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November 13, 2006

Templar: And now, back to your scrawny, rumpled protagonist, already in progress.

When I was in college, I used to schedule my classes around episodes of Jerry Springer.

This was classic Springer, nothing like the current incarnation. This was small-children-throwing-their-shoes-at-the-audience Springer. There were regular roundhouse pimp slaps, torn clothes, stolen wigs and bloody noses. No goofiness to soften the edges of the brutality, either. No dwarves, no skits, no cameras panning away right before the fists made contact. This was a golden age, people.

One of my clearest college memories is of how annoyed I became when live coverage of the Columbine shootings pre-empted the afternoon's Springer show. I was placated when a newschopper caught footage of SWAT cops dragging a blood-drenched student from a second story window, but only barely.

What can I say? I'm that kind of person.

I don't think Ben is, though.

Posted by Spike at November 13, 2006 07:47 PM

Comments

I was TOTALLY RIGHT. I can't even think about how happy that makes me. Hee. (I'm such a dork.)

And I love Ben. Badly.

Posted by noelle at November 13, 2006 08:35 PM
68.158.235.241

Hahaha. I would watch that show.

Posted by dennis at November 13, 2006 09:16 PM
69.120.23.214

Me too. Just hearing this guy talk about ANYTHING would be hilarious I bet.

Posted by Magnolia at November 13, 2006 09:21 PM
198.7.242.130

He... is awesome. I wish that show was real.

The first thing I thought of however... was Marcus from Julie Taymor's Titus. I swear he wore the toga wrap over a suit. And yes, I am a nerd for this.

Posted by Giovanna at November 13, 2006 09:50 PM
76.19.128.42

That second panel so perfectly captures the essence of mid-90s Springer. Beeyutiful.

Posted by stacey at November 13, 2006 11:43 PM
69.222.67.32

Hot damn, Judge Judy x Jerry Springer with Roman styled 'high and mightiness'?

I wants it.

Posted by B at November 13, 2006 11:48 PM
68.147.58.105

that's kinda weird - a friend of mine was just talking about the Columbine shootings earlier today. Specifically about the boy they pulled from the window.

anyway, YAY for the return of BEN!

Posted by Alan Tyson at November 14, 2006 02:14 AM
69.41.118.3

Spike, I've been following this comic for a while, and I get excited everytime there's an update.

Anyways... Awesome. I wish this show was real, and that really was a cool scene transition. And look! It's Ben!

Thanks for writing and drawing this stuff. It makes me happy.

Posted by Meg at November 14, 2006 08:12 AM
65.103.188.135

Not that this matters a whit (I feel like a total dork for noticing,) but is Ben meant to be left-handed?

Posted by stacey at November 14, 2006 02:38 PM
69.222.67.32

Damn... Fool me once. I am loving your comic. Loving it. And as soon as I have the income to do so I will donate.

Posted by JPCrim at November 14, 2006 09:24 PM
24.6.171.231

I'm really glad you guys are enjoying the comic!

And yeah, Ben (and most of the cast) is left-handed, but not on purpose. They're left-handed the way most of the characters on The Simpsons are left-handed; because if you don't watch yourself, right-handed cartoonists tend to draw left-handed people. I wonder why that is.

Huh.

Posted by spike at November 16, 2006 12:23 AM
68.20.179.135

Maybe because you imagine looking at yourself in a mirror when thinking of how people would be posed?

Posted by Akumu at November 16, 2006 12:52 AM
69.145.180.43

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