#elite star

[rooms-comic]

59.12: As Seen on TV

Poor Chex. It’s hard being rich, successful, and popular. Then again, as I’ve said before, I think it was a mistake making him so successful. Chex was originally sort-of based on me but then became some kind of weird wish-fulfillment fantasy which just isn’t very interesting.

So it’s nice to see him reassert his old self and head off with Star for adventures unknown. Is this the last time we’ll see Chex? Probably not but, if it is, it’s not the worst send off.

FUN FACT: This is the final strip in ‘Infamous’. Tomorrow, we start Rooms’ final storyline (so far): ‘iParrot’.

[rooms-comic]

59.11: Milton Keynes

Do you really, Star? I mean, come on… it’s Milton Keynes.

Joking aside, I’ll always have a warm place in my heart for Milton Keynes. The reason being that it’s the place where I first met a number of my online friends, from the Team17 community, outside of a computer screen (including Ben Paddon and Andrew Taylor).

[rooms-comic]

59.10: Brb

Turnus’ hair looks like Guile’s from Street Fighter in this one. His suit is also green which is the same colour that Guile wears (in his default costume) so I’m guessing this wasn’t accidental.

But yes, Chex’s slow descent into insanity has finally reached its inevitable conclusion. Well, it was only a matter of time.

[rooms-comic]

59.9: Big Fan

Oh, that Chex!

Yeah, this epilogue story is much more in line with earlier Rooms stories in that not all the strips have to develop the characters or move the story forward. This one doesn’t even have any fancy artwork. It’s the classic head-and-shoulders gag strip format that I’d tried so hard to get away from. 

I suppose, by this stage, I’d realised that having fun making the comic was more important than trying to create some epic masterpiece (which, let’s be fair, wasn’t happening anyway).

[rooms-comic]

59.7: Cease and Desist

Wow. The profile shot in the first panel doesn't look too terrible. It only took me eleven years but I finally pulled it off. Well done, 2015-me.

But yeah, not much else to say about this one. It’s a fun little strip.

[rooms-comic]

59.6: Infamous

I’m going to be honest, I didn't expect Green Fingers to turn up again so soon (or, in fact, ever). It makes sense to see him here though, given that this is basically Arkham Asylum. I have no idea who the first guy is supposed to be parodying. He looks a bit like Kingpin but he has extra eyes on his head and has a weird way of talking so I’m going to assume he’s an original creation and not spoofing anyone in particular.  

But yes, Elite Star’s not having a good time, this storyline.

[rooms-comic]

59.4: Freedom

Here I am referencing ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, a movie I've never watched and never intend on watching. Is it weird that I frequently reference all this stuff I have no interest in? I feel it’s a little weird.

So Elite Star’s been sent to an asylum now. I’d like to say that this is going to lead to a sensitive portrayal of mental health issues but I feel it’s almost certain we’re heading into Arkham Asylum territory. I mean, let’s be honest, the Hannibal Lecter mask isn't a good start.

[rooms-comic]

59.3: Hot Shot

Man, if this storyline had been made a year later, I’m not sure Hank Freedom would have looked like this. The weird yellow hair, the orange skin, it’s all a bit too much like a certain President.

I can’t stay mad at Hank though. He’s a funny character.