A WEBSITE-EXCLUSIVE COMIC · JAY JONES · JAY JONES
Super Perch: Which Way to Superior?
A bigger lake. A bigger challenge. A few fish to help along the way.
Page 1: Leaving Lake Erie
Page 2: The Bucket Rescue
Page 3: A Little Spin
Page 4: A Big Fan
Page 5: Up and Over
THE STORY IN WORDS
Comic transcript
Page 1: Leaving Lake Erie
Panel 1
Super Perch searches the clean Lake Erie bottom, finding no rubbish left to eat.
Caption: LAKE ERIE.
Caption: He had eaten every scrap of rubbish in his feeding grounds.
Super Perch: “Nothing left.”
Panel 2
He meets an olive-gold walleye.
Super Perch: “I need a bigger challenge.”
Walleye: “Superior is the biggest Great Lake.”
Panel 3
The walleye gives the first directions.
Super Perch: “How do I get there?”
Walleye: “Head northwest. Find the Detroit River.”
Panel 4
Super Perch swims along the submerged shoreline.
Caption: A long swim later…
Panel 5
At the riverbank, Super Perch looks up toward a bass peeking from a fisherman’s bucket.
Caption: THE DETROIT RIVER.
Smallmouth bass: “Help!”
Page 2: The Bucket Rescue
Panel 1
A smallmouth bass waits in a bucket at the low riverbank. Super Perch approaches from below.
Smallmouth bass: “A little help?”
Super Perch: “Hang on.”
Panel 2
Super Perch leaps out of the water and bumps the bucket.
Sound effect: THUMP!
Panel 3
The bucket spills its water and the bass back into the river.
Sound effect: SPLASH!
Panel 4
Safely underwater, the rescued bass speaks to Super Perch.
Smallmouth bass: “I thought I was somebody’s supper.”
Super Perch: “You’re safe now.”
Panel 5
The bass directs him upstream.
Super Perch: “Which way to Superior?”
Smallmouth bass: “Upstream to Lake St. Clair.”
Super Perch: “Thanks. I’d better get swimming.”
Page 3: A Little Spin
Panel 1
Only a trapped fish’s frightened eyes show through a gap beneath a pile of rocks.
Caption: LAKE ST. CLAIR.
Trapped fish: “Help! I’m under here!”
Super Perch: “I’ll move the rocks.”
Panel 2
Super Perch circles the rock pile rapidly, creating a swirling current. The trapped fish’s eyes remain visible beneath the stones.
Sound effect: WHIRRR!
Panel 3
The whirlpool lifts the rocks apart. A freshwater drum swims out through the opening, unharmed.
Sound effect: POP!
Panel 4
The freed drum and Super Perch rest in calmer water.
Super Perch: “Are you all right?”
Freshwater drum: “I am now. Thank you.”
Panel 5
The drum gives him the next part of his route.
Super Perch: “Which river takes me to Huron?”
Freshwater drum: “The St. Clair River. Head north.”
Page 4: A Big Fan
Panel 1
In Lake Huron, a young yellow perch asks for help. A lake whitefish is tangled in discarded fishing line.
Caption: LAKE HURON.
Young perch: “Please help him!”
Super Perch: “I’ll get that line off.”
Panel 2
Super Perch bites through the discarded line, freeing the whitefish.
Sound effect: SNIP!
Panel 3
The young perch recognizes the hero.
Young perch: “You’re Super Perch! You ate a whole tire!”
Super Perch: “The middle was easy.”
Panel 4
The enthusiastic youngster admits the limits of his travels.
Young perch: “I’m your biggest fan!”
Super Perch: “Do you know the way to Superior?”
Young perch: “I’ve never left this bay.”
Panel 5
The rescued whitefish supplies directions as the youngster waves a fin.
Lake whitefish: “Follow Huron north to the St. Marys River.”
Super Perch: “Thank you. Both of you.”
Page 5: Up and Over
Panel 1
A lake sturgeon meets Super Perch beneath the fast water of the St. Marys River.
Caption: THE ST. MARYS RIVER.
Lake sturgeon: “Superior is upstream, beyond the rapids.”
Super Perch: “That’s a lot of current.”
Panel 2
The sturgeon shows him a sheltered spot behind submerged rocks.
Lake sturgeon: “Rest behind the rocks between climbs.”
Super Perch: “Good advice.”
Panel 3
Super Perch leaps upstream over a rocky rapids ledge.
Sound effect: WHOOSH!
Panel 4
Farther upstream, he meets a lake trout in calmer water.
Caption: Farther upstream…
Super Perch: “Is this Lake Superior?”
Lake trout: “You made it.”
Panel 5
Super Perch admires the deep blue water of Superior, then notices a discarded rusty can nearby.
Caption: LAKE SUPERIOR.
Super Perch: “Now that’s a lake.”
Super Perch: “And there’s lunch.”
DEFENDERS OF THE LAND
More adventures from the Land
Four books. One Cleveland.