Today’s page takes us back to Ralph’s Diner, where Captain Heroic proves—once again—that nothing rattles him… not even a surprise soup bath.
Hailey is mortified, Captain Heroic is dripping, and somewhere across the diner, Yazmine Velour is livestreaming the whole thing as heart emojis rain from the internet. It’s a small moment, but one that says a lot about who Cap really is—and why people can’t help falling for him.
Transcript
Panel 1
Hailey (distraught that she has dumped hot soup on Captain Heroic): Omigod Omigod Omigod…
Captain Heroic (turning to another person eating at the diner): Excuse me. Would you hand me a napkin, please? (The person hands him a napkin)
Panel 2
Hailey: I’m so sorry Captain Heroic, sir. I didn’t mean to — {sob}
Panel 3
Captain Heroic (handing her the napkin): Here. Please don’t cry.
Panel 4
Captain Heroic (continues): Most of my first impressions involve disintegration rays. And actual impressions. In concrete.
Panel 5
Captain Heroic: This was far more pleasant — not counting the bay leaf in my shirt.Yazmine Velour (as she livestreams the interaction from the other side of the diner, a torrent of heart emojis flow from her phone as the audience reacts): Omigod Omigod Omigod
After Dark

This week's commissioned MicroFic delivers exactly what you’d want from a pairing between Dynasty and Father Christmas.
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Yes, he lives up to his name.
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Yes, Dynasty knew exactly what she was doing.
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No, the North Pole will never be the same.
I also posted the Goblin Girl MicroFic from the Monster Girl poll — and the response was so good, I might need to make these poll-powered MicroFics a recurring thing!

Wizard World Philadelphia 2006 Report, Part TwoAnother highlight of Wizard World Philadelphia was meeting Eric Maruscak. Eric is a sidewalk-chalk artist — among other talents — and showed John Herbert (who was exhibiting next door) and me some of his work. He is truly a tremendously gifted artist. I really hope that Wizard snags this guy and flies him to their conventions to do sidewalk art. It would add such a cool touch of panache — safely and affordably — to the convention experience.
Here are some images from a Street-Painting Festival that Eric participated in after WWPhilly. He recreated a dynamic Hulk illustration. By the time he’s done, it looks as if Big Green is actually busting out through the asphalt.
Outline detail End of Day Two Progress Detail Final Image Detail Size Perspective Eric also knows where to get 5,000 business cards at an excellent price. Good
tip, Eric.
Thanks again to all the nice people who showed up to say hi and talk comics. And big thanks to all the pople, like Firebird Dave, who keep coming out year after year. It’s getting to be less like a comic convention and more like a reunion!