Albert the Alien has updated!

A new page for Albert has gone live. Check it out here.

We open our story inside the studio for the morning student announcements, with student reporter Miranda Tam.

Miranda was a fun character to create, since her name is a combination of elements from my favorite science fiction movie: Serenity. Serenity was the motion picture that wrapped up the canceled Fox series Firefly, created by Joss Wheddon. Joss even directed Serenity, which is an action romp with cowboys in space. It may sound bizzare, but it’s actually pretty awesome.

“Miranda” was the name of the planet the crew visited in the movie (no spoilers)
“Tam” was the last name of Simon and River, two main characters from the series

Additionally, the name of the town (Heston Heights) is a play on actor Charlton Heston, who was in some of the most famous science fiction movies of all times including the original Planet of the Apes! The school mascot is also The Ape, so I’m sure we’ll have fun with that in later adventures.

There will be a lot more fun little references throughout this webcomic series for sci-fi fans, however they won’t be necessary to know to enjoy the story.

After summer vacation, coming back to school was a very strange feeling. On the one hand, I remember being excited for a new year of hanging out with my friends every day and wearing new outfits and learning new stuff. On the other hand, it meant summer was over – and there would be homework and studying again. I enjoyed learning, and wanted to learn as much as I possibly could. I just didn’t enjoy homework or studying.

Thankfully my parents encouraged me to study hard, and helped me with my homework when I needed it. I got through school with good grades, and – more importantly – some important study and time management habits that I still use to this day.

As an adult, I do miss learning in an academic environment a bit. But I don’t miss studying and homework.