Ages 25 & Up - Comics with Kung-Fu Grip! Updated Saturdays

COMIC - File #174: "By Popular Demand"

2012-01-22T20:16:00.002-05:00

This one might be a little less worksafe than usual. Maybe.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #173: "Yet Another Strike"

2012-01-15T20:29:00.004-05:00

Cobra Stinger driver Roy is in hot water. It seems he's failed the Cobra Commander for the last time...!

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #172: "Stung"

2012-01-07T15:54:00.003-05:00

Weather was right for shooting outside (ie: there was snow), so here's an issue that features-- Wait, the Stinger's colours are all wrong for arctic conditions.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

Numbers' New Year's Newsletter: Turbo 2012 Update Arcade Edition with Hyper Fighting

2012-01-01T13:32:00.003-05:00

My friends, my sweet barbarians, a new year is upon us. If you read my newsletter from last year, still available here for your perusal, then you surely remember the tale of how my humble business venture, that of selling matches to schoolchildren, quickly became a lucrative empire. With match factories all over the world, thousands of valued employees with high morale and generous benefits/hours/working conditions, and, of course, cherished customers on every continent, I had decided that the world, as they say, was not enough.

I turned my eyes skyward. Look up at the stars and you're gone. My fallen blue-haired friend, almost a brother, told me that I would pierce the heavens, and by jove, I would see it done!

The Armour project began in secret and was unmistakably intertwined with my Space program. Matches were the past; space the future. I developed a nearly-unstoppable battle frame, a giant robot, if you will, but at the same time, a nemesis.

You see, his robot was sleeker than mine, with two faces and a fancy helmet. This simply would not stand. He opted for swords and missile pods on his mech, for some reason; I chose a much more constructive and humble option. My drill made short work of his weather-control device, and just in time to save the Earth, no less.

Our battle in the Sea of Tranquility was not one many people heard of. For a self-described super-villain, his advertising was quite lacking. I thought with him defeated, peace would be restored to the Solar System. If only.

While my Space Program merely aimed to put me in space, his had already brought him to another world. He had ships in orbit around Mars and bases on its moons, Deimos and Phobos. Not for the benefit of humanity, I might add, but its exploitation.

I soon made tracks to the Red Planet and saw the vile experiments he had performed on his own henchmen. I was glad I had built a giant robot and not merely a suit of powered armour as I had originally intended. Without the mech, I would have surely found myself knee-deep in the dead.

His creatures were more terrible than any I had imagined. Where, how, WHY had he created such monsters? A corruption of science if there ever was one. I spun up my drill and let nothing stand in my way. His steam-powered cruise-missile-firing flesh/machine hybrid minotaurs and spider-like machines with exposed brains and Vulcan cannons nearly made short work of me. If it wasn't for my mech--

The battle raged for months, but I soon discovered something far more sinister. My late nemesis was not simply creating these monsters, these demons... He had opened a portal to another, darker world and was summoning them into our own, presumably for nefarious goals.

I was told my drill would pierce the Heavens. Today I write to you about to step through this portal, this Gate, and use my drill to pierce Hell. I know what must be done, and nothing will stop me, not even Doom music.

My friends, 2012 will be year of challenges and overcoming odds. Of doing the impossible, of seeing the invisible. I know not what awaits me on the other side of this Gate, on a moon orbiting Mars, but I know that my mech, my drill, and my fighting spirit will carry me through. May 2012 bring you happiness and plenty of matches. Fellas, smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.

- 1337W422102, aka "Numbers," Self-Appointed Guardian of Terra, To Mend & Defend
Toxin Refinery, Phobos
January 2012

COMIC - File #171: "Dropping The Ball"

2011-12-31T22:25:00.003-05:00

Time to change those calendars.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #170: "And To All A Good Night"

2011-12-24T22:06:00.003-05:00

Sorry for missing last week. Hope this here Christmas issue makes up for it! If not, you can also check out the Christmas issue of Batteries Not Included, if you'd like.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

The Next Comic Will Be Delayed

2011-12-16T18:14:00.003-05:00

I just want to let you guys know that the next comic will be late. I don't mean "posted sometime during the night on Saturday" late, I'm talking "it's Friday evening and I haven't finalized the script yet, and I'm going out tonight and tomorrow and have stuff to do on Sunday" late.

Look, I'll do my best to get something up, but it will be short if I get it posted in time at all. If I can't, then screw it, I'll just scrap it and try to make the Christmas issue make up for it. That and I owe you guys some Batteries Not Included, too.

How does this sound to you?

COMIC - File #169: "Slay Bells"

2011-12-10T20:50:00.002-05:00

This isn't the Christmas issue, just a Christmas issue. Sound good?

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

It Came From The Commuity: David's Workshop

2011-12-09T12:08:00.003-05:00

I'd like to try something a bit different. The "It Came From The Community" segments will highlight cool stuff from Ages 25 & Up fans and readers, all three of them.

You guys even been to David's Workshop? If not, check it out! David's working on some pretty cool Joe customs and more. Right now, he's going through the process of customizing a figure and documenting the whole process (which really makes me feel like I should put more thought into my half-assed customs...). He's putting in a lot of work (and love), so give him some support in the comments sections of his posts. (If you could spare some custom fodder to send his way, I think he'd make excellent use of it!)

David's also an A25U reader and dedicated a post on his page to the comic, which was pretty damn cool of him. He also actively posts in the comments box on the left-hand sidebar, which you can use to share your thoughts with other readers (even if it's something like "I <3 cheese," which I do).

So check out David's Workshop and cheer him on! I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store.

COMIC - File #168: "Flash in the Pan"

2011-12-03T15:44:00.003-05:00

Scientific progress goes "boink." Or, in this case, "Flash."

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #167: "Right in the Morale"

2011-11-26T19:00:00.005-05:00

Seems like Cobras sure complain a lot, don't they?

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #166: "Aging Bull"

2011-11-19T23:17:00.003-05:00

Happy early Gazpacho Soup Day!

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #165: "Days & Thighs of Thunder"

2011-11-13T16:05:00.005-05:00

This issue features a special guests and the first appearance of a Joe I've waited a long time for. Jump in!

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #164: "Of Bikes And Men"

2011-11-05T20:11:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you just wish the Dreadnoks would shut up.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #163: "HalloWIN"

2011-10-30T23:15:00.004-04:00

First ever A25U Halloween issue AND one that's shot outdoors at night. Dig in. I also owe you 2 Batteries Not Included posts and a post about David's Workshop, but those will unfortunately have to wait for another day, again. (Apologies to David, once again...)

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #162: "Mine, All Mine"

2011-10-22T20:43:00.003-04:00

Only Tripwire, the Joes' explosive ordinance expert, can save the day.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #161: "#OccupySpringfield"

2011-10-15T20:41:00.003-04:00

Cobra doesn't take rebellion kindy.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #160: "The Way Of The Sword"

2011-10-08T17:21:00.003-04:00

They didn't always get along.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #159: "Grass Snake"

2011-09-30T22:06:00.003-04:00

This one's a tad cliché, I know. Still, you might enjoy it regardless. It has Wild Bill in. That's gotta count for something, right?

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

Q&Ages 25 & Up #27: September 2011

2011-09-27T20:55:00.005-04:00

If there's one thing A25U readers are besides made of win, it's curious! This month, we have some more questions from the A25U community. Do I have what it takes to provide decent answers? Let's find out.

Question #1 - Loose Cannon asks:
Are we done with mini-Joes? Bring back more Star Wars or Marvel Universe stuff.

1337W422102 answers:
The Combat Heroes' story is over. Sorry it ran for so damn long.

Question #2 - Solid Strider:
I'm a huge fan of snow dios, any plans to do one this winter? The last one I recall was the Bionicle storyline.

1337W422102 answers:
I haven't thought that far yet, and weather is a real important factor in this, not to mention that I don't have much arctic-themed stuff. But I'll try to work something in!

Question #3 - Flint-wo2 ask:
Will we see Duke Nukem again???

1337W422102 answers:
Duke got screwed over back in #123 and joined the fray during the Combat Heroes story, eventually being critical in getting rid of Cobra's Size-Adjustment Ray System (aka SARS). Unfortunately, things didn't end so well for him.

Have we seen the last of him, though? Let me put it this way: Always Bet On Duke.

Question #4 - Night Viper 143 asks:
Besides Roadrock... who else are you going to be looking forward to including in your comic from the upcoming movie?

1337W422102 answers:
Wait, what? What makes you think I'm interested in anything from that line?

Question #5 - Meddatron asks:
What is one figure/character that has never had an action figure made of, that you wish they did because you either really would like to have in the comic or even have jokes that would work for character in the comic?

1337W422102 answers:
I'd spend four years travelling the Land of the Dead for a some Grim Fandango figures. I'd like to try to make my own Manny Calavera using Stikfas, but I don't think I'd do the character justice.

Hell, I dressed up as Manny for the last Montreal Comiccon, if that's any indication of my love for that game. Ah, how I long for the days when the LucasArts logo was an indication of quality, a medal to be earned.

Question #6 - Meddatron asks:
I know you're a video gamer, and I probably know this answer but got to hear it from the man. Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat? and why?

1337W422102 answers:
I could go into a long-winded rant about the nature of fighting games being inherently based in strategy, characters' moves needing to have priority over other moves but still maintain balance ("Will Dude's standing roundhouse go through Bloke's jumping uppercut?"), games should be more than just LOLGORE, diversity of characters instead of just pallette swaps, balance of characters (even boss fighters and without special moves) and all kinds of other shit, but I'll spare you the details.

But for me, it was Tuesday.

Question #7 - Meddatron asks:
Any chance we get a horror episode for Halloween, maybe akin to The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror?

1337W422102 answers:
Hell yeah, let's do it. I'll make a Halloween-themed Batteries Not Included, too.

Question #8 - Monkeywrench asks:
You have done several challenging comics like the epic silent one, classic #100 stop motion and the Noir story arc. What will be the next challenging comic?

1337W422102 answers:
I don't know yet. I'd like to keep things relatively simple though, since it's my last semester of university, but I'd be doing you guys a disservice if I didn't go all-out. One item on my to-do list is revisit a stop-motion series I used to before I'd started the comic. I had planned three story arcs but only made one. I'd like to remake it as a comic and finish off the story... eventually. It's not Joe-related after the first story, so it'd have to be an "Ages 25 & Up Presents" sorta deal.

Question #9 - Monkeywrench asks:
If there was going to be a live action film based on your Joeverse, what story arc would they use and why?

1337W422102 answers:
I have no idea. The Real American Teamup story with Captain America might work because it'd be easy to merchandise and might work in other countries due to the interpretation of the Cap being taken as social commentary. Maybe.

Question #10 - Monkeywrench asks:
Zombies, Werewolves or Whores?

1337W422102 answers:
Zombies are an overdone fad that needs to end. Werewolves are forever ruined by furfiends and Twilight kiddies.
Bring on the girls.

That's it for this month! Thanks again, gang.

COMIC - File #158: "Falling With Style"

2011-09-25T19:19:00.004-04:00

Late once more. This time, it was due to a friend's engagement party, so I guess it's a decent-enough reason, right?

...right?

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #157: "I Don't Get It, Not One Bit!"

2011-09-18T22:13:00.004-04:00

I owe you guys a post-comic-con report. But more importantly, I owe you a new comic. Again, sorry for the delay.

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

New comic delayed unti (at the earliest) Sunday

2011-09-16T20:45:00.002-04:00

I hate to do this, but I'm just too busy right now to get it done. Lots to http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifdo this weekend, including the Montreal Comic Convention, where I'll be tomorrow, dressed up as Manny Calavera from Grim Fandango. Give me a shout if you see me.

COMIC - File #156: "Let's Do Lunch"

2011-09-11T22:12:00.003-04:00

I'm later than usual this week. Sorry, guys...

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE

COMIC - File #155: "The Shrunk Machine"

2011-09-04T18:19:00.004-04:00

At long freakin' last! The final issue of the "Heroic Combatants" story. I'm now aware that I've been running this story in some shape or form since January, and the story itself is caused by an event that happened back in December of 2009.

Y'see, I got this crap all planned out. Yeah.

Anyway, here's the conclusion of the story. Questions linger, but they'll be addressed later. Right now, let's move on, yes?

CLICK ON COMIC TO ENLARGE