You may remember from the strip "Joey the Sloth pt.3" (from 8/17/10) that Sgt. Mulveny had a wife named Gladys. Sadly, she has passed away. Few people know that the Sarge met his wife when he was a young rookie cop at this very diner where she was working. Roxy's Diner was an Exotic City institution--the young cop would purposefully frequent the eatery just to catch an eye full of his future bride-to-be. Years later, after they were long married, the diner went out of business and then sat vacant for many years. Gladys always wished they could buy the old place and fix it up for something to do once they were retired.
The exterior of the building itself was modeled after Ann Arbor's own diner institution, the Fleetwood Diner located downtown on the corner of Liberty and South Ashley St. The name (Roxy's Diner) comes from my dog, Roxy.
Hmmm. Interesting ending. I like how you cut to an exterior shot for the last panel to drop the last punch of dialogue.
Nice! Clearly, you’re setting up a *Vertigo* sort of plotline where Mulveny tries to transform Penelope into the splitting image of his beloved wife Gladys, right? (KIDDDDING, sheesh!) ; )
Suddenly, I’m really hungry! Yay for more Penelope, and I think it’s great she’s gonna work for the Sarge. Loving the story, buddy.
I wonder if she’ll take ‘em up on the offer?
Thanks everyone!
@FRANK: I was kicking myself late last night deciding to use two establishing shots in one comic! =o)
@CHAD: LOL! Two Vertigo references might be too much (see the first one here: Alfred Hitchcock Presents) when there are so many other great Hitchcock flicks to use!
@TOM: Thanks Tom! I’m really looking forward to this (next) year’s worth of strips. Think of it like my first year = Batman Begins…the setup, the establishment (and the learning curve). Now it’s time to thrust this puppy forward!
@JERRY: Tune in to find out!
Cliffhanger city! We’ll just have to live this week on the edge of our seats!
And nice little tribute to the Fleetwood Diner. I’m a sucker for throwing local flavor into stories.
I can’t remember the last time I went to a Diner now I’m dying to go
I shall have to check out the Fleetwood Diner next time I am in Ann Arbor!