Author's Reflections- Comic #127

#127

 

This entire comic was based on the premise that Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, Kup and Springer had never seen Unicron and wouldn’t realize how big he was. I thought it would be funny to not just have Unicron standing right there the entire time but also have Rodimus physically leaning up against him while listening to Optimus. Obviously I was still having issues with the smudge on the camera lens, but I still like the script for this one. I like Hot Shot’s clarifying ‘Regular-Blind’ response to Hound in the Peanut Gallery panel.

Author's Reflections- Comic #126

#126

 

Honestly this comic’s main purpose was to throw Optimus into the story with the others and to indicate Rodimus didn’t know what Unicron looked like. I will say I liked Springer’s reaction in the last panel, and the Peanut Gallery panel but other than that I definitely don’t think it’s one of my better comics. I thought about extending Ultra Magnus, Springer, Kup and Rodimus’ story out farther but by this time I had run out of ideas and wanted to wrap things up and get to the next story I had in mind.

Author's Reflections- Comic #125

#125

 

The most interesting tidbit to mention here has nothing to do with the comic itself. The camera I had been using completely crashed on me so I borrowed one for a while. Admittedly I am NOT technologically proficient whatsoever and when I noticed what appeared to be smears on the pictures I assumed the worst and thought my borrowed camera had problems as well. It took awhile for someone to say it, but I was told it just looked like the lens had a smudge on it and that some cleaning alcohol should clear it up. It worked, but the next handful of comics have the smudge present on all the photos. I’m mainly disappointed in myself for not thinking of a simple solution like cleaning the lense sooner, but at least it makes for an interesting story I suppose.

 

I wanted Megatron out of the storyline but I also wanted a plan to get him back in the comic after Unicron was taken care of. I figured the best way to do that AND end the truce would be for Megatron to be repaired and wake up in the Autobots’ base…but as usual I’m getting a little too far ahead of the story…

Author's Reflections- Comic #124

#124

 

Nothing extraordinary here except to show Megatron was indeed down for the count. Most of Kup’s lines were inspired by or taken straight from Futurama or the Simpsons…I try not to plagiarize that like a lot but sometimes I may be in a hurry or just don’t take the time needed to do a good job. It’s a poor excuse, and I beat myself up about it when I re read the strips where I do use verbatim quotes a lot. Kup’s line in Panel 5 was intentionally cropped off at the bottom, mainly to indicate he was still rambling on when the others were talking behind his back. The top of the words can barely be made out, the entire line is “Then on the other hand we could burn it to the ground and dance around.” Personally I hope to be outfitted with Hot Shot’s wheelchair when I’m elderly!

Author's Reflections- Comics #121-123

#121

 

 

#122



#123

 

#121-123

 

When I first started writing this arc I really did intend to have Ultra Magnus, Springer and Kup change Rodimus’ mind and make him work with Optimus. When I finished #121 I didn’t find it very satisfying so I completely changed it so Rodimus was actually the one who changed Ultra Magnus’ mind. It worked out better in the long run not only for this particular story but for Rodimus/ Hot Rod’s characterization as well. In the first panel of #123, I tried to convey that in Rodimus’ mind he was still Hot Rod trying desperately to get Optimus’ approval.

 

Nothing really of note to mention for the Peanut Gallery panels…the one that stands out from my memory is the one for #121 when Hot Shot says he learned the word ‘dammit’, which was my reference to the 1986 animated Movie when the swear words were such a big deal to parents. Since the Peanut Gallery panels for the other two were pretty much things mentioned in passing I think it’s definitely apparent that at this point I really started focusing on the overall story and not just the punchline.

Author's Reflections- Comics #119-120

#119

 

#120

 

#119-120

 

#119 had little meaning in the overall scheme but to explain why Springer was making Optimus chase him in #120. It progressed the story but there’s not much comedic value in either of them. Optimus and Rodimus in the first panel of #120 is another homage to Calvin and Hobbes. Hot Shot’s line in the last panel of #120 was partially right. I didn’t want the story to drag out, yet I wanted enough comics to span at least a few weeks worth of material. Plus the inclusion of Ultra Magnus, Kup and Springer was still new and fresh (for me) so I wanted to give them as much time as possible yet still get the story out. Sometimes it worked, other times it felt forced such as #119.