#656: "I've got gloatin' to do!"

[Kurosen]

Behold the glory. Also, sorry for the not-at-all-six-years-late movie joke.

[Transcend]

Finally. The pants are here, and they look silly indeed.

But we have Black Mage With Limitless Power, the seed of the Nexus bearing fruit, and a possible validation of the 434-Fighter-vs-BM-final-battle theory. Worth the anticipation.

I like how Magus is entirely dismissive of BM. Clearly BM is a tool in the whole affair--little more than a pawn of his own power, which seems like a nice reference to his redemption-and-back monologue upon exiting Drizz'l's cave. And wonderfully, Fighter--BM's natural foil--is the one set up to stop him.

I never really thought of how perfect a foil Fighter is for BM. BM acts intellectually superior, but is dumb as a rock and shallow as a saucer. Fighter seems vapid and flighty, but is deeper and sharper than anyone else in the comic. BM is the most grounded in reality, seeing the obvious incongruities in the world; Fighter is lost in constant daydreams. BM's power is mental, Fighter's is physical. BM sees love selfishly, as crass sexuality or manipulation and abuse; Fighter is soulfully devoted to his friends. And now BM is an unwitting but eager tool of Evil gods and Fighter is slowly, despite his reluctance and laziness getting in the way, being coaxed and into a champion for Good ones. I really, honestly am ashamed I didn't see it coming.

Addendum: Why doesn't he just change his outfit if his power is limitless? Give himself stormy-grey robes?
Addendum the Second: His power can't be limitless, as Magus suggests. There would be no comic if that were the case. No drama. So what did he mean? What is the exact extent of Magus' gift?

[talse]

black mage looks dang fat. but funny.

[Burning Ninja]

this can only end in hilarity..

[Novasol]

Figured he'd probably get that outfit solely as a mockery or punishment.

[Ultima08]

for get doing the clas change on 665 to annoy people
656!!!
and the world lives to screw bm

[Jatzu]

so that whole nexus thing was him. Mind you it was pretty implied that it as him.

[DFA]

Hmmm the Swordopolis and Fighter reference has my curiosity piqued. Could this be a hint to the weird comics involving future BM stuff?

-crosses fingers-

[Aragrine]

Did you choose the ugliest looking Warlock sprite on purpose? I mean, he does have a sprite where he doesnt have his hand in front of his face, making it look like an ugly nose...

I mean, I personally have no problem with the MC pants or the hat, but if his standard pose is that one, forget it.

[PurpleMage]

the inner fanboy makes me do this.
EEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!
fuggin sweet. But i think this does prove the "fighter vs. bm" theory.

[Kitana Paladine]

Wow... So, Black Mage got his class change, and his new outfit, and has no idea how 'bad' he looks(i kinda like this outfit)....

[POS Industries]

"No time to tilt my head to see for myself..."

That is absolutely the best set-up I've seen in at least 3 hours. And I should know.

[Neodymium]

Wow... So, Black Mage got his class change, and his new outfit, and has no idea how 'bad' he looks(i kinda like this outfit)....

I hereby bestow upon you, good sir, my Most Utterly Forking Convoluted Fashion Sense Award (tm).

[Jaysc]

25 down, 5 to...... aw fuck. :(

[imp]

And The Hat Has Landed!

[Zargon]

Way to go Brian. You finally put a stop to a MAJOR part of the 434 threads. If I wasn't so poor, I'd throw money at you (not to you, at you). And yay for the ugly as frell BM Sprite.

[Neodymium]

Okay, yeah. My pancreas is totally blown.

Prediction!: BM is laffed at extensively by the other LW's, and reciprocates with some insanely powerful spell, which is mimicked by RM, fired into low orbit, and ultimately ends up setting a pigeon on fire.

[The Wandering God]

And I think Brian kept it more out of sprite than anything. Too many people trying to tell him what to do. No, that would only make Brian stick to his guns. Too cool for that.

Plot stuff was cool. Finally it's blatant that BM and Fighter are being set up to fight each other instead of the things manipulating them . Really, how far deep does this go? Was Fighter actually conditioned, or he is naturally the way he is? Is BM only a tool that has had his steps chosen from birth? Many questions, few answers.

Very cool look when Magus is walking away. (No teleport??? Awwww :(

And the pose is obviously BM with his arms outstretched and pointing up and down. Very, ummm, feminine pose.

And, we (finally) get an explanation for BM's robes color. I think the Magus set of comics is now my favorite arc. And I just might include when the group sees BM's new duds.

The Wandering God

[Yumil]

At least the stripes on the pants make him seem taller, not fat.

BTW, he has too many colors for a ff1 character... 5>4:X, then again Thief has 5 in his black ninja outfit. Im too lazy to look up the red one, because Thief in 651 is now wearing black, when I remember seeing red the first time I read it.

[Medeo]

Let Swordopolis and his fool try to stop you now.

Hooray, validation! Take that, "The-red-and-white-text-box-is-White-Mage"-ican party! (Though I admittedly thought that too at first.)

[Juggy#3]

Fighter being conditioned would certainly explain somethings, such as how he can be so incredibly stupid most of the time and yet have moments of brilliant insight. Pperhaps there are moments when his conditioning weakens, thus allowing his true abilities to show themselves?

[Guillaume777]

I'm not sure to understand, if Magus was the one to give powers to BM, then I guess Bahamut gave nothing to him ? How is that fair ?

[Aragrine]

...I just noticed the sprite in this comic doesnt match the one in 300. If you look closely at #300, you can see that his pants alternate between bright orange and brown - not brown and light brown like in this one.

[Kurokun1293]

Black mage was asking for this.

"Well, we ARE evil."

How quick one is to forget when they are promised ultimate power.

Granted, Black mage would look silly in his old standard smooth blue robes when everybody else has a new suit.

...So...its either look normal but pathetic, or look silly but be new and improved. Decisions, decisions.

[Joe Falco]

Only a dark god would have the sense of humor to put anyone in MC pants and somehow pass for cool.

And I'm not sure if anyone will make a passing comment to the movie joke that was made, Kurosen.

[The Wandering God]

At least the stripes on the pants make him seem taller, not fat.

BTW, he has too many colors for a ff1 character... 5>4:X, then again Thief has 5 in his black ninja outfit. Im too lazy to look up the red one, because Thief in 651 is now wearing black, when I remember seeing red the first time I read it.
The sprite is from FFj3. Just like all the other outfits.

And Thief's robes were always black.

The Wandering God

[Juggy#3]

Of course they were. A ninja wearing red?

Don't be ridiculous.

[Aragrine]

Basically, in 300, it's this: http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9675/warlockold9uc.png

In the latest one, it's this: http://www.ffcompendium.com/Jobs/warlock3.gif except with bright orange gloves.

Whoops?

[Yumil]

The sprite is from FFj3. Just like all the other outfits.

And Thief's robes were always black.

The Wandering God
The one from 300 is 4 colors...

And I also sware that Thief from 300 was red, I guess Im just crazy.

[Kurokun1293]

The sprite is from FFj3. Just like all the other outfits.

And Thief's robes were always black.

The Wandering God


OR WERE THEY!? ...maybe. Thief will never tell otherwise. Neither would Brian.

Wait, wouldnt they get name changes? cept, like, BM cause....Black mage, blue mage= BM.

Red mage = Mr. Mime. And then the world imploded.

[MetalPsycho]

Prediction!: BM is laffed at extensively by the other LW's, and reciprocates with some insanely powerful spell, which is mimicked by RM, fired into low orbit, and ultimately ends up setting a pigeon on fire.

Then the pigeon falls to earth, whilst still on fire, and kills Onion Kid's new parents.

I honestly think the sprite suits BM though. And like Magus to BM, Brian kept the thing to spite the people who nagged him about it.

Go you, Brian.

[Kitana Paladine]

I hereby bestow upon you, good sir, my Most Utterly Forking Convoluted Fashion Sense Award (tm).
1-I'm female... maybe I should state that somewhere....
2-And yes, I have no fashion sense. This is obvious. I wear nothing but blue and green, and various shades there-of, and mostly baggy clothing.

As such, I thank you very much for this award. :)

[Kurokun1293]

Y'know...technically, this is medeval times. in a fantasy world. That suit would be pretty fashionable.

Baggy pants arent due for another 1,980 years. BM is stylish before it even happened!

[The Wandering God]

No, Kurosen was quoted as saying the names won't change.

It was in response to someone saying BM sounded like bowel movement.

Kurosen then responded "And that's why the names won't change. Everything exists to hurt BM". Too lazy to go look for it, but trust me.

EDIT: Anyone else notice BM asking for spikes? Just like Fighter? Hmmmmm, interesting.

[Thetri222]

Please, for the love of everything holy let there be a BM joke to WM saying, "Except you, you can touch me."

[Chrismith]

No, Kurosen was quoted as saying the names won't change.

It was in response to someone saying BM sounded like bowel movement.

Kurosen then responded "And that's why the names won't change. Everything exists to hurt BM". Too lazy to go look for it, but trust me.
What would be funny is if there were a name change, because if Black Mage is now a Blue Mage....his initials are still BM.

[Kurokun1293]

Granted, Black Mage has had his run of luck. He got to rule hell (ignoring time he got to rule), gets to ruin the life of a young child almost every few weeks, and knows white mage, the hottest FF character (mostly opinion on this one).

And i already said that Chrismith. behold the new light warriors! Spike, BM, Black Ninja, and Mr. Mime!

[Jaysc]

after reading this comic, it got me thinking about one way way back at the beginning. #81 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=010925) to be precise. we get magus telling BM that he's unlocked the nexus for him. and in 81, we get the question set forth as what would happen "if a nexus was not born as a place....but as a man?". could this mean that BM is actually a ley line nexus?

[Juggy#3]

I wouldn't say knowing WM is a good thing for him--all it does is torture him constantly with desire.

[Kurokun1293]

I wouldn't say knowing WM is a good thing for him--all it does is torture him constantly with desire.

True. But does that stop the Black Mage from being a horrible flirt? No! cause he's black mage, damnit.

[Juggy#3]

after reading this comic, it got me thinking about one way way back at the beginning. #81 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=010925) to be precise. we get magus telling BM that he's unlocked the nexus for him. and in 81, we get the question set forth as what would happen "if a nexus was not born as a place....but as a man?". could this mean that BM is actually a ley line nexus?

That's what I got of it, especially with the "I have unbound the nexus. I have released, to you alone, power without limit." line in there.

Being a nexus would make BM's destiny integral to the fate of the world, wouldn't it? At least based on what #81 say's...

[Kroze Gamegod]

25 down, 5 to...... aw fuck. :(

Hahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahaha
*Kroze takes a DEEP breath*
Bwuahahahwhwhwhhhahahhahaauauauauahahhaha!!!!!!

Ok... I'm done gloating... oh wait, no I'm not!

Bwwuahahahahhahhahhhhahahahahahahahahhhaahha!!!!!

I WIN Jaysc!

Ahem..
Now on to the comic itself...
And so the stage is set for the final act....
Although, this still doesn't really confirm anything about 434......
We now just know that the good Doctor and Magus are against each other...
But I'd bet that the Doctor really has no clue about what part BM plays in all of this...
Kind of like the Jedi all thoughout the prequal movies...

[Transcend]

after reading this comic, it got me thinking about one way way back at the beginning. #81 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=010925) to be precise. we get magus telling BM that he's unlocked the nexus for him. and in 81, we get the question set forth as what would happen "if a nexus was not born as a place....but as a man?". could this mean that BM is actually a ley line nexus?

Obviously.

[Monkeybonk]

Please, for the love of everything holy let there be a BM joke to WM saying, "Except you, you can touch me."

You realize now, of course, that Brian won't use that joke, right?

[Thetri222]

Not obviously, possibly. Perhaps the nexus as a man is Fighter, and Magus has unlocked Fighter as the Nexus, only to have BM alter or destroy the Nexus, leading to unholy ramifacations. While the Nexus opened might be a man, it isn't neccesarily BM.

[Kroze Gamegod]

And I'm not sure if anyone will make a passing comment to the movie joke that was made, Kurosen.

I'm really trying to ignore he even did that...
Neogorn.. *Snicker*

[Thetri222]

And sorry for the double post, but to Monkeybonk, yes I realize it now won't be used as a joke, but, what were the odds of it being used in the first place?

[Juggy#3]

Not obviously, possibly. Perhaps the nexus as a man is Fighter, and Magus has unlocked Fighter as the Nexus, only to have BM alter or destroy the Nexus, leading to unholy ramifacations. While the Nexus opened might be a man, it isn't neccesarily BM.

That doesn't seem very likely, seeing as how Magus said something about Swordopolis "and his fool" stopping BM, not the other way around. Also, the whole "I have unlocked the Nexus etc. etc." speech seem's to imply pretty strongly that he did, indeed, unlock BM.

[Thetri222]

True, I'm just saying that odds are Brian won't do what is expected, and what's expected right now is that BM is the Nexus. Or, even if BM is the nexus, it will be in some way that will only hurt him.

[Juggy#3]

That much I'll give you. As was mentioned in KOTOR, having a destiny to alter the fate of the world doesn't help you any if you alter the world by dying horribly.

[Transcend]

True, I'm just saying that odds are Brian won't do what is expected, and what's expected right now is that BM is the Nexus. Or, even if BM is the nexus, it will be in some way that will only hurt him.

Of course. A life of pure unfocused Will is painful enough (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=030531), it seems. He will end up being a pawn of his own power.

[Kroze Gamegod]

True, I'm just saying that odds are Brian won't do what is expected, and what's expected right now is that BM is the Nexus. Or, even if BM is the nexus, it will be in some way that will only hurt him.

Thats not completely true....
The story and plot DOES need to move along as we approach 700 comics in the series...
Brian WOULD do what is expected not because it is but because it is NEEDED...
You can't just try to tell a story with a bunch of completely unexpected events overlapping one another just to impress people...
He's trying to build a worthwhile full story...

Plus some of the stuff we are expecting HAS been hinted at so there is a very valid reason why we are expecting those things...

[SnoopyG]

haha, I loved the matrix reference

[MFok]

So its a confirmation then? The boxes in 434 ARE BM and Fighter for sure? That convo sounds like it would take place as those two are preparing to fight each other to the death and are just conversing.

But I've got to ask something. Isn't it kinda weird. I mean, in that conversation, doesn't the roles seem a bit switched? I mean, BM's the one usually bound by reality and common sense, so why is he the one that suggests the part about the grand story to history, when I've always felt that Fighter would kinda be the person who talks about that kind of stuff. I mean, he is in reality, a much smarter person then BM....

Any Ideas?

[Transcend]

So its a confirmation then? The boxes in 434 ARE BM and Fighter for sure? That convo sounds like it would take place as those two are preparing to fight each other to the death and are just conversing.

But I've got to ask something. Isn't it kinda weird. I mean, in that conversation, doesn't the roles seem a bit switched? I mean, BM's the one usually bound by reality and common sense, so why is he the one that suggests the part about the grand story to history, when I've always felt that Fighter would kinda be the person who talks about that kind of stuff. I mean, he is in reality, a much smarter person then BM....

Any Ideas?

Oh, red-box is much smarter in that dialogue. Much more down-to-earth, calmer (are you trying to goad me?), more rational. Yellow-box is egomaniacal, melodramatic and delirious. Fighter was always my first thought for Red-Box, though I confess I did entertain notions of WM.

[Juggy#3]

Actually, the idea of a role reversal--of Fighter being the yellow box and BM the other--appeals to me greatly, now that I think about it.

After all, the yellow box does say "Don't you hate yourself for it? For never having seen it coming until now?" and really, what would be more suprising that having FIGHTER, of all people, end up as the evil mastermind killing his friends and atempting to destroy the world?

Add in the fact that we all know Brian will always attempt to do whatever is least expected, and the multiple occasions where he shows himself to be far smarte than expected...

[Kroze Gamegod]

So its a confirmation then? The boxes in 434 ARE BM and Fighter for sure? That convo sounds like it would take place as those two are preparing to fight each other to the death and are just conversing.

But I've got to ask something. Isn't it kinda weird. I mean, in that conversation, doesn't the roles seem a bit switched? I mean, BM's the one usually bound by reality and common sense, so why is he the one that suggests the part about the grand story to history, when I've always felt that Fighter would kinda be the person who talks about that kind of stuff. I mean, he is in reality, a much smarter person then BM....

Any Ideas?

For one: Its not confirmed yet...
Two: BM could be having delusions of Grandure from all the power he has...

[Mannix]

BM's new sprite is unwatchably ugly. Like that woman from "Strangers With Candy." Next thing you know, Steve Colbert will become a new main character. this does prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that even cloth exists to hurt BM.

[Transcend]

Actually, the idea of a role reversal--of Fighter being the yellow box and BM the other--appeals to me greatly, now that I think about it.

After all, the yellow box does say "Don't you hate yourself for it? For never having seen it coming until now?" and really, what would be more suprising that having FIGHTER, of all people, end up as the evil mastermind killing his friends and atempting to destroy the world?

Add in the fact that we all know Brian will always attempt to do whatever is least expected, and the multiple occasions where he shows himself to be far smarte than expected...

It would be absolutely wonderful if it was the way you describe it. It's very appealing. But what to do about the "why did you do it that way" part? How would that be resolved?

For one: Its not confirmed yet...
Two: BM could be having delusions of Grandure from all the power he has...

I think that unlimited power would actually be Grandeur minus the Delusions ;)

[Juggy#3]

Perhaps it would be Fighter asking why BM let that happen, when he knows from personal experience that BM has plenty of magical abilities to fall back on and prevent such (like his teleporting to the iceberg)? After all, never does either box refer to itself as being either on the bottom of the Deathtrap or inside it, so we don't really know how he was referencing that.

I dunno, that's pretty weak, but I'm sure Brian could come up with others far superior.

[Kroze Gamegod]

I think that unlimited power would actually be Grandeur minus the Delusions ;)

Where did the world "Unlimited" come from? ;)

[MFok]

(I just noticed something, that kinda shakes the figher-BM theory, Notice the panel's backgrounds. Doesn't it seem like the second frame, its a chaos spell, and the third some sort of all-powerful-white-magic spell? (from WM?!) and then there's the robe's, splattered with blood.)

Unless fighter learn's some sort of holy magiks or something, i dunno.

[Deathbane27]

*Magus lowers his head and sighs in frustration*
"ENOUGH PRATTLING!"

:D

[Juggy#3]

The chaos spell could easily be BM defending himself from the newly revealed Evil Fighter, and the other one could be WM attempting to heal the downded party members, or Fighter's new Knight-upgrade abilities including Holy Magic [as we don't know yet what the upgrades include] or even a counter-attack launched by BM (personally I alway's thought that'd be what a Hadoken look's like from the front).

Remember, I'm not saying that this IS the truth of the panel, only that it's another possibility.

[MFok]

Ooo... Hadoken to the face.. i c how that might work in that panel.

Anyways, back on topic.
Magus is kick ass... gotta love his sprites, they match perfectly with his emotions. And that walking away one is so bad-ass

[Dark Seraphim]

Where did the world "Unlimited" come from? ;)


I assume that "power without limit" is the same as unlimited power...


------

On a completly diffrent note: Are The Magics sprites, who are surely not the older movie reference, from River City Ransom?

[dark butterfree]

red box has to be fighter.
orange box:"why did you do it like that"
red box: "we thought it'd be funny"
black mage was the only one being hurt, so who would "we" be indicating if the red box was BM?

[Arlia Janet]

...what would be more suprising that having FIGHTER, of all people, end up as the evil mastermind killing his friends and atempting to destroy the world?

Nah. I already thought of that two years ago (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040519).

[CDS]

I have only one word to say about BM's outfit: "HA!"

[The Wandering God]

Nah. I already thought of that two years ago (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040519).
If your the artist (which it sounds like you are), can I ask you something?

In the panel with the burning background, is that from the movie Kung Pow: Enter the Fist?

And to keep this mostly on topic, I'd just like to add I didn't even get it was a Matrix reference at first. I had to read other replies to understand.

And Magus's line, "Let's assume I make up words sometimes", just keeps getting funnier the more I read it.

The Wandering God

[blAck_mag3_RULEZ]

Maybe black mage would look better in (check avatar)

[Meister]

We'll only have validation once the exact dialogue from 434 reappears, I'm afraid. You know how much Brian loves to mislead his readership.

Also, everyone was right. The pants look incredibly stupid. But you can't say they aren't supposed to. :p

[calis]

for some reason reading them last 2-3 comics i get the feeling that bm hasn't actually class changed and magnus just used his great powers to change bm's clothes.

When the others class changed they showed the class change by using there 'new powers'....all bm has done is said awesome.

hmmm....it doesn't look like thief did anything either apart from say he stole his suit from the future, so i guess im totally wrong and that bm has class changed....or am i?

[blackmind]

This is how I think things will play out
(1)BM gets powers
(2)BM asks to look cool
(3)Dark lord [even though he looks cool] doesnt understand fashion.
(4)BM gets teased
(5)Fighter gets blasted
(6)RM copys it and shoots
(7)RM misses and it hits the dark warriers:yarr::ninja::confused::brow:
(8)BM goes on a killing spree because of anger
(9)light warriers follow
(10)we get to see thier powers in action.
(11)i screem like a fanboy lol

Edit:RM will hit the dark warriers or the onion kids new family.

[Bamboozehound]

Super. Hadoken.

[KillBill]

I just thought of somethin'... if BM becomes Chaos, and WM becomes the 4th Light Warrior, does that mean WM got a class upgrade too? That would explain why BM didn't really get one and needed help. WM probably would've gotten hers now...

[Mesden]

I just thought of somethin'... if BM becomes Chaos, and WM becomes the 4th Light Warrior, does that mean WM got a class upgrade too? That would explain why BM didn't really get one and needed help. WM probably would've gotten hers now...

I don't think that will happen. Brian already said noone's turning into Chaos and I'm sure that WM wasn't there when Bahamut "SPOING"d them. Plus sheisn't a light warrior. Just there guide, basically.

My point still stands on BM changing at the beginning of BLACK history month. Just seemed to make a lot of sense last time and now it has happened.

[Amake]

How odd, just yesterday I made a Matrix joke. It went "What you need to realize is that there is no porn. Then you'll understand it's not the porn that makes you get off, you're just whacking it yourself." Yeah, it's weak. v_v

Unlike this comic. Hilarity in every panel. And I do love whent hey take the time to explain to the reader why they don't do the most obvious and un-time-consuming thing you'd execp them to do, because they don't have time. . .

On a sidenote, three comics recently has been accompanied by threads named after their punchline. What's up with that? Wouldn't you want to save the biggest laugh for the comic itself, and use a minor line for the thread?

[Wetflame]

Wow, that Magus dude just revealed half the future plot of 8 Bit Theater in 2 comics. No wonder we haven't seen many Gods up until now. Though are dark Gods really Gods at all, shouldn't Gods be being interested in the well being of humanity somewhat? Most Gods of mythology were good, and even Norse mythology only really had Loki, who was mischievous rather than evil, whatever Marvel comics tell you(though he IS really hot in the Ultimates). Just a thought.

[Amake]

I do believe BM's gods are deitys of chaos and disorder, basically like Loki.
Just as an aside. >_>

[Fifthfiend]

"Too busy bein' happy."

And so it goes.

[BlackMageFF1]

Is he supposed to look goofy or is it just me?

[Seran]

-Cries.- Fighter, noooo...

Well, now the nexus has been placed upon Black Mage, let's see what it does for him. The gods Black Mage worship basically are like Loki in their own ways, what with deceit and violent disorder they may bestow. One of them most likely appeared because it was the proper time for his class change, probably explaining why he was selected last. According to Norse mythology, Loki accidentally killed a god whom was said to be invicible, until someone told Loki a scret they thought harmless until it was manifested. Trickery, deceit, lies, they are all part of what we can only refer to as "chaos". This applies, it seems, much more to Black Mage's gods, who probably are granting Black Mage the opportunity to gaining power and using it at the same time.

I hope you know what I mean.

[Amake]

Let me straighten out that mythology for ya. Everything in the world had sworn not to harm Baldur, the gentlest and gayest of the gods, except for mistletoe. (A mistake had been made by someone who didn't recognize misteltoe as a separate being, it being a parasite.) Loki, being the god of secrets, of course knew that, and tricked someone into shooting Baldur with an arrow made of mistletoe.

That is if we're thinking of the same story. ^_^

[Natheson]

Looking back at Chrono Trigger, I can't help but support the theory that Cloud and Sephiroth were archetypes of Crono and Magus. The mannerisms, not the rivalry, tho'.

It's never too late to poke fun at the Matrix. That blunder was timeless.

[anphorus]

Wow, that Magus dude just revealed half the future plot of 8 Bit Theater in 2 comics. No wonder we haven't seen many Gods up until now. Though are dark Gods really Gods at all, shouldn't Gods be being interested in the well being of humanity somewhat? Most Gods of mythology were good, and even Norse mythology only really had Loki, who was mischievous rather than evil, whatever Marvel comics tell you(though he IS really hot in the Ultimates). Just a thought.

Didn't Loki ventually free Skoll and lead the Fire Giants against the Norse gods in Ragnarok, eventually destroying the universe and killing the Aesir?

[Cheater]

No, Loki killed one of the Sons of Odin and was sealed. He will break free during the Ragnarok and kill Odin.

[bolevar321]

I'm sorry... On his pants... Is that an ass?

[Aragrine]

The colors for 300 are still inconsistent with 656...one of them needs to be changed, now.

Hopefully, 656.

[Jared Todd]

Not one person noted that BM is the man beneath Magus, but can disobey him. Not one person noted that history in the comic was once supposed to be alternated. Not one person noted that page 434 could've been something BM or someone else dreamt up. and did we all forget that WM controls the universe?

All this stuff is something to think about.

My personal guess is that Swordopolis'll find out that BM is this "nexus" and will try to get Fighter to bring BM to the good side to change the world for the better and not the worst. BM will be driven away, and end up finally deciding to destroy Magus, with the little power he has. Fight, fight, fight, and Magus almost kills BM. Magus will explain he hasn't killed BM. He knows BM can become truly the nexus of evil. Fighter'll show up to rescue BM, and fight Magus with the powers of Swordopolis, and before Magus is defeated by Fighter and Swordopolis, he gives a deathly blow to BM. Fighter will rush to BM's side, and they'll have the conversation from page 434 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040626).

[Juggy#3]

WM doesn't control the universe; she merely influenced the universe when it was still very young and gullible.

If she controlled the universe, do you really think she'd have been blasted by the living blood-geyser formally known as BB?

[WingedLion]

HAHAHAHAHA!!! Great outcome *bows* and I guess that the comment about Swordopolis confirms in certain way the theory of the 434 episode. Magus vs Swordopolis, interesting subplot the one developing under our vritual noses.

I'm just waiting for BM start to gloating in fron to the rest of the LW with that outfit, this is going to be so hilarious.

Great job Brian. Congrats!

[Burkion]

Can I gloat now? Please? FIGHTER VS BLACK MAGE! HELLS YES!

[Fifthfiend]

You know I'm just throwing this out there, but can't Black Mage just go buy new clothes, or something?

[Tilion]

Many things, I hope to remember them all :)

· I think ther was oficial confirmation (i.e., Brian) of BM being "yellow" from 434 (with his HellKing voice?). Plus, I've always felt Red's tone suited Fighter: being more mature, serious, down to earth. Like after recievig a hard emotional shock (for example, like discovering your best friend is trully evil and has been playing with you all along. Let's not forget Fighter really trusts BM). Like when BM died (http://nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040212) against Lich (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040221).
And yet, with everything, he still keeps a bit of hope ("it's not too late", "it is for some people"... I've allways heard that in a somewhat sad tone from BM)

· In two comics, the nexus, swordopolis, the plot, 434 and everything comes back at last. WOW.

· Edit: There's also the subject of him having "unlimited" power. I'm guessing that, even if he has it, learning to unload and control it will be an entirely different matter. It would be too boring otherwise :P

· Thief was indeed wearing red in 300, it's still like this in the ebooks ;)

· Do not bother the gods, they have a cruel sense of humor ("I Have released to you alone unlimited power, and you talk me about Fashion?") Spikes, indeed.

· Please, please, _Please_, don't keep the pants BM....

· Magus kiks ass.

· I'll shut up now.

· Probably.

[Slackbot]

Mayne I'm alone here, but I like BM's new threads. They're the kind of thing that someone out there might find cool, but will just make everyone else snicker. Kind of like his blue robe/dress/nightgown.

[Robert]

I personally don't have a problem with BM's new outfit, although I'm sure that when he shows the other Lite Warriors he will be laughed at, since it is a little silly looking. Hopefully now that BM has received his new outfit, everyone in the forums will stop trying to get Brian to alter it. It's his comic people, if he wants BM to wear the moon hat and MC pants, then BM will. Also, I didn't really get the movie reference joke, even after others saying it's of 'The Matrix', but it's not the first time I didn't understand a joke in the comic. This upcoming storyline will be interesting, to say the least. Swordopolis and Fighter against Magus (and maybe some other Dark Gods that didn't show themselves) and BM. Looking forward to seeing how you will go with this, Brian. Keep up the great work!

[Fifthfiend]

Another thing - did it strike anyone else as odd that Black Mage refers to the other Light Warriors as his 'buddies'?

[Art of Hilt]

You know I'm just throwing this out there, but can't Black Mage just go buy new clothes, or something?

How many 8-bit RPG games allow you to choose your own clothing?

That said, how many any-bit games allow you to choose clothing? It's a conspiracy! A conspiracy, I tell thee! Let us strike down the government with the sheer force of our gaming thumbs and rise a new world order!

...

You heard nothing.

---

Also, about the comic: awesome. Sheer awesome. Magus feels insulted that BM keeps asking for more when he already has ULTIMATE POWARZ, Magus gives him Hammer Pants... it's a perfect explanation!

[mauve]

That was beautiful. Black Mage in Vivi pants? Matrix-turned-LOTR? Madness, I say!

This was one of those comics that made me bust out laughing. Oh sure, they all give me a grin and a chuckle, but this was one of those unexpected laughs that sneak up on you and escape while you're sitting reading in a quiet library computer lab. Curse you for getting me kicked out of the computer lab, Brian!

And now I am curious about Dr. Swordopolis. Does this mean we'll be seeing an awesome Fighter Versus Black Mage, Good-Yet-Naieve Versus Evil-Yet-Stupid battle sometime in the future? Be still, my heart!

[Cas]

I've been following this comic since its inception, but finally decided to join the forums after this last tour-de-force.

Some thoughts that undoubtedly have been referenced elsewhere:

That BM is a nexus was implied a number if times, and seems almost confirmed; however, why is it that only fighter seems to have the requisite combination of mental and physical prowess? Mental prowess has been proven any number of times, such as in episodes like 318 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=030812), 449 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040805), and 488 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=041207) to name a few.

Further, he is the only one, as I can recall, who exhibits near supernatural physical prowess as well; even if they are sometimes silly, such as: episode 14 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=010409), episode 174 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=020717), episode 384 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040214) -- note facial expression, episode 387 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040221), and, of course, the duel with Kaia, where he finally grasped the answer to episode 385 (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040217).

Also, he truly is altruistic. One comic that keeps coming back is the Sarda sacrifice, sequence, "but I really LIKE gum." He does. That would be sacrifice.

His trial of sloth notwithstanding, he has shown deep personal insight into both his own self, as well as BM; he regularly performs feats of skill that should be impossible, and he hides an intellect of near genius magnitude.

I remain uncertain if his childish mentality is a sub-concioys put-on or an externally-imposed constraint (by the forces of Magnus or whatever).

If he is not the ley-line; I guess he is being set up to be the hero who can affect it.

OK, painfully obvious to y'all, but I felt the need to talk after the last few.

Brian, you have shown great talent (or extraordinary luck ;) ) in tying disparate threads months and months apart into what is fast becoming an epic.

/bows

[Ircha]

and then we will find out black mage was dreaming and his class change will be 666 anyways : ^^

it's not over yet, it might be a dream - why else would black mage get as he wants with no lw's around + class change?
WHY!??!?! :/

[Kurosen]

The colors for 300 are still inconsistent with 656...one of them needs to be changed, now
Sometimes PNG compression makes colors very slightly different. Settle down.

[onoi]

I registered to say two things.

1. I have been a long time reader of this comic, and I even re-read the archives just because they are so funny. Brian, you have done some amazing work and brought myself and many others joy and laughter. Kudos to you.

2. I absolutely HATE what you have done to black mage. The new class change outfit that he has is the worst ever thing that you have ever drawn and it could even qualify for "the worst thing ever done to a character in a series by its author" ever. MC Hammer pants have got to go.

[Meister]

Heh, blame Squaresoft. That sprite is, as far as I can see, unaltered.

[the1jeffy]

if BM is getting set up for even more disappointment than just looking sightly silly and being laughed at by his "buddies" (gasp!). "Power without limit," seems to be worded purposely vague. Perhaps there is no such thing as power without limit, because to be defined in the physical universe, any power would have to have an upper limit, otherwise it would be unable to expressed discretely and be un-observable. (I'm guessing that limit would be roughly the amount of energy released in the Big Bang, but that's pure speculation) Anyway, BMs new "Power without limit," may not be able to have any real definition on the physical plane of existance, therefore screwing him out of his own dark plans, yet again.

Speaking more fantastically; if BMs new power is due to his awakening (or birth) as a nexus of ley lines (or cosmic strings as I like to call them) - wouldn't his power still have a limit? Ley lines have a discreet power associated with them - power far beyond human reasoning, for sure - but limted by the very "laws" of existance.

OK I think I've gone pretty far a field here, since the comic is primarily about "teh funny" and not meant to further greater existance theory. Unless in doing so makes BM miserable, so I think you get where I'm coming from in my previous paragraphs.

[Donomni]

I notice everyone is talking about the hammer pants... but why not the goofy little moon?

Much hilarity to be had in the next comic.

[Burning Ninja]

Heh, blame Squaresoft. That sprite is, as far as I can see, unaltered.

well I'm not one to argue (I actually like his hammerpants, just for the hilarity factor) but just to play the devil's advocate, Brian chose to use the sprite, rather then find another. It's not so much that Squaresoft made it, it was about free will and blahblahblah.

[Telephalsion]

Wait, wouldnt they get name changes? cept, like, BM cause....Black mage, blue mage= BM.

Red mage = Mr. Mime. And then the world imploded.

RM = Red Mime?

[Meister]

RM = Red Mime?
Fnight?

[Skit]

Fnight?

That, or possibly Knighter. And Thinja.

[Medeo]

Huh. And all this time I thought the nexus referred to in #81 (http://nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=010925) was Chaos, since that is him (albeit distorted) in the background and all. But now the implication is that BM is the nexus? What gives?

BM = Chaos?

[Fifthfiend]

if BM is getting set up for even more disappointment than just looking sightly silly and being laughed at by his "buddies" (gasp!). "Power without limit," seems to be worded purposely vague. Perhaps there is no such thing as power without limit, because to be defined in the physical universe, any power would have to have an upper limit, otherwise it would be unable to expressed discretely and be un-observable. (I'm guessing that limit would be roughly the amount of energy released in the Big Bang, but that's pure speculation) Anyway, BMs new "Power without limit," may not be able to have any real definition on the physical plane of existance, therefore screwing him out of his own dark plans, yet again.

Maybe BM is capable of channeling power from outside this plane of existence?

Maybe a Big Bang technically releases an 'infinite' amount of power?

Maybe Magus was just hyperbolizing a bit?

Whichever, I just don't see Magus going to all the bother of showing up just to not do anything.

Huh. And all this time I thought the nexus referred to in #81 (http://nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=010925) was Chaos, since that is him (albeit distorted) in the background and all. But now the implication is that BM is the nexus? What gives?

BM = Chaos?

BM is the Keymaster, Chaos is Gozer, and White Mage is the Gatekeeper.

...

I mean they probably don't fuck like in Ghostbusters, BM probably just stabs her or something.

[Krylancelo]

Ohhh... Here's what I'm hearing- "BM, you no longer have the 9999 damage limits on all of your spells! Your level cap has also been set to -1. Have fun becoming stronger while facing enemies that still seem to be just over your current level. And you've got Blue Magic. But mainly the cap thing."

[the1jeffy]

Maybe BM is capable of channeling power from outside this plane of existence?

Maybe a Big Bang technically releases an 'infinite' amount of power?

Maybe Magus was just hyperbolizing a bit?

Whichever, I just don't see Magus going to all the bother of showing up just to not do anything.



BM is the Keymaster, Chaos is Gozer, and White Mage is the Gatekeeper.

...

I mean they probably don't fuck like in Ghostbusters, BM probably just stabs her or something.

Basically, I think you might be right about Magus exaggerating a bit.

But, if he is not, his wording choice was a little odd. Saying "Infinite Power" would give BM roughly the same power to affect change in the universe as the Big Bang did.

Saying "Power without limit" is slighty different.

It all depends on how you define infinity. Running theory states that if you started at the very center of the universe and traveled outward, you would reach the border of the universe in an infinite amount of time. That does NOT mean never. It means that a being bound to the laws of existance would never each the border. From the outside of our universe, a higher being would see "infinity" as just another discrete amount, such as a gram for us. That higher being would have, from a universally bound being's standpoint, "power without limit" because said power is not bound to the laws of existance of the universe, ie "infinity." Perhaps, being desicably evil, the dark god's avatar seen as "Magus" granted BMs wish, however, that power is only useful to a being not bound by the universes laws of existance. Since BM is most definitely bound to a "universe" (however 8-bit and unlike ours it may be) his power is nothing like he imagined it would be, further adding to his misery.

Again, this is far afield from what I think Brian is doing, because it's a little more convoluted than as is normal for the humorous misery he heaps on BM. Just interesting conjecture on my part.

PS. WM indeed could be the "Gatekeeper" as in Ghostbusters, because she would be unwilling to help and would have to be coerced like in the movie. Interesting theory!

[Saria]

Yeah, I thought that was a matrix-joke, but I haven't seen the movie. they're wearing black, aren't they?

And geez...people complain and complain about bm's new clothes. I like them on him...I mean, he's all. evil, but difficult to take serious 'cause he's "cute", so those clothes fit him.

Ooh, and cool plot-things. How thrilling. =D

[Transcend]

Magus is clearly exaggerating with the "power without limit" bit, to show his incredulity at Black Mage's shallow preoccupation with appearance. If BM were truly limitless in his power, there really wouldn't be much of a comic.

[Meister]

Yeah, I thought that was a matrix-joke, but I haven't seen the movie. they're wearing black, aren't they?
That's sort of like saying the South Pole is a bit chilly. :p

And geez...people complain and complain about bm's new clothes. I like them on him...I mean, he's all. evil, but difficult to take serious 'cause he's "cute", so those clothes fit him.
Love 'em or hate 'em, but you have to admit Brian played the element right. Did it occur to anyone he doesn't necessarily choose them out of personal preference?

[Thetri222]

It all depends on how you define infinity. Running theory states that if you started at the very center of the universe and traveled outward, you would reach the border of the universe in an infinite amount of time. That does NOT mean never. It means that a being bound to the laws of existance would never each the border. From the outside of our universe, a higher being would see "infinity" as just another discrete amount, such as a gram for us. That higher being would have, from a universally bound being's standpoint, "power without limit" because said power is not bound to the laws of existance of the universe, ie "infinity." Perhaps, being desicably evil, the dark god's avatar seen as "Magus" granted BMs wish, however, that power is only useful to a being not bound by the universes laws of existance. Since BM is most definitely bound to a "universe" (however 8-bit and unlike ours it may be) his power is nothing like he imagined it would be, further adding to his misery.



Excellent description of theoretical physics, even more impressive description of theoretical physics being applied to the 8-Bit World. I think that that description should be the standard answer to BM's new limits on power. Of course, the description makes entirely too much sense, meaning it will be proven wrong, because that's just the way things work.

[Fifthfiend]

Love 'em or hate 'em, but you have to admit Brian played the element right. Did it occur to anyone he doesn't necessarily choose them out of personal preference?

He chooses them out of he's a jerkfaced retconning bastard, that's what he chooses 'em out of!

[Knight McWarrior]

Shouldn't it be 'Morpheus':sweatdrop

[Axass]

I strongly feel that Brian is trying to throw us off with that Swordopolis reference. We just surpassed the middle point of the comic, revealing now, in this anti-climatic way the ending fight seems quite weird. Brian would have no reason to throw away such a big plot twist so early, the only reason I can think of is that he's trying to fool us in believing Magus' words, just to let us remain astonished when things turn out completely different.

[Burning Ninja]

Shouldn't it be 'Morpheus':sweatdrop
shouldn't it also be the Hulk?

sorry for sounding harsh in that... but I had to say it. I think these guys are just gonna be some more of the 8-bit worlds off-heros, who aren't really that amazingly cool...

[Transcend]

Shouldn't it be 'Morpheus':sweatdrop

You're right! The humorously-Hellenized name should actually be the original (actually Greek) name Morpheus. And it should be Neo, then, too. And it shouldn't be The Magics, it should be The Matrix, since that, too, was the name of the original movie. And, of course, it should have been a movie, not a play. And since movies don't exist in medieval times, and because magic is not real, the comic should actually take place in modern times and have a cast of college students. And, for a bit more realism, they should have jokes about classwork, their horrible social lives, and video games. That would make the comic so much better.

[bass_virus]

I KNEW IT! I knew BM wasn't gonna change cloths but then he would bitch until Magus got pissed enough to give him the hideous cloths. I'm guessing Brian did this just so the joke would be on us AND BM, i'm sure BM will either get better cloths or switch back to normal cloths.

[Seran]

How high are the possibilities that the others will snigger and laugh at Black Mage's new costume?

Hm...thoery, thoery...nope, can't think of one. Swordopolis hasn't appeared for some time, has he?

[Sky Warrior Bob]

Heh, blame Squaresoft. That sprite is, as far as I can see, unaltered.

Actually, the orange-yellow bits are supposed to be the same color as the tan of his pants stripes. But other than that, its the same as the FF3j BW.

(As for the change to yellow, that was Brian's decision. As evidenced when he did a group shot of the upgraded warriors way back in that temporal error comic. The only addition I can claim, is that I changed the color of the pants back to the original, as all that yellow didn't look right.)

SWB

[Jaeger]

You're right! The humorously-Hellenized name should actually be the original (actually Greek) name Morpheus. And it should be Neo, then, too. And it shouldn't be The Magics, it should be The Matrix, since that, too, was the name of the original movie. And, of course, it should have been a movie, not a play. And since movies don't exist in medieval times, and because magic is not real, the comic should actually take place in modern times and have a cast of college students. And, for a bit more realism, they should have jokes about classwork, their horrible social lives, and video games. That would make the comic so much better.

....................OH! I GET IT!

My God, that took me a long time. I feel really, really dumb now.

[Seran]

I was aware The Magics was a Matrix thing the whole time...

But wait. Thief's a ninja who controls time, Red Mage is a mimic, and Fighter is a Knight who can quickly block almost any attack with a mere swift stroke of his sword. It seems Black Mage still has far to go, even if he did have a class change.

[bass_virus]

Wow after reading this comic i finally get what everyone is talking about with number 434. The conversation sounds like one BM and Fighter would have right after Fighter finally realizes the extent of BM's evil and realizes he has to kill him. Though i'm also able to see it a different way, i think it can also be seen as BM and Fighter on the same side, about to fight a great enemy. It's possible that they are facing Chaos and Thief and RM were killed earlier by him already.

[mordsilth]

Well I've wanted to post for a while but it always seems that the things I want to say are already said and I don’t want to just repost something that’s already been stated, but since the last comic an idea hit me and this comic has just reinforced it. This whole war of the gods theme really ties things together and make sense of some of the older comics especially 434. This got me to thinking what if it was a conversation between fighter and black mage and it was white mages robes covered in blood. See go with me on this what if WM threw herself in front of BM's attack meant for fighter? It would explain the bloody robes and the conversation.

But hey I'm most likely far off base on this one.

[Piedmon Sama]

Hmm.... that's an interesting thought, and just the kind of curve ball I'd expect! Maybe BM finally defies his dark masters and stands beside Fighter and the Light Warriors for their final battle. I hope, because BM killing them and the earth being swallowed in darkness wouldn't be a great ending (even if it was played for laughs.)

[Dasanudas]

First, some comments on the strip - nice plot point being introduced there. So where does Bahamut fit in, and why does it seem like he didn't give anything to change BM's class? Perhaps he's part of Dr. Swordopolis's side of things.

I'm wondering if the costume change BM went through was painful - I'm betting it was, look at the sprite through the fog - that and Magus is evil, after all.

The Magics was funny, and not out of date at all - heh, even got the absence of...uhm....ear...holders (wtf are they called? legs??) on Mobiuscoles's right.

And personally, my favorite part of the stupidity in BM's new sprite? The apparent hip-thrust he's doing there. Ya, that's just wrongfully homosexual (yay!! I finally got to say that phrase!!)

Now, some posting comments:

How many 8-bit RPG games allow you to choose your own clothing?

That said, how many any-bit games allow you to choose clothing? It's a conspiracy! A conspiracy, I tell thee! Let us strike down the government with the sheer force of our gaming thumbs and rise a new world order!

The Elder Scrolls games, FFX-2 (and that will never be mentioned again on pain of evisceration), and tho I never played them, I believe Neverwinter Nights and FFXI also let you change the appearance of your clothing. So plenty of RPG do this, not to mention the myriad of tabletop games that let you look like whatever the heck you want up to the limit of your drawing skill or some plebian you coerce to draw for you.

That, or possibly Knighter. And Thinja. Thinja would explain the narrow legs.

But wait. Thief's a ninja who controls time, Red Mage is a mimic, and Fighter is a Knight who can quickly block almost any attack with a mere swift stroke of his sword. It seems Black Mage still has far to go, even if he did have a class change.
Thief was lying, he doesn't control time - he class changed when he threw items. They all have classic FF skills owing to their new class:

Ninja - Throw
Paladin - Cover (usually has to be directed to one person, or a seriously wounded ally, thus Fighter blocked BM's attack, but not RM)
Mimic - Mime (and Brian has told us only for friendly moves)
and if BM truly is now a blue mage - Blue Magic (which Brian also explained works only on enemies, and perhaps only for magic attacks)

And while I've forgotten where it was said, Barry is NOT a Mr. Mime! He's a mimic! Mr. Mime was a Pokemon!and the dumbest one at that

[rodent347]

Looking back on the "Lich kills Black Mage" comic got me thinking:
Is it possible someone will be killed by each of the fiends?

[ZAKtheGeek]

Well, isn't kary one of those? And didn't she already waste her kill on a non-light warrior?

Or are they supposed to come back?

And, what does that leave for chaos? Uber [hell] BM?

[CelebrenIthil]

AAAHHHH the paaaaiiiiiinnnnnn!!!!
PUFFY, STRIPED PANTS!!!
*stab eyes*

I refuse, I refuse to draw BM with puffy pants! Gawd!
I think my fashion sense is mortally wounded....
.........
*sob*
..................


The Elder Scrolls games, FFX-2 (and that will never be mentioned again on pain of evisceration), and tho I never played them, I believe Neverwinter Nights and FFXI also let you change the appearance of your clothing. So plenty of RPG do this, not to mention the myriad of tabletop games that let you look like whatever the heck you want up to the limit of your drawing skill or some plebian you coerce to draw for you.

Yes, you can change your apparence in Neverwinter, Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Fable, Soul Calibur III, Ragnarok Online, City of Heroes (I guess all MMORPG do actually...)

[The Green Mage]

Well, this was an interesting strip, to say the least. Lots of plot points here. Although this has obviously been said a thousand times over, this proves that Black Mage is the nexus.

By the way, Magus is cool. Just thought I'd say it.

[CelebrenIthil]

Yes, he is cool, but.....puffy.......stripped.......pants......
UGHN!!! X(

[The Green Mage]

True...I personally think that Geomancer (not sure if that's it; I've only played a bit of FFIIIj...well, the other once with BM's color pallette) would have made a better choice. At least that one doesn't have those pants (although it also looks stupid). Meh, whatever. I'm not Brian, so it's really no use complaining.

[Kaelus]

Those pants look like my grandfather's pajamas... >_>

[CelebrenIthil]

http://www.videogamesprites.net/FinalFantasy/Party/Before/Black%20Mage%20-%20Attack.gif + http://www.alibaba.com/sitemap/archives/images/qu50080339bo_Ladies_Cotton_Corduroy_Denim_Striped_ Pants.jpg = http://www.rpgclassics.com/shrines/nes/ff3/images/warlock.gif

[PCD]

THE FORESHADOW! WHY DO YOU TORTURE US SO? Ahhhh. I love getting little omnious hints as to what's coming, but I HATE the fact that I can never actually put the clues together... I really do like the fact that BM is obviously being used in an evil-god plot, victim to his own power... My brain is whirring so fast with ideas.
Oho, so Black Mage likes spikes too? Or maybe he just wants 'em so he can rub it in Fighter's face. Nontheless... I just wanna see how the guys react...actually, I wanna see how BM reacts when he DOES decide to tilt his head. (hehe) Magus' exasperated reaction is awesome.
Wow. If the Matrix had people talk like that in the actual movie... *wince*

25 down, 5 to...... aw fuck. :(
X3 So close!

[---garland---]

Another thing - did it strike anyone else as odd that Black Mage refers to the other Light Warriors as his 'buddies'?

they are the closest thing he has to "buddies"

[Transcend]

Wow. If the Matrix had people talk like that in the actual movie... *wince*

Especially in the sequels, they pretty much did. Except without the Goodfellow and Aye.

"The machines are coming, Neo."
"They are coming?"
"They are coming."
"What must I do?"
"You must do what you must do."
"I must do what I must do."
"You know what you must do, Neo."
"Where can I find what I must do?"
"What you must do is inside you."
*continue until audience leaves or movie grosses 200 million*

[Hybrid]

Those pants are pimp. . .

[Kaelus]

Those pants are poop. T_T

[Fifthfiend]

Those pants are pimp. . .

Now that's what I would call a class upgrade!

[CelebrenIthil]

Those pants are pimp. . .

Those pants are poop. T_T

Those pants are p...ainful for my eyes...

[Knight McWarrior]

I meant he used a B instead of a Ph:sweatdrop

[Locke cole]

My gosh, way to turn around This (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040427) joke, and upgrade it by a value of infinity minus one.

Man, Magus is a vindicative dark god, is he not? I just want to see Kefka now.

BM: "MAGUS! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?"
Kefka: "Uwee hee hee! He says it's punishment, but trust me, the evil clown look is IN! Vwoop-vwoop-vwoop!"
BM: "Magus?"
Magus: More punishment"

[Gadgeteer]

25 down, 5 to...... aw fuck. :(


Well, we really haven't been given for RW class and what (specifically) his new abilites are. So there is hope.

[ZAKtheGeek]

No, there isn't, because they've all changed in the most visible way possible: visibly.

[Ultima08]

and mentally
well as soon a BM sees his new clothes
btw do the LW have more than one change of clothes i think the only time they left them before the class change was the nightmare the night after they got poisoned

[Neodymium]

*horrid images*

My brain has been sundered from the fabric of reality!

[Ultima08]

Why is everyone calling them MC hammerpants
they're BM Hammer Pants
but from the angle of viewing BM head on WM will whack BM for a rude gesture

[Transcend]

My gosh, way to turn around This (http://www.nuklearpower.com/daily.php?date=040427) joke, and upgrade it by a value of infinity minus one.


My God, I had forgotten about that one. That is my absolute favorite moment in this series.

[Ultima08]

yeah that was hilarious as well why didn't WM and BB just tell them the LW know that WM knows what shes doing

[POS Industries]

Why is everyone calling them MC hammerpants
they're BM Hammer Pants

I can't explain to you all the ways that what you just said sounded horrible.

Keep up the good work.

[SolidSamurai]

why didn't WM and BB just tell them the LW know that WM knows what shes doing

The LW can't be told what to do, when they were meant to be the ones to actually find the solution in the first place...

Cuz then fate will be pissed...

And you know what happens when fate is pissed...the results are rather fate determining in a fatal way of fatefullness that is fatefull.

Quite the fatality.

Like in Final Destination which clearly tries to make the theory of time/space look bad, since the people were fated to die, and yet they survived; and fate tries to erase their crap-up careless mistakes in a rather massive series of clearly questionable freak accidents rather then say, just modify time ever so SLIGHTLY as to make it seem that they were really only fated to survive some single event where they could of died. The light warriors are fate! Cuz fate said so, yo.

God really needs to fire grunts like fate, and take advantage of all the new technology coming out these days; I mean we are talking about some serious slack-off with time itself at his fingertips...

[BlackMageFF1]

This is slightly unrelated, but I think it's more realistic that Magus moves slightly in every panel.

Plus they still could drag on the class change a little bit longer. Thief from the past still has to steal Thief's ninja outfit. ANd they still have a little bit of discussing to do about Black Mage's class change.

[SpoonyBard]

Maybe, if Brian is kind, he might drag it out 5 comics. What am I saying, ditch that countdown, it's over.

[Kurosen]

And at 656, which is just as bitchy -- and twice as sneaky -- as 665.

[Jaysc]

And at 656, which is just as bitchy -- and twice as sneaky -- as 665.


yea, kill two birds with one stone. the 666 crowd, and the countdown. bastard :(

[Tilion]

yea, kill two birds with one stone. the 666 crowd, and the countdown. bastard :(

Frankly, hadn't he done something like that, I would have been disappointed ^_^

[crabsoneyes]

Maybe BMs new Abilites mean you... CAN'T TOUCH HIM!

Naaananana. Nanaaana!

[Juggy#3]

This is slightly unrelated, but I think it's more realistic that Magus moves slightly in every panel.

Plus they still could drag on the class change a little bit longer. Thief from the past still has to steal Thief's ninja outfit. ANd they still have a little bit of discussing to do about Black Mage's class change.

Wait...if *Past* Thief steals the outfit, then current thief won't have it, as it has been stolen, and the cycle will continue....

[Maur]

Who said Thief stole the outfit from himself?

Why not somebody else?

[The Green Mage]

Here's my (stupid) theory:

Thief stole the Class Change from BM. Now, this would make it impossible for BM to class change, which forces Magus to come down and do it himself.

[Tyr]

I always thought the "thief stole his class change" was a joke but i guess that could explain the whole forces at work to try to stop bm from having a CC

[SirYoink]

As much as 434 is discussed on these boards, its always in the context of two characters battling.

But I see a different interpretation of it, maybe that 5th panel is BM's blood on WM's robes, and she is with him talking to him as he is dying after the battle with Chaos? The red dialogue box would be WM, the orange one BM.

[bass_virus]

As much as 434 is discussed on these boards, its always in the context of two characters battling.

But I see a different interpretation of it, maybe that 5th panel is BM's blood on WM's robes, and she is with him talking to him as he is dying after the battle with Chaos? The red dialogue box would be WM, the orange one BM.

Not always i had a different theory 5 pages ago, but do any of us really see BM fighting against Chaos at this point in the series. Right now he's more likely to betray and kill his team when they reach him to obtain Chaos' favor.

[BlackMageFF1]

How could anybody but BM think the Gurgu incident was funny?

[Kaelus]

I think BM means the fact that everybody forgot about him and left him squashed against the airship.

What's funny about it, in his opinion, is that he'd kill them all after he was healed again.

[Locke cole]

What if in addition to Blue Magic, BM now has Time Magic (hance the moon-hat) Mabye he is the reason that Theif stole through time.

And we need Kefka as a foil to Magus.

[Jared Todd]

No comment.

*not spam*

*directed this comment at:*

Not always i had a different theory 5 pages ago, but do any of us really see BM fighting against Chaos at this point in the series. Right now he's more likely to betray and kill his team when they reach him to obtain Chaos' favor.

[ziratha]

I had a crazy thought...Bm is going to save the day against chaos... Now hear me out... The final fight ensues, and the light warriors get their asses handed to them royally. That's when chaos kills/maims fighter. Black mage suddenly gets all emotional and takes out chaos with a single shot. I mean, what's more funny? black mage being the bad guy, or black mage Turning out to be a huge softie inside?

[Tyr]

or chaos could kick the crap out of the LW they all lay there on the brink of death and the onion kid appears and solo's chaos, then thief gets the onion kid to sign a contract and signs over rights to beating chaos to the LW's

[snes]

or Chaos is an incompetent villian just like everyone else

also what about the real light warriors, maybe they kill chaos

[ZAKtheGeek]

The dark warriors are more likely to kill chaos than the real lights...

[Moriarte]

Ya know, the first time I saw BM's new duds, I thought that Magus (that his name?) took BM's pants off and turned his butt backwards ala Spaceballs ^_^ haha.

The pants are fine...*snicker*

[BlackMageFF1]

The dark warriors are more likely to kill chaos than the real lights...

I don't see how that's likely seeing as how Garland worships Chaos, but everyone knows that Chaos will kill almost everybody and cause much destruction, Red Mage will rise from the rubble and defeat Chaos, declaring himself the ruler of the new civilization and forbid the council of White Mages to restore anything as it will threaten his power, and then this (http://mortisland.com/movies/RMvsWM.swf) will happen. Thief planned this all out before he died and mixed Red Mage's mind with Black Mage's mind using his super ninja mind manipulation.

[Tyr]

so we have a black mage who is, by 646's definition immune to magic and gets stronger every time they are attacked, fighter who can defend any phsyical attack, red mage who can copy and attack used, and thief who umm what does thief do anyway

[Mondt]

5 to go, huh? At 656? 656 + 5 = 661. I thought the countdown was till 666. Or I'm missing something :whee: Seriously, if I'm missing something, tell me. I could've sworn the countdown started at 636, how is it possible it ended at 661???

I checked my math in calculator before posting this. I actually thought about not being right. Whew, me? Not right? Like that'll ever happen;)

[ZAKtheGeek]

Hopefully some sort of physical fighting abilities. Most of that is all immune to this, immune to that... Defenses aren't going to win fights.

Hehehe.

Yeah, forget my suggestion.

[The Wandering God]

5 to go, huh? At 656? 656 + 5 = 661. I thought the countdown was till 666. Or I'm missing something :whee: Seriously, if I'm missing something, tell me. I could've sworn the countdown started at 636, how is it possible it ended at 661???

I checked my math in calculator before posting this. I actually thought about not being right. Whew, me? Not right? Like that'll ever happen;)
It was a countdown to 30. He (I think it was Cjayc or something like that), said that Brian would stretch the class change out to 30 comics. Then said that Brian would do it in 29 just to spite him. The 666 was never anything, and people just picked it up.

Brian's too cool for that.

The Wandering God

[BetaRuler]

I just had to say I love this comic while this part of the forum still exists!

I found that funny mostly for that line from Magus on Swordopolis and the one after with "lets assume I make words up sometimes"

[roguepornstar]

I would just like to say that together you other members of the 8-bit theatre forum are excellent. I would not have thought of half of the ideas for this comix if not for these forums, escpecially threads such as these. Reading these threads adds whole new levels of depth to 8-bit Theatre.
And so once again, Thanks.