Q: What’s the difference between “Classic” Unlikely Society and the "New” Unlikely Society?
A: First, the cast is almost entirely new. I know, I know, you were a huge Ninja Rabbit fan. I’ve heard it a million times. I’m truly sorry. It's just that I got tired of those characters, and some of them were getting really boring to write. How many Elvis jokes can Elvinator make?? So, I killed them all and started from scratch with a new cast. Hopefully you'll come to love them as much as you loved Ninja Rabbit and the old gang.
The other big change is that I’m now using a more episodic structure, with smaller chapters released on a (hopefully) somewhat regular basis. Putting out a monstrous 30+ page story in one big chunk was a huge amount of work and dragged on FOR-E-VER. My plan is to release a new chapter every month or so.
Q: Do I have to have read the "Classic" Unlikely Society in order to understand the "New'" Unlikely Society?
A: No, not really. The "New" Unlikely Society is, as they say, a good "jumping on point." The cast is almost all new (with the exception of a few old favorites, like Muffy Spritzer). There might be a few inside jokes or references that you might not get, but that's about it. The old comics are posted on the website in the "Classic Comics" section if you're curious.
Q: What is the process for developing a comic book issue?
A: It is a long, arduous ordeal. First up, obviously, is the story. Well, maybe that’s not obvious. Some writers (*cough*GeorgeLucas*cough*) neglect this point. Not me, though! During this process, I start writing the script with detailed panel descriptions and dialogue.
Once the script for a chapter is finished, then comes “principal photography” as they say in the Lego comic biz. What??? There’s no “Lego comic biz?” Well, there should be. Anyway, taking the pictures is surprisingly tedious. I know, it sounds like it would be totally glamorous and exciting. It’s not. It’s really a pain in the ass. Lego mini-figs fall over a LOT. And they aren’t as posable as you’d think.
Once all the pictures are taken, I move into post-production -- page layouts, special effects, and word balloons. This is my favorite part.
After that, it’s the web design stuff and publishing the updated website. Then it’s dropping a few notes on some Lego messages boards. After that, it’s just basking in the glory of my devoted fans!
Q: Do you have a life?
A: Nope.
Q: What software do you use?
A: I use Adobe’s Photoshop Elements (and some Alien Skin plug-ins) for page layouts and special effects. For the word balloons, I used to use Photoshop Elements, but then I discovered Comic Life by Plasq, and it totally changed my life. I freaking LOVE this software. Most of my fonts are from Blambot. For the webpage stuff, I use Apple’s iWeb.
Q: Seriously, don’t you have a life?
A: Seriously, no I don’t.
Q: I mean, to sit around and take pictures of toys and make up little stories … you must have no life.
A: You are correct. What is your question?
Q: I’m a gorgeous 20-year-old lingerie model, and I have a thing for funny guys who like Legos and comic books. Will you go out with me?
A: Whoops, this should go in the NAQ – Never Asked Questions – section.
Q: I noticed some inconsistencies in the story and/or pictures. Allow me to provide the following comprehensive list of inaccuracies ….
A: Whenever you notice something like this, please remember the official Hedgehog Productions corporate stance on continuity errors: “A wizard did it!”
Q: I have this great idea for a character that I thought you could use ….
A: Sorry, I’m not really interested in idea submissions. I have too many stupid ideas and not enough time as it is.
Q: Did you ever notice that Terrificman seems a lot like Superman, and --
A: I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of Superman.
Q: -- and Grrl Pwrr is kinda like Wonder Woman --
A: I have NO idea what you’re talking about.
Q: -- and Olaf is a total ripoff of Thor!
A: Security! Get this guy out of here. Next question please.
Q: What’s the deal with the “New Unlikely Society Collected Edition?”
A: Currently, there’s one volume available for sale (with more to come!), which collects chapters 1 through 7 (the first half of the N-Vasion story arc. The PDF is available through The Illustrated Section website for a dollar. The PDF includes the new “special edition” version of these chapters, which has all new special effects, new word balloons, and some slightly tweaked dialogue here and there.
Q: Are you still going to post new chapters here on the website?
A: Of course! The website will stay the same, with new chapters getting posted every month or so, or whenever I get them done. The Collected Edition is an extra thing, just for the fun of it.
