The Return of Stickman #1583

While I was reading the news article that inspired this strip I kept wondering, "If he had a partner, what happened to the partner?" I even thought about doing a strip where the two of them were running into the gators together. But I thought this one had more bite.

The Comic Critic's Review of "Master of the World"

It’s very difficult for me to be objective with Master of the World. The film was released in 1961 and I was born in 1962, so I didn’t have a chance to see it in the theater. But I did see it repeatedly on television. I was a voracious reader at a very young age. I loved fantastic tales of grand adventure and read everything Jules Verne wrote. Although people still read his books, I think many pass over “Robur the Conqueror” and its sequel “Master of the World” because the scenarios expressed in these early science fiction books would be kicked to the curb. WWI and WWII quickly revealed the true pros and cons of air warfare. But I found his books fun reading. Verne’s contraptions were a subject of many of my doodles. The Albatross, with its forest of propellers, was my favorite to draw. I’d seen Master of the World so many times that I had its shape and construction memorized. Yes, Master of the World might seem a little hokey by today’s standards. But Vincent Price gives a great performance. Charles Bronson’s star rose quite a bit after he was Charles Buchinsky playing Igor in 1953’s House of Wax, in which Vincent Price was also the lead. And while the war footage might be reused from other films, it does the job of showing fun explosions. Watching it renews my desire to discover and read new books. I still find Master of the World as fun to watch now as when I saw it as a kid. I’d like my friends who are into Steampunk to discover this gem and enjoy it just as much as I do.

The Comic Critic's Movie Review of "Captain Horatio Hornblower"

I guess every generation has their slew of popular writers. When I was in high school, it was Stephen King. My niece was reading J.K. Rowling before I got to her. When I was a kid, I was a voracious reader and didn’t limit myself to the popular writers of the time. I actively sought advice from librarians and other reading enthusiasts as to what I should read next. And I would go through phases of reading writers of a genre or an era. One month, my attention would be consumed by Victorian authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells; the next month, I would be devouring the Noir fiction of Raymond Chandler. During one of those phases, I was consumed by anything nautical. I chewed up Robert Lewis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” and Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe.” And it is only natural that when I talk about how much I loved these books that I was directed to C.S. Forrester. Movies were made of all of these writers’ creations. And while I love the movies, I encourage those who’ve seen them to give the books a try. C.S. Forrester is an overlooked treasure just waiting to be rediscovered. Go ahead and watch Captain Horatio Hornblower and then pick up the book and give it a browse. I bet you will find yourself reading the entire series. You might even give some of his other books, like “The African Queen,” a try.

The Comic Critic's Movie Review of "The Uninvited" from 1944

The Uninvited might seem like an unassuming horror movie that’s quite tame by today’s standards. But it’s worth noting that back in 1944 this film broke unexpected ground. Before this one, most ghosts portrayed in film were played for laughs. An example would be an object moving by itself while a comic-relief actor reacted to get a laugh from the audience. Few films dealt with ghosts as an actual supernatural presence. Paramount decided to take the novel “Uneasy Freehold” and create a supernatural mystery. The incorporation of romance comedy dialog lightens the mood, and audiences were rewarded with a surprise second romance. There are little surprises hiding everywhere in The Uninvited. There’s a touch of psychodrama, a hint of possible lesbian activity, and a very good musical score. The composition “Stella by Starlight” became a jazz standard played by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis. The cinematography is top-notch and did a great job of creating shivers and goosebumps. The Uninvited received an Oscar Nomination for its cinematography, but lost to Laura. The Uninvited was a scary movie in its day. It inspired many directors and writers. And it had to be toned down by British censors by the removal of some special effects for its release in Great Britain.

There are times when my editor, wife and fans don't send me any news articles to work from. At times like that I will often use the first thing I see. Too often it's something I've seen on Facebook. I then spend the next hour researching to make sure that it's true. And by research I mean that I stay on Facebook and look at cat videos. Then I get distracted by the Internet. I have no idea if there ever was a study like this. But I do know that the set up made for a good gag and I didn't have to proofread too many of the words.

The Comic Critic's Review of "Bell, Book and Candle"

Bell, Book and Candle, like many other romance comedies, is set at Christmas. It’s a hilarious movie with witty dialog, terrific star power, and an enchanting story that appeals to the American audience. When I was growing up, it circulated on television as often as any other classic movie from that era. It has the magical power of pulling you onto the sofa—even if you didn’t see the beginning—and to remain on that channel. Sol Saks admits that he took inspiration from Bell, Book and Candle, as well as a 1942 film called I Married a Witch, when he created the highly successful television show Bewitched. And yet you will not see this movie on any Christmas movie line-up, a shame really. I have a theory about it. When Saks created Bewitched, he focused on magic as amusement, not social commentary. Bell, Book and Candle is rather sly about its social commentary. The story takes place in Greenwich Village, a prime location for beatnik counter-culture. The witches of the film are attributed as part of the colorful counter-culture. The setting of the film is during Christmas, a pagan holiday enveloped by Christians and even more decorated with trappings by American consumption. One of the first scenes occurs in a gallery exhibiting African art. Over the years, I believe it is this subtle irreverence about Christmas, along with the story ending after the holiday, which eased Bell, Book and Candle out of the holiday movie line-up. But it’s these same elements that make the movie intriguing and ripe for rediscovery with today’s audience.

The Return of Stickman #1581

There have been several times when I've questioned the use of a service animal. Maybe that makes me old fashion. Maybe I just like the idea that the only people who should be walking around with a parrot on their shoulder in public should either be selling photos of the parrot sitting on your shoulder or pirates. But it would be politically incorrect if I said the same thing about monkeys. And for the record, I think everyone should have monkeys.