Hello everybody! I’ve just returned from a vacation in sunny Orlando Florida where I visited Mickey and the gang at Walt Disney World. I went with two friends and we had a great time going on rides and watching fireworks in gorgeous 80 degree weather. Let me tell you folks, those corporate Disney wizards have a well-oiled money making machine that is churning and grinding twenty-four seven. It’s truly an amazing thing to behold. One has to wonder what ol’ Walt would have to say about what has been done to his vision, but there is still magic and wonder seeping through the cracks in the ubiquitous merchandise shops and Princess makeover salons. This snapshot I fired off here pretty much proves that:(click images for larger versions).
Just look at that face! That’s childhood wonder and innocence defined right there, folks.
Here’s one I took at Epcot Center’s Mission: Space ride, a super-cool shuttle simulation with a video intro by Gary Sinese. When the ride let out, it led to an awesome space-themed kids play area, complete with spaceship cockpit! And check out the kid on the logo…remind you of anyone?
And finally, here I am acting silly with a familiar fowl.
It was a great time and there were definitely moments that made me feel like a kid again. In fact, later this week I’ll be posting a blog that goes into great detail about one particular attraction that almost brought a tear to my eye, no joke!
Now on to this week’s strip! It’s the thrilling conclusion to our seven-chapter “Where’s Robot” storyline, and it ended on a nice round number, Boxcar Astronaut #60! (And we didn’t even plan it that way, honest! See how serendipity works, boys and girls?). We start off with a nice distorted angle here of the boys after Devin discovers Robot in the grass with his magnifying glass (and getting promptly zapped in the forehead by Robot for his efforts), and Ben looking ecstatic that Robot has finally turned up. Devin then gets the bright idea of trapping Robot under a sand pail, which leads us to panel two which I absolutely love. I really dig the angle Marc chose to illustrate the bucket coming down, it makes for some really nice composition (not to mention how funny it is, ‘natch). The whole saga gets wrapped up nicely with a wonderful sight gag of Devin sitting on the bucket and Robot’s subsequent enlargement sending Ben flying and leaving Devin perched way up on Robot’s dome completely bewildered. It’s classic physical comedy executed brilliantly here by Marc. All in all a great wrap up to the storyline, and Marc and I both hope you enjoyed it.
Next week we return to some one-shot gags. It will more than likely be a Diogee/Caveman team-up since we haven’t seen them in over seven weeks. Until then, keep dreaming and creating!
P.S. Be sure to check out the Boxcar Astronaut Sketchbook feature over at the main site. Marc has updated it with some early character designs and a new piece of art featuring Internet comic sensation Jenny Everywhere. Give it a look!
