Mayberry Melonpool is the television-addicted, somewhat clumsy, not-all-that-intelligent Captain of the "Steel Duck." Oh yeah, and he's obsessed with getting a date. In short, he doesn't have a lot going for him.
Ralph Zinobop is the inventor of the "Steel Duck." He is eager to enter the next phase of his plan: to make money off his inventions to regain his rightful place as ruler of the Planet Zinobop — a planet that he was exiled from by his paranoid father several years ago. His other hobbies include wild get-get-rich schemes and drinking copious amounts of coffee. He also has a terrible temper.
Sam T. Dogg is completely out of his element. He’s super intelligent, a highly-skilled pilot and has the most common sense of anyone aboard the "Steel Duck." Also, no one takes him seriously because he’s a dog.
Sammy the Hammy is a genetic experiment gone horribly awry. Sammy is part of the ship’s equipment (he’s the engine) as well as a member of the crew. For this reason, Ralph never bothered giving him a name and he remained known as “Hamster 42” for much of his life.
Originally named "Hamster 13," Tammy is the former engineer of Roberta's ship, The "Blue Bird." She's much smarter than any other of Ralph's giant hamsters, but was horribly-burned saving the rest of the crew. She currently is encased in a block of Carbonite, awaiting medical treatment.
Believe it or not, this was always the path I had in store for Tammy — I was caught a little a little off guard by the fan response to her. I may have to thaw her out someday! I do like the first panel art-wise, though!
Yes, I would like to see her thawed out. She’s tough, smart, and empathetic – it would give all the characters, including Sammy, something new to respond to.
It would be nice to have a 3rd and/or 4th female member into this reborn crew. I mean at least someone else to match wits with Ralph and also an animal to boot.
Plus given how Sammie reacts to her, it a bonus way to get him to keep spinning the wheel.
I think the real key is that most comic strips need to keep their cast down in the six character range. I’m already pushing things when Jalea comes along in that it brings the character count up to 7 — 9 with the pets (assuming the Duck ever makes it into the strip again — I’m undecided). Maybe Jalea’s played out — I dunno. I really find it interesting that Tammy resonated so much with you guys, given that she’s only been in about 7 strips. I agree that she’s a valuable addition — but I have to find the right place for her — or figure out if there’s someone else from the main cast who should go… Jalea or Ralphie might be the closest to being on the chopping block.
There’s some good arguments for eliminating Ralphie, really. You get to restore a full range of emotions to Ralph. Ralph maybe gets to learn a few things from the experience and be no less sarcastic but a little less unhinged about actually doing the things he threatens…
Ha another old favorite returns.
Be careful with what you say near Ralph, Mayberry.
burned then frozen, she’s really running hot and cold yuk yuk yuk
(idk if carbonite is actually cold)
Believe it or not, this was always the path I had in store for Tammy — I was caught a little a little off guard by the fan response to her. I may have to thaw her out someday! I do like the first panel art-wise, though!
Yes, I would like to see her thawed out. She’s tough, smart, and empathetic – it would give all the characters, including Sammy, something new to respond to.
It would be nice to have a 3rd and/or 4th female member into this reborn crew. I mean at least someone else to match wits with Ralph and also an animal to boot.
Plus given how Sammie reacts to her, it a bonus way to get him to keep spinning the wheel.
I think the real key is that most comic strips need to keep their cast down in the six character range. I’m already pushing things when Jalea comes along in that it brings the character count up to 7 — 9 with the pets (assuming the Duck ever makes it into the strip again — I’m undecided). Maybe Jalea’s played out — I dunno. I really find it interesting that Tammy resonated so much with you guys, given that she’s only been in about 7 strips. I agree that she’s a valuable addition — but I have to find the right place for her — or figure out if there’s someone else from the main cast who should go… Jalea or Ralphie might be the closest to being on the chopping block.
Because felines with more than six characters in their name are awful, just think of “Garfield” or “Heathcliff”.
Unless you meant to say “cast”… (just pulling your antennae i.e. j/k)
Ralphie? NOOOOOOOO!
Unless you mean ‘Old’ Ralphie, then NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Just kick Mayberry off the comic. After all, it’s not like you did that before… wait…
Yeah — cast.. haha. Changed it.
There’s some good arguments for eliminating Ralphie, really. You get to restore a full range of emotions to Ralph. Ralph maybe gets to learn a few things from the experience and be no less sarcastic but a little less unhinged about actually doing the things he threatens…
And you can always sneeze Ralphie back out later.