HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Greetings and Happy New Year ACTION FIGURE KINGDOM fans (and curious onlookers)! – I was just reading through my last AFK post to see where we left-off! – That post was back in May of last year (2022), when I was working on completing ACTION FIGURE KINGDOM #14. — I guess it’s about time for an update!
ACTION FIGURE KINGDOM #14 NOW AVAILABLE…
Back in that May post, I reported the finished pencils for the 24-page, AFK#14 (part one of the two-part “Knock-Offs” storyline) were nearly completed and to “look for the new issue soon.” However, when the issue was finalized and ready to go to the printer, we hit some snags. To make a long story short… We had to find a new printer – which we did – and for a number of reasons, it just took a while to get the ball rolling and get the issue scheduled. – Finally, in mid-December(!) the new issue was printed and went on sale at our affiliated New Jersey Comic Shop, FUNNYBOOKS!
The cover to the All-New AFK#14 – colors by the amazing, Lea Jean Badelles. — Note: Since my last post, the covers on AFK#14 and AFK#15 were switched-up
MEET THE BAD GUYS!
AFK#14 is part one of the two-part, “The Knock-Offs,” storyline (AFK’s Fifth storyline if you’re keeping score). The 24-pager begins as Tommy’s dad gives Tommy knock-off versions of ACROBOT and SPARKINATOR, which he picked-up on his business trip to Japan. Tommy comments how the knock-offs — GOOD ROBOT and SHOCKINATOR — look, “kind of evil,” and puts them in play in his ACTION FIGURE KINGDOM world as bad guys. “The Knock-Offs” leans heavily into the fun and humor AFK has become known for, as ACROBOT and SPARKINATOR’S evil doppelgängers are somewhat idiotic. The issue ends with an old-school cliffhanger (another AFK trademark) which leads into the upcoming 28-page AFK#15, and the story’s grand conclusion!
ACTION FIGURE KINGDOM #15 UP NEXT!
As I write this, I’m well on my way through the finished pencils for AFK#15 – finishing about 80% of each the first nineteen (of 28) pages — I try to get as much done on a page before moving on, but always have to go back with a finer lead to tighten everything up, add final details, and make sure I don’t forget anything (like SHOCKINATOR’s freckles, costume details, and other continuity specifics). My goal is to finish the pencils before I began coaching the local high school boys’ lacrosse team in March. Not saying I’ll get it done, but I’m working towards that goal. I don’t want to give too much away, but I can tell you that AFK#15 will be a lot of fun, and part of that fun will be the return of two characters who have previously appeared in ACTION FIGURE KINGDOM — I think AFK fans are really going to enjoy this one!
There’s a lot more AFK to talk about, but I’ll save that for my next post (I have to get back to the drawing board – literally!). — Thanks for reading! – Action Steve