LIVE FROM MEMPHIS

Let's Be Friends Again Volume 1: Under Pressure is the first collection of a webcomic written by Curt Franklin and drawn by Chris Haley, two immensely talented local artists. Let's Be Friends Again began as webcomic about Curt and Chris trying to choose a subject for a webcomic. After publishing and hitting the convention circuit, Curt and Chris eventually decided to continue Let's Be Friends Again as an actual webcomic which continues the adventures of the cartoon counterparts of Chris and Curt, and occasionally features their superhero alter egos, The Enthusiast and Fahrenheit Jr.

The strip covers cartoon characters, comic book characters and events, Obama, and other subjects. One interesting comic had the Jetsons' dog Astro sitting on the couch and smoking a blunt while jealously watching Astro Boy on TV. Another installment featured Superboy Rhyme, Superboy's misogynistic, rapping alias. X-Men in the Bible is another recurring theme. Curt and Chris are unabashed fanboys, and this webcomic simultaneously celebrates and humorously ridicules nerds and fanboys, whether it be comics, video games, role playing games, or other subjects with loyal followings. The fact that Curt and Chris are part of the very group they're mocking gives them a pass, like the teasing you'll only take from your closest friends.

Volume 1, whose title comes from Curt and Chris' mutual love of the band Queen, reprints the original webcomic and the strip published from September 30, 2008 through July 17, 2009. Each strip also includes "directors commentary" from Chris and Curt that give insight into their creative process. There is also an exclusive, three-page comic that features a humorous take on Etrigan, DC Comics' rhyming demon. 

Let's Be Friends Again is by geeks, for geeks. Curt and Chris have crafted a clever, cutting comic that compels you to send the link to all your friends. It's nerd humor mixed with self-deprecation, and the results can entertain a broad audience. Let's Be Friends Again Volume 1: Under Pressure is the "origin story" of a brilliant comic strip  that is raising the bar for webcomics everywhere. 

Let's Be Friends Again Volume 1: Under Pressure is available locally at Comics and Collectibles and online at amazon.com. The webcomic is published twice weekly at www.letsbefriendsagain.com.