London Walkabout

Gigi gets around the British capital in Pretty Vacant: London Calling.  Art by Daniel, Story by me!

The Queen of England may not use it, but Jack Bauer, Sir Paul McCartney, Sherlock Holmes, The Stig and I have taken the London Underground. Over a billion people yearly use the subway system affectionately called "The Tube", and it is one of the largest and most effective mass transit operations on Earth!

While driving in your automobile is still the best way to get around, I find myself driving less and less. My car has become my option of last resort if I can't walk or take a plane or train or bus. Perhaps it's too idealistic, but the thought of leaving less of a carbon footprint when I pass on appeals to me.

Knowledge of public transportation is helpful in well-known cities like London, New York or San Francisco, but also in other cities (Paris, LA, Santa Barbara) as well. Try getting around San Diego during Comic-Con by car; it's nearly impossible. I plan my Comic-Con stay at hotels within walking access to a bus or trolley even if nicer lodging is available.

This knowledge helps my Gigi Gutierrez character as well.

In the upcoming Pretty Vacant: London Calling Gigi finds herself in the British capital with no memories of how she got there being chased by bad people intent on plastinating her body for display, a fate prettier than death! Overlooking the river at Embankment, Gigi realizes she must get to the one place where she knows she can fight back: the Starrod's upscale department store. How does she travel and elude her pursuers at the same time? By using the Tube!

The above page is my favorite in this story so far. Not because Daniel's art flows from one panel to the next, not because is it the transition between Gigi's flight and fight, not because it shows off London's charm, but because I didn't have to letter the page! I can be a wordy guy, and it's cool that I can let the art tell the story every once in a while.

Pretty Vacant: London Calling will make its debut later this year. In San Diego.