Monday was action. Tuesday was humor. Today is the drama. I didn’t realize it until now, but each of the updates for this week’s 10th Anniversary Celebration represents of the three keys SuperFogeys typically plays in. That’s probably why today’s strip felt so right.
So, in case you haven’t noticed, today’s strip marks my return to the drawing table. I’ve heard from some people that they didn’t even notice when Marc took over because our drawing styles were so similar (helped, no doubt, by the fact that Marc was consciously trying to ape my style back in the early days), but I don’t think anyone would say that now. Marc has carved his own space in world of SF, and any return I make can’t help but feel retro by comparison.
My approach with this strip was simple: say something about the past ten years. Easy to say, hard to script. When I landed on using Spy Gal and Cap, it feel into place pretty quickly. The main SF story moves at such a breakneck pace these days that there often isn’t time for scenes like this, with two characters just talking about how they feel. I realized I’d missed an opportunity back in Chapter 20. Cap had recently returned and gotten a new outfit, and he and Spy Gal–with whom he shares a deep bond–never really got a chance to talk. I needed to remedy that. Consider this a deleted scene that follows directly after the deleted scene I shared with you yesterday. Future compilations and printings will most likely include it.
So, yeah, this strip is about a lot more than whatever drama was going on back in Chapter 20. It’s two old friends talking and reflecting, but it’s also, in a very real way, me speaking directly to you about what the past ten years of SF have been all about and what the point is. It’s not the final point, but I think what Cap says at the end there is an important one. Taken as a whole, this is probably one of my favorite pieces of writing I’ve ever done. I hesitated to even say that because I hope you’ll all experience it on your own terms, with your own thoughts.
Anyway, here’s to ten years of SF. A silly little comic about retired superheroes that, for me (and perhaps for you), means so much more than that.
TOMORROW
Fan art day! Check back to see what’s been sent in! Love to feature even more, so send them to me if you got ‘em at bwhheasley (at) gmail (dot) com!
FRIDAY
Guest strip day? I don’t have any yet, but I’ve heard from at least one person that one might be coming my way. Would be great to have it! Again, send along to bwhheasley (at) gmail (dot) com!
MEANWHILE, IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WEB…
For those who are interested, I have a personal blog I occasionally update. This week, I posted “The Not-So-Secret Shame of My Very Bald Head,” in which I admit to joining the ranks of the hairless ones and do not shy away from how upsetting that is. Guys don’t usually talk about this, but I went there.
See you tomorrow with some Fan Art!
I love the idea that it is California who is the main recipient of all the Taco Carts. That it is their standout feature.
Also: that ending speech was sweet.
As a California native, I can confirm that the Taco Trucks are very real and ever-present. My only sadness is that I don’t frequent them nearly enough.
After all, what could be wrong with TACO TRUCKS ON EVERY CORNER, right?
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
This really shows how far the characters have come since the story was just 1-gag-a-day format. Beautiful
Also, I remember there being quite some debate about the Spy Gal/Jerry relationship at some point. Nice to get it cleared up 
Yeah, I’ve noticed that debate as well. Never really meant for that to be a mystery all the way into the current chapter, so this is a nice corrective.