Welcome to the Iron Racer Jones nineteenth edition of... Son of Thunder!
I'm writing this a bit early this time, mainly because my parents are in town for a week and are staying with me for the duration. Won't get much chance to work on my contribution, probably.
Memorial Day will be past by the time you read this, but Maggie and I marched in the local parade as part of the local Arlington Heights Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association (say that three times fast!). First group out, ahead of even the Mayor! Woo!
This spring, we took an eleven week, thirty-three hour immersion course in crime and crimefighting at the Arlington Heights police department. It was a PR move for the cops, I know, but there were quite a lot of interesting bits throughout the course. The tour of the secret, unmarked 911 center with all the computers helpfully labeled ala the 60's Batcave. The night at the shooting range (dang - I am GOOD with both revolver and automatic; I had worried I wouldn't even see the targets!). The remote control dog-release doors on the cars that would tell a hound whether to attack (right side opens) or sniff around for clues (left side opens). The utterly cool rifles with the laser-sights.
I was surprised by how much I knew already (from my Criminology course at ND, several Writer's Guide books, and my voracious reading habit) but there were quite a few things I picked up (and probably will be making their way into Americana stories). Did you know most dogs have no depth perception? Neither did I.
You can probably tell by the intro to this column that I've finally seen the big movies - Iron Man and Speed Racer and Indiana Jones, all of which I enjoyed and liked for different reasons. Iron Man was a pretty cool introduction to the character and he was a heck of a lot more likeable than in the comic books. Speed Racer's racing scenes were out-of-this-world COOL - immense fun. And Indiana Jones kept going from one breakneck scene to the next - what can I say, I liked it, screwy Ruskies and all!
And The Dark Knight, filmed and blown up here in Chicago, looks to be terrific fun.
Also, as I write this, the Chicago Cubs are in first place. Could this be our year?
Probably not. Nice to dream, though.
Okay, the overhaul of kcryan.com is now nearing completion. The particularly observant of you have already noticed the addition (finally!) of Forte Universe, my take on the heroes of the original Forte world.
I've added a few new pictures, mostly of Hornet, but I do hope to get more art to scan in, eventually. There's a killer group shot of Angel Flight that has yet to arrive, but I'll pop it up when it comes in.
This is what I have cooked up for this addition of the Clobberin' Times:
There is a new story in the Justice Squadron section, The Rule of Law.
There is new artwork of Hornet and Angel Flight's Encantida as well in the new Forte Universe section.
So far as Americana goes, the Daring Defender of Democracy has some new artwork in both Americana's Art Gallery #19 and Americana's Art Gallery #20.
A light snow has fallen over the city, Christmas lights are up, holiday carolers abound - but Americana's attention is on the bold new threat of Bull Run.
Just hours later, things get hotter for our heroine as she faces a true Disco Inferno!
And right after that, Americana's night really goes to hell in a handbasket, because fire and flames fly freely in Skullfire!
After all that, Americana deserves a break, wouldn't you say? So this episode does not take place later the same night. But our heroine gets only a few days off before a criminal demands: Smiles When You Say That.
Americana thought her previous night had been rough, but that's nothing compared to tonight. Her latest opponent seems to be just as strong, just as tough, just as quick - she'll have to use all her skill to avoid being Deep Sixed!
That's it for now! Everyone have a great summer!
K.C.