Maniacal Smile
Maniacal Smile is a fictional superhero created by Rob Rhine and currently created by Rob Rhine and writer Mike Foss. Initially conceived by Rob Rhine as a teenager, the character has appeared in comic books in some form since 1997.
Publication history
Rob Rhine published the first copies of “The Maniacal Smile”, now referred to as Volume 1, by himself, and sold them at his high school for no profit. He continued to make these self published copies after high school, and soon helped form the now defunct Tampa based publishing group “Wet Ink Studios”. At Wet Ink, “The Maniacal Smile” saw a run of 12 issues, now known as Volume 2, and a 13th issue that never made it to publication but will be released in the upcoming Graphic Novel. Not happy with the direction of Wet Ink Studios, Rob Rhine broke free and with newly found writer Mike Foss, created “Panda!Monium Press” and thus began the 3rd Volume of print. The fourth issue in this volume is currently in production.
Marketing
Rob Rhine and Mike Foss have successfully penetrated the local Tampa Bay market, and The Maniacal Smile is on sale at most Tampa Bay area comic shops, despite being still a self published title. By making themselves available for shows, signings and other personal appearances, The Maniacal Smile has become a fan favorite and also widely supported by the local shops that carry the title. Using a website and several guerrilla marketing techniques, such as interactive feedback from readers, The Manical Smile creative team goes out of it's way to be accessible to fans.
Fictional character biography
Alex McClendon was a geeky high schooler and nephew of former Super-Hero Limbs, who was forced to retire after having all of his limbs removed in a fierce battle. Alex suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome which was the cause of several tense moments as a teenager. After being mistaken for a volunteer in a genetic experiment, his IBS was enhanced, and become uncontrollable. His uncle used his former Super Hero lab to create a Super Powered suit to contain his uncontrollable gas and use the emissions to keep the suit powered and expelling it slowly to allow flight.
Reluctantly Alex succumbed to his Uncle’s urges and trained to become a Super-Hero, and despite being a slacker, was successful in his first major battle against Condom Man.
Supporting characters
--Richard Reeds, a.k.a. Limbs, a.k.a. Quadriplegic Man, Alex’s uncle and Super-Hero mentor.
--Puffy, Alex’s friend from highschool who now owns a local comic shop and does not know of Alex’s alter ego.
--Nikkie Boudreaux, Alex’s love interest.