24: The Comic Strip

Day 7 Finale strip: Tuesday (hopefully)

2009-05-19T04:14:48Z

Just wanted to get you all a taste of the big finish for the final story-related strip for Day 7. Fortunately, I got to see it live tonight (well, West Coast anyways) and I was piecing things together from the preview trailer, and of course, my simple plot exploded. It may possibly reach three pages. We shall see.

Anyways, here you go.

Here's hoping I can get it done in time.

P.S. How about Kim's "DAMNIT!"

NOW she's a chip off the old block.

Girlfight!

2009-05-14T04:42:30Z

God, I love these two. I really hope they convince Janeane to come back next year with Mary Lynn.

Oh! That reminds me: NeoSquirrel Productions is now begrudgingly on Twitter! As is Mary Lynn! And James "Bill Buchanan" Morrison!

You Twitter fiends will want to add (in any order after neosquirrel)

NeoSquirrel: twitter.com/neosquirrel
Mary Lynn Rajskub: twitter.com/rajskub
James Morrison: twitter.com/jamespmorrison

Edit: James Morrison tweeted me back tonight. AWESOME.

Mary Lynn's a crack up on it every day. James doesn't post as often, but he's just as mild-mannered as Bill was. And me? Well, dur. Same old wackiness you know oh so well.

So, about this week's ep:
SPOILER ALERT!

Jack catches Tony. Again. I've seen more bumbling terrorists get away easier than Tony has. It's kind of embarrassing. Theories abound that somehow Tony redeems himself. Let's hope so.

And I get the feeling that Kim's going to have to pull another Day 2 self-preservation tactic and take out the baddies herself. Why not? She's had training with CTU after all at this point. But then the cougar burst through the terminal window and mauls her.
Okay, that's too dark. She's a mom now, and frankly, the fact that she's admitted that EVERYTHING ABOUT JACK'S LIFE SINCE DAY ONE IS HER FAULT more than makes up for it.
That's all I wanted to hear Kim. Thank you.

Aaron's pulling a Nixon/Watergate workaround. Let's hope there isn't a 18 1/2 minute missing segment of the room recording. Unfortunately, this may still hurt President Taylor's reputation. But, it'll probably just end up buried and Livvy will be sent on a peacekeeping mission in the Far East...for the rest of the administrative term.

Oh, and how about that shot in next week's trailer of Renee hanging out of the SUV window, firing like a complete badass? Yessirree!

The only trouble is, I won't be able once again to watch the finale live-as-it-happens-- Dancing with the Stars has it's big 2-hour Part 1 finale the same night (live as it happens!) and chances are I'm gonna have to be there.

Like a redhead storming the castle, hanging out a car window guns-a-blazing...

2009-05-12T19:56:15Z

Hey everyone,

Sorry about not even posting last week-- Dancing with the Stars is kicked into overdrive. I didn't even have time to post that it wouldn't be up!

However, this week's is in production, and I'm hoping to have it up by early tomorrow morning, barring a heavy workload today.

So, put the earpiece back in, keep the line open and (hopefully) we'll see you tomorrow.

Shop 'Til You Drop Dead

2009-04-29T07:43:36Z

I do have to admit, the possibilities of 24 merchandise are limited, but I still wouldn't mind having that watch they had Jack wore one year wore by special ops. I think it even has a choke wire in it. (Not really.)

Now, as for this week's episode...

SPOILER ALERT!

Chloe's back Chloe's back Chloe's back Chloe's back Chloe's back Chloe's back Chloe's back!
Sorry. *ahem* Chloe's back and she tells Morris to beat feet with little Prescott out of town-- this is her time to settle the score. Hot dang! Let's see if she pulls out another M4 to take down some of the syndicate!

Janis--I'm sorry to say-- is becoming one giant thorn in the side of everyone. Kind of like Janeane's political views. I'm just kidding, I love you to death woman, tattoos and all.

Anyone else not like that look from Livvy Taylor she gave Aaron before he left about wanting to kill Jonas? Once again, she's gonna drag our boy into this somehow. Maybe the endgame for Aaron is stopping the person he's trying to protect. That'd be a twist.

And Tony--well, that's it. He just capped two more FBI agents personally, so the chances of him redeeming himself as a good guy I'd say just drove off into the dark forever.
Ultimately it's going to boil down to how Tony gets stopped: arrested, shot, killed, or even running off after redeeming himself somehow. Or redeeming himself before he's killed.
Latest theory: crisis of conscience, and brings down this evil PMC cabal himself, and not handing over the gas. But given the cadre reveal this close to the end of the season, I'd say it's a very good possibility that they could be back next year.

But hey, at least Tony got him some this hour. Bow chicka bow wow!

insert obligatory "Time is Running Out" cliche

2009-04-22T21:14:52Z

So, once again, due to a rigorous schedule, no 24 or Planet X this week. This is starting to get annoying.

But, I do want to show that I am in the process of getting next week's done, and here's just a sample of it:

Believe it or not, this pencil only took about 10 minutes-- it's the inking, coloring and layout that take most of the time.

As I was sketching this morning, I popped in Season 5's extras disc and watched most of the material-- there is a really great piece of the supporting players. The affection the actors have for the show is truly astounding and genuine-- but the really interesting thing is that if you look close in the Logan's L.A. retreat, you'll spot a picture of them much younger together in a pic.

Only the thing is, that's not a photoshop job-- it's real. Gregory Itzin and Jean Smart were actually in a play together decades before and just happened to get a picture taken together in the cast photos. How screwy is that?

Oh, and about this week's episode:

SPOILER ALERT!

Well, my theory that Tony used Larry Moss's death as a way to re-establish cover in a very dark way has gone flying out the window. Tony's bad. That's it, no arguing about it.

However, I do believe though that there will be a form of redemption for him by this day's end. There's no way they'd just turn Tony into a villain of the week. For all the love the fans have given the character, I can't see them chucking him into the bin as just a heartless monster-- though man, this is highly disappointing, since both Tony and I are from Chicago, and I guess I expect better from my brethren, real or not. (But Carlos himself is from Chicago, so, y'know...)

Anyways, I was surprised that Tony tipped his hand so quickly this hour, but then again we do only have what, 5, 6 hours left? They have to get this endgame started sometime I guess, right?

Anyways, see you next week with a new strip!

...I hope. :P

FLASH! Two cast members set to return for Day 8--details below!

2009-04-16T21:56:59Z

Hey everyone, I stumbled onto this article fortelling of two returning cast members for season 8. Fair warning! It is spoilerific in only one small paragraph near the top--as well as for about a dozen other shows--so be careful; but I have to say, hurrah! I'm glad to see them return. One of them is even all the more interesting: backstory crucial to the plot! Oooooh.

Anyways, enjoy!

Time ran out.

2009-04-15T03:33:44Z

Hi all,

just needed to drop a quick note to let you know there won't be any strip--24 or Planet X-- this week. Work is crazy. and I'm pulling mad shifts since Thursday. Mad being the key phrase--and I just haven't had any real time to be able to sit down and draw at all other than a few quick loose sketches.

Anyways, let's hope I get back on track next week eh? Hope for me!

Oh, and real quick question:

Is that secret service agent behind Malia and Bo Obama got a little Captain in him?

24thecomicstrip @ 2009-04-08T17:16:00

2009-04-08T22:36:24Z

Hey everyone!

No strip this week-- I came up with a better one based on this week's episode, but I couldnt get it drawn in time for Tuesday-- I ended up working on the show and being devastated that David Alan Grier got cut. Now I have no one fun to keep me entertained at work.

But, to make up for the strip, I've worked on something new for you and your cell phone, by popular request:

Wallpapers!

Now I sized these perfectly for the iPhone users out there (me being one of them), but they can also be used by any cell phone. You'll just have to figure the way to get them onto it. But, iPhone users can just take a quick shortcut www.neosquirrel.com and tap on the 24 logo to pull up this page again, hold their finger on whichever photo they like, and save to their photo gallery. No need to resize, I've tested them on my own phone and they're perfectly centered.

I've got two for you this week: Tony and Bill.

Now, let's discuss this week's ep:
SPOILER ALERT!
Seeing Jack seize up really had me freaked. He's gonna be a mess near the end of today, and his syringe pack only had three treatments-- and he already burned one while at FBI HQ after his first treatment. Now that Kim's re-emergence is imminent, I'd be hard pressed to believe that my theory that Jack would be killed off this season and Tony would replace him will pan out. But there's a very tiny dark part of me that wouldn't mind that happening.

With this the second hour that Chloe's been gone, it would seem that she might very well be done for the season. I can't see her coming back, unless they call her to work remotely at home.

Olivia, or "Livvy" is, well, confusing. What's her game? To maintain her interim Chief of Staff position and turn it into a full-time position? Considering she was trying to start a pharmaceutical company just hours ago, I'd say she either thinks on her feet, or is just plain nuts. But I'd still take a roll in the hay with her.

Moss's distraction worked nicely to get Tony away. But I'm also tired of people willing to help the government from the inside getting killed within the hour they do-- case in point, Starkwood's CEO beaten with a glass flask and thrown 15 feet onto a hard floor below.
But hey, at least that Port Authority guard lived two weeks ago.

By the way, the fella who play Tom Chapman, the bio-scientist that's leading the project (bald fella) is played by Philip Anthony Rodriguez, who Jake 2.0 fans might remember as Jake's handler, Kyle Duarte.
I missed the show when it was on originally, but I caught it later on SciFi--oops, excuse me, "Syfy" *rolls eyes* reruns. Good show. Check it out if you get a chance.

Anyways, see you next week!

I Can't Quit You

2009-04-01T02:02:53Z

Well, don't just sit there-- click "Answer"!

I feel bad for Chloe. Jack asks so much of her to sacrifice. He better send her a huge shipment of flowers after today. That is... if he makes it to the end of today.

I tell you, it's bizarre, unnerving and disconcerting that I'm going to be forced to watch most of--if not all-- of the rest of the season on Tuesdays online now. That'll happen when you're working on a live show Monday nights.

So, let's get down to this week's ep, shall we?

SPOILER ALERT!
Renee and Larry have their moment-- but who was she shedding a tear for-- Moss or Jack? Hmmm.
Jack's been sidelined, benched, even sent to the (deconamination) showers! Tony takes charge!That should sate the Almeida fans, eh? Too bad he got set up by that weasel Seaton at Starkwood. Is Seaton trying to save face (and his ass) realizing he's a patsy, or is he a loyal Hodges supporter to the end?

It was good to finally see Janis again, even if she was simply running updates around the office.

Aaron stays on!
...who else is worried about this? Especially with the First Daughter pulling these sophmoric backstabbing stunts.

So is Chloe out of the picture, on her way home and calling it a day?
Can Jack get back in the game?
What will become of Moss, Tony, and the FBI assault team? Shoot it out, or leave with their tail between their legs? I have to admit this PMC compound story arc is a very interesting one, and a great new angle for bad guys. Still, I can't believe Hodges has this many people working on a nerve agent on American soil so willingly, with the intent to disperse. I mean, I like my job, but if ABC wanted to suddenly use ballroom and Latin dancing to take over the country, I... wait... I guess that wouldn't be such a bad thing actually.

Finally, I have some theories where this season might end up: WARNING: EXTREME POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERTS!

1. I brought this up in a conversation months ago with a cohort: If they were going to kill Jack this season, the only logical choice to carry on the show is Tony (aka Carlos Bernard). And it would work. Fans love him almost as much as Jack, he's been through just as much hell, and with his working along Jack extensively this season, it would be a natural transition for it to occur. I know, people have said that Keifer is coming back next season-- but as Jack, or merely as an executive producer? (Do me a favor though-- don't tell me-- it'll just ruin the rest of the season if we all know Jack'll manage to save his neck.)

2. Jack manages to corner Hodges and threaten to release the toxin upon him (or actually does), forcing Hodges to fork over the as-yet unseen antidote, saving Jack's life, and bringing Hodges to justice. Or shooting him. Whichever. Either one works for me.

3. Kim returns, and just as the puma leaps to finish her once and for all (baby in arms), Jack plugs it, sending it crashing to the ground, making a nice rug in front of Jack's fireplace.

Anyways, see you tomorrow with a new planetxthecomic!

Roamin' around, lookin' for some time...

2009-03-30T21:37:24Z

Hey everyone! Sorry there wasn't a strip last week. I had an extremely busy week-- between auditioning as host for a web video game news show (and landing it, only to turn it down),and putting in long shifts on Dancing with the Stars, I just ran outta time! I didn't even get to watch the new episode of 24 until Thursday!
Anyways, the new strip should be up tomorrow along with Planet X the following day.

Also, be sure to watch the new Dancing w/ the Stars tonight on ABC before 24 to catch me riding Segways with Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak! Here's an idea of who to look for:

See you tomorrow!

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

24 TCS: The Written Comic

2009-03-17T01:29:37Z

Hey all,

There won't be an illustrated strip today, because, well, the script for it got so big I was looking at either a three day comic or roughly six pages, which, as you know is just not feasible with my hectic work schedule. It's actually the first time my idea got too big to handle.

So, I present to you the printed version of the script instead.

The location: Heaven.

Bill Buchanan steps off a escalator, greeted by a tall skinny man.

Bill: Regional Management Director Walsh! Good to see you.
Bill shakes his hand
Richard: It's just Richard now Bill. Didn't expect you up here this early.
Bill: Well, I was working with Jack, so...
Richard: Bauer? Ha ha. I think anyone who ends up around him loses 8 out of 9 lives around him.

They begin to walk around the clouds. Various people are seen in the backdrop.
Edgar Stiles: I actually got to know Chloe as a person!
Milo Pressman: Well, I at least got the courage up and went out on a date with her!

Bill takes notice at a glance.
Bill: Lot of familiar faces around here.
Richard: Sometimes too many too soon I think.

As they continue to walk, another arguement is taking place.
Ryan Chappelle: No! We need to follow protocol and ensure that Tuesdays are meatloaf days!
George Mason: You really need to get your head out of your cloud and realize that we don't have to abide by bureacracy now!

they continue to walk more, as a few others in the backdrop is talking to a help desk manager.

Bill: Are you sure this is heaven?
Richard: Sometimes I wonder, I really do.

Charles Logan: Look, I just want to know I'm dead or not! Look it up in your databse. I have to be in there! L-O-G-A-N.
President Keller. Excuse me, but I was here first. (to manager) The name is Keller. (to Logan) What are you doing here anyways?

Two figures approach Bill and Richard.
Michelle Dessler-Almeida: Bill! So good to see you. She hugs him. Oh, silly me, you've never met-- Bill Buchanan, meet Teri Bauer.
Teri: Wonderful to meet you. Michelle speaks very highly of you. You kept Jack out of trouble quite a bit. I can't thank you enough for what you did.
Bill: I was just doing what it took to keep the country safe, and he's doing a good job if it.
Richard: Well, what say we all go get some coffee and tea, hm?
Teri: Good idea. Why don't we call David Palmer to see if he wants to join us?
Bill: I can't have cappuchino-- makes my system all jumpy.
everyone stops and looks at Bill quietly, then all have a good laugh. Bill looks puzzled.

The four walk away, Michelle putting her hand on Bill's shoulder.
Michelle: Oh Bill, you've got a lot to learn about what you can get away with up here now.

A woman with brown hair, looking weathered, is surrounded by red and flickers of fire. As she sits in a cubicle with stacks of paperwork, she looks at a calendar. Every day of the week is a Monday.

Final Frame: Back in heaven, as Richard, Bill, Teri and Michelle walk, a loud "NOOOOOOO!" erupts from underneath them.

Bill: What... or who was that?
Teri/Michelle/Richard (with smiles on their faces): Nina Myers.

Closed Circuits

2009-03-11T09:26:27Z

Sorry this got up a day late gang. Unfortunately, as stated before, my gig on Dancing with the Stars is really playing a number on my production schedule. I guess I just have to get started earlier drawing now, don't I?

So, about this week's ep...

SPOILER ALERT!

Well, we all dreaded it. None of us wanted to think it, but we all knew it was possible-- the death of another beloved character.

Was it going to be Bill? Or Aaron? Or Jack?
...yeah, like it's gonna be Jack.

William Buchanan went out with a bang. Literally.
But he also went out a hero and a true patriot of the United States of America.
He didn't whimper.
He didn't cry.
He didn't beg for his life.
He took destiny into his own hands, and sacrificed himself for the good of the country.
And frankly-- other than of course having him live-- I can't think of a more honorable way to send the character off. They also gave him the silent clock, so please fans, no "hoping" for a miracle resurrection. Let him go. Let him go.
I also think this is the longest consistent "tribute" they've given to a fallen character, having Jack linger through the commercial break near Bill's body, speaking highly of him and his convictions upon returning.

Bill, we are all going to miss you. I just hope Karen actually gets a mention this time when she gets the bad news. Not likely, I'm afraid.

Incidentally, I actually have a part 2 to today's strip--I'm hoping to get it up perhaps later today, but don't count your breath-- I have to head into work again. ^_^

Finally, if you get the chance (and you haven't stopped reading), check out WCG Ultimate Gamer on SciFi which premiered last night. I also worked on that show start to finish, and it turned out not too shabby. Being an avid gamer, I tried to keep 'em in check as best I could to "keep it real". ;)

Well, maybe Daylight savings shorted Jack's and my day to 23 hours...?

2009-03-10T01:31:12Z

Hello dear readers,

due to circumstances beyond my control, the comic will have to be delayed until tomorrow. And quite possibly my viewing of tonight's episode.

Y'see, I'm back to working on Dancing With the Stars and tonight is the premiere episode for season 8, and it's pretty much going to be like this every week for the next 12 weeks. I planned on drawing all day yesterday, but there were some last-minute dealings and I ended up working the better part of the day.

So, watch Dancing (You can watch House on Hulu--ABC's rerun player on their site isn't what you'd call good) and switch over to Jack afterwards!

Meantime, I leave you with this link to last Friday's Planet X comic strip!
Just click Fred to learn who's really watching the Watchmen.

Adrenaline

2009-03-03T08:44:10Z

Man, two hours tonight huh? Looks like I might have to do two strips next week then. Yeah, I spoil you guys. ^_^

Anyways, about tonight's two-parter....

SPOILER ALERT!

Okay, show of hands-- who thought Bill was gonna buy it when he started running around with the President's MedicAlert LiveStrong bracelet? Or when Juma had his mousefart-silenced handgun pointed at him? You know the writers were just screwing with fans with that bit.

And then Aaron gets tagged in the shoulder, but not before he Aarowned one of Juma's fellas. I really hope and pray the boys get out of this alive-- but that shot in next week's trailer with Jack looking distraught after an explosion does not bode well. Let's just hope he's feeling bad about the loss of a few press secretaries and maybe a foreign aide to Paraguay or something. I hate worrying based on the shots in the trailers which I am all-too-scrutinizing over.

Loophole of the week: apparently the security camera room guards were fast asleep when Juma's men were running up and down the White House halls. Honestly-- I'd have bought this radical plot twist if say they'd been taken out. Secondly, that panic room in the Roosevelt Room was tiny and fairly easy to crack into. I'd like to imagine there's like a pneumatic tube that 'Phoont"s the President over to say the Capitol Building or the Lincoln Memorial, and there's a security guard who tests it every morning like guys at an amusement park for rollercoasters.

Also-- anyone tired of the "terrorists get in through the relatively unguarded basement" method? Hi, writers? You did that last season. You are forbidden to pull that plot device out for another 5 years, got it?

I did love though the Chloe/Janis banter. I seem to recall a certain strip a few weeks back that covered this... But can't Chloe just stay out of trouble for more than three episodes? Cripes, I was afraid that Sean Hillinger was gonna get his meathooks into her last week.

Hmm... there's a comic in here somewhere. I'll find a few.

See you Wednesday with a new Planet X strip!

The Planet is Back in Orbit!

2009-02-26T06:09:03Z

planetxthecomic is back!

Click Fred for another weekly dose of tellin' pop culture like it is.

Comments welcome there. Very welcome. We'll even let them stay for as long as they like, no charge.

You Dirty Rat!

2009-02-24T03:32:26Z

Oh, it won't bite. Go ahead, click it.

No new icon this week I'm afraid because, well, I'm working on a new Planet X for this week!

Yeah, them Oscars last night got me pretty steamed. But more on that in the coming days--Wednesday to be specific.

(Update, 10pm PST)

So, about 5pm to 6pm...

SPOILER ALERT!
Good golly. That was the fastest terrorist Jack's ever caught. I think he might actually have time to hit the bathroom and actually eat to boot. Kinda nice to see him appreciating what he's done for the day. And then Tony has to go and ruin it all. DAMNIT!

A moment of silence for Marika Donoso, Dubaku's (ex-)girlfriend for taking matters into her own hands and ending the first half of terror singlehandedly. I was dreading the conversation someone was going to have to have with Rosa.

So, next week-- the most secure residence in the world has fallen to terrorists.
Someone get Madam President to the Panic Room!

More to come Wednesday with Planet X!

Accidents Will Happen

2009-02-17T06:20:52Z

Breaking news: Mr. Taylor Goes to Ground-Click for details

Oh, and as promised, a new character icon!

If you look closely, you can see the light blue twinkle in her eye.
What can I say, the girl's growing on me.

So! This week:
SPOILER ALERT!

Okay, so Dubaku's girl sold him out, Henry's in surgery, Janis is worried about job security, and we found who the mole is... but let's get to the really important issue:

LOOK WHO'S BACK!

Woo hoo! I was wondering where the O'Brian Clan was shacking up. Maybe they're just on vacation fighting terrorism. Then again, Chloe was originally stationed at D.C.'s CTU Branch back in Day 2.5 (which again was 24: The Game), so she definitely has old roots there. And a big AWWWW to Little O'Brian, looking around 2, maybe 3 years old.

But, even better was the longest-running character other than Jack in the history of 24: AARON PIERCE! This now makes his seventh consecutive appearance, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Maybe perhaps we'll learn through him if he's still with former first Lady Martha Logan, and even more importantly if Charles Logan survived that ambulance ride. If this week's comic is any indication, he probably didn't and rolled down a California hillside embankment.

I wonder if Mike Novick might still make an appearance somehow...

Political Games

2009-02-11T07:25:36Z

click the case to find the explosive new gameplay!

In fairness, I want to actually say that I think this season so far would make for an excellent sequel to 24: The Game, which I proudly own.
Think about it-- the first level could actually be the tail end of Redemption, followed up by a Q&A session in front of a Senate subcommittee where you have to get them riled up enough to go into a recess where Agent Walker pulls you out.

Spoiler alert!
Okay, maybe that last part's a bit silly-- but honestly, avoiding sniper fire, tailing a suspect, assaulting Tony's boat, a fight with him, interrogation, breaking out of FBI HQ, getting away, protecting Tony from a sniper's nest, maybe have Henry Taylor have to struggle to survive, breaking in and assaulting Dubaku's HQ, chasing down a rogue secret service agent and another fight with him?

And we're only 1/3 done so far. Honestly, this would make for one hell of a game and could easily 1-up the previous incarnation. The story in the original was kind of all over the place, but definitely a heck of a lot of fun to play, and not just as Jack-- not to mention as I said yesterday the original was canon in the plot. It's even technically the first appearance of both Chase and Chloe. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking a copy up-- it is so choice.

Anyways, last night's ep was almost too painful to watch-- not because of writing, but because of the shocking antics. Renee threatens a mother and child, Jack guts a guy, and Henry Taylor's day is turning out way worse than Jack or Tony's thus far-- drugged, watched a woman murdered in front of him, fell off a balcony, thrown in a trunk, gagged, nearly lost a finger and shot in the chest. All within what, 4, 5 hours?

That's why Henry gets the "Bad Day Award" for this week.

Hang in there you poor fella!

So many pictures, so little time...

2009-02-10T04:57:36Z

As promised last week, here's some new animated icons of two of the most welcome faces back to 24 for you:

Feel free to take-- just make sure you credit your ol' pal neosquirrel.

The new strip is coming tomorrow-- just a tad of tweaking-- along with the usual commentary about tonight's ep.

Now, onto something slightly different--

First up, everyone's favorite missing CTU Techie, spotted in 1973 on Life on Mars last week after LOST:

Milo! Or better known as Eric Balfour. He played a down-on-his-luck brother to one of the regular detectives on the show. Unfortunately, he's on the lam now, thanks to being loosely tied to organized crime. That's the character, not Eric. ;)

Now check this out-- a few weeks ago I found not one, but two former stars of 24 in one episode of TNT's new show Leverage:
First up,

Season 1's Rick Walsh, (Michael O'Neill) mentor/CTU Division boss to Jack-- he was playing a disgruntled banker who ends up holding his own bank hostage in the middle of a robbery.

Now the other cast member is a bit more obscure and only for the most hardcore of 24 fans:

Christian Kane is a regular on the show, and in season 2.5 (otherwise known to PS2 gamers as 24: The Video Game (which by the way is canon-- it fills in all the blanks between seasons) Kane played head bad guy Peter Madsen, former co-worker of Jack in Special Ops. He ends up creating a seismic earthquake that messes up L.A., and Jack ends up chasing him to the docks where he blows up in a fiery boat explosion, thanks to you-know-who.

I kept looking at Kane going "I know I've seen him somewhere before..." Thanks IMDb!

For you Arrested Development fans, see if you can figure out who this is:

If you said Lucille Bluth (or Jessica Walter), you'd be right! I found her watching an episode of Quincy playing a talk show host who turns out to be the embittered twin of the now-dead host-- she learned her quirks by becoming her assistant in disguise for two years and then offing her! It kinda really did sound like something Lucille might do, and have a martini afterwards.

Dressed to Kill... or Maim, or Apprehend

2009-02-05T02:13:15Z

Before I go any further, I would just like to co-credit Adam Daroff for the inspiration for this week's strip from a conversation we had about last week's wardrobe change-- apparently everyone in Mini-CTU is required to wear black, new or existing members.
By the way, click here to witness him drunk as a clown and nearly being arrested for public intoxication.
P.S., he's just acting.

So this week... SPOILER ALERT!

Tony shakes Jack's hand and promises to turn himself in after this is all over.
Hmm. I seem to recall someone else saying that, JACK, and look where he ended up. In CHINA!
I just don't like that look Tony had after Jack and Bill left. What was that?

Janice needed to go all drill sargeant on that plant manager in Ohio and pep talk him to his feet to stumble out of the room. The sad part is he ultimately died for nothing since the CIP device went offline and stopped the havoc anyways.

I'm just glad everyone came out without a scratch from the Dubaku debacle. And what's this? He's got a girlfriend? I thought he was going to tell his contact that he had to cancel his plans and have dinner with his girl tonight. Damnit! Oh well.

See you next week! And if all goes well, maybe some new character icons!

Superbowl Commerical Review today, Strip tomorrow!

2009-02-03T00:50:44Z

Hey guys n' gals! The new strip is coming tomorrow (because honestly, it's gonna actually make more sense Tuesday than today).

In the meantime, NeoSquirrel Productions (that's y'know, the same guy who's writing this) has put up the annual Superbowl Commercial Review for you to check out.

Feel free to leave comments after the review about what you liked or hated, even about that other thing... you know, the game...thingy.

Lessons Spurned

2009-01-28T05:24:52Z

FINALLY! I got this one done. The really sad part was I didn't come up with the ending until about three hours ago. This is probably the longest one I've ever had coming up with an idea-- it started small, then, as usual, my imagination got away from me, adding more and more cargo and just went right over the edge of Eastwood Ravine.

And yes, before you say anything, I'm not a big fan of Mary Sue'ing fandom, so don't worry,
it'll (probably) be the last time you see me in the 24'verse.

Well, that being said, let's touch on this week, yes?

SPOILER ALERT FOR HOUR 6!

First off, they spoiled us with having two nights with two hours apiece. Having only one hour this week again was torture.

Boy, the African leader Motobo and his wife just can't catch a break-- they get kidnapped and rescued by the same guys (Jack and Tony), and they STILL have to continue being kidnapped! Rough day.

Apparently Chloe picked up some dental correspondence while being a stay-at-home mom puttint that tooth transmitter in. Well, better that I guess than her being stuck on Warcraft for 12 hours a day.

And we have our first character victim! Oh Samantha. You were so lovely. You really didn't deserve a double stabbing. Gah, that had to be one of the most brutal on-screen deaths in the run of the show.

So how about Jack and Tony getting into not one, but two shootouts? Hot diggity!

I wonder what President Taylor's gonna do. She seems to be a no-nonsense woman. Hopefully she stays the course and relies on the FBI to capture Dubaku. *snicker* HAAHAAAHA! Oh god, that's funny... the FBI stopping this whole thing! Hee hee! Whooo... okay, breathe, breathe...

I'm really looking forward to seeing Bill in action next week. He was a field op in NYC CTU according to his jacket, so he knows how to handle himself. Just... stay alive, okay Bill? We need'ja.

By the way, what's up with Renee's new black leather jacket next week? Is it a rule when you join Mini-CTU that the company outfit is regulation black?

Back next week and on time! Adios!

Fishin' for Funny

2009-01-20T03:57:11Z

Well, there will be a slight delay in the strip tonight-- I actually had a hard time thinking of something to poke fun at! But, I have it finally worked out, and as such, a small teaser of what's in store tomorrow (or the remote chance Wednesday--hey, Obama's inauguration is getting L.A. up at 6 am!):

Hmm. Janice looks pissed!

...just wait 'til you see who at.

Black Death

2009-01-13T01:18:59Z

Yes! It's the official start of our long-awaited show. Let's see-- how long has it been?

1.5 years?! Damnit! We had more than enough time!
So yes, the strip is back on track again, week after week to poke fun at CTU's... oh crap, there's no more CTU! This recession is really screwing everyone over!

So, let's have some thoughts on the premiere episode(s), shall we?

Warning! Spoilers ahead!

It's interesting to see how many things carried over from 24: Redemption.

I'm kind of sorry to see that President Taylor and her husband Henry's son is gone-- I was kind of looking forward to more gratuitous scenes of his girlfriend and him rolling around in bed before attending White House dinners, brunches, back lawn press conferences. Okay, just his girlfriend.

I knew Juma's right hand man Dubaku was going to be the frontman for dealing with the American side, having a very large chip on his shoulder for his brother being killed in the movie. I don't know that I buy into a ragtag guerilla military in bed with techno-terrorists though-- seems a bit of a stretch.

As for the episodes itself, I was surprised how fast Tony showed up. One minute?! Wow. The show really in the end isn't making a huge surprise out of his return. What I am disappointed with is how lame a hiding spot he picked and easily he was caught! Though seeing Jack and Tony duke it out was most definitely the highlight of the two hours.

Agent Renee Walker--aka Jack's handler-- seems kind of dull. Actually, everyone at the FBI office seems rather flat and blase-- except of course for Janice (played by Janeane Garofalo), the nervous nelly that she is. It's not because I have a longtime crush on her, really. Janice though reminds me of Paula Schaeffer from season 2, computer analyst (and precursor to Chloe) who worried to death too about her job and terrorism affecting their lives. Of course, I would too if I was making the kind of money the FBI pays their agents.

It's also interesting to see the show kind of doing all this winking at flak the show has taken over the past 2 years with becoming the poster child for blame when it came to matters of torture. That story that U.S. forces were allegedly being told to look towards the show for inspiration (namely the waterboarding) didn't help much either. Also present is the idea that his character should be hogtied from his usual regimen of getting results, which really to me as a result left me feeling flat and underwhelmed with these two episodes. We have a character who takes matters into his own hands for six years and suddenly can't do anything more than run after a bad guy-- he even gets his gun taken away half the time!
The story also kind of gave a nod to the fans who argue the very point that the show shouldn't take the blame-- in the form of the FBI agent who talked to Jack about his being thrown to the wolves for his actions, and that people out there appreciate the character and his patriotism.

I'm really hoping we start to see more emotions come out of the good guys, because right now the bad guys are way more fascinating to watch. Tony in particular. I was with Jack all the way though-- maybe he's undercover, coerced, something, anything! He can't be bad!

Tonight may enlighten us more. And I have a sneaking suspicion what tonight's "first big surprise" will be: Kim... eaten by a cougar! *prays to the powers that be*

Redemption: The Comic Strip

2008-11-24T07:42:26Z

Well well well. Look who's back.

So, where has the strip been this past year? Well, pretty much on hiatus like the show, save for a strip here and there. Truth is, when your source material isn't around to motivate you, it's tough to keep it up. Compound that with the fact that I've worked on *counts* three T.V. shows this year so far (and hopefully a fourth shortly), it really took the wind out of my sails. Heck, it even sapped me from drawing Planet X.

But, I realized how much I missed drawing as a way to express my reverence for my favorite show and my love of all things pop culture. So I'm making a true concerted effort to return to the thing I was born to do -- that's draw in case you were wondering-- and start entertaining you all again for even just a few minutes a week.

So, that said, I'll leave the discussions to the usual fangroups and hope you enjoyed both the movie yesterday and the new strip today.

Oh, quick footnote-- I ended up changing the kicking kid's outfit from red to Willy's three-color striped shirt. Oddly, my coloring program had an almost exact match for his shirt in one of the gradients. Bizarre!
And, if you like drinking Dr. Pepper, they're giving everyone one free 20 oz. bottle because they lost the bet that Guns N' Roses wouldn't come out with their album before the end of 2008. Head over to Drpepper.com to redeem under "Promotions". Deal's only good through the middle of Monday.