Clipboard Comics
We made comic books from 2001 to 2004. We called them Clipboard Comics, because the first comic was made on a clipboard. We called our production company Playground Pond Inc. back then. The Playground Pond Inc. logo appears on the back cover of each comic.
We kept no records of the dates that we made the comics, but have inferred through the magical power of logic that a majority were made between late 2001 and mid 2002. Apparently, the production started slow, then sped up to a break neck speed, and slowly began tapering.
We were inspired by the Captain Underpants series (by Dav Pilkey) to create our own comics. In the Captain Underpants books, the two main characters create their own comics, which are done crudely for comedic effect. We wanted to create our own comics, making them intentionally crude to some extent.
We would both envision the stories, then Alex would draw the boxes and dialogue, and Andrew would draw the pictures. All of our comics followed a simple pattern. Each comic was a compilation of short parodies, a pattern we later used for our early movies.
Every issue began with a parody of the popular anime show "Dragon Ball Z" -- thus each comic book’s cover falsely advertises that the entire book is as an epic take on the DBZ saga. Occasionally, we would make a comic that disregarded the set guidelines, such as the sixth installment, which was completely based off of the video game, Star Fox 64.
All together we completed 10 issues of Clipboard Comics. We started, but never finished Issue #11. We made a “Master Comic” (the 10th installment), which was composed entirely of remakes. In 2005, we attempted a reboot, but ultimately, things didn’t work out. The digital scans of the comics are a bit rough, due to the age of the paper.
We kept no records of the dates that we made the comics, but have inferred through the magical power of logic that a majority were made between late 2001 and mid 2002. Apparently, the production started slow, then sped up to a break neck speed, and slowly began tapering.
We were inspired by the Captain Underpants series (by Dav Pilkey) to create our own comics. In the Captain Underpants books, the two main characters create their own comics, which are done crudely for comedic effect. We wanted to create our own comics, making them intentionally crude to some extent.
We would both envision the stories, then Alex would draw the boxes and dialogue, and Andrew would draw the pictures. All of our comics followed a simple pattern. Each comic was a compilation of short parodies, a pattern we later used for our early movies.
Every issue began with a parody of the popular anime show "Dragon Ball Z" -- thus each comic book’s cover falsely advertises that the entire book is as an epic take on the DBZ saga. Occasionally, we would make a comic that disregarded the set guidelines, such as the sixth installment, which was completely based off of the video game, Star Fox 64.
All together we completed 10 issues of Clipboard Comics. We started, but never finished Issue #11. We made a “Master Comic” (the 10th installment), which was composed entirely of remakes. In 2005, we attempted a reboot, but ultimately, things didn’t work out. The digital scans of the comics are a bit rough, due to the age of the paper.
Contents
The comics followed a strict pattern. Sometimes, we would edit the sequence, or replace parts with new ones. The "episodes" or "segments" included:
- The 'Real' Dragon Ball Z - An episode specific "Dragon Ball Z" parody
- The Power Pupped Geirls - An episodic parody loosely based on the Power Puff Girls, and one of the only segments with vague continuity
- Movie Special - A parody of a movie (some of which we had not actually seen)
- Mascot Stories - Original stories with original reoccurring characters, who were dubbed the "Mascots"
- The Crocodile Hunter: The Classified Episodes - A loose parody of "The Crocodile Hunter" without any real connection to the show
- Fractured Fairy Tales - A parody of a fairy tale. Takes its name from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
- Star Wars - A scene specific Star Wars parody
- Random Storie - Original storylines with (mostly) original characters
- There were also integrated "ads" and various threats to the readers to read the next issue...or else...
- There was also a great deal of material that appeared outside of the main comic line, such as posters, collages, scraps, etc.
- Every sixth issue was to be based completely off of a single video game. Instead of breaking the comic into multiple stories as usual, we would break it into chapters, each based on a different level from the same game.
List of Clipboard Comics
- Issue #1 - Gohan vs. Cell, The Phantom Monkey, The Wizard of Ooze, Croc Hunter - "Marsha," The Three Little Pigs, The What Titanic, Campfire Ghost Stories
- Issue #2 - Chi Chi vs. Cell, The JoJo Strikes Back, The Wizard of Ooze Classified Sequel, Croc Hunter - "Raptors," Snow White, Home Alone, Having Trouble Crossing the Street?
- Issue #3 - Android Freeza vs. Trunks, An Average Day, James and the Giant Peach, Croc Hunter - "Snake Charming," The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Phantom Menace Battle, Did You Lock Yourself Outside Your Car?
- Issue # 4 - Vegeta vs. Goku, JoJo Wars, The Lion King, Croc Hunter - "Jurassic Park," Goldy Locks and the Three Bears, The Pod Race, Al Usion's Magic Show
- Issue #5 - Goku vs. Android 19 and 20, The Amoeba-Boys' First Crime, Ghostbusters Finale, Croc Hunter - "Fugitive," The Tortoise and the Hare, Yoda Trains Luke, Lifeguards in Action
- Video Game Special #1: Star Fox 64
- Issue #6 - Goku and Pikkon vs. Cell and Freeza, Super Germs Away!, How Harold and Eli Met, Croc Hunter - "The Zoo," The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Luke vs. Darth Vader, The Greatest Lab on Earth
- The Oopsie Comic
- Issue #7 - Majin Buu vs Vegeta, The Rowdy Ruff Boys ... And a Monkey, How They Met: Arnold and Fred, Croc Hunter - "Time Master 5," Hansel and Gretel, The Partial Destroy of the Death Star, When Squirrels Attack
- Masterpiece Collection #1 - Campfire Ghost Stories (Reprise), Al Usion's Magic Show (Reprise), The Greatest Lab on Earth (Reprise), When Squirrels Attack (Reprise), Life Guards in Action (Reprise), Home Alone (Reprise), The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Reprise), Ghostbusters Finale (Reprise)
- Issue #8 - Super Buu vs. Gotenks (Super Saiyan 3), The Power Pupper Geirls Birthday Bash Thingie, Incomplete Chuck and Ralph Mascot Story
- 2005 Reboot - Campfire Ghost Stories (Second Reprise)
- Comic Index
- DBZ Character Guide