Thunder Echo Blog

Perspective Means Everything

2012-01-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

I have this happen to me all the time:
Something beautiful and simple to me is described as dangerous insanity bysomeone else.
Or something I see as dangerous and insane is defended as beautiful and simpleby someone else.

Here is a YouTube example: (Watch them both or you are only seeing 1 perspective.)

Perspective 1: I am a beautiful dancer creating beauty with my dancing hula hoop.

Perspective 2: I am a hula hoop and your irresponsible actions are making my whole world spin, making me ill.

Maybe this is why “conservatives” and “liberals” can live inthe same world and never see the same issue the same way.
Hey I’m doing something clever and beautiful with money and real estate!
No you're not! You are destabilizing the housing market and making me ill.

Hey I’m doing something clever and beautiful to save theenvironment.
No you're not! You are destabilizing my business and my way of life and making me ill.

Perspective means everything in how you instinctivelydescribe things in your world.

What we need are ways to acknowledge the differentperspectives people bring to the table and still manage to get worthwhilethings done. MSNBC vs FOX NEWS is nothelping. Republicans vs Democrats is nothelping. Liberals vs Conservatives isnot helping. We are just making eachother ill.

I don’t have any grand solutions to the world’sproblems. But I think we are all crazyif we keep having the same arguments over and over and expect a differentresult this time.

Think about it next time you are sure you are doing ordefending some beautiful thing.

Think about it next time you feel ill listening to someoneelse’s defense of their crazy thing.

We are all dancers. But we are all someone else’s hula hoop as well.

We Have Escaped Snowpocalypse 2012

2012-01-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Our long white out is over.
The temperatures are edging back toward normal.
The blessed rain is falling and the snow is melting.
There has even been a bit of sun now and then.
Back to the stores to restock.
Back to school and work to catch up.
Glad to be out of the snow.

I am doubly glad that I like my family,
So being cooped up with them for a week was NOT part of the ordeal.
It was the best part of the adventure.

Comic Mashup Theater vs Cabin Fever

2012-01-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

Comic Mashup Theater has been trapped in the snow all week.
We offer the following advice for how to escape cabin fever:

New Comic Sans You Know Who...

2012-01-19T16:16:00.000-08:00

We continue to be snowed in up here in Arlington.
Haven't been out of the house since last Monday.
I could really use a friendly visit from beings blessed with lava for blood to melt the ice and snow blocking my driveway. But you know who is kind of mad at me right now.
So I continue to be plagued by Ice Demons. And you know where Ice Demons live, right?
Maybe I shouldn't have said that...

Jay Bird and Comic Mashup Theater Are On Notice

2012-01-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

From the Heart of Truest Magma, we interrupt this blog to issue a warning:

Your frivolous mocking of our people and our homes will cease!

And don't you dare turn this serious threat into a comic.

Hey, stop!

You're drawing this aren't you?

No, I won't take a more "dramatic" pose!

My hair doesn't look like that.

And your representations of volcanoes and lava are so cliched.

Larsen, you're a dick!

Consider yourself warned, you cold-blooded blog monster.

-- The Volcano Demons

Snowed In, Shaking Fist At Sky Gods!

2012-01-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

Which does absolutely no good.
It just brings down the lightning.

Which just wakes up the Volcano.
And we all know what that means! Bum, Bum, Bum!!!

----
Lightning striking a volcano painting by Jay Larsen.
Pile of snow brought to us by the frigid union of air-born moisture and cold temperatures.
Waiting for the Puget Sound to warm us up again so I can find my driveway.
Volcano Demons living in a volcano, priceless.

Warm Water Girl on a Frozen Snow Day

2012-01-16T15:50:00.000-08:00

This girls seems all warm and liquid.
The exact opposite of the frozen snow and ice day we are having here in the North West.
But I had the day off and decided to paint something.

Captain America at the 99% Cafe

2012-01-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

Captain America reads what passes for "news" about the presidential elections.
And he doubts a 1-percent man like Mitt Romney will ever do what is best for the 99-percent of Americans. He doubts any of the candidates are 99-percenters.
====
Jay Bird Comic by Jay Larsen.

Captain America and ROM Spaceknight by Marvel Comics.
Mitt Romney by and for the richest 1%

Go Girl Comic Mashup Style

2012-01-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Love Comic Mashup Theater Style:

Exciting and new...

That Sort of Thing...

2012-01-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: a simple game of Hide and Thing...or Seek a Thing...Thing Umma Jig?

No, not that kind of Thing!

Crash!!!

Ah, Thing! You broke my blogger poster thingy with your big rocky Thing hands!

That was not a nice Thing to do at all!

Double Team--Team Double

2012-01-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

Double Speachless

Take that Rhyme Out of the Nursery

2012-01-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

Not traditional sugar but I hope you think she's nice.

Eat, Crap, Post

2012-01-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

Every good website should have a publishing philosophy.

Here at Thunder Echo Blog we have this:

Don't worry...We will never speak of this again!

What Kind of Hammer? Swakhammer!

2012-01-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you gotta swing that hammer--Swakhammer!

And when I say "hammer", I mean...

85 Days until ECCC 2012

Shocking Pink Comic Mashup...In Space, space, space...

2012-01-04T17:03:00.000-08:00

space....space... (Kill the echo!)
Space, the final frontier. Join Comic Mashup Theater for an educational experience that will keep you in the pink:

Sorry for the off color jokes.
That's all for now. I pinkie swear!

86 days until ECCC 2012

87 Days Until ECCC 2012

2012-01-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

Emerald City ComicCon 2012 begins in 87 days.
Let the countdown begin Seattle.

Easy Maintenance Tips

2012-01-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

And remember, use only authentic Moper Parts,
to avoid costly mind benders.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T17:45:00.000-08:00

There will be no crying over spilt milk here!
Just horny old bastards!
Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Every One

2011-12-25T08:23:00.000-08:00

Hope you got to unwrap the best presents!

Merry Christmas Every One!!!

Happy 25th Anniversary Evelyn

2011-12-24T12:13:00.000-08:00

Today is our 25th Anniversary.
Happy Anniversary Evelyn.
25 years is just the beginning.

Radium Water: A Jay Bird Comic

2011-12-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Oh, glowy night!

Whatthe hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
-- From The Tyger by William Blake

The Brain Salt Fairy: a Jay Bird Comic

2011-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Solstice.
May it be an effervescent one!

Secret Santa Comic Mashup Style

2011-12-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Tis the season of secret wishes, anticipation and brightly-wrapped boxes under the tree.

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: The Secret of the Box!

Oh, Spirit! There is still time to find some good jokes--I mean good cheer!

Red and Green Means Only One Thing...

2011-12-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

Festive red and green can mean only one thing:

*That's Danish for "Towards the monster called the Hulk!"

Having Santa troubles, Batman?

Not to worry, Hulk Smash Santa!

Whats with this Grey Hulk? What happened to Red and Green Hulk?

We all knew volcanoes were behind this trouble.

Aren't they always?

Kirby Krackle Rocks Rudolf

2011-12-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

<p><a href="http://kirbykrackle.bandcamp.com/album/rudolf-the-red-nosed-reindeer-2011-holiday-single">Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer 2011 Holiday Single by Kirby Krackle</a></p>

What's Wrong With Chrismas?

2011-12-19T15:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know that anything is really wrong with Christmas,
but there is something disturbing about this family photo...

Every Girl Will Be Happier With A Hoover

2011-12-16T16:51:00.000-08:00

American Girls Want a Good Vacuum...

They just don't want one for Christmas.

So Don't Be a Sucker.

Good Christmas Gift Advice You Can Count On.

Every Girl Loves Santa's Balls

2011-12-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

Every American Girl likes hanging Santa's Balls.

And Santa likes the way American Girls unwrap their gifts.

Those Mojud Stockings certainly do make things merry and bright.

But "flaming" snowballs? I don't think so...

And some times a woody is just a way of taking a shot down the fairway.

Hope you've been just naughty enough to be nice!

Every Girl Loves Cigars

2011-12-14T17:05:00.000-08:00

American girls love sitting on Santa's lap.

Even when his head is circled by smoke like a wreath.

Heck, she'll light that stogie up for the jolly old elf!

But some times a cigar is just a cigar.

And some times smoke is just smoke and has nothing to do with volcanoes!

Quit ruining the Holidays creepy native guide dude.

Every Girl Loves Shiny Boots

2011-12-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

Love how those American girls deck the halls for the holidays.
But she only has eyes for Santa's boots.

Hey fella, you didn't use Mircosheen!

You Think You're Such a Big Wheel

2011-12-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

That is a BIG WHEEL, Gojira!!!

Horns Come In Handy

2011-12-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

They give you something to hang your goggles on.

Digital Sketch by Jay Larsen

7 Years Ago I TEE'd These Up

2011-12-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a little time travel...

Comic Chicken Mashup Chicken Theater

2011-12-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

Don't ask why, just cross the road.

Egg.

There, now that is settled: chicken then egg.

The classic inspiration if you click HERE

Look Into My Eyes

2011-12-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

I am a baby smoking a pipe.
Sometimes a pipe is just a pipe.

Just Desserts Comic Mashup Style

2011-12-06T17:35:00.000-08:00

Beware the Jell-O mold gathering dust in your kitchen...
Comic Mashup Theater brings you a chilling tale of inappropriate combinations:

Hollow Point Mashup

2011-12-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

There is no way to gage the caliber of this round of
Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

Never Jump the Shark Comic Mashup Theater

2011-12-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

Every great form of serial entertainment does it, Jumping the Shark.
But not here at Comic Mashup Theater.

Comics Want What You Want Mashed Up

2011-11-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

The Debunker episode was rather dense and complex. Which can be nice.
But today Comic Mashup Theater Presents the four-color equivalent of punk rock: simple, repetitive, and hard driving, and just a little off key.

Comic Mashup Myth Busters

2011-11-29T17:12:00.000-08:00

Comic Mashup Theater knows that graphics are often clearer and offer less opportunity for misinterpretation than text.

So stop this text right now and bring on the graphics!!!!

We got us some myths to debunk!

Mind the Gap: When a myth is debunked, a gap is left in your mentalmodel. People prefer an incorrect modelover an incomplete model with a gap in it. In the absence of a better explanation, they opt for the wrongexplanation rather than living with the gap.

That's not comic, its just a fact!

Strange Comic Mashup Tale of Fading Radiance

2011-11-28T16:50:00.000-08:00

Comic Mashup Theater presents a simple mashup:

Dialog from Stephen Strange and a character known as Nebulous (sic)

Combined with some creepy 1970's posters for elementary school kids.

It doesn't get much scarier than that kids, without being in 3-D.
---
Strange Tales v.1 #162 by Marvel Comics.

Too Much Monkey Business

2011-11-28T09:50:00.000-08:00

OK that bad monkey sketch scan was bugging me.
So I reposted the Monkey Comic.

I know, it didn't bother anybody but me.
And now that the original is gone, nobody will know what was wrong with the original.

Oh yeah, and now in Living Color!

Monkey Business Comic

2011-11-27T11:19:00.000-08:00

Do You Expect Me to Talk?
No, Mister Bonobo, I Expect You To DIE!!!!
-- A Jay Bird Comic

Happy Turkey Day

2011-11-23T15:58:00.000-08:00

From all us cannibalistic turkeys going gobble gobble gobble.

Happy Comic Mashup Thanksgiving

2011-11-22T16:14:00.000-08:00

A Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone.
I hope you spend it with people you love.

This is just cool

2011-11-17T17:42:00.000-08:00

Federal Men-Siegel and Shuster-1936: The guys who eventually brought the world Superman.
But before the man of steel, they brought us steel men.
Robot Smash!!
That's all I have time for today...

Red Mountain Girl Sketch

2011-11-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

Just a quick sketch done during a boring conference call:

I don't know, Smoking Man.

But is that a volcano behind her?

Because we all know what lives in volcanoes, don't we?

We always end up here, don't we?

The worst dialog ever:

2011-11-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

Even DEVO wouldn't buy that devolutionary radiation protoplasmic slime glove splurp!

ZZUTAK?

2011-11-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

Zzutak! That Thing Shouldn't Exist...

A New Episode of SOL Detected

2011-11-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

There is an All New Episode of Super Ordinary Living, Runner's Story, available for your viewing pleasure.

Go Check It Out Before Nebulus Gets Hungry and Devours Your Planet!!

SOL So Far...

2011-11-11T16:32:00.000-08:00

A Hair Raising Tale on Comic Mashup Theater

2011-11-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

A Hair Raising Tail, Er Tale, of an Experiment Gone Wrong,

Only on Comic Mashup Theater:

Schrodinger's Cat

Meow...

Twin Cups Mystery Solved by Comic Mashup Theater

2011-11-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

A Mystery Too Risque for Radio.

Too Titillating for Television.

Too Bawdy for Books.

Only Comic Mashup Theater can bring you

The Twin Cup Mystery.

Only the Internet can bring you drama that Infantile...

The Zombie Death: A Comic Mashup Theater Announcement

2011-11-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

Yes I worried when Disney Corporation bought Marvel.
First they fired all the Marvel Movie promotion people. (Who needs the people who successfully promoted Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America?)
Then Marvel announced a bunch of layoffs. (Probably after getting way too worked up over DC's New 52 roll out, which has given DC the sales numbers advantage for the last two months.)
But now Marvel is announcing book cancellations.
The Destroyers: Destroyed after the first 2 issues were already written and drawn.
Victor Von Doom: Doomed to Hell even though it was only a 4-issue mini series and they had already taken advanced orders for it (including mine).
Alpha Flight: Grounded for being too Canadian.
What else will be on the Marvel chopping block? (Anything not Avengers or X-men related probably.)
Only Disney and Gunboat Willy know for sure....

The Look

2011-11-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

You know that look...
THAT LOOK!

by Jay Larsen

We Are NOT Anonymous

2011-11-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

The Occupy Movement is important, but it cannot beanonymous.

It takes courage to stand in public, as an identifiablemember of society, with a real face and a real story of life in America. It is our undeniable realness that is themost powerful statement we can make.

My name is Jay Larsen. I am a father, a son, a husband, abrother, a citizen of America and the World. I am one of the 99% and I stand for justice, peace and love. I just finished paying off my studentloans. My mortgage is under water. And I worry about the future of my childrenand future generations. I am here tonegotiate a new social contract that works for all of us and not just for thetop 1% of earners. I cannot be anonymous. I am here to occupy my life.

Join me.

Take off the masks!!! We are not criminals and terrorists. We are citizens with real faces, dignity and pride.

The 99% Cannot Be Anonymous.
---
An Original Jay Bird Comic by Jay Larsen

Bull or White Lies

2011-11-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

A Morality Play in One Act.
Starring: a Neural Linguistic Philosopher, a Bull, 3 Cacti, and a Volcano.

An Original Comic by Jay Larsen
Send all complaints to the Well Intentioned Bovine Society of The Savage Lands.

Operator, Information...

2011-11-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

The scene has been set.
You tell me how it ends.

Original Comic by Jay Larsen

Reality Needs Protecting From Insanity

2011-11-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

I'm just not sure that this gang is the one to "protect reality from insanity".

Namor, Hulk, Strange, Surfer...

I am looking forward to this book, but not because these are the most sane characters in the Marvel Universe.

Defenders return in December. I hope it is some cosmic yumminess.
And it's good to see Strange back in black.

Happy October-Scream-Fest-Halloween-Samhain Everybody

2011-10-31T12:11:00.000-07:00

Its a skeleton Domo in a beer stein, the perfect October-Scream-Fest-Halloween-Samhain decoration.
That beer really has a head on it...

Siona and Andrew

2011-10-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

My oldest daughter Siona called me at One in the Morning last night to tell me she and her boyfriend Andrew were getting married.
This is not a cruel as it might at first sound.
There is a long tradition of waking the parents up in the middle of the night to announce engagements in my family.
My parents woke up my mother's folks, my grandparents, to announce their intention of getting married. My grandmother told them "Go to bed and get some sleep. You will feel better in the morning."
So when Evelyn and I finally agreed that we were getting married, at one or two in the morning, we woke up my parents to share the good news. And my mom told us to go to bed and we would feel better in the morning.
I was very sleepy when Siona called last night, but I knew what was expected of me. And I think I delivered the customary response correctly: "Go to sleep and you will feel better in the morning."
Hopefully I delivered my line with the good natured humor my Grandmother and mother did. Ah, Family tradition!

Fear not, Evelyn and I are quite please to welcome Andrew into the family, and we are very happy for Siona.
I decided to create an Engagement Announcement for my not-so-little girl.
I hope it captures the joy of the moment...
-- Jay "Nervous-But-Happy-Dad" Larsen

Non Violent and Proud: Occupy Comics

2011-10-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

An Original Comic by Jay Larsen

If Gandhi had had an iPhone the British would have left India two years sooner.
Little Brother is Watching You Big Brother.
Keep that in mind Majors and Police Chiefs,
As you decide how to react to concerned citizens freely assembling.
Occupy Love. Occupy Truth. Occupy the Streets.

Tear Down That Wall

2011-10-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

The Fourth Wall, that is!
An Original Comic by Jay Larsen

It's the dawning of the age of Captain Obvious...
Everybody Sing!

Whippersnappers Invade Comic Mashup Theater

2011-10-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

Keep your hands to yourself!

Or on second thought, maybe not.

This is the Invasion of the Whippersnappers

On Comic Mashup Theater:

OK, You can stop abusing yourself now,

and go read something worthy of your intellect.

No, wait...this is the Internet you are browsing.

Nuff Said!

Return of the Boomerang

2011-10-25T16:10:00.000-07:00

An Original Comic by Jay Larsen:

And now, the Exciting Prequel to the Comic you Just Read!!!

That's the problem with prequels: we already know how they are going to end.
I'm not sure why the creators of books, movies, comics, TV shows all think we need endless prequels.

By the way: Kylie is the Australian word for Boomerang.

I'm thinking, "Return of the Boomerang" would make a great comic book title.
Heck, The Boomerang would make a great comic book hero/villain...
"You can't get rid of me! I'm...dum, dum, dum...The Boomerang!"
Catch you on the flip side, mates.

A Multi Dimensional Discussion of Laziness

2011-10-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

The inhabitants of the Super Ordinary Living web comic have noticed the distinct lack of updates in the last few weeks. Okay the last few months.
I could come up with lots of excuses, but the facts are that SOL is a hobby project that I started to learn more about making comics and to build up some skills. And there have been lots of other things going on in my life lately. So, to the dozen people who read Super Ordinary Living and to the inhabitants of that SOL Universe that I have created, I offer the following installment by way of apology.
There will be more SOL coming in the days and weeks ahead if all goes according to plan.

Meet Me In America: Part 2

2011-10-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

The thrilling Comic Mashup Theater conclusion to Meet Me in America

Meet Me in America is a mashup of random photos and script from
Captain America #1 (1941 Marvel Comics) by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.
Presented with love and respect for the original and with no claim made to the original copyright holders.
I have always loved that over-the-top language of the old comics and couldn't resist having some fun with it. Go check out the original.

Meet Me in America

2011-10-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

Help I've Been Hypnotized by Comic Mashup Theater

2011-10-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Some people will believe anything.

There is a word for people like that:

Comic Mashup Theater Fans

(OK, that's four words...)

I don't know about you, but I still get those "Enlargement" ads in my in box all the time.

When I count to 3 you will awaken and believe that you have just read

the funniest blog post you have ever read.

1, 2, 3, awaken...

Hopping and Bopping to Comic Mashup Theater

2011-10-19T17:13:00.000-07:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

For the first time in our new location,

The beautiful Jay Bird Theater in Downtown Thunderburg,

A tale of reptilian gyrations...

Continued after Next Page

Mystery of the Sun Helmets Solved By Comic Mashup Theater

2011-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Science can create more mysteries than it solves sometimes.

Don't hide your light under a helmet.

Let it shine in this episode of Comic Mashup Theater.

I'm the man, in the dark sedan...

You forgot step one: polish helmets.

Bring in the obligatory shapely woman and distress her...

Reach the City? Is that sheik-speak for 3rd Base?

Helmets well polished AND goggles.

We are truly unstoppable now.

Cop! Shine him on!

Only Superman can explain this mystery.

What say you man of steel?

You call that and explanation?

---

Steamcon 3 was last weekend

2011-10-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Larsens attended Steamcon 3 at the Bellevue Hyatt last weekend.
And a good time was had by all.
The theme was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
These pictures are all from my iPhone. Hopefully some of Evelyn's look better than these.

So I put on my pseudo-military uniform for Saturday's festivities.

There were lots of people, most in appropriately modified Victorian dress.

Fezzes are cool.

This is a wooden submarine constructed from a barrel.

This gentleman was perpetrating an unnecessary arms race.

But he had created a fabulous gizmo. There were lots of gizmos.

I'm not sure what she was. But there was black latex involved.

And it seemed to be attracting the attention of sailors.

This gentleman had constructed elaborate harnesses. Very cool.

Sunday Chani sported her Submariner's uniform. Quite dashing!

Lady Evelyn and I wore civilian dress for Sunday.

Suitable for a stroll in the Market or for the gambling houses.

This lady made a virtue of her requirement for crutches by punking them out in brass.

This gentleman was very proud of his handmade utility vest with a large collection of real antique tools.

We took a family portrait from the control tower of a steam powered ship of the line.

Then we toured a submarine with a Captain named Nemo.

Even the dogs at SteamCon wore goggles.

It was only a matter of time until the giant squid attacked!

Chani laid into the monster with her walking stick.

Evelyn was not worried in the least and kept her cool.

In fact, I think she enjoyed my perilous predicament a little too much.

Chani redoubled her efforts, giving the tentacles a great whack.

Evelyn taught the beast a lesson with her whip.

Chani pronounced the beast dead and we were able to continue on in relative safety.

Evelyn and this lady shared the great fortune of constructing their garments from the same fabric.

We went to several panel discussions, including the one above on Steampunk Comics with Cheyenne Wright and Phil Foglio (of Genius Girl Comics Fame). We also went to panels that discussed Automatons, the Singing of Sea Shanties, and a Discussion of Hollow Earth Theories.

Intellectually stimulating and satisfactory.

We also purchased a few things at the market, but nothing as large as this man's wrench.

But soon the event wound down and there was nothing to do but ride off into the sunset, leaving our Steampunk friends behind. And so we returned to our mundane life. Hopefully we carried some of that adventuring spirit of do-it-yourself style that is Steampunk with us.

Earth Shaking Revelations of the Comic Mashup Theater Kind

2011-10-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

Our Hero Returns for an Earth Shaking Episode of Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

Lars tries to get his message of hope to the occupants of Earth via mass media.

But commercial interests twist and warp his message.

So he does what any Martian Hero would do...

He gives one last twist to his giant knob and kicks his feet in the air.

But Wait!

The broadcasters have changed their programming in response.

Ah, probing journalistic questions will get to the bottom of this mystery.

What Next? What is that Queer Glow?

Classic questions.

What? What is up with all the "what" questions?

Shit, now I'm doing it?

Audience, only you can solve this mystery.

Ah, a "Who" question. Much better. Earthlings prefere blame over understanding anyway.

Anyone know who we can blame for the sorry state of the Earth?

Speak up, you in the lab coat, there is no such thing as a stupid accusation.

What? What does lobster have to do with anything?

Why am I asking "what" questions again?

Oh good, Lars is back.

Lars, help us!

I know we earthlings can be frustrating, Lars, but come on, we need you.

How long will it take to banish all evil from the Earth, you think?

And leave the lobsters claws out of it.

You, the panel of grey-haired elders in the box seats, what do you think?

Crap.

Well that's pretty declarative!

And depressing.

How did we get into this mess?

---

Too Many Comic Books!

Occupy Mars, Lars

2011-10-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

99% Pure Science Fiction Fun

In his lair the Evil Geometrist makes his plans.

Is that a TV Remote, Lars?

No way, its a...

That's all the "good" humanity can handle from you Lars of Mars.

I'm sure they do.

Now, quit using that Martian Ray Gun on my TV set!

Spellbinding Cycles of Evil in Thrilling Comic Mashup Theater

2011-10-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Put on your helmet and get ready for more excitement than can be safely contained within this episode of Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

Beer Steins Beware.

You are in the presence of Baron Von Evilstein!

The frenzy of that same Master of Evil, Baron Von Evilstein

(who also happens to be a giant jumping shark)

Breathtaking stunt! But that poor Professor X...

It can be hard to absorb this kind of shock.

The shock of a shark that jumps himself.

And helpless psychics in wheelchairs.

Oh, the ecstasy of the irrevocably damned be damned.

But Behold, the Baron's Von Evilness has only begun...

Brought low by exhaust from his mighty pipe.

That's just Von Weird your Baronness, Sir.

What's that, Igor?

What insight into the mind of your Von Evil Master can you provide us?

Don't think I don't know what you are expecting next.

But the Baron never delivers the Von Expected.

And there are no demons in this story.

The Von Endstein

-----

*Baron Von Evilstein action figure sold separately.
Jumping Shark not included.

Now Ready For Use: The 21st Century

2011-10-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

Why Can't I Convince You this is Comic Mashup Theater?

2011-10-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

Some Stories Must Be Seen To Be Believed.

Join us now for Comic Mashup Theater:

99% Crabapple

2011-10-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Molly Crabapple, who we met at Stumptown Comics last year, did a cool poster for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Fight the Vampire Squid!

Under Siege by Monster Cold

2011-10-07T15:39:00.001-07:00

I've been felled by a virus of the monster head cold variety.
But I will be back. Mucus or no mucus.
--Jay

Orange You Glad I Didn't Say...Comic Mashup Theater Presents?

2011-10-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

Only one creature uses echo location and haunts the night

telling jokes on Comic Mashup Theater:

Echo...echo...echo...

A Robin told me this one, It's an oldy but a goody...A Knock Knock Joke.

No, that's not how that joke goes...

OK, let me try that again.

Never follow kids or dogs Batman.

Orange you glad I didn't say banana? or Chrome Cantaloupes?

* Not all detectives are dicks. But Batman is, even in the New-52 Universe.

Watch Where You Put That: a Comic Mashup Theater Presentation

2011-10-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

A morality tale of personal hygiene

and manipulation.

Watch Where You Put That Thing.

Sometimes comic book artists try to give their panels double meanings.

(wink, wink, nod, nod...)

But sometimes, people just need to be careful where they put things.

---

Is that your tentacle crawling up my leg, or are you just glad to see me?

You know what they say, Fiery Burning Handshake...

Fiery Burning Crotch!

(They do say that, don't they?)

What are you yanking at kid?

Your hand really shouldn't be there, Dick.

But ladies really shouldn't be sporting a rod?

(Unless they are fishing.)

Sometimes you should just keep your hands to yourself.

And sometimes you should keep your hands off yourself!

I don't want to abuse this theme (or myself).

So maybe we should just shake hands like gentlemen.

I said like gentlemen!

And we can bring this ill mannered presentation to an end.

That is not the way to a man's heart, but I know how you feel, dirty but kind of good...

But at least now you know where that hand has been.

Watch where you put that thing.

---

And now, a word from our sponsor:

* It's hair oil. Honestly, hair oil. Get your mind out of the gutter.

99% Occupy Wall Street Mashup

2011-10-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

People have been protesting on Wall Street for over 2 weeks now.

But the Too Big To Fail Bankers don't understand why.

But ordinary people are wising up to the fact that 1% of the people shouldn't control so much of our public policy and our economy.

So people have taken to the streets.

The bankers thought it was amusing as long as the news was ignoring the protest.

But when people started paying attention, well arrests had to be made. 700 arrests just on Sunday.

I'm sure the Bankers feel they have everything under control.

A few protesters can't change the fact that the Bankers own the government and the media.

(Especially Fox News' famous Ormex Rays--the rays that make people vote against their own self interests. There is no other good explanation for the so-called Tea Party.)

They don't even hide what they are doing anymore.

They think it is fine to skim 20 to 30% off of every economic transaction that we engage in to make the top 1% very, very wealthy. They openly brag that capital is worth more than work, and capitalists are worth more than workers. As long as the workers work and pay and work and pay.

And if we give into their demands for more and more wealth,

they will let something trickle down to the rest of us...

Doesn't that trickle down theory of economics taste good?

No?

Then you must be one of the 99%

Welcome to the Street.

Another Look at The Avengers Movie

2011-09-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

Entertainment Weekly has some photos from the new Avengers Movie, which is in production right now. I couldn't help but re-present a few for you and me.

Holy Projectiles Batman, that's some hot lead and broad heads headed our way.

(Batman doesn't exist in the Marvel Universe. But Hawkeye could put Nick Fury's eye out with that shaft of his.)

Steve Rogers and Tony Stark can't take their eyes off that red-headed ex-Russian spy, but they are red-blooded American boys after all.

But if the boys watch Black Widow for too long, there are bound to be explosions!

I know how they feel.

-----

That probably should have been a Mashup, but any excuse for showing sexy red-headed spies is a good excuse. Apparently Joss Whedon agrees with me. Looking forward to the movie.

Avengers Assemble!

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: Captain of Science and Industry

2011-09-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

And now a word from our sponsor

* Rupture Easer is not right for all patients. Consult your heath care provider to see if sanitary trusses are appropriate for you. Product can sometimes be seen under clothing. May cause rash, feelings of insecurity, pulsating, hideous absorption, and Venusian Jungle Sucking. In rare cases trusses have caused gouging, gulping, slithering, unbearable pain, tone-deafness, belief in unusual corporate coincidences, pipe smoking, cucumber pickles, pipe organs and an existential longing for thrilling space adventures. If you do not experience immediate comfort, return unused product postage paid and receive a full years subscription to Boy's Life Magazine**
** Boy's Life is not affiliated with Piper Brace Company in any way. The fact that we have the same address is purely a coincidence. You believe in coincidences, right?

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: The Two Doctors

2011-09-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

A Tale of Two Doctors

First Up: Doctor Who.

The last episode of the season is coming up soon

Doom! Wait your turn.

Any way, so we are all wondering how the Doctor (Who that is) is going to end this season without ending himself. We have already seen the astronaut in the lake shoot him. We have already seen the viking funeral. How does the Doctor survive this?

It is a mystery, like how do Daleks have sex.

You want to know how Daleks have sex, right?

Ah come on! Be Brave.

I present, here for the first time, Daleks having sex:

Pretty Exciting Stuff, eh?

OK, OK. Bring on Doctor Doom.

Damn that Victor Von Doom, he's never around when you want him.

Has anyone seen Doctor Doom?

Somebody Bring me the head of Doctor Doom!

That's kind of gross, now that I see it...

Dead Doctor Doom Dome on a Platter. Kind of a Downer.

Maybe a "real" doctor can give us something to pep us up again?

Call your doctor if you are up for four days until four o'clock.

Ask your doctor is you are healthy enough to take the formula.

*Tropisan Formula is not for everyone. Discontinue use if you experience reruns, plagiarism, talking-head syndrome, or extreme sophistication. Contact your Doctor if you drive your girlfriend crazy. Serious side effects can include but are not limited to obsessive-dalek-sexism, dry mouth, Skrull invasion, Latverian groveling, feelings of monarchy, megalomania, Kirby Dots, and dismembered dictator head on a platter. Ask your physician if you are healthy enough to install two bathtubs on a hill overlooking the ocean.

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: Secret of the Ages

2011-09-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

Jet City Comic Show 2011 Recap

2011-09-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

The Larsen Family, otherwise known as The Arlington Brigade of the Guardians of the Galaxy, spent a fun and rewarding day at the Jet City Comic Show 2011 in Seattle on Saturday.

We were sporting our matching jackets, designed and made by my talented wife, Evelyn. Our outfits got lots of nice comments. And we saw several other Steam Punkers at the show as well.

The show was a nice size for a one day show and featured a lot of local talent.

Siona "Cosmic Babe" and Chani "Super Chick Girl" got cartoon portraits of each other. Chani looks pretty good with a cape!

There were lots of Star Wars costumes as well as the ever-present Wolverine, a Thorina and several others decked out for the show.

We bought so much stuff we had to take a trip to the car in the middle of the day. So we walked over to McMenamins for lunch and coffee. We needed the coffee before heading back to the show.

Met a lot of great writers and authors, including Jake Richmond (above) who is the creator of Modest Medusa--a great web comic.

Jake has his first Medusa book coming out in November. I am one of his Kickstarter supporters, so I'll be getting one in the mail when they come off the presses, but you can read it for free on the Modest Medusa website.

Picked up some beautiful books called The Locked Maze by Emily Ivie aka MLEIV.

I'm really looking forward to reading them.

Brought some Spiderman books for Randy Emberlin (above) to sign.

Spent time talking with Randy and his lovely wife

I also picked up a signed Spiderman print (above) by Randy as well as a Zatana print and a autographed Silver Surfer (below). That's the closest I will ever come to riding the cosmic surfboard.

Then there were all the vendors with their treasure troves of comics and toys and such.

Evelyn and I dived into the stacks looking for back issues to fill out the holes in my collection.

And we found lots and lots of comics. Damn You Dollar Comics!!! (Shakes fist in the air in a dramatic but ironic manner.) We brought home a mega pile of books: Dr Strange, Kabuki, Silver Surfer, Invaders, that one Alpha Flight #7 I have been missing for years, some What Ifs, even a Godzilla attacking Seattle book. Lots of good stuff.

Thank the Eternals that Evelyn brought her incredible carpet bag of holding.

Now I have to catalog and read all these things...

Damn, I hate that part. *-)

Arlington Brigade

2011-09-24T12:35:00.001-07:00

Have arrived at the Jet City Comic Show 2011

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: Shooting Blanks

2011-09-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

I'm off the Jet City Comic Show 2011 on Saturday.

See you there Ray Man.

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: I Spy With My One Eye...

2011-09-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

A Cosmic Tale of a Family Lost in Space.

And the games bored families will play when trapped in a vehicle together...

"Mom! Sis is touching me."

"Shut up you little monsters! I can't hear the scene-setting narration disguised as dialog."

"You shut up! If you keep being rude the villain will never reveal his diabolical plan."

"That's not a secret! That's just cheap fortune cookie philosophy."

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"No Singing in the space car, your father gets headaches."

"Are you saying I'm sickly?"

"Don't be so touchy, Dear."

"Slug Bug!"

"I've gotta go. Is there a Rest Station in this galaxy?"

"Are we there yet?"

"I spy with my little eye, some thing that starts with Vee."

"Ahhhh, we saw the Volcano Demons already."

"Shut up Mr Villain. I don't know why we took you on this road trip?"

THE END

----

Did you see the "weapon" Sis was using on that poor cyclops?

Kids today have no respect for their parents sex toys.

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: Who Needs Sleep?

2011-09-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

It's Late

But sometimes she will ask that perfect question:

"Hot Sax! Supergirl, you know the answer to that question."

Yum...

Pleasant Dreams

Jet City Comic Show is coming up fast

2011-09-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

It's the Jet City Comic Show in Seattle, This Saturday Sept 24th 2011

Gotta support your local comics community.

New 52 with not enough Reboot in it…

2011-09-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Everybody is talking about the DC Universe Reboot: The New52. Which is what they went to all thistrouble for isn’t it? To get us talkingabout DC comics and buying DC comics? Onthose points, I think the New 52 Reboot has been very successful. Everyone is talking and buying.

But how about on the Reboot part of this experiment? How is that going?

DC claimed quite often and loudly that the New 52 would bethe perfect place for new readers to jump on, because it was all “new” andthere would not be a bunch of back story to explain and no pesky continuityissues that you already needed to know about to pick up the new books.

Having heard all that from DC, I kind of expected a real reboot—astarting over—a clean slate. But I haven’tseen a lot of that yet, strangely enough.

Now, to be fair, I have only read a handful of the new booksso far. Justice League #1, Action Comics#1, Detective Comics #1, Green Arrow #1, and OMAC #1. Some of the New 52 aren’t out yet, haven’tarrived in my mail box, or I have no intension of buying anyway.

We heard that this was going to be a world that was new tothe whole “super powered people” concept. Yet most of these books seemed to have started in the middle. Batman has already been Batman foryears. Commissioner Gordon already has aBat Signal on the roof. Joker has beenkilling people for years. Superman hasbeen pissing off cops for quite a while already. Green Arrow already has a whole support team stoodup and battle tested. The only book thatreally felt like I was there for the beginning of events was OMAC. All the others felt like I was in at the middleand had to figure out who these people were and how they knew themalready. Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen arealready buddies. Yes, Superman can’t fly(yet), but Lex Luthor already hates Superman and we don’t know why.

This was a reboot. Wewere supposed to get to see some of this stuff happen on the page. Not get hints that these importantrelationships and motivations had already happened and we missed them. It’s not like we can blame it on the 352issues of Action Comics we hadn’t read already. This is Issue #1, by Bristol Board and all that is holy. This was our chance to get to see why Lex startsto hate Superman, (or for reboot’s sake, maybe Lex and Superdude would be bestfriends this time around) but no. That keystuff has already happened and we didn’t get to see it.

I understand that DC probably didn’t want to do 52 originstories right out of the gate. But theydidn’t leave us with much mystery about what will be different this time around. They seemed more worried about reassuring longtimereaders that all their favorite people and stuff was going to still be in themix. Don’t worry, Batman still has a batcave, a bat mobile, bat-a-rangs, his butler might be a computer program (sothey get points for that), but batman is still a dick and is already obsessedwith Joker (who already has a long career in serial killing). No formative experiences need appear on thesepages. Don’t worry fan boys! No chance of genuine difference here. New Batman is just like old Batman. It’s almost like Batman never rebooted.

With Green Arrow they tried a little harder. They lost the Robin Hood goatee and went for aTony Stark disheveled look. Goggles arealways nice. And they moved away fromthe tycoon that lost all his money and now fights for the common manthing. Instead they went for billionaireplayboy who should be running his hugely successful companies, but insteadspends his time and resources building crime-fighting gadgets and fightingcrime with his gadgets, kind of like Tony Stark. They did change Ollie up a bit, but again wedon’t get to see any of the formative experiences that made him go into crimefighting. He is already in the middle ofit and we are left to catch up. Wemissed the beginning of the movie even though we were in our seats when thecurtain went up.

OMAC, is the exception to this pattern so far. OMAC starts with people we don’t know, givesus enough interaction to tell us what their basic relationships are and sets aseries of mysterious events in motion. And it is different enough from the original OMAC that they probablycould have called it something else entirely. I do enjoy the Kirby-style art work. And where the old OMAC had a giant Mohawk for no reason. The new OMAC seems to be actually employinghis head-fin as some kind of antennae or energy grid of some kind. How did some guy who used to work in theoffice get turned into OMAC? And who is controllinghim? We don’t know. There is a bunch of stuff we don’t know. But we feel like we got to the story just asit was starting. So OMAC feels successfullyrebooted to me. And I am curious to seewhat happens next.

But these other titles, not so much. If these weren’t going to be real reboots,why did DC go to all the trouble? Ohyeah, all those extra copies they are selling. I wonder how many of the extra copies are just going into plastic bagsin the hopes of big resale values at some point in the future? If the percentage of investment copies beingsold is high, that means DC will have failed in their attempt to get newreaders. But we will see what happens.

I give the New 52 Reboot (So Far) a C.

Rocket Raccoon knows Thunder when he hears it

2011-09-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

That's not Thunder, Little Buddy, that's Thunder Echo!

Read my new Annihilators HC over the weekend.

I miss the Guardians of the Galaxy, personally.

But it is good to see Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning writing dialog for some of the most cosmic characters in the Marvel Universe.

But I really looking forward to the Rocket Raccoon and Groot reunion.

And it was definitely the most fun part of the book.

Rocket has gone mainstream and is working in the mail room of some huge corporation.

His best friend in the place is a shipping computer that looks a lot like the barcode scanners I work with every day.

He has some typical, BIG GUN MOMENTS!

But the best fun is when he is navigating the cubicles of Timely Corp and the unlikely rebels of the Forest Underground (talking mushrooms everybody).

I liked it, but I hope DnA find something more interesting for Rocket and Groot to do in the near future.

I give it a B

---

Annihilators HC: Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING Penciled by TAN ENG HUAT & TIMOTHY GREEN II Covers by ALEX GARNER & SKOTTIE YOUNG

New 52 OMAC is Kirby-licious

2011-09-17T14:05:00.001-07:00

Dan Didio's pencils on the DC New 52 OMAC is very Jack Kirby like (in
a good way) without feeling antique. The title of issue 1 is "Office
Management Amidst Chaos". Which is a good job description but not what
O.M.A.C. Stands for, I bet. But only Brother Eye in the sky knows for
sure.
I give it a B+

New Rocket Raccoon & Groot

2011-09-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

Yes! My Annihilators HC with the alternate Rocket Raccoon cover just arrived.
Also my first batch of DC New 52 issues.
I know what I'm reading this weekend.
I am Groot.

One Week until the Jet City Comic Show

2011-09-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Only one week to go until the Jet City Comic Show in Seattle.

My girls and I will be attending. September, 24th.

Got to keep the fan boy anticipation under control.

What? That just makes no sense...

Unless the Alphonse is a new dance or something...

Alphonse Elric? That still makes no sense.

This post has hit the heights of stupidity

Overture, curtains, lights!
This is it, you'll hit the heights!
And oh, what heights we'll hit!
On with the show, this is it!

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: Mail Bag Mashup

2011-09-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

ComicMashup Theater Presents: Your Letters

Hide-E-Hoe Intrepid Readers, It’s Jay Bird Larsen, youfeather-brained editor in chief here at Comic Mashup Theater, or CMT as all thehipsters call it.

We hope you are enjoying our peculiar blend ofout-of-context comics, juvenile humor, worshipful homage, and out-right plagiarism. The letters from readers have been poor, Imean pouring in. So we thought we wouldtake a page/post or two to bask in your admiration, answer your probing questions,and deny those nasty rumors (I did not name my oldest child, Kirby!)

Franklinfrom New York asks: How come most of your comics are so old and funny looking?

Good question, Franky. Well speaking quite frankly, we use older comics for two reasons. One: Old comics represent a world view thatis different from our modern view. Sothey seem “funny” to us. There is a lotof unintentional humor in those olde timey turns of phrase. Two: Most of those olde timey artists aredead, so they are less likely to sue us. (Well, Frankfurter our Legal Department thinks we should take that lastbit out, so we’ll only include it in our private response to you and won’tactually post it to the blog.) -- Ooops! Sorry about that JB. It did actually make it onto the blog. I'll see if Tech Support can cut it. Copy Editor Zen Mondo.

BarbaraG from Gothemburg Sweden asks: Are you trying to tell me that Thor was once afrog? That’s ridiculous. That’s as ridiculous as asking people to believe somechildhood trauma would be enough to convince someone to dress up like a bat (or a devil, or a spider, or you get the idea) andhunt bad guys?

Well Barb, you need to get out more. Those wacky guys at Marvel Comics actuallydid turn Thor into a frog for several issues. We didn’t make it up, we just mock it. As for your Post Traumatic Superheroism question, there would be nocomics if it weren’t for improbable adolescent trauma! A world without trauma would be a worldwithout heroes, so we here at CMT say “Bring On the Trauma!” As long as it is printed in Four Colors (and kept out of the real world)trauma is okay with us. As is animal-themed costuming. And Spandex. Only serious trauma would get me into a Spandex costume, let me tell ya.

KingUtio of Gehenna asks: What is it with your Volcano Demon obsession? Don’t you know that demonius volcanus is anendangered species and protected by conservation of energy laws in at least 4 dimensions? So they live in a volcano. So #*$@-ing what!? Bloggers post on their blogs! The White House is white! Baseball has bases and a ball! Stop this overtly apparent racist and speciesist persecutionimmediately! We are NOT amused!!!

Yikes, Mr. so-called-king Utio (we don’t recognize monarchieshere at CMT—It’s not that they don’t exist, we just have trouble recognizingthem when we see them) way to fill out your word balloons with BOLD EXCLAMATIONS!!! Well done. But some of that bile should be left in thought bubbles, or thought clouds. They are much more polite and courtious than angry word balloons. By the way, Captain Obvious and crew here at CMT LOVE VolcanoDemons. We think they’re swell. So don’t get your cinder cones in a fumarole!Oh and by the way, We ARE amused... 8-)

-----------

Well, that’s all we have time for now. But keep those letters coming. And remember, in October all Comic MashupTheater Presentations on the Blog will be available at 40% off retail.

Until next time remember our motto:

MMMCCE! Make Mine Mashup for Cheap Comic Effect!

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: The Coffee Fox

2011-09-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents:

An Ode to that rarest of beauties,

The Coffee Fox

She doesn't see in color, until her second cup of coffee.

And even though other people think I'm strange.

She knows we were meant to be together.

My lovely Eve, My Evelyn.

Happy Birthday.

Comic Mashup Theater Presents: Thog Fror and the Source of the Asgardian Goo

2011-09-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

Comic Mashup Theater Presents a ribbiting tale, that has lost its tale:

Thog Fror and the source of the Asgardian Goo

Continued After Next Page

Which is not my story, but is the story of an island, an island full of frogs, frogs with spears and hammers, and lighting and thunder, with wire coated tray is from Rubbermaid. Julia Child was once marooned on such an island where she demonstrated a method of grinding. Wheels provide mobility on demand, and both handles allow easy storage within hammer space.