Well, what did you think of the return of SuperFogeys Origins? Triumphant return or shoulda’-stayed-dead fiasco?
It was really important to me to do a story that shed some light on Money Man’s character. He’s a student of people, a psychologist in a way, and a little manipulative when he needs to be. All for benevolent reasons. I always had it in my mind that Spy Gal benefitted greatly from her association with him, and that that the other heroes like Captain Spectacular, Jerry and Swifty were poorer for barely knowing him. I wrote this story specifically as a example as to why that is, which, of course, makes this Origin story particularly relevant to Chapter 19 – “The Man Who Sold the World.”
You can read “Spy Gal-Captured” from the beginning right here.
Big thanks to Jason Williams not only for the stellar art on this story, but also for pinch hitting for me on the letters while I’m out of a job and don’t quite yet have access to the programs I use to do the lettering. (I should have equipment soon, so expect these pages to be updated accordingly when that happens. Be sure at check out more of Jason’s work at Realm of Gallimore and his artist page.
The question now is… does SuperFogeys Origins continue? I have an outline ready to go for Swifty’s origin. Jason might be up for it, he might not, but I have to admit that the response to this story wasn’t quite what I’d hoped. What say all of you?
And in case you missed it… yes, I am unemployed at the moment. This has required some subtle changes the schedule. There will be a new strip on Monday, but that will be it for the week. As soon as I’m back up and running on lettering and can take that responsibility back from Marc, we’ll go back up to two updates a week as per usual. I fully expect that to happen the week after next, so not too long now.
Also, in case you missed it… I am blogging my unemployment experience every day over at my new rechristened blog, “We Are the 6.2%”. Check it out if you like a decent, quick read. I’d surely appreciate it.
At the risk of undercutting what little in the way of an informed opinion I have, I’m forced to say that the people who comment on the strips are more than likely -not- a sizable fraction of your actual audience.
We are simply the most “vocal”.
So take our criticism with a gallon or two of salt, and watch the page views.
That out of the way I did find this origin insightful into both MM and SG. My primary criticism being that Money Man’s portrayal of both Manny and Spy Gal’s Dad were almost immediately obvious as thinly veiled pretenders.
While she was obviously not given much of a chance to really think about what was being thrown at her, the context was almost immediately obvious to the audience, and almost verged on “insulting” in how telegraphed it was. I say almost. The story was bumpy, but it worked, and the characters did shine through.
One more gallon of salt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JPOoFkrh94
I enjoy the origins stories, and I’d love another! This one was good, the art was different and the story was spot-on.
Maybe it’s me, but I don’t get this ending. Is that a police siren? Is she running to help, or to escape? It’s entirely possible that my reflexes are off, and the metaphor I would have caught before it went over my head got past me this time.
In general, I really like the origin stories, and I’d love to see one about Swifty. But with the revelations of Sam in Avalon, the whole kidnapped and taken to Russia thing, that might make for a really good origin story.
I’m sorry to hear about the unemployment woes, my friend. My partner and I have gone through that a couple of times, and it’s rough. I wound up working at Borders for a couple of years because that’s all I could find. Eventually, the job market thawed a little, I got a better job, and my partner got a really good one. You’re in my thoughts, and I hope the market thaws for you both real soon.
I really enjoyed the different style of artwork on this origins story. The fact that you give us backstory on many of the characters is appreciated, and I hope you will continue to do so. I think you, Marc, Jason, and everyone who has ever contributed something to The Superfogeys, have created something really amazing!
I really enjoy the origin stories and the different art styles they are done in. I think they usually add depth and are fun to read as one offs. I assume you know how many page views you get verses comments, right? The short nature of the Origins might not encourage the commenting a longer story does. Just a thought.
I would love more Swifty stories.
More SFO would be highly apppreciated, especially from Swifty. He is the main character we (read: I) know the least about, although there have been hints.
This one in particular was not one of my favorites but that may be due to the art style. It’s just my opinion, but I was not too fond of it.