Lab Rats & Laughs: Inside The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee
This week on Inside the Kingdom, we’re heading into the lab with John Hambrock, creator of The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee—the long-running comic strip that blends big ideas, family life, and plenty of hilariously failed experiments.
As the strip celebrates another year of invention, chaos, and heart, John joins the Inside the Kingdom Podcast to talk about how Edison came to life, what keeps him curious after two decades, and the joy (and occasional peril) of living in a world where science and silliness collide.
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From a Sketchbook Spark to a Strip That Clicked
Edison wasn’t born a boy genius overnight. John shares how the idea evolved from an earlier strip about a father and son before Edison “demanded” his own comic. The result: a ten-year-old inventor whose imagination—and experiments—often get him in over his head.
“He just sort of dragged me back into the world of comics,” John says. “Edison writes himself now. The characters get up, walk into my head, and tell me what happens next.”
Family, Foil, and the Science of Funny
Edison’s genius wouldn’t shine without his supporting cast—his lovable but clueless Grandpa Orville, ever-patient parents, and his faithful lab assistant, Joules the rat. Joules, as John notes, began as a comic experiment himself (he was briefly replaced by a monkey) but quickly became indispensable: the brains, conscience, and occasional victim of Edison’s experiments.
“I love their chemistry,” John says. “Joules isn’t dumb—he pushes back. He has to. He’s almost an equal.”
Two Decades of Discovery
Launched in 2005, The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee quickly stood out for its mix of humor, heart, and clever commentary. The strip’s blend of science, satire, and family dynamics keeps it both timeless and timely.
Over the years, John has balanced Edison’s big ideas with grounded storytelling—whether it’s Grandpa wrestling with a self-checkout kiosk or Edison trying (and failing) to email Joules. “The science always moves too fast,” John laughs, “but the human stuff? That’s what lasts.”
Still Drawn by Hand, Colored with Heart
Even after 19 years, John still inks Edison Lee the old-fashioned way, with brushes, pens, and whiteout. His wife, Anne Hambrock, handles the coloring, adding the bright, dynamic palette that makes the strip pop online.
“She brought all the color to the lab. Mine would’ve been much duller without her.”
John Hambrock
The Future of Edison
What’s next for The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee? John hints at expanding Edison’s world, maybe introducing more of his friends or even giving Grandpa Orville a love interest. “There’s a lot to work with there,” he jokes. “I think he’s ready for a girlfriend.”
For now, the lab lights are still on, the beakers are still bubbling, and Edison’s curiosity shows no sign of slowing down.