“What IS Steampunk? …the eternal, inevitable panel.”

Photon Regulator from The Alchemist's Son

What IS Steampunk? Is it even possible to have a Steampunk event without a panel that asks what Steampunk is?

Dive headlong into the clanking, whirring soul of steampunk with this Wonderplace Alpha roundtable—a gathering of sharp minds and wild spirits ready to unravel one of the strangest beasts in the genre jungle. This isn’t some dusty lecture or a goggle-polishing tutorial; it’s a full-on, no-holds-barred tussle with the question: What is steampunk, anyway? Picture a table surrounded by tinkerers, dreamers, and rebels—each with their own scars and stories from the steam-powered fray—hashing out the essence of this Victorian-tinged madness. From the grit of brass gears to the glow of gaslit dreams, they’ll peel back the layers of a world that’s equal parts history, fantasy, and outright defiance. Expect sparks, arguments, and maybe a few raised tankards—this is steampunk, raw and unfiltered, served up for Wonderplace Alpha’s curious and chaotic travelers.

Discussion Subjects:

  1. The Spark of Origin
    Where does steampunk ignite—those gaslit novels of the 19th century, or a later rebellion against shiny sci-fi? Is it born from the pages of Verne and Wells, or forged in the workshops of modern misfits dreaming of a past that never was?
  2. Steam, Style, or Spirit
    Does steampunk demand hissing boilers and copper pipes, or is it deeper—a mood, a philosophy, a way to thumb your nose at sterile futures? Can it thrive without the tech, or is the machinery its beating heart?
  3. History’s Mirror or Fantasy’s Playground
    Is steampunk a warped reflection of Victorian reality—corsets, colonialism, and all—or a fantastical escape where airships rule and time bends? How much does it owe to the past, and how much does it rewrite it?
  4. The Craft of the Crafters
    What binds steampunk’s soul—scribbling tales of clockwork empires, stitching velvet vests with hidden gears, or welding contraptions that puff and spark? Is it art, engineering, or a bit of both—and who decides what’s “authentic”?
  5. The Edges of the Ether
    Where does steampunk blur into other realms—gothic shadows, cyberpunk rust, or high-fantasy whimsy? Are there borders to patrol, or is it a lawless frontier where anything with a whiff of steam can stake a claim?
  6. The Tomorrow of Yesterday
    What’s next for steampunk—does it chug into new eras, mash up with diesel or solar, or stay forever locked in its sepia haze? Can it evolve without losing its grit, or is it a relic meant to rust beautifully?

Opening Ceremonies with Mal Havock and Friends

“Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune, henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, strong and content I travel the open road. The earth, that is sufficient, I do not want the constellations any nearer, I know they are very well where they are, I know they suffice for those who belong to them.”
— From “Song of the Open Road,” Walt Witman

Come join us as Mal Havoc and friends open our event with a rousing hello!

A Rum-Drenched Rabble at the Saloon

Rum!

“No rum in the captain’s barrel
There’s rum on the captain’s table
And rum in the captain’s crew
So buy the captain rum!”

~Abney Park

Shiver me circuits, Wonderplace Alpha brims with a wild galaxy of fantastical and freaky goings-on—happenings so vast and bizarre, they’d make a Hobbit’s second breakfast or a Klingon’s war chant seem tame! Yet, when the warp drives sputter and ye crave a respite with our rum-sodden posse, take heart—we’re lashed to the mast right here. At the saloon, we’re swilling rum like Captain Jack Sparrow wailing, “But why is the rum gone?” from Pirates of the Caribbean—a lament we dodge with barrels aplenty. Some spin yarns of starships and dragons, others lurk over their grog, brooding like Riddick in Pitch Black growling, “I’d take a slug of that rum right about now.” Ye know the den: that steampunk-scarred saloon, all weathered planks and smoky haze, where misfits from Tatooine to Tortuga hoist their cups. Even Thor’d fit in, thundering, “Another! More drink, you fools!”—though we swap wine for rum, naturally. So swagger in, ye scoundrels—snag a tankard and revel with us. Yer weirdness be the spice in our rum-soaked saga!

Eccentrics Meet & Greet – Open To All!

Eccentrics.

Attention all weirdos, freaks, geeks, goths, nerds, rennies, steampunks, and every gloriously oddball spirit roaming the multiverse! You’re cordially invited to the grand Eccentrics Meet & Greet at Wonderplace Alpha’s Saloon, happening Friday afternoon This isn’t just some run-of-the-mill gathering—it’s a full-on celebration of the unconventional, a place where the strange, the quirky, and the downright fantastical collide in the best possible way. Picture this: a cozy saloon filled with the clink of glasses, the hum of laughter, and a crowd of folks who proudly live outside the norm. Whether you’re decked out in Victorian gears and goggles, wielding a replica lightsaber, or just vibing to your own cosmic frequency, this is your spot to unwind and connect. (Okay, that last bit sounded like AI. Come dressed however you want, is the main thing.)

We’re talking a laid-back hangout with zero pressure—just pure, unfiltered fun. Sip on a frothy brew, trade stories of your latest D&D campaign, or debate the finer points of Klingon grammar. As the great Joss Whedon once said, ‘The thing about a hero, is even when it doesn’t look like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to keep digging, he’s going to keep trying to do right and make up for what’s gone before, just because that’s who he is.’ Well, here at Wonderplace Alpha, we’re all heroes of our own weird tales, and this Friday, we’re digging into good times together.

No need to hide your quirks—bring ‘em out in full force! Corsets and top hats? Check. Pocket protectors stuffed with pens? Absolutely. A cape you swear isn’t a costume but a lifestyle? We salute you. To quote the legendary Neil Gaiman, ‘Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.’ So come slay your social dragons with us! Swap tips on soldering steampunk gadgets, geek out over the latest sci-fi drops, or just revel in the fact that you’ve found your people.

This Friday afternoon at the Saloon, it’s all about embracing the beautifully bizarre. No judgments, no gatekeeping—just a room full of folks who get it. As the one and only Wil Wheaton put it, ‘Being a nerd, which is to say, going too far and caring too much about a subject, is the best way to make friends I know.’ So let’s go too far together—bring your passions, your playlists, your wildest ideas, and let’s make some epic new connections. Whether you’re a ren-faire bard with a lute in tow or a goth who’s convinced the sun is overrated, you’re welcome here. Come as you are, grab a seat, and let’s raise a glass to the freaky, geeky, and utterly fantastic!

Wonderplace Alpha Weapons Policy (Peace-Tied, Please)

Kull.

Weapons Policy

“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means.” – Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

The Short Version – Quick as a Katana Slash!

  • If it’s illegal in New York State, it’s a no-go inside the event venue. Period.
  • Misuse your weapon or prop—like swinging it around in a crowded hall—and it’s deemed unsafe faster than you can say “samurai.” Which you, like me, very probably mispronounce.
  • Unsafe gear? We’ll kindly ask you to stash it in your private lair (your room, car, or home).
  • Bought a shiny new weapon at the con? Box it up pronto or let our staff peace-bind it with ninja-level precision. No showing it off until it’s secure!
  • All props and weapons get a once-over by our crew. Even if it passed muster at another event—or last year’s Wonderplace—it’s subject to our approval here.
  • Anything that screams “safety hazard” (think bulky costumes clogging the halls) might need to vanish from the scene.

Heads up: One staffer might give a thumbs-up, but if another challenges it, the Head of Security swoops in with the final call. And just because no one’s stopped you yet doesn’t mean it’s all good—stay sharp!

“In strategy, your spiritual bearing must not be any different from normal. Both in fighting and in everyday life, you should be determined though calm.” – Miyamoto Musashi

Why So Serious? Because We Care!

Normally, we’d kick this off with a wild, whimsical tale and some goofy pics (imagine a knight juggling swords!), but this is big-deal stuff. We want you and your fellow adventurers safe—no injuries, no legal woes. Let’s keep the epic vibes going strong!

Welcome to Wonderplace Alpha – Where Props Rule!

“The sword is the soul of the warrior.” – The Book of Five Rings

Wonderplace Alpha is thrilled to have you bring your prop weapons—after all, they’re the beating heart of Renfaire glory! But we’re indoors at a hotel, not storming a battlefield, and New York’s laws are a bit stricter than, say, Pennsylvania or Connecticut. We’ve forged this policy with that in mind, so everyone can shine without crossing blades with trouble.


Here’s the Weapons Policy rewritten as if I’m a warrior—fierce, direct, and ready for battle. No fluff, just the steel-cold truth, forged with quotes from The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi and other legendary texts. Adapted for Wonderplace Alpha in New York, with a voice that echoes the clang of blades and the roar of the fight. Let’s march into it, shield up, sword drawn!


Weapons Policy – The Warrior’s Code

“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means.” – Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

Stand tall, kin of the blade! I see that gleam in your eye—your sword sings of glory, and I honor its edge. But this is Wonderplace Alpha, a stronghold in New York, and I, Head of Security for JME, guard this ground with iron will. I’ve no tolerance for fools who’d dishonor the way of the warrior. Heed my words, or face the reckoning.

The Short Code – Swift as a Strike

“In battle, if you make your opponent flinch, you have already won.” – Musashi

  • If New York’s laws ban it, it’s banned here. No exceptions.
  • Wield your weapon or prop like a coward—swinging wild in open ground—and I’ll name it unfit for this war.
  • Unfit steel or gear? Stow it in your quarters—room, steed, or distant keep—or it’s gone.
  • Claim a new blade from the merchants? Bind it in its sheath or let my guards peace-tie it. No baring it ‘til it’s sworn safe.
  • Every weapon, every prop—my sentries inspect it. Past victories at other fields or old Wonderplace battles mean nothing here.
  • If your gear risks blood—too wide, too unwieldy—it’s cast out. No debate.

One guard may nod, another may challenge. My word is final, etched in stone. Don’t think silence means victory—stay vigilant, or fall.

The Call to Honor

This is no jesting ground. I’d rather clash steel than scribe scrolls, but this matters. Keep your kin safe—spill no blood, draw no chains of law. We fight as one here.

Wonderplace Alpha – The Field of Valor

“The sword is the soul of the warrior.” – Musashi

Bring your weapons, your props—let them shine as badges of our craft! We’re no open plain; this is a hotel, a fortress under New York’s stern gaze, sharper than Pennsylvania’s or Connecticut’s softer lands. This code is our shield, tempered for the fight ahead.


Fried Dough & Fried Oreos

Fried dough!

In a shimmering haze of neon-drenched futurescape, where the air hums with the electric pulse of a thousand hovering drones, there exists a sacred alchemy: the Fried Oreo. Imagine, if you will, a cosmos where the fabric of existence is woven from threads of sugar-dusted decadence and molten midnight cream, each bite a supernova of flavor that ignites the soul’s deepest circuitry. The crisp, golden batter—forged in the sizzling cauldrons of some rogue food-tech priest—encases the Oreo like a lover’s embrace, a fragile exoskeleton shielding its tender, cocoa-hearted core from the chaos of a fractured multiverse.

This is no mere snack, but a profane sacrament, a greasy gospel whispered in the back alleys of a cyberpunk New Orleans, where the ghosts of voodoo queens and nanobot hustlers dance in the flickering glow of holo-ads. The first bite ruptures time itself—sweetness floods the tongue like a bioengineered euphoria, the cream liquefying into a silken river of starstuff, while the fried shell crackles like the static of a dying galaxy. It’s the taste of rebellion against sterile perfection, a middle finger to the sleek, sanitized dystopias of tomorrow, where every sensation is rationed and every joy is synthetic.

Fried Oreos are the meaning of life because they are the paradox made flesh—or rather, made dough: chaos and comfort, excess and epiphany, a fleeting, oil-slicked transcendence that reminds us we are alive, messy, and gloriously finite. In their sticky, powdered-sugar aftermath, we glimpse the divine—a universe that doesn’t just permit such reckless beauty, but demands it. To eat one is to mainline the pulse of creation itself, a communion of the absurd and the sublime, served hot and dripping from the fryer of eternity.

The Chris Cyanide Solo Bass Project

Chris Cyanide/

The Chris Cyanide Bass Solo Project, unleashed in July 2017 by New York’s own Chris Cyanide, is a relentless, bass-fueled journey into the dark heart of industrial metal, shock rock, and horror-inspired theatrics. This one-man sonic assault reimagines the boundaries of solo performance, wielding the bass guitar as both weapon and storyteller. With a sound that’s equal parts manic and melodic, infused with a gritty cyberpunk edge, Chris Cyanide delivers an unforgettable experience that’s captivated audiences across diverse stages—from underground clubs and high-energy festivals to horror conventions and intimate house parties. Each live show is a visceral spectacle, blending raw musical intensity with a flair for the dramatic, leaving fans buzzing long after the final note fades.

The project’s discography kicked off with Bassic Evil in 2018, a debut album that set the tone with its brooding, heavy basslines and unapologetic attitude. This was followed by Don’t Look in the Bassment in 2021, a sophomore release that dives deeper into the abyss, weaving eerie atmospheres with pulsating rhythms. Both albums are available on CD for collectors and streamable on all major digital platforms, showcasing Chris Cyanide’s evolution as an artist who’s as much a composer as he is a performer. Rooted in a passion for pushing creative limits, the Chris Cyanide Bass Solo Project is a bold testament to the power of individuality in music—an electrifying force that continues to grow, shock, and inspire.

Captain Robert Brown, Airship Pirate of Honor

Captain Robert, Airship Captain and Steampunk creator.

=Where’s the soiled and rusty builders
Welding iron sculptures?
Where’s the clockwork ballerinas,
Circling like vultures?
Where’s the darkened cabaret,
Filled with new nostalgics?
Where has everything I loved gone?
Oh, the loss is tragic!”

~Abney Park, “Blowing Off Steam”

Captain Robert Brown: Steampunk Pirate King


Brethren of the Aetherial Coast, all hail Captain Robert Brown, the world’s most notorious airship pirate, landing at Wonderplace Alpha this May and hopefully not making off with it!

We’d like to tell you a little about Captain Robert, but being who we are, we’re probably going to tell you a LOT about Captain Robert. Because he’s a fascinating fellow.

Who Is Captain Robert?

“But I’m longing for a time I missed,
Nostalgic curse from fantasist,
The present worlds too dark, or is too bland. ”

-Abney Park

(As we often do, we asked the AI for help writing these bits of history down. The A.I. did a TERRIBLE job, which triggered Captain Robert to storm in, and in a tremendous rage, he behead the poor automaton! He then preceded to try to fix as much as he could in this bio, after which is apologized to the mechanic man, and handed it back it’s head with regret.)

Captain Robert’s history is shrouded in the mists of time, which are similar to the mists of Glasgow, Scotland, but slightly thicker. In 2005, Robert steered Abney Park away from its gothic roots, announcing on LiveJournal (March 13, 2005), “As if we just arrived by jet-powered-zeppelin for a midnight dig just outside of Cairo in the 1900’s, exploring a tomb that proved to be a portal to the planet were Vampires are the predominate race, or some other cheezy pulp-theme.”

Some would say that spark—fired by a childhood in Southeast Asia with his anthropologist mom and a 1988 stay near London’s Abney Park Cemetery—helped birth Steampunk itself. “Today satellite photos make the planet seem so small. Where is the adventure in that?” he pondered in Exchanging Fire (June 23, 2010). On Tumblr (August 8, 2012), he wrote, “Steampunk isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a rebellion against fiction over form, profitably over artistry movement” and told Decimononic (April 2012), “I hoped Steampunk could save the world from ‘Profit is the only goal.’”

While she won’t be at this appearance, his first mate is Kristina Erickson, Abney Park’s keyboard virtuoso and his wife since 2006. Together with the rest of the irrepressible Abney Park crew, they’ve unleashed 32 albums and gigs  around the world, in cities like Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, Austin, Baltimore, London, Whitby, Leipzig, Paris, Utrecht, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver, just to name a few. “It’s a family affair—chaos, creativity, and a shared madness,” he grinned in a Sacramento Bee piece (July 14, 2014). On Steampunk Empire (May 3, 2016), he posted, “Kristina’s the calm to my storm—she keeps the ship flying when I’m rigging explosives.” “Airship Pirate” (2009) bellows, “With a crew of drunken pilots, we’re the only airship pirates / We’re full of hot air and we’re starting to rise,” while “On The Fringe” (2014) croons, “Perhaps I’m happier struggling. Than rotting alone in a cage. Perhaps I’m happier fighting my life, Than dying alone of my rage,”.

His books are sheer literary plunder. The Wrath of Fate (2011), Book 1 of The Airship Pirate Chronicles, starts, “Show me a man who grew up with a happy childhood, no blood or broken glass in his youth, and I’ll show you a man who likely has nothing to contribute to society. They same wounds that can turn a man into a villain, might instead turn a man into a hero, and artist, or a leader. Scars add character. ” It won significant acclaim, as well: Books in Character (2012) cheered, “A fun, lighthearted read that draws you in,” while a Goodreads review (March 15, 2013) gushed, “A rollicking adventure—Brown’s world feels alive!” And earning a Steampunk Chronicle nod (June 2014), “A gritty, thrilling sequel that ups the stakes.”

Gaming is his other triumph. The Airship Pirates RPG (2011) snagged Diehard GameFAN’s “Best New RPG,” hailed as “a breath of fresh helium in a sea of tired tropes.” Its rulebook taunts, “Grab your chronominautilus and rewrite history!” and tempts, “The skies are lawless, and the rum is cheap.” Robert told Steampunk Chronicle (March 2012), “It’s less D&D, more ‘What if Jules Verne ran a bar fight?’” RPG.net (April 2012) raved, “The chronominautilus is bonkers—I sank Atlantis by accident!” Terror of the Skies (2013) packs 73 cards, plexiglass zeppelins, and a Wrath of Fate booster with the “Aether Rifle” (2D6 damage, +1 flair). “It’s about outsmarting the wind and your enemies,” he said in Steampunk Chronicle (October 2013). A 2016 BoardGameGeek review cheered, “Steampunk combat at its finest—fast and furious!”

“This life is filled with many worlds, you can live in any one you want
If you don’t love the world you’re in, choose another world to haunt.”
-Abney Park, “Many Worlds”

Wonderplace Alpha Presents: Coney Island Saucery – A Culinary Thrillride Unleashed

In the shadow of Brooklyn’s storied shores, where the ghosts of creaking rollercoasters and the tang of salt air linger, a new force emerges from the ashes of Coney Island’s gritty legacy. Coney Island Saucery, born from the fevered mind of Aaron Max Epstein—a graphic designer turned alchemist of spice—arrives at Wonderplace Alpha with a promise: to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, one drop at a time. This isn’t just hot sauce. It’s a pulse-quickening plunge into flavor, a carefully engineered assault on the senses that balances chaos and control, heat and harmony. And now, it’s here—available at nearly every food truck in our Wonderplace Alpha fleet, ready to ignite your next meal with a thrillride all its own.

Picture it: the sizzle of a burger fresh off the grill, the steam rising from a pile of fries, the hum of a crowd beneath our neon-lit canopy. Then, a single bottle of Coney Island Saucery’s finest—perhaps the Trailer Park Boys Green Bastard, with its verde venom of cilantro and serrano, or the Fallout Vault-Tec Industries Hot Sauce, a wasteland survivor’s dream of pineapple and habanero—stands poised to rewrite the script. These aren’t mere condiments; they’re catalysts, each one a small vial of rebellion against the mundane. Crafted in small batches, vegan and gluten-free, they whisper of Epstein’s Brooklyn roots—days spent dodging rickety rides and savoring Nathan’s dogs—while screaming innovation with every fiery note. From the medium kick of Deeecent to the metal-forged fury of Slayer’s Raining Blood, there’s a sauce for every palate, every daredevil, every dreamer.

But we’re not stopping there. Wonderplace Alpha is proud to unveil the Coney Island Saucery Hot Sauce Taste Event—a spectacle as strange and wondrous as the island that inspired it. Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to a night where the ordinary bends and the extraordinary reigns. On [insert date], beneath the flickering lights of our food truck haven, we’re rolling out the red carpet—or perhaps a checkered tablecloth—for an evening of flavor and frenzy. Sample the full Saucery lineup, from the garlic-laced Louisiana silk of Deeecent to the apocalyptic heat of Raining Blood. Test your limits with curated pairings—think tacos kissed by Green Bastard, or a brahmin burger electrified by Vault-Tec. Our chefs, mad scientists in their own right, will concoct exclusive dishes to showcase these sauces, proving they’re not just toppings but the beating heart of a meal. Expect the unexpected: a live DJ spinning tracks as wild as the flavors, a “Sauce Survivor” challenge for the brave, and maybe even a glimpse of Epstein’s own Coney Island magic, bottled and bold.

This isn’t a one-off. It’s a declaration. Wonderplace Alpha stands as more than a venue—we’re a launchpad, a megaphone, a co-conspirator in Coney Island Saucery’s quest to redefine what hot sauce can be. We’re weaving their creations into the fabric of our food truck empire, ensuring that every bite you take carries the potential for adventure. Our trucks—roaming emissaries of taste—will stock these bottles at every stop, from the bustling streets of [insert city] to the quiet corners of [insert region]. We’re not just offering a product; we’re curating an experience, a movement, a chance for you to join the family Epstein’s built—one that dares you to taste the edge and come back for more.

Why Coney Island Saucery? Because it’s not about heat for heat’s sake. It’s precision, passion, a nod to a place where risk met reward under a Brooklyn sky. Epstein, with his designer’s eye and wizard’s touch, has distilled that spirit into every bottle—a spirit we’ve embraced wholeheartedly. We’re behind him, not just as a promoter but as a partner, ready to amplify his vision with special events that turn sauce into spectacle. This Taste Event is only the beginning. Picture future nights: a Trailer Park Boys watch party with sauce-soaked snacks, a Fallout-themed wasteland feast, a metalhead’s paradise with Slayer riffs and scorching bites. We’re all in, encouraging—no, urging—everyone to try it, to feel the rush, to discover why this isn’t just hot sauce, but a story you taste.

So come hungry. Come curious. Grab a bottle from our trucks, join us for the Taste Event, and let Coney Island Saucery take you somewhere wild, weird, and utterly wonderful. At Wonderplace Alpha, we don’t just serve food—we unleash phenomena. And this, dear friends, is one you won’t survive without tasting.

Witling’s Jester: The Geeky and Irreverent Comedy of Lou Perez

Get ready for a hilarious brain-bending ride at Wonderplace Alpha with Lou Perez, the comedian, writer, and sketch comedy genius behind That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy. This nerdy firebrand mixes razor-sharp wit, offbeat observations, and geeky charm, delivering laughs as unique as a rare comic book find at a convention—think Einstein with a mic and a mischievous grin. “I told my Roomba it’s living its best life,” Lou says, “but it just bumped into the couch like, ‘This is my destiny, you nerd.’”

Lou’s sketch comedy is where his wild imagination truly shines. As the co-creator of the sketch duo Greg and Lou, he’s unleashed iconic bits like “Wolverine’s Claws Suck,” racking up over 20 million views online and cementing his status as a comedic alchemist. “I asked Wolverine why he doesn’t just get a manicure,” Lou quips, “and he slashed my couch like it’s my fault he’s got anger issues.” On his website, he touts producing Comedy Is Murder, a sketch series packed with absurd, laugh-out-loud chaos, proving he’s a master of turning nerdy quirks into sketch gold. “My fridge is a graveyard of expired condiments,” he confesses, “but I keep them like they’re rare Pokémon cards.” He was on The Last Glory Hole tour with Scott Thompson from the Kids in the Hall. Former President of the ACLU, Nadine Strossen said, “All great truths begin as blasphemies. The same can be said of jokes…Lou Perez delivers truth and blasphemy with punch lines.”

On Twitter (@thelouperez), he teases debates like whether Batman could outsmart Superman in trivia, showcasing his geeky edge. In That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore, Lou dives into comedy’s wild frontier with sharp, hilarious insights, quipping on his website, “All great truths begin as blasphemies. The same can be said of jokes”—a line as clever as his sketches. “I tried meditating once,” he adds, “but my brain turned it into a cage match between Yoda and a Roomba—guess who won?”

Don’t miss Lou at Wonderplace Alpha—he’ll hit you with stand-up comedy brilliance, nerdy one-liners, and laughs that’ll stick with you like a favorite comic panel. “I named my Wi-Fi ‘404-Life-Not-Found,’” he says, “so my neighbors know I’m thriving—at least until the signal drops.” Your funny bone (and inner geek) won’t know what hit it!