Monday, January 21, 2013

Comic Captions: My Favorite Martian

This is in conjunction with the My Favorite Martian blogfest thingy being run by the Geek Twins and some other people.  I realized I had the perfect Comic Captions panel for it.  Though that will only be half the post.

Here's today's panel from Brightest Day #12 featuring the Martian Manhunter...get it?



And here's my attempted caption:
You brought protection, didn't you?

OK, you do better.

Now to change gears you're supposed to talk about your favorite alien character.  I could have gone with someone from Star Trek or Star Wars.  I mean there are plenty to choose from.  But really my favorite alien character in recent times is Roger on American Dad.

It took a season or two for the show to really figure out what to do with Roger's character.  At first he was just an alien shut-in who watches a lot of TV and drinks and talks like Paul Lind.  Eventually though the writers decided to let Roger out into the world, through various disguises.  Like Clark Kent or Diana Prince the disguises are pretty easy to see through (I mean how can you not notice the gray skin, bulbous head, stubby legs, etc?  So like with Superman and Wonder Woman's secret identities you suspend some disbelief that he can get away with it.

Anyway, the disguises let Roger do just about anything, which helps to create various absurd scenarios through all his personas.  It would take too long to go through every example, so here are just a few random ones.  In one episode Roger under the guise of "Roy Rogers McFreely" takes over the neighborhood home association and starts letting people do all sorts of crazy shit to their properties.  Another time Stan, the patriarch of the Smith clan, finds out Roger was part of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team he reveres and taking steroids so they have to journey to Switzerland to give Roger's medal back.  In one case he even develops a split personality and actually puts a hit out on himself without realizing it.  It's become such a running gag that they incorporated it into the opening credits, where every week Roger pops up in a different disguise, sort of like the chalkboard message in The Simpsons.

I think what makes this work is that the writers created a twisted Batman vs. the Joker type relationship between Stan and Roger.  Like Batman, Stan is the law-and-order moral authority, whereas Roger, like the Joker, believes in sowing chaos for his own amusement.  Basically Roger does whatever he wants whenever he wants to whoever he wants.  He's kind of like the evil twin of "Alf" or "ET" in a lot of ways.  The kind of chaos that creates is fun to watch.

So there you go.

Tomorrow is about the future of ebooks or something...

21 comments:

Jeff Hargett said...

I must admit that I'm clueless about Roger or American Dad, but the character does sound amusing.

Jay Noel said...

When Roger talks, it reminds me of someone. I'm wondering if the creators are making fun of an old actor/comedian. I just can't put my finger on exactly whom they're imitating.

Rusty Carl said...

"So yeah, I just painted myself green and told everyone I was a Martian. What's your deal?"

I saw the episode where he took the hit out on himself. I thought it was great. I'd pick any of a dozen aliens off of futurama and be happy.

Jstank said...

I love it! Roger is a great choice. Hi! I am just stopping by to check out your post for the blog hop. I rather enjoyed it. Think I might stay a while.

Cheers!

Briane said...

I'm a little down on cartoon captions today because my latest didn't make the cut for The New Yorker and I should've gone with salary. But I'll try. Let me give it some thought.

Liesel K. Hill said...

Haven't seen that one but it sounds fun! Great pick! :D My Martian Post. Happy Monday!

Maurice Mitchell said...

Amazing choice Pat, mainly because I only saw a few episodes and decided he was just what you said. I'll have to take a second look, and thanks for joining the hop!
Caption: "Um, could you look like Brad Pitt just this once?"

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I guess I need to watch American Dad. That sounds intriguing. You should have recommended it to me earlier because I know I recommend lots of stuff to you.

stephen Hayes said...

Congratulations! I see you've broken the one hundred member barrier. The next hundred should come easily.

M Pax said...

I'll have to ask my Husband Unit about Roger. He sounds like a very amusing character.

Unknown said...

Good choice with Roger from American Dad. He always kind of reminded me of a naughtier version of Alf.

Cindy said...

The two aliens look like such a nice couple. I never watched American Dad, but Roger sounds like a good choice. My favorite Alien is Q from Star Trek. Yeah, I just can't help picking someone from Star Trek.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I never felt much pull towards giving American Dad a try, but you've definitely given me several reasons to check those episodes out! Thank you.

Cynthia said...

Hello from the blogfest...I haven't seen this, but it sounds quite entertaining.

Tony Laplume said...

Roger is the Seth MacFarlane version of TV's stereotypical gay personality. Like Will & Grace's Jack, it somehow works.

As for the caption, "I love Patrick Gleason, I mean you, too!"

stephen Hayes said...

Wow, nothing comes to mind for this one, but I do want to congratulate you on breaking that 100 follower mark. The next hundred will come quickly.

Julie Baswell said...

Sorry but I've never even heard of that show much less the alien. Will have to watch for a rerun sometime. Sounds like something I would have liked. Now following you. Julie @ http://icreatepurtythangs.blogspot.com

Craig Edwards said...

Martian Manhunter rocks the world! Excellent comics panel - and your caption is hilarious! Cheers!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Interesting choice!

Adorably Dead said...

Oh my goth Roger. American Dad definitely wouldn't be the same without him. I think my favorite disguise of his so far is Jenny Fomdablock.

Trisha said...

I don't know American Dad that well so can't really pass judgement on your decision here. :P And yes, it's taken me this long to get around to all the blogs!

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