The Strange Adventures Bug is no more. Permit me a few remembrances of a fine automobile…
Balou, my old sheepdog and shop mascot, loved riding in the bug.
The bug took me to and from work, to Montreal, back and forth to Fredericton, to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and all over the maritimes. Here it’s seen with my co-pilot, a stuffed spider-man, on the way to the Fredericton shop.
Since 2000, the bug was seen all over the city promoting Strange Adventures and hopefully encouraging people to check out the wonderful world of comics! Supersnipe is pictured here with the bug on Citadel Hill.
The six foot Icebat plush doll takes a drive from Fredericton to Halifax. It loved the big windows.
The bug was even used as a backdrop for a model photo shoot. Handsome devil, that bug!
It wasn’t afraid of water, seen here on the LaHave Ferry.
The bug had a full life, once having a seized engine, but was able to recover and get back on its wheels and had many years left. It was going to get some cosmetic surgery this fall and a new paint job, but that won’t happen now.
In September, a pal was using the bug to get home to Cape Breton for the weekend and while stopped at a construction zone, the above vehicle neglected to stop and slammed into the bug.
Here you can see the skid marks of the minivan.
The bug was hit hard and the frame was twisted badly.
The front end of the bug was pushed into the vehicle ahead of it crumpling the hood and damaging the rear end of the other vehicle.
Luckily, there were no apparent serious injuries to the folks in the bug. Badly shaken up and many aches and pains. The bug, however, was mortally wounded.
We had some great times and I was hoping for many more.
Goodbye old friend.
Ouch! So sad to hear, was alot of fun seeing the bug driving by as I walked the daughter to school. Glad to hear no one was seriously injured.
My condolences. The bug was a glamorous icon for the store, such a useful tool… A beacon for illustrated entertainment.
JE ME SOUVIENS
It was because of “The Bug” that I got back into comics. It almost seemed to call out to you and say “Read More Comics”. Even my daughter, when she was very young (just about a year old) would see “The Bug” and say “It’s the Comic Car”. You will be sorrowfully missed my friend. Thanks for the memories.
I had the privilege of riding in it once, and it was surprisingly roomy and comfortable inside (I’m 6′-3″, and finding comfort in vehicles smaller than mini-vans is a challenge)
Thanks for posting the pictures and sharing your tale, Cal. This makes me profoundly sad! Everyone loved your distinctive bug…seeing it anywhere meant the spirit of comics was spreading its joy. Like Supersnipe himself, your bug was a true emblem of fun…a CHARACTER. Though take heart, Cal, and fearless bug fans…we know that ALL comic book characters eventually return to life! The Doctor regenerates, and good characters never die. As Mike Grell wrote in the final issue of Warlord: “You can’t kill a legend.” Though the resurrection may take some time, and your vehicle may change form, we are all looking forward to COMXGUY version 2.0 ! Excelsior!!