Sorry for the delay on this week's comic, but hopefully you'll find the comic being double-sized worth it. I was excited to put this comic together, but it kind of kept growing on me. At first, I said to myself that it would be the typical four-panel. Then I thought of another joke and made it six. Then I thought of a fun reversal and made it eight.
Truth be told, I have another throw away joke in mind using the set up from this comic that I might post as a bonus strip tomorrow. We'll see.
Anyway, the big reason the comic is late is because I spent the weekend with my Dad in Chicago. A couple of years ago, my Dad won a contest where he won two tickets to sit on top of one of the row houses behind Wrigley Field for a Chicago Cubs game and he took me with him. It was a rare treat and we had a blast. As we sat there watching the game, I told him "You know, we should come back every year and make a tradition out of it." So we did!
Actually, we didn't go last year because I was unemployed and it didn't feel right. But we made up for it this year and went to TWO game.
By the way, we're not hanging out on the Wrigley rooftops. That's not the tradition. Those buildings are all now privately owned and it's crazy expensive to get access. Naw. We bought tickets and watched the game from The Friendly Confines this time out. It was fantastic.
Not to go on and on about sports (because frankly, I know nothing about the subject), even if you don't like baseball, you *have* to go to Wrigley Field once in your life. A game at Wrigley is what you imagine baseball to be. I've been to a couple of other baseball stadiums in my lifetime and nothing competes. There's a friendly, neighborhood vibe and people still have fun even when the Cubs suck.
For the record, the Cubs won both of the games we saw last weekend against the Astros. 4 - 2 on Friday and 5 - 1 on Saturday. As a matter of fact, Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd hit a home run into the bleachers we were sitting in on Saturday about two rows back and two people to the right of where we were sitting. We were close enough to high-five the woman who claimed the ball. So that was pretty exciting!
Anyway, that's our tradition and one day we hope to bring Henry into the fold with us. Maybe when he's a little older. I'm certainly looking forward to it.
Of course, being in Chicago meant that I wasn't able to make it to Captain America: The First Avenger. I hope to get caught up with it this week. I've been hearing good things. Everyone says the same things, too. It's a long movie, but it moves fast. It's fun, it's entertaining, it's light. It's a great comic book movie. Some say it's the best Marvel movie since Iron Man and I don't doubt them.
As you may or may not know, Captain America: The First Avenger was directed by Joe Johnston who also directed one of my favorite movies - The Rocketeer. It seems like Joe has a talent for lensing sepia-toned adventure movies set around World War II. It's kind of weird to me that he hasn't gotten more work. He only has 8 features to his credit. But, hey... The Rocketeer was awesome and that's good enough for me!
If I get a chance to see the film this week, I'll be sure to let you know what I think.
In the meantime, I'm getting ready for Wizard World Chicago in a couple of weeks. August 11 - 14, as a matter of fact. I hope you'll come out to see me. I've been going to Wizard World Chicago since 2004, but opted out last year to try C2E2 on for size. C2E2 was a great show, but hella expensive. Too rich for my blood. I'm setting up shop again in the Rosemont Convention Center this year and I'm looking forward to revisiting my old stomping grounds.
As a matter of fact, I just received my table assignment in Artist Alley. You can find me at table #3314. I'll be right next to Gordon McAlpin from Multiplex, as a matter of fact. Very much looking forward to seeing him again. It'll be a good time. If you need a copy of the convention floor map, you can find one here.
Of course I will have my new shirt at the convention, but if you want to get yours now, I'm actually placing the order with the printer TODAY. Ordering yours now guarantees that we'll have your size available as part of the first print run.
Reaction to this shirt has been positive, but I'm only doing a small run at first. After all, I can only take so many shirts with me to Chicago! So if you don't want to take the risk that we've sold out of your size after Wizard World Chicago, I'd be placing your order now!
That's all I've got for today. Thanks again for your patience. I hope you enjoyed today's extra-large comic. I might post that run-off gag tomorrow if I have time to draw an extra or panel or two. Keep your eyes peeled for that and I'll talk to you soon!
