s game plan? All of the answers and a whole lot more are in that document.
Why would I give that away? Well, first of all, I want all our patrons to have something special. Second of all, while some of what’s in the document will be revealed eventually, most of it won’t. This means you’ll get some pretty decent spoilers and a bunch of other stuff no one else will ever know. But… it’s all canon. 100% legit.
Pledge now to make sure you get your copy when it becomes available.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT CHAPTER 20, “CROSSING WORLDS”
So, today kicks off a new chapter of SF. This is a chapter that was created in a way no other chapter ever has been. Typically, I’ll outline a chapter and then work on the strips individually, one-by-one. Our long hiatus allowed me to look more at the chapter as a whole. I found myself letting the story breathe a little more and creating more great character moments along the way. I think this is the funniest SF chapter in a long, long time. I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you.
I know Marc is, too. He made a significant change to his art process this time around by increasing the size of the art. There’s more detail packed into these new strips, and a greater level of craftsmanship. He really upped his game and I think you can see that right away in today’s strip, but also particularly in Wednesday’s strip, which is double-sized.
THE NEW SCHEDULE: MONDAY-WEDENSDAY-FRIDAY
Just a reminder that we’re three times a week now! MWF!
WHERE IS EVERYBODY?
My biggest fear in taking this long break was that we would lose readers. This is, of course, inevitable. However, I’d like to call on all of you reading this to help us spread the word a little if you can. The SuperFogeys Facebook Page is a great thing to share out, and of course there’s the social media links at the bottom of each and every post.
I bet there are a lot of people out there who just plain forgot we were coming back or just don’t know where it is. I’ve done everything I can to spread the word, but if you’ve got a second to do your part, we’d sure appreciate it.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN
Okay, we got all the business stuff out of the way. Let’s have fun now. I can’t wait to see what you guys make of this chapter. Let the ill-advised, erroneus, possibly dead-on speculation begin!
I realize that’s a not-running fountain at the bottom in the first panel, but I first saw it as a Lego head in a swimming pool. (It’s late :P) Also WOOOOOO
Lego head! Yes, it does look a bit like that.
I think I’ve said it before on patreon, but if I have, I’ll say it again. It’s good to have you guys back, man!
It’s good to BE back!
I’m so glad you’re back. I read a lot of web comics, but very few have the epic scale of the Super-Fogeys. I’m really looking forward to finding out how it all ends, and I’ll try to tell my friends about it to get more readers for you.
That would be amazing! And… thanks for the kind words. We’re determined to finish this story. I gotta say… it’s really nice knowing exactly how much story is left now. 25 is a nice number of chapters.
Holy crud, I can believe that you are actually back.
Thanks for that catch-up. I was thinking I was going to have to reread a good portion of the entire comic! (I still might…)
Glad it was helpful! It was a last minute addition. I suddenly remembered not everyone keeps as close an eye on all the plot lines as I do.
Glad to see you guys back. Good thing I’m using RSS or I would have missed it.
Also good hearing that you guys are going to incorporate more humor into this upcoming chapter. I felt the last two were too plot heavy and not enough comic relief, which is what hooked me on it. Not saying the plot was bad, just was so dark when I was expecting a joke of the week type comic.
I have found it to be pretty typical of humor stories with lots of plot to evolve away from humor as they go on (see: Cerebus, Bone). The drift from humor is almost inevitable if you try to introduce any kind of real drama. I’ve welcomed the shift, but I know it’s not necessarily what anybody wants.
My wife’s voice is the loudest on this. She doesn’t even read SF anymore because of the shift away from humor.
But, yes, I do feel like we go funnier this time around. The past couple chapters were dark and plot-heavy by necessity, but, at least for now, we have a chance to go a bit lighter with this one.
Which isn’t to say dark stuff doesn’t happen. Case in point: Wednesday.
Awwww yisssss, Super Fogeys is back!
Looks like I shuld get my lazy ass over to the patreon page now…
Yes, please!
Good to have you guys back.
I’m already hoping the team of Heasley & Lapierre have another comic after this’un. Even a once a week single panel would be so many smiles.
Come what may, it’s good see the comic AND you guys are well.
Oh my… I can’t even think about what we might do after this.
Good to see you back as well! I’d be especially remiss if we lot the people, like you, who are always so good and free with their feedback.
Thanks, mate! You two’s passion and creativity did ALL the drawing back.
Welcome back! Or are we readers back? Or the characters? Are we all back? Did anyone go anywhere in their lives? (I hope we all did)
We’re all back. And MUCH has happened since we’ve all been away. We have all summer to catch up.
Everyone needs a breather. How does it feel to be back in action?
You know what? Really good. What’s strange is posting again. We’ve been working for months already with no one seeing any of it. I’ve never worked on this in a vacuum like that. Usually, you guys are giving me feedback as we make them. Sometimes, that helps. Other times, I second guess myself a little. This time, there was none of that and that’s been…different. Don’t know yet if it’s good or bad. I guess you guys will tell me!
It’s good to be creating, no matter if the work is revealed today or tomorrow (or months from now). Glad to hear you’re enjoying it!
Yay!! New Fogeys!! WOOT!
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