Men in Back

Okay, so keeping with the science fiction/Baltimore theme, I present one of the many parody shirts I worked on at Thunder Creek: The Men in Back!

While crude and sophomoric, even 12 years later, it still bests any "Family Guy" non-sequitur or joke. It remains one of my favorite parody shirts from my Thunder Creek days. I am still tickled by the tag-line and was always happy with the caricatures of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.

The Martians: Origins (14)

For whatever reason you want to project onto the story, engaging the artifacts results in an explosion of destiny. Our four Martians are hurled into orbit and collected by a passing satelite...that bares a familiar flag. The Origin story ends as The Martians head towards The Milky Way - (in case that wasn't clear).

So, this was my first attempt at storytelling and storyboarding. I felt no need to continue the story. These 14 pages were my "Phantom Menace." I experienced the rest of the story.

My main goal was to help promote the band, but after restoring and posting a few pages, I realized what inspired me to tell the tale... Now, for those of you who know me, understand my fascination with minute and obscure details. I can't watch any episode of show produced in the 70' or 80's without pointing out all the thermostats (trust me, look for them!). This observation also applies to adult films. Anyhoo... I loved the band's logo, and remember asking the members about the black spot on the planet's surface. Of course, there was no reason, only a highlight, their artist friend, Tanner, employed. It was this trivial ink blot that became the impetus for my very first storyboard.

Thank you, Jay, Brian, Matt, and Chord!

The Martians: Origins (13)

...with explosive results.

The Martians: Origins (12)

With the mob fast approaching, instinct takes over our band of heroes....

The Martians: Origins (11)

With the entire town in pursuit, there is no better time to finally examine the artifacts. By pressing the elevated center piece, the artifacts expand and transform into musical instruments that are just as strange to our heroes.

The Martians: Origins (10)

The others follow their fearless leader outside the confines of their domed city, soon to realize they are still being pursued.

I apologize if my page synopsis is too obvious, but years ago, a storyartist at a very successful bay area animation studio told me the story was unclear.

The Martians: Origins (9)

Okay, so with The Martians' entire plan, literally, on the fly (right, david diamond?) and the entire city on their trail, the lead deviant sees no other alternative than to break through the barrier of their protected city.