Tony Moneran sets up a phony railroad crossing trap.
Title: "Hate Thy Neighbor"
Story (out of 24 pages): 15 p.
Writer: Jake C. Thomas
Penciller: Cam Theakston
Letterer: Jose A. Wheat
Colorist: Newton E. Haas
Summary:
The guys engage in a take-no-prisoners driveway basketball game, which ends unceremoniously when the ball flies over the fence and lands in the adjoining yard. The Sweets' new neighbor, an aristocratic-looking man with a heavy Locust Valley Lockjaw accent, introduces himself as Lord Percival de Bourbon. He claims he is a direct decendant of King Louis XIV, and his wife is Lady Penelope Graves-de Bourbon, a decendant herself of royalty. No one is terribly impressed; moreover, a bad first impression and one mishap after the other sets a poor tone for the whole relationship between the Sweet and de Bourbon families.
Within days the de Bourbons' constant demands on Jon begin to wear on him. As per Marcie's advice, however, Jon makes a game effort to remain friendly...though inside he is seething. However, it's a concilatory welcome-to-the-neighborhood gesture that proves the most telling for all....
Notes
page 3. The cutaway gag shows Jon mistaking Brett Butler, the actress/comedian, for Brett Butler, the baseball player.
The town of Portia is mentioned again in the series; Jon took a wrong turn there driving home in
"Scaredy Cat" (page 6).
page 9. Jon's anger morph looks quite a bit like Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, from the Fantastic Four.
The Dynamic Duo seen in the cutaway (page 13) are the same models as in Batman (1966) (see the cold open to the Feb 2007 issue), though Batgirl is drawn to look like the verson from the 2004 The Batman series.
Look carefully: Louis Farrakhanine
is visible just over Marcie's right shoulder, in the background of panel two on page 14.
Jon alludes to the local commercials for "Po' Bunny Taxes" (page 17). This refers to an actual company, Mo' Money Taxes, located in and franchised throughout the South, particularly Tennessee. Their imaginative, if cheaply-produced, spots often feature a large white actor acting in the manner of an exaggerated "whigger" stereotype.
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Title: "The Eyes Have It!"
Story (out of 24 pages): 7 p.
Writer: Jake C. Thomas
Penciller:Jason W. Keane
Letterer: Noah Jewett
Colorist: Newton E. Haas
Summary:
Ben's eye doctor, Cy Klopps, tells him he needs glasses to treat his vision problem. At first he seems okay with it. However, after being teased and picked on by the other kids (including thatirrepressible bully Tony Moneran) he begins to feel self-conscious about having to wear glasses. Will he be able to regain his self-confidence and get past the other kids' silly teasing?
page 21. Josh alludes to Mr. Magoo, the famously nearsighted, bumbling cartoon character (who ironically never wore glasses, despite an overwhelming need for them).
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A snooty rich couple, the Bourbons, move next door to Jon...and proceed to make his life miserable with their posh tastes and outrageous demands. Can the Teen of Titanium get along with his new neighbors and welcome them with open arms...or will this housewarming party get a little too hot to handle?
