#189: Frank Sets Off to See the World

Arthur Trope Presents: The Inscrutables

No. 189

“Frank Sets Off to See the World”

Here we have the 2nd installment in what is likely to be a very short-lived Frank the Fly franchise. The first one (#183) did well enough, but it was a bit polarizing & was never going to work on a school lunchbox, so all the licensors passed on it. Which doesn’t usually get you a chance for a 2nd, but it hit a nerve with the new focus groups, which we’ve recently overhauled to include a more diverse set of backgrounds & perspectives. Apparently this perspective is still pretty widely relatable. And the Committee all just kind of nodded knowingly & passed it 9-0 and then headed out for dim sum. Artie was talking to Inky about his Marvel offer & counseled him to take it. Just like his advice to me was to quit after the firing squad meeting. But Inky didn’t take his advice & neither did I, and this is a kind of preemptive “I told you so” from Artie, I think. Maybe it’ll work on retirement cards. Inky’s going to stick around bc NY is too far from his mom, who’s sick, & bc he just doesn’t like change all that much, is my sense. And he seems energized by the Golden Square nomination. And speaking of energized, despite walking away from the Bollywood deal and a crippling case of jet lag, Artie’s feeling some energy from his global excursion & tickled about the Konishiki invite to Tokyo in September. He’s taking Syd with him this time. They’ve already downloaded the Babbel app and started learning some Japanese. -Ed.