more references, some more obscure than others

I just wrote about a few random Futurama references in recent and semi-recent comics, and as if someone wanted to point out that I am apparently the target audience for all comic books, I opened up issue #7 of the Tick's new series and lo and behold, I find not just references to other things that I like, but eerily specific references that seem a bit close for comfort.  That's not saying I didn't enjoy them - I did, oh I did.  For instance:

Hey look, it's a Firefly reference - specifically to the character Jayne Cobb and his hat.  You know, like the knitted one I have:

Here's me selling Franks and Beans at the New York Comic Con.  With a Jane Cobb hat on.  And the guy buying the DVD has another Jayne Cobb hat on.  And a shirt.  But okay, now, I know what you're saying (YES, YOU): that wasn't the most Jeff-specific reference that the book could have had, for sure.  Shall I present, exhibit two:

This "biggest ball of time in Minnesota" billboard is a strange reference to the Weird Al anthem "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota".  I have no idea why writer Benito Cereno had this take on the title, but perhaps it'll resurface for another issue in the future.  Speaking of Weird Al, oh yeah, I'm a big fan.  Here's a picture of me at a show last year, awkwardly handing him a comic that referenced him:

Not enough for you?  Well here's a third, from the very same page:

The Corn Palace.  The Corn Palace!  It's located in Mitchell, South Dakota.  How do I know this?  Because I've been there.  Oh, how I've been there:

Interestingly enough, Weird Al was having a concert at the Corn Palace just a few weeks after I found it.

Thanks, Tick series, for getting inside my brain.