Welcome to Marooned strip #50! As I said I wanted to do something a little special today. It was getting up to the boiling point with Bob anyway, so it worked out perfectly. And now we have some real questions. Is Asimov okay? What will Bob do to Ril? What is this reactor he’s talking about? And where in the world during all this is Ugo? Hm. And the Geborga suddenly went silent.
Win a Limited Edition Print!
What are your thoughts – what do you think will happen? Speak your piece here in the comments and you’ll be eligible for the Marooned 50th Strip Giveaway Extravaganza! I’ll randomly choose a winner from this comment thread on Thursday, November 30th. The winner gets one of the signed and numbered giclee prints of the “What Else” strip. So make sure you speak your piece!
Guest Strips
I’ve done a couple guest strips in the past week or so. One for Jump Leads, which ran last week and one for David Reddick’s Legend of Bill which ran today. Check them out!
Webcomic Idol Voting Has Started!
Also – as you know I’m a top 10 finalist in Webcomic Idol. Voting has begun (you vote strips OUT, not in) – read the details on how you can help here.
WOW!
beautiful job on this one!
this and a “LOB” strip..your twitter updates said you where busy and they weren’t lieing.
Very nicely drawn, and I can’t wait to see how the story will go!
Such thrilling conflict with a battle scene and all.
Very nice Tom! Way to take advantage of the space! I really like the beveled framing on over the last two panels (and the little reactors on the sides).
You know, these characters really work well in long-form. I think Marooned will be a completely different experience if it’s ever compiled into a book.
Thanks Danny (& everyone else). I think you’re right. I’m still walking this weird line of a serialized story vs. shorter humor stuff. I guess I’m still trying to figure it all out myself. I enjoyed doing the bigger panel though, shame I don’t have the time to do it more often.
Great stuff, Major Tom. Leaps and Bounds, man. Leaps and Bounds.
felpörögnek az események!
(the climax is building.)
I’m so glad you translated that
….the reactor makes air….
(sorry…couldn’t resist. That line is a running joke around my house)
Seriously, though, I love everything about this strip. The plasma weapon effects and the smoke coming from Asimov are especially nice, as is the creative panel formatting. You definitely did your 50th in style.
Thanks Stormy! I really appreciate the feedback
Very nice! Your shading seems to be better than usual as well! Where John usually has no shadows, he has small shadows under his ears and at the back of his head in this one. And Bob, his shading seems more blurred than usual. Nice touch.
Also: Black AND WHITE smoke! Very nice, very nice INDEED!
Of course, Asimov’s going to be OK. He’s my favorite character and .
You know what, you should torture your audience and get a couple of guest strips to hold the cliff hanger. I’d be willing to help you do that.
Thanks for noticing those touches Doug. I sure hope Asimov is okay, I like him too. But ouch…that looked harsh…
I wanted to congratulate you on the great strip, and all the wonderful guest strips lately–but most of all, I just wanted to the win the print!
LOL Tony – thanks again
You’re in the drawing!
By the way, I see you’re doing more shading and details in the artwork. Is this something you plan to continue?
Yes. I’m trying to add more depth after experimenting with the really flat style. I’m still not sure what exactly I’m after, but I kind of like this direction.
Is it just me, or are most of the commenters fellow webcartoonists?
Doug: It’s because Tom is so transparent about everything! I almost like his commentary about the comicmaking more than the comic itself. Marooned is like a comic and a tutorial and a case study all in one! And that is why it sits among Dinosaur Comics and xkcd and other works of gods as one of my favorites.
(hello tom i did not see you there
i trust that you are well)
Wow Kelsey, thanks for that! I like to put those little creator tidbits in there, so I am glad you like them. To answer your question Doug, yes, many are cartoonists, but some are not. And truth be told, most readers do not comment on the site. Very few people “talk back” as it were. Cartoonists happen to be in a group that likes to be super supportive, so you hear from them a lot since they are kindred spirits.
Yes? YES! I see KIRBY CRACKLES! At least, that’s what I call the effect you’ve given Bob’s plasma cannon. Classic, man, classic. Great strip.
Thanks Daniel – yep, it’s the Kirby Crackle indeed
Kelsey is the winner of the print! Shoot me an e-mail dude with your shipping info.