Music was on my mind a lot with this episode, both its presence and its absence. First of all, the title of today’s strip, “Fire and Desire” is a reference to the torrid 1980 duet between Teena Marie and Rick James from Rick James’ classic funk album, Street Songs. (Please, no “I”m Rick James, bitch” jokes. My mind wasn’t even there until I started writing this post, because I left the joke back in 2004, where it belongs.)
Also, in a Blaxploitation film, or any film for that matter, this would be the natural point for a song to play over the love scene. Without the luxury of a musical interlude, I decided it would be a good opportunity to really move the story along by putting Ned Belmont almost literally at the front door. It was easier than writing pillow talk, which I thought might come across as banal or silly. Hopefully, you don’t mind the narrative technique.
However, because music was on my mind, I thought I might make a couple song suggestions for you that might go well with this episode. At first, I considered The Staple Singers’ hit “Let’s Do It Again,” a beautiful song with a kinda raunchy title, but it was released in 1975, a few years after the time period of The Thrill-Seekers. Therefore, my choice was “Simply Beautiful,” a lush, but spare, absolutely gorgeous song by Al Green from 1972. And what goes better with Pastor than a lil’ Reverend Al?
*Note “Up, Up and Away” was a real slogan used by the now defunct Trans World Airlines (TWA) in the early 1970s.
I’ll see you later in the week. On Friday, I have a big promotion planned, as well as the announcement of the very first sponsor for WORLD OF HURT. I hope to see you then.
- JEP
P.S. Oh yeah, there’s also a little nudity this week. Enjoy!
Well you did promise us some bedroom action, and man did you deliver. I like the fact that there is a little hair pulling on the second panel. I am interested to see what kind of reaction you are going to get to this strip. I think it fits in with the story completely and keeps everything still in the “R” movie rating.
Not only didn’t mind it, but I think it was played exactly right. This easily could have been an eye-candy sidetrack with no contribution to a story line that was picking steam up in a big way. Instead, we get the hot action (totally loyal to the genre) skip the potentially awkward pillow talk *and* move the story along toward what I’m thinking is going to be a fun confrontation. You rolled the dice and hit an 11 in my book.
Excited to hear Friday’s news!
Summey-
Thanks, man! Forget hair-pulling, this episode was like pulling teeth, because I had to shut off my inner censor to really make it work. Thankfully, I had someone in my ear who kept demanding to see Pastor’s butt, so there you go.
However, when I think of how culturally conservative we’ve gotten since the 1970s, it was a nice chance to throw a small metaphorical tomato at America’s collective prudishness.
- JEP
Doug G.-
You always make me feel like a million bucks with your comments!
- JEP
Loved the “Up, Up & Away” reference. Not only does it deliver cheeky innuendo, but it drags whiter-than-white ’60s & ’70s songwriter Jimmy Webb back into the incongruous realm of blaxploitation. It was Webb’s song of the same name (recorded by The 5th Dimension) that TWA licensed for its slogan/ ad campaign. Of course, Isaac Hayes recorded an epic version of Webb’s “By The Time I Get To Phoenix.” And Gil Scott-Heron namechecks Webb (though not in a flattering way) in “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” So, did you plan that? Even if not, it’s f—in’ genius! (Oh yeah, the strip was hot, too)
Russ-
What’s up? (Ha! See what I did there?) Seriously, I did intend the innuendo and I DID know about the Jim Webb/TWA licensing deal (”Up/Up and A-waa-aay/In my beautiful, beautiful balloon!”), but I didn’t intend the references to those Gil Scott-Heron’s or Hayes’ classics. I’ve got Hot Buttered Soul and I’ve listened to “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” repeatedly, too. Maybe it was a subconscious thing? Naah, I probably just got lucky!
- JEP
This whole strip is fully loaded with info, great job. I must say the last panel gave me still more insight into pastor. He’s not startled or ready to run, but Pastor knows its time to go. He will not be “caught” in a compromising situation, he will leave on his own terms and if he is seen, so what, he wasn’t hiding in the first place. So, here are my questions…Is Pastor going to be more of a womanizer or the man that will not hesitate to give the ladies what they want, but has a soft spot for someone special? To me Pastor is a nice strong man, but what are his motives with her…business…pleasure…personal gain, etc? Was this all in his plan in the first place? In my mind I knew this was coming, but I didn’t think it would leave me with more questions than answers. Delightful strip!! Can’t wait for the next one.
P.S. Pastor’s butt, good decision!
Bravo Jay! Bravo!
And you worried about what the people may say…. Incredible job, Jay
Yet another excellent episode, Jay. Hopefully if you gather enough sponsors you can do WOH thrice weekly or even daily. ‘Cause you’re creating a great hero here. You’re an inspiration to those who want to tell stories like this and will find the web is the perfect place to do it without all the bullshit Hollywood puts folks through. Thanks again.
Thanks for this week’s treat. You know what I’m talking about. WOH’s lady fans appreciate it.
and my mouth is a currently on the floor…..
I see lots of innuendo in the comments, yet nobody made a ‘Shaft’ pun.
I was wary about how you’d go about this one, Jay, but I think it came out very well. Great work, man!
MellM-
You pose a real interesting set of questions, and dig your insight.
In my original script for the series, Pastor was an unrepentant womanizer and a bit of a jerk about it, too. At a friend’s suggestion, I backed off that approach and even shelved the script. However, one of Pastor’s lines in that story was recycled and given to Duke here in The Thrill-Seekers arc. (I’ll let you figure out which line.
)
I think the key with Pastor is that he never makes a promise that he can’t keep, so he’s not going to lead anyone on and break their heart.
- JEP
Great strip!
(I had to throw the double entendre into the mix)
Am I glad to have found this. I’m going to read all your segments this weekend!
I love everything about your art, and black and white sets this off, don’t change, it gives it a vintage look. I’m a newbie with webcomics, but I’ll try hard to give some color to paranormal romance. Here’s the two sites I’ve started, though I still have lots more to do.
http://confessionsofashapeshifter.com/
http://razher.com/
Rodbuddah-
I was more worried about folks opening it up at work and not being prepared for a naked ass shot…plus I’m probably a prude at heart. With this encouragement, though, I might set Pastor’s next case in a nudist colony.
Vincent-
There is a tremendous amount of freedom here that I’m just learning to take advantage of. I think I might have taken the LEAST marketable approach toward the material and the character if I wanted to sell WORLD OF HURT to Hollywood, but a movie or TV pitch was never in my plans. Ultimately, I’d love to put out strips more frequently, but I’d rather underpromise and over-deliver. I did have my eye on BMFWallets for a while, and I’m glad they accepted my offer. I look forward to a long, and productive, partnership.
Guess Who-
Wednesday was Ladies’ Night here at WORLD OF HURT. *Cue Kool & The Gang*
A’Omare-
Told you it’d get hot around here.
Coyote Trax-
No more wary than I was, sir, but I’m glad I went with my instincts and Guess Who’s encouragement.
- JEP
Kris LK-
Ha! I think I scared off the punsters with my Rick James statement. It was late when I posted the strip, and it might have come off more gruff than intended.
Jessica-
Thanks for dropping by! I’m not that great with color theory and I’m really slow, so honestly the black and white was borne out of necessity. However, I’ve really tried to make it work for me, and I’m glad people have been pleased with it. I’m also thankful that the black and white art fits the formal conventions of the classic newspaper adventure strips that I love so much, and WORLD OF HURT attempts to emulate. It’s kind of like the movie, Walk The Line, when Johnny Cash begged off June’s compliments, claiming that what others thought of as clever were just a function of his own perceived limitations. I’ll make sure to check out your webcomics this weekend, too.
- JEP
Jay, you are freakin’ AWESOME! I love this webcomic!
I’m still trying to find my way around Photoshop as well as some comic programs but I should have a few pages up by X-Mas. I like your philosophy on all this, so I’m just gonna do this the best way I know how and pace myself.
Dude,
Did you clean things up in this strip?. It looks a lot slicker than I remember it from Wed., or maybe I just cleaned my computer screen. I did update to explore 8 too…hmmm…