A powerful metaphor (HELL ON WHEELS CONCLUDES)
Change is in the air as Hell On Wheels concludes. Things are moving on.
Steeple will return on September 8th. I have had to schedule in break weeks between this year’s remaining “issues” because I lost seven (count em) drawing weeks moving house and writing a new series for Dark Horse. I did pretty well getting ahead beforehand but, it pains me to say, not quite well enough. See you soon.
Great story, John! I look forward to Maggie’s Party, and to the new DH series.
And also, here is a little song to commemorate Gareth’s journey.
(with apologies to The Four Seasons)
🎵
Oh, what a fight
What a time to be a GCC
We Valleymen faced our enemy
On Port Talbot, what a fight
Oh, what a fight
They hate daffodils so evilly
We took our battle ‘cross the galaxy
Brought to Terra such a fight
Oh I, I had a funny feelin’ at the time to go home
And I, said no more of this war, it is time to roam…
Not gonna fight! (Chet Chut Chot Chu-Chu, Chet Chot Chu)
Not gonna fight! (Chet Chut Chot Chu-Chu, Chet Chot Chu)
And then one night
Reverend Penrose came to purchase me
I helped him avoid a calamity
Then showed that camper wrong from right
Stayed outta sight
Until my hand was forced by young Billie
Now we make our way to Goonhilly
To catch a rocket for a flight
A jam, saved me from Lord Sugar’s folly, when the launch went boom
And so, David searched inside his heart, and there, found room…
Oh, what a knight! (Chet Chut Chot Chu-Chu, Chet Chot Chu)
Oh, what a knight! (Chet Chut Chot Chu-Chu, Chet Chot Chu)
Oh, what a knight! (Chet Chut Chot Chu-Chu, Chet Chot Chu)
Oh, what a knight! (Chet Chut Chot Chu-Chu, Chet Chot Chu)
[FADE OUT] 🎵
Someone stop him before he filks again!
Best part of this comic : Maggie’s robin returns!
Best part of this comic: Maggie’s face.
I notice that Mrs Clovis is asking Maggie to look after her house, and the next story is called Maggie’s Party. Sounds like a disaster in the making. I can’t wait.
Beautiful story, it’s weird thing that now Penrose and Billie have a Transformer as a friend and car. But it’s also amazing! I wonder if Maggie will found the secret room in Mrs Clovis’ cottage where she has stored all her old gadgets from when she was an international spy.
If we all try hard, we can wish into existence the story of Mary, swingin’ 60s paranormal superspy.
I will Wish VERY hard! Maybe she even met Shelley, who was on a mission in the past.
Does no-one care where Mrs Clovis is going for 2 weeks? Because we should. She’s a bloody marvel and we should give her the attention she deserves instead of being captivated by young’uns and their parties.
Blasphemy has crossed my mind, but of said blasphemy, I shall not speak!
I’m going to take a wild guess that she’s going to visit Mr. Clovis and very likely his tombstone.
She might be going in to get that arm fixed
She apparently has Popeye-level forearms!
Speaking of which: Mrs. Clovis has to tell Maggie, “No parties!”, and … you see where I’m going with this? 😉
And Maggie will agree, but somehow, entirely outside her control, the party will happen, anyway. Inevitably.
Hijinks ensue.
Not just any hijinks. Zany, wacky hijinks!
Hoo, yah … It’s only one of THE most classic widely-used fantasy fandom tropes.
https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20220914
Hints of the “We Can Do It” WWII poster in Maggie’s “crick” pose?
This has been a truly excellent run of comics, John. Thank you.
Yes, definitely getting a strong “Rosie the Riveter” feel from that one.
This has been truly lovely! <3
Thanks John! I’m glad you are taking (have taken?) a bit of a break.
Had to look up what “skint” means. Thanks for my vocab lesson.
Mary Clovis always has a strong ‘Gran’ma Rose from Bone’ energy to her. We never do get to see her run marathons without breaking a sweat, though.
There’s something so comforting about that “WATER” sound effect. Even if it is manifest through the world’s most deformed watering can… (or is Clovis using her power arms to bend the spout in panel 5?)
I hope the break was a good one, John!
Ah, moving is such great fun.
And by “fun” I mean horrendous, tiresome, frustrating, and expensive.
Enjoy your break, and see you when you get back.
Loving Mrs. C’s compassionate expression in panel 2. I really love how their friendship has grown.
Thanks for another fun story, John! Looking forward to the next installment. 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂