When a webcomic updates but you don't want to make a huge deal out of it, what you do

[Art of Hilt]

You come here and post about it that's what you do.
Yeah I was basically looking for the general webcomics thread that was all the rage a couple of months ago and was all, Where is it? Oh man. It's not there any more. Damn dude. Holy shit. I was completely lost.

Where am I going to talk about Lack A Daisy getting updated (http://www.lackadaisycats.com/)?

Or Octopus Pie (http://www.octopuspie.com/)'s return to regular page by page updates so we don't have to wait three months for a chapter to come out?

Or gush over how Shauna in Bad Machinery (http://www.scarygoround.com/) is totally the most expressive character ever, how come less of a deal is being made of this than of Scary Go Round like Bad Machinery is Scary Go Round's ugly little cousin with the giant pimple on her forehead, no, that's just a judgement you made during Bad Machinery's awkward descent to puberty and she's growing up to be kind of cute and you should start paying more than five dollars on her Christmas present next year okay you can't just buy her a pen and then laugh in her face about how ugly her pimple is anymore.

That's right.

You know what I'm talking about.

[phil_]

Man, yeah, nobody had posted in the old thread (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?t=34997) since June. What's up wizzat?

[Art of Hilt]

It's downright bizarre is what it is.

I mean look at this. Doctor McNinja (http://drmcninja.com/) has a new storyline that might finally bring about the beginning of the conclusion of this TIIIME TRAAAVEL silliness, and not a single peep!

Not even the vaguest of whispers.

I mean, at least I can say that MSPA is eating up my life as a shadow of an excuse, but still!

[Loyal]

I guess I can mention Schlock Mercenary, (www.schlockmercenary.com) right? The current arc seems to be dragging on, if only because we spent something like a year and a half (of once-per-day updates) of teasing before we actually got to it, but with moments like these (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20100815.html) it's shaping up to be quite worth the wait.

[DarkDrgon]

oh, hey, QC (questionablecontent.net) is doing it's thing. It looks like Jeph is being nice to his characters for once.

[Odjn]

How about Bohemian Drive (http://www.bohemiandrive.com/) updating again? :dance:

[Amake]

Woot. I'd almost forgotten about those crazy robots. Hey, remember that time when one of them spent like 40 years in free fall? That was some uncannily heavy shit.

Also, Toto has made other songs than "Africa"? What

[Geminex]

Erfworld still updates more frequently than VGcats, but only slightly, and whatever's happening with the plot really doesn't make up for it. Slow pacing+infrequent updates makes what could have been a good storyline far less fantastic.

[katiuska]

I'm not really sure what to make of Faz being Amber's half-brother. Part of me is okay with it because it's kind of funny, but the other part is like, "Wait, we're doing this again?" Disturbingly, I doubt this revelation will discourage him.

[Amake]

MSPA (http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=002973) has got to stop with these surprise wallops of massive otherworldly beauty cause my soul hurts. Seriously how does he do these things several times a day.

[Magus]

Pictures for Sad Children began a sequel to this storyline (http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=319) (you may think it rapidly has nothing to do with the dog...IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE DOG).

The new storyline semi-sequel hilarity starts here (http://picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=356).

Here is a random comic from months ago to get you interested in Pictures for Sad Children and its bleak commentary on the absurdity of existence, and love for the great deals at Long John Silvers:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1073/centerforproblems.png

[Loyal]

I think if there were a comic that consisted of nothing but Charlie's Thinkagrams (http://www.erfworld.com/) (and eyebook conversations, et al), I'd be a happy man.

[Fifthfiend]

*reads Shortpacked!*

*slow clap*

Well played, Willis.

[Amake]

I lately worked out what those creepy pinprick eyes symbolize in Jack: They are the eyes of the damned who are blind to their sins. As their eyes are opened, their pupils grow larger. That shouldn't have taken so many years to figure out.

What do the other kinds of eyes mean though? Anyone?

[Loyal]

I figured I should mention there's another Double K (http://captainosaka.deviantart.com/#/d301q7w) up.

Those of you who aren't familiar with it will thank me once they correct that unfamiliarity.

[Donomni]

That second panel... you can just hear the girly squeak of WTF-ery from Kittan.

[Amake]

I'm sorry to both greed and Neil Gaiman for not taking your recommendations to read Gunnerkrigg Court (http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=250) before. How could it be bad? It's got references to Battle Angel Alita!

Okay, really it's like what Harry Potter could have been if it took its premise seriously and its characters took themselves less seriously.

[DarkDrgon]

Captain SNES updated last week.... I just got into it, and am now eagerly waiting each new comic.

[Fifthfiend]

I'm sorry to both greed and Neil Gaiman for not taking your recommendations to read Gunnerkrigg Court (http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=250) before. How could it be bad? It's got references to Battle Angel Alita!

Okay, really it's like what Harry Potter could have been if it took its premise seriously and its characters took themselves less seriously.

For a while I didn't like it because of... I don't even remember, some stupid reason, but anyway I got over that and it's been pretty consistently good and interesting for a while now.

[BitVyper]

Captain SNES updated last week.... I just got into it, and am now eagerly waiting each new comic.

HAhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahhaahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha

Seriously though, Captain SNES is a great comic, but man, don't hold your breath for updates.

[Loyal]

Seriously though, Captain SNES is a great comic, but man, don't hold your breath for updates.Speaking of: Best Ball-pit Ever. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0750.html)

[DarkDrgon]

I guess reading 8-bit and QC has spoiled me on webcomics.... when you go from reading the 2 most consistently updated out there to Erfworld, CV and Captain SNES, it takes a while to get used to things.

[Wigmund]

At least you aren't holding your breath for Lackadaisy updates.

[Loyal]

Or vainly checking Gone With The Blastwave! (http://www.blastwave-comic.com/)

(which has, incidentally, had a few updates in as many months)

[Yrcrazypa]

Yeah, I really wish that comic updated consistently. It's probably one of the best things I've ever read, webcomic-wise.

[Donomni]

OOTS... updated twice in one week!?

Also, it's actually kinda funny.

I mean, they always are, but you know.

[Fifthfiend]

Jones in Gunnerkrigg Court is the best.

The best.

[Loyal]

What's this? King Radical may actually prove to be dangerous?

[Amake]

Suddenly, fear (http://emcarroll.com/comics/faceallred/01.html).

This comic is just ten pages long so just go on and read it. I won't say anything except a) it's maybe the scariest comic I've seen in sixty years, and b) page 4 has a tremendous, awe-inspiring line dripping with dark portent that I expect to steal at the earliest opportunity.

[RickZarber]

Okay, I feel like enough days have passed that I can brag about having a guest comic up on Overcompensating (http://www.overcompensating.com/posts/20101106.html).

Admittedly, it's not a particularly good one; I think the two I did previously were funnier--but they didn't become guest comics, so...

Anyways, this makes up somewhat for the fact that I didn't get to go to NEWW this year.

[Art of Hilt]

oh man i knew that name "Rick" "Zarber" in Jeff's comments looked familiar!
Niiiiiiiice.

[Donomni]

Tarquin continues to remind us that he's a very nasty, very sly person.

[Loyal]

And yet he remains quite likable.

[BitVyper]

If it makes frelling Big Boss' eyes moist, there is no shame in tearing up. (http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/archives/495)

[tacticslion]

Erfworld has updated. And it's shaping up to be awesome.

Sizemore is brilliant, if humble. He's wise, he's clever, he's surprisingly powerful (in dirtamancy only). He's usually right (and usually ignored).

One thing that might be slowly brewing: Parson consistently breaking the rules = not a good idea. One projected consequence of this is a) no one will ever trust him, b) he'll stop getting second chances.

My other thought is that perhaps Parson was dropped into Erfworld with the specific purpose to break it. He may very well be something akin to the horsemen of the apocalypse in Revelation for Erfworld: he finds the holes in the world and uses them to destroy everything the world is founded upon.

Parson is, in fact, awesome in cleverness, and I'm very interested to see what he's got planned. But he's ruthless (whether he realizes it or not) and - intentionally or not - cruel. I believe that in rejecting his ruthlessness, he might have somehow embraced it (the magic sparkles fleeing from the sword at the end of chapter one). In his effort to win, he's not just exploiting the rules of the game, he's literally violating their sacred trusts (first parleys, then portals). He has not only joined the bad guys he's behaving in a villainous manner. This is right after he explains he actually thinks of the Erfworld people as actual people. He's leading a charge to kill people (the "good" guys) by violating the principles of a neutral party (other "good guys"). And this is based off of what he is saying.

This may also be the reason so many casters hate that he came into the magic kingdom - they took it as a signamancy (much like King Jetstone) that something very, very wrong was happening.

My final thought/question: do you guys think his plan'll succeed - his last one did (though it had unexpected consequences), and, if it does, do you guys think he'll somehow manage to preserve the king and Trannemis (via her super-decrypting?).

It's fascinating, but also scary.

[Aldurin]

Shit is gonna hit the fan and everyone in Spacerock is gonna taste it. That's my thought.

[DarkDrgon]

Tarquin is becoming more and more of a dick... while still maintaining the Magnificent Bastard demeanor. I dig it, and am waiting for Elan to realize his dads an evil bastard.

[Loyal]

General Tarquin: The Most Magnificent Bastard.

[DarkDrgon]

oh shit- Huge plot dump of OoTS, and mad dramaz in QC. This is a good week in the webcomics I follow. If Erfworld, Cuanta vida, and/or Captain SNES (HA!) update this week, it'll be nuts

EDIT: Or warbot, if we want to go for completely ridiculous stuff ;P

[Loyal]

CV is mostly good about updating once weekly, even if it's pretty much never on a Monday.

Re: Goblins.
I don't even know what to think anymore. What is Kore?

[Aldurin]

I'm only posting about The Pocalypse (http://www.thepocalypse.com/) now because it's becoming awesome, it's really showing potential for a flash comic.

Watch it, it looks like it will be worthwhile.

[Wigmund]

Hey lookit that, Lackadaisy updated.

[The Argent Lord]

Hey lookit that, Lackadaisy updated.

Lackadaisy is seriously the best webcomic. Every update only serves to solidify this fact in my mind.

[Specterbane]

Rob and Elliot on cereal (http://www.robandelliot.cycomics.com/index.php).

[Aldurin]

Erfworld has another actual update and . . . oh god is that what I think they're doing?

[Dracorion]

So that's how yellow dwagons bomb something.

[Loyal]

@Schlock Mercenary:
Yes, Tagon most certainly is getting a wife in the near future. (http://zoo.nightstar.net/viewtopic.php?p=344041#p344041)

I'm happy to see Petey and the Toughs on good terms again.

[greed]

Holy shit Annie. (http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/index2.php) I mean I know he's been insulting your dad for ages but man what the hell that is just cold.

The smile in panels 4 and 5 is just so evil, all the more because she almost never smiles.

[BitVyper]

*reads today's Gunnerkrigg court*

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/BitVyper/HUGEBITCH-1.jpg

Edit: You know, with Ms. Donlan's eyes always closed, it'd be pretty easy for Coyote to impersonate her without getting caught, and she IS the one who told Annie that story...

[Loyal]

This XKCD guest strip is just fantastic. (http://www.xkcd.com/826/)

[Kim]

Holy shit, Renard.

It's all the worse because you know he's telling the truth.

[Fifthfiend]

Holy shit, Renard.

Came here to post literally exactly this.

Ding-dang bombshell.

[Bard The 5th LW]

Holy shit, Renard.

Pretty much sure that the tension created will never die at this point.

[Fifthfiend]

I think it's beyond tension at this point, this is some epochal, it-will-never-be-the-same fullblown dramasplosion shit going on here.

EDIT: Like everybody better be hoping real damn hard that Annie's control over Ren is reliably absolute and not in any way the sort of thing that could weaken/be broken if he starts fighting against it because if not they fucked.

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

I think it's beyond tension at this point, this is some epochal, it-will-never-be-the-same fullblown dramasplosion shit going on here.

EDIT: Like everybody better be hoping real damn hard that Annie's control over Ren is reliably absolute and not in any way the sort of thing that could weaken/be broken if he starts fighting against it because if not they fucked.

Wouldn't it be Renard who's fucked?
I mean they caught him when he was in the body of a giant flying monster with clawed hands as big as a car, what's he going to do in a puppet?

[Fifthfiend]

They caught him when he was love-stricken and jilted and depressed and not actually like, enraged to the point that he would happily destroy the court and everyone inside it which seems like a fairly likely state for him to occupy in the near-ish future.

Like if Coyote were to turn up and be like "so hey there renny how would you like some ULTIMATE POWER" I can easily see Renard goin' like "FUCK YES GIMMIE" *armageddon*

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

They caught him when he was love-stricken and jilted and depressed and not actually like, enraged to the point that he would happily destroy the court and everyone inside it which seems like a fairly likely state for him to occupy in the near-ish future.

Like if Coyote were to turn up and be like "so hey there renny how would you like some ULTIMATE POWER" I can easily see Renard goin' like "FUCK YES GIMMIE" *armageddon*

Ooh...Right. That whole God for a fanboy thing.

Actually speaking of Coyote I wonder if that knife Antimony has which is supposed to be able to cut the Earth up might come into play some point soon.

[Geminex]

Erfworld update!
I like Parson's thinking. This should be good.

[Loyal]

Oh god, that one warlord's arm in panel three.

[Kim]

I think it's beyond tension at this point, this is some epochal, it-will-never-be-the-same fullblown dramasplosion shit going on here.

EDIT: Like everybody better be hoping real damn hard that Annie's control over Ren is reliably absolute and not in any way the sort of thing that could weaken/be broken if he starts fighting against it because if not they fucked.

I think at this point he feels far too guilty about what he said to ever pull anything like this. Like, maybe the moment he told her, but now he just looks heartbroken over having done so.

[Aldurin]

Wait, so is that corrosive shit or corrosive vomit.

[DarkDrgon]

I have no idea whats going on in Erfworld. but I like it.

[Geminex]

Parson's having the dragons use their ability to bombard the courtyard and soften up the enemy infantry. They can do this on the enemy turn, because they're not acting as such. They're just... dropping stuff.

Now, he's promoting all the mounted gobwins to heavy units. Apparently, he can do this on the enemy turn as well, which, again, makes sense. Nobody's actually acting. But, and this is important, heavy units can't mount fliers, so they're going to auto-dismount. In other words, they're going to fall, right into the courtyard, the roof of which has recently been removed by the yellow dwagon's bombardement.

Now, most of the gobwins are gonna die, because they're falling from a great height. But Wanda still has her arkenpliers, and I'm pretty sure that she can revive her units from up high. So the gobwins come back! Only they're heavies now, which makes them pretty powerful. Plus, they're gonna be unpopped, so that gives them another bonus, because wanda's effectively leading them, I think. Plus, all the jetstone infantry that died from the bombardement, plus all the guys who're going to die in the resulting battle are also going to get depopped. That's a lot of soldiers to suddenly appear in the enemy base.

So the enemy's going to be busy wasting their spells on the yellow dwagons, while an ever-growing infantry force is ammassing in their courtyard and preparing to storm the tower and/or garrison. In short, Jetstone is in extremely... deep trouble.

I'm not sure whether Gobwin Knob's newfound army can actually advance to the garrison or the tower on jetstone's turn, but at the very least they can clear out the courtyard.

The only flaw is that they're going to be vulnerable to archers, and the fact that wanda's also at jetstone's mercy as long as she's in the air.

TL;DR: Parson's cheating again, in the most awesome way.

[Fifthfiend]

The disappointing bit of this is seeing Tramennis suddenly holding the idiot ball; I was hoping he'd turn out to be a character who could actually keep up with this kind of thing.

[Geminex]

I thought he was doing well. He certainly kept his head when the king wouldn't have. And I'm hoping he'll catch on fairly quickly once the heavies start depopping. If anyone can exploit the flaws in Parson's plan right now, it's probably him, and I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to use that jetpack to escape later.

Right now, yeah, he doesn't realize what's happening. But this is Parson thinking out of the box, and Tramemnis has no experience fighting him. I don't think it's much of an idiot ball as it is to be expected. If he survives this battle, I'm pretty sure he'll catch on more quickly next time. For now, let's see how he handles the situation. There's plenty of opportunity for him to impress us. Because this? This is bad, for Jetstone. Their heavies are out of position, they're gonna have a pretty huge infantry force in their capital, plus the Dwagons. And we don't know what else Parson is planning. They have a serious problem.

In fact,you could say that shit...
:cool:
is going down.

YEAAAAAAAH

[Wigmund]

Once again, we see why Mr. Fish is the greatest character in MGDMT (http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/).

[Fifthfiend]

I thought he was doing well. He certainly kept his head when the king wouldn't have. And I'm hoping he'll catch on fairly quickly once the heavies start depopping. If anyone can exploit the flaws in Parson's plan right now, it's probably him, and I wouldn't be surprised if he manages to use that jetpack to escape later.

Right now, yeah, he doesn't realize what's happening. But this is Parson thinking out of the box, and Tramemnis has no experience fighting him. I don't think it's much of an idiot ball as it is to be expected. If he survives this battle, I'm pretty sure he'll catch on more quickly next time. For now, let's see how he handles the situation. There's plenty of opportunity for him to impress us. Because this? This is bad, for Jetstone. Their heavies are out of position, they're gonna have a pretty huge infantry force in their capital, plus the Dwagons. And we don't know what else Parson is planning. They have a serious problem.

In fact,you could say that shit...
:cool:
is going down.

YEAAAAAAAH

Catching on once the heavies start popping is already too late; the time for Trammy to start being smart would have been as soon as he read Parson's file, at which point he should have said "whoa this guy will pretty much turn around and fuck me at the earliest possible opportunity, if not before that." Right now feels like a downgrade from when he was first introduced, where he immediately caught on that there were shenanigans going on.

[phil_]

Jared takes such good care of Mr. Fish, brushing his teeth for him and all. Now, if only he'd keep him in a body of water...

[Amake]

What the Flying Spaghetti Monster (http://www.garfield.com/comics/vault.html?yr=1989&addr=891023)? Back in the near-golden age of Garfield, Jim Davis was already deconstructing the strip himself, to a much wider, more artful and more terrifying degree than any post-constructions I've seen so far.

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/immortalpictures/garfieldtruth.jpg

The strips for that week tell the story of how Garfield is going insane with loneliness in an old abandoned house and hallucinates the other characters. There's no resolution or conclusion to this plotline, so we're forced to assume it's an insight in the true workings of the strip, and everything else is part of the illusion.

It makes sense too, with the strip being scaled down over the years to contain less characters, less settings and less plots, and the same jokes being repeated time and time again. Because Garfield's imagination is running out, and the dream world wears thin. Probably he'll starve to death sometime.

Ninja edit: And it must be why his dialogue is all in thought balloons. Garfield's very speech pattern is trying to alert him to the fabricated thought-world he inhabits.

To summarize: Holy balls.

[Wigmund]

Lackadaisy Christmas Special (http://www.lackadaisycats.com/exhibit.php?exhibitid=331)

Don't fucking push it with Victor. He'll kick your ass.

[Loyal]

Brawl in the Family presents... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmmxeqpncnk&feature=player_embedded)

[Aldurin]

Brawl in the Family presents... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmmxeqpncnk&feature=player_embedded)

That . . . that . . . I don't know what to say.

[tacticslion]

Catching on once the heavies start popping is already too late; the time for Trammy to start being smart would have been as soon as he read Parson's file, at which point he should have said "whoa this guy will pretty much turn around and fuck me at the earliest possible opportunity, if not before that." Right now feels like a downgrade from when he was first introduced, where he immediately caught on that there were shenanigans going on.

Personally, I'm surprised about Parson taking what is functionally a Xanatos Roulette (although he admits to not knowing how it will work out) - he seems surprisingly fatalistic. Could he be somehow infected by Wanda's fanatical Toolism, do you think? Honestly, I expected more from him after all this. I also think that's what's holding Tramennes back - before, Shenanigans, yes, were active, but Parson was still playing like a Warlord - an unusually brilliant warlord, but a warlord. Literally rolling dice (what is it, like a 50/50 chance of death/damage?) and hoping for the best is almost "suiciding" yourself to the enemy. While I do think it's going to work - Parson is the "perfect warlord", after all - I'm unsure what the ultimate consequences are. All that said, I'm impressed. I know I didn't think of it.

One final thought. Is there such a thing as a contingency-like spell? If Wanda croaks, could she uncroak herself? With the Arkenpliers? What would that even mean? Any thoughts?

Oh, in other news, Avallanath (http://avallanath.com/)*, Goblins (http://www.goblinscomic.com/)*, Darths and Droids (http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0504.html), and The Unwritten (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unwritten)** are my newest favorites.

*mild warning - potentially scandalous (Avallanath - bikini-level displays and slightly scandalous innuendo) and very violent (Goblins - rather so) events are depicted in these comics. Nothing too over-the-top, but I wanted to let you guys know.
**totally cheating, 'cause it's not actually a web-comic, but I thought I'd advertise it briefly, here. Also, it's quite violent at times, dealing with rather mature themes, but it is very, very good.

[Loyal]

(what is it, like a 50/50 chance of death/damage?33% Death, 33% Incapacitation, 33% A-OK.

But yeah, after everything else he's done, literally leaving the outcome of a battle to random chance seems really out of character for him.

[Malek]

The falling mechanics were discussed on this page http://www.erfworld.com/book-2-archive/?px=%2F2010-06-12.jpg
It's not stated what the chances of each outcome are, so it's possible that death could have a lower chance of occuring than the others.
As for leaving it to chance, there aren't really any other options that could result in victory and so if he is still duty-bound by thinkamancy, he might have to take this option.

[tacticslion]

It's not stated what the chances of each outcome are, so it's possible that death could have a lower chance of occuring than the others. It's possible. This was something I have just begun considering lately, myself. It may well be the higher your level the less likely a croak is, meaning, of the all, Wanda (and maybe Jack?) probably has a good chance. It's just that the chances aren't discussed at all, so it really looks like it's all a random dice roll, which...
As for leaving it to chance, there aren't really any other options that could result in victory and so if he is still duty-bound by thinkamancy, he might have to take this option. Yes, but it just feels off somehow. I mean, I know he's relied on random chance/complete unknowns before (http://www.erfworld.com/book-1-archive/?px=%2F136.jpg), but his reaction there (fatalism) feels very different from his reaction here (http://www.erfworld.com/book-2-archive/?px=%2F2010-11-01.jpg). It may simply be character growth, I admit, but it doesn't quite feel properly earned. Nonetheless, I see your point.

Same thing - sort of - with Tramennes. It may be that his new position (or even his predilection for talking) is getting the best of him - natural thinkomancy interfering with his other thought processes. But in his case it's more understandable. "Hey, this isn't normal, something odd is going on" is slightly different from "He's voluntarily killing himself for us in order to win", which isn't something one could normally think of in this game. Especially since the Croakamancer is now in danger. That said, Tramennes is actually worried about the death of the dwagons - he didn't want more than just the yellows croaked... probably for that exact reason - he didn't want to increase Wanda's power and give her an possible unforseen advantage.

[Donomni]

WA WA WAAA, WA WA WAAA, WA WA WA WA WAAAAAA (http://www.brawlinthefamily.com/?p=1864).

[Wigmund]

Lackadaisy update (http://lackadaisy.foxprints.com/comic.php?comicid=100).
Cat running the loan office is the greatest character to ever appear in the comic so far.

[tacticslion]

WARNING: spoilers

Okay, I've been thinking.

"What the heck's up with Kore?" (from Goblins (http://www.goblinscomic.com/)*)

I think he may be this (http://kahdnd.pbworks.com/w/page/5588985/Shadowbane-Inquisitor), or some similar adaptation thereof. It would explain (the Absolute Conviction class feature, at any rate) why he seems to Paladin-y, without losing his class levels. Especially, if he found a helmet of opposite alignment (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/cursedItems.htm), or some similar item - he'd become chaotic evil, still retain all of his class skills, and be convinced of his own righteousness. He'd be cursed, but unable to know that he's gone off the deep end. Bonus points if he's somehow a Gray Guard (http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Gray_guard) or something of a sect and is the last survivor - then there'd be no head of his religious group to say "no" to his actions - no church leader to repeal his unimpeded code. Especially if he was part of a cult of "good" or some other such nebulous concept - then divinity itself wouldn't even need be there. He could be a paladin without a god, without a church, and without a moral code - it'd be like having the "best" of all worlds - while being the worst thing for the world.

Also, any thoughts on what the Drose Living Golem thing means? I think that history of the axe might convince Kore that even Paladins are subject to evil powers and cause him to kill them too, or something similar.

I've also thought for a while that the prophecy Forgath received meant that he would be killed by Kore. But I dunno, and am curious what you guys think. When we first saw it, we hadn't yet been introduced to Kore, and subsequently we've been introduced to a great deal of people, so we might not even have met the dwarf who will kill Forgath. So any other thoughts? Is Kore a red-herring, or what?

*warning: could be considered super-gore-ey. I don't know, it depends on your definition. Either way, definitely very mature themes.

[Aldurin]

Homestarrunner has update for the first time since . . . April I think. Now featuring both a cartoon and a costume line-up.

This shit needs to start happening more often.

[DarkDrgon]

erfworld... wow

[Aldurin]

Headshot . . . right into the illusion. It almost seems like a reference to Halo: Reach's hologram thingy.

[Loyal]

Doctor McNinja (and a number of other sites (http://www.facebook.com/GhostTrick#!/GhostTrick?v=wall)) has a bonus comic relating to Ghost Trick.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2wr25wj.jpg

[Aldurin]

Where's the relevance in the recent pile of Captain Snes comics? I mean besides the masturbation jokes there doesn't seem to be a real purpose.

[Loyal]

It's a filler arc, specifically regarding Christmas (allegedly). He does that sometimes.

I kinda wish he wouldn't, as the story proceeds slowly enough already and I usually end up glossing over the extra stuff when I trawl through the archives anyway, but there you go.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

XKCD uggggggggghhhhhhhh. Worse than normal cause this time even the science is wrong (claiming glass is not a liquid at room temperature). Glass is both an amorphous solid and a rubbery liquid it has properties of both. And if you stick in a window pane it will flow (it doesn't make window disparities- that is due to manufacturing problems generally- flow is much smaller than that). And I know this one becuase we teach undergraduate chemists/engineers that glass is an amorphous solid and not a liquid because its easier that way but the situation is more complex and we don't have a simple way of classifying it as either.
People use the Tg point (which for glass is a few hundred degrees,d epends on the glass) as evidence it is a solid but Tg are pretty arbitrary, dependent on testing methods and not even clear what they mean.

[Geminex]

Oh god erfworld.
So good.

Kinda weird content-wise, but eh. Hilarious anyway.

[Aldurin]

Charlie is becoming more and more likely to be the true villian in all of this.

[tacticslion]

Charlie is becoming more and more likely to be the true villian in all of this.

Something just occured to me. I wonder if this whole "perfect warlord" (or something similar - perhaps an attempt at business?) has been tried before, but instead, when Charlie was summoned, he set up shop and began actively encouraging more warfare. Charlie's a mercenary. He sells his military and intelligence services. Wars have been instigated and encouraged by such groups in the past. I wonder if Erfworld is as harsh as it is today largely because of Charlie's meddling. I always just kind of assumed he'd gone with the flow... but to think he might actually be causing more warfare... that's interesting.

[Aldurin]

That would explain how there's less problems with cultural barriers between Parson and Charlie, and given the deep level of thinking both seem to put into this it is very plausible that Charlie is actually farming war for profit. All he does is make extra archons so it could be an attempt to eventually control the whole world in one turn, especially since the archons can be hired and sent to other battlefields which would take transportation out of the list of problems.

EDIT: The archons turning on their employer for Charlie's purposes is even more possible given the fact that he wants all of the decrypted archons destroyed (100 smuckers per death, and I think more for captured), probably because they're hardwired to obey their decrypter no matter what.

[tacticslion]

That would explain how there's less problems with cultural barriers between Parson and Charlie, and given the deep level of thinking both seem to put into this it is very plausible that Charlie is actually farming war for profit. All he does is make extra archons so it could be an attempt to eventually control the whole world in one turn, especially since the archons can be hired and sent to other battlefields which would take transportation out of the list of problems.

EDIT: The archons turning on their employer for Charlie's purposes is even more possible given the fact that he wants all of the decrypted archons destroyed (100 smuckers per death, and I think more for captured), probably because they're hardwired to obey their decrypter no matter what.

The fascinating part, to me at least, is that it makes perfect sense for Charlie to do this - and for no one to see it coming. Suddenly the Arkentools make a bit more sense, too. Their purpose is the unlimited recruitment of a certain thing - Dwagons, Decrypted, and Archons, so far, each of which is a kind of "ultimate creature" in it's own way. I'm also (now that I'm writing this) wondering if the Arkentools themselves are manipulating the bearer for their own purposes - like some sentient or semi/quasi-sentient items or artifacts in other games and books (like the "One Ring", for example). There's been no direct proof, but the Arkentools only align with people that share their own interests anyway - it may be that these Arkentools are actually influencing (subtly or directly) their owner. Alternate possibility - they just align with a creature that reflects their wills, and those creatures go to extremes to represent the tool in question. One other note, though - the pliers are a tool, a hammer is a tool (though this one is a toy), but a satellite dish? Que es esto*? I wonder if it's really an Arkentool? Does anyone know? I think it was confirmed somewhere, but now that I'm thinking about it, does anyone know if that was "in game" style description, or Word of Author?

Finally (at last), I'm not sure Charlie is exactly a card-carrying villain. He might be the cause of many world-ills, and his plan might be exactly as you describe, but he seems a bit... I don't know... off from the villain type. It might be his subconscious at work instead of his conscious mind, bringing about the will of mercenary work. He might be a villain on accident - having brought his mercenary mindset, and hooking it up to the Arkendish, he might be making things worse without realizing it. It's possible that it's even his fault (ish?) that curse words couldn't be uttered in Erfworld (huge Thinkamancy waves of TV-censoring subconscious) and other strange things Parson's noticed. ALTernatively, perhaps non of that is true at all. I dunno.

*Sorry for any mangling of the Spanish language.

[Aldurin]

The Arken-dish is a tool, it's in the same style as the pliers and the hammer. The recruitment thing is unconfirmed for that, all that is certain is that it's the ultimate Thinkamancy item, allowing Charlie to run a massive communication network.

And Charlie may not necessarily be a villian, but indication towards him being one at some point in the future is pretty strong. Either way, he's gonna do something that'll make a huge shift in power and nations.

[Fifthfiend]

My impression from Erfworld is more of Charlie being at odds with the Thinkamancers in particular given how the Arkendish is hinted at giving him control of / disrupting Thinkamancy than of him being any kind of overarching villain. He clearly has an agenda but I think he's a faction just like any of the the other factions vying for power over Erfworld including Gobwin Knob. I mean if you were gonna call anyone a "villain" you could just as easily start with like... the protagonists of the series.

Especially given the way it was heavily hinted at the end of Book 1 that EW itself is manipulating everyone in it, it would be awfully disappointing to reduce things down to "Charlie is the Bad Gusy"

[Loyal]

Charlie has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, because that's where he gets his money. Whether this makes him good or bad depends on what we're supposed to make of the Hippiemancers' motives, and that's about it.

It does, though, put him at odds with Parson, who is breaking that status quo whether he means to or not.

[Aldurin]

It does, though, put him at odds with Parson, who is breaking that status quo whether he means to or not.

Everyone who isn't on Parson's side is at odds with him merely because of how powerful of a warlord he's seen to be. He'll win no matter what and damn he'll make sure the other side holds the consequences if he can.

[tacticslion]

My impression from Erfworld is more of Charlie being at odds with the Thinkamancers in particular given how the Arkendish is hinted at giving him control of / disrupting Thinkamancy than of him being any kind of overarching villain. He clearly has an agenda but I think he's a faction just like any of the the other factions vying for power over Erfworld including Gobwin Knob. I mean if you were gonna call anyone a "villain" you could just as easily start with like... the protagonists of the series.

Especially given the way it was heavily hinted at the end of Book 1 that EW itself is manipulating everyone in it, it would be awfully disappointing to reduce things down to "Charlie is the Bad Gusy"

That's one of the things I'm actually referencing. Is Erfworld manipulating everyone, or is it the Arkentools? That's one of the reasons I even thought of it - the manipulation Parson fought (successfully) against. It's very much like he fought of a massively powerful Thinkamancy-effect. So far there's never been only one "villain", and I'm sure that even if Charlie is somehow primarily at fault, Erfworld is well written enough that it won't only be him, and probably, by the time he's revealed, will have eclipsed him. (more later out of time)

[BitVyper]

Charlie is Lord English.

Edit: Actually I think he's probably something Parson made, or would have made. Something floating around in Parson's mind that took shape in Erfworld.

[Loyal]

I dunno about that. I mean he never did get that Steak'n'Shake.

[Aldurin]

Charlie is Lord English.

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/geminex/eyeroll.gif

[Amake]

Whaaat thee helll Wasted Talent (http://www.wastedtalent.ca/comic/caffeine-has-her)

[Loyal]

Um. Holy shit, Byron. (http://guildedage.net/webcomic/chapter-8/chapter-8-page-20/#comments) Didn't even take the spear out of your chest before impaling the guy on it.

[BitVyper]

I think Ms. Jones might be Odin's removed eye.

Edit: Apparently Ra has a missing eye too though....

[Art of Hilt]

That's
an interestingly possible connection actually.

[BitVyper]

Yeah, she could also be Sekhmet/Hathor (never knew she came from Ra's eye), but I don't think either really fits her character. Plus she doesn't really seem like a full blown goddess to me.

[pochercoaster]

I think early in the comic Annie said she wouldn't see her father for another two years (I'm having trouble finding the exact page.) So has two elapsed? I think the end of her stay in the forest would be two years so we can expect to see Anthony soon.

Edit: Or I'm crazy. I swear I saw a page like that although I can't find it at all!

[BitVyper]

You did. She narrates it in the summer she spends alone there. She says "it would be over two years before I saw him again" or something to that effect.

[Odjn]

Probably Odin's eye, he's been referenced already.

[BitVyper]

Yeah, but so has the Egyptian pantheon. Anyway, I'd be more inclined to go the Odin route too. The "Wandering" part especially makes me think of Odin.

Of course, Ra's OTHER eye is the sun sometimes, and she DID glow brightly from that wound Eglamore inflicted.

[Amake]

I think Ms. Jones might be Odin's removed eye.

Edit: Apparently Ra has a missing eye too though.... She does have some sun god-like characteristics, being extremely logical and reasoned and shit. And while Odin wanders a lot, his eye stays firmly in place. . .

[BitVyper]

Yeah, but Sekhmet and Hathor AREN'T extremely logical and reasoned. And I have an easier time with the possibility that Odin's eye is up and about than I do with the chance that Ms. Jones is THE SUN in human form.

But all of the above are still possibilities as I see it. She just strikes me as Odinic.

[pochercoaster]

Today's Gunnerkrigg: Ouch Jones. Apparently finding out you unknowingly killed your mother isn't enough to let the emotions of a young girl get the better of her?

Also, any guesses as to wtf is happening in the last couple of panels?

[Odjn]

Today's Gunnerkrigg: Ouch Jones. Apparently finding out you unknowingly killed your mother isn't enough to let the emotions of a young girl get the better of her?

Also, any guesses as to wtf is happening in the last couple of panels?

A lot of old school magics said holding a piece of someone would vastly increase your ability to use magic on that person. So I assume Coyote doesn't want someone with the ability to hurt/control him.

[Krylo]

Today's Gunnerkrigg: Ouch Jones. Apparently finding out you unknowingly killed your mother isn't enough to let the emotions of a young girl get the better of her?

Also the thing where she found out her mom was kind of a terrible person who played at love with one of her friends and used Renard's feelings to manipulate him.

And that she's not human.

And that she's a shitty student.

[Aldurin]

Now Haley won't be able to talk herself out of the prison.

[Loyal]

I wonder why they're keeping a bunch of guys like Roy, Belkar, and Ian within an antimagic zone.

[The Argent Lord]

Presumably it's not for them, it's a security measure against escape attempts.

[Aldurin]

I wonder why they're keeping a bunch of guys like Roy, Belkar, and Ian within an antimagic zone.

I could totally see any level 20 caster-class relatives of the prisoners causing heavy-casualty jailbreaks on a regular basis without one.

Varsuvius could probably have done the jailbreak if it wasn't for that.

[MuMu]

Romantically Apocalyptic (http://www.romanticallyapocalyptic.com/home?page=33) is no Gone With the Blastwave, but still.

[Aldurin]

I want that dwagon.

[tacticslion]

She does have some sun god-like characteristics, being extremely logical and reasoned and shit. And while Odin wanders a lot, his eye stays firmly in place. . .

Yeah, but Sekhmet and Hathor AREN'T extremely logical and reasoned. And I have an easier time with the possibility that Odin's eye is up and about than I do with the chance that Ms. Jones is THE SUN in human form.

But all of the above are still possibilities as I see it. She just strikes me as Odinic.

Slightly dead convo, buuuut... you know, these might not necessarily be opposed. Wasn't Odur (the charioteer of the sun, if I remember correctly) supposedly an aspect of Odin or something like that? If so she could be a piece of Odin (his eye), while still being sun-god fragment.

In goblins news... it looks like Ears didn't lose his paladin status (note the glowing eyes) just for throwing the rope (potentially a backstab-like attack), so that's good, at least.

[Loyal]

There is literally nothing that goes against a paladin's code or alignment regarding attacking from behind. It's just not something BE is personally comfortable with.

I for one am somewhat annoyed that Kore is neither dead nor dying. What with having a rope fused to his throat and spinal column and all.

[tacticslion]

There is literally nothing that goes against a paladin's code or alignment regarding attacking from behind. It's just not something BE is personally comfortable with.

I for one am somewhat annoyed that Kore is neither dead nor dying. What with having a rope fused to his throat and spinal column and all.

Fortitude. Yeah, it's kind of stupid, but at the same time, it's the perfect kind of thing for a GM to allow a save against a death effect. He certainly seems paralyzed (at least temporarily). I agree - it's kind of annoying, but if he's a really high level character, it makes its own kind of sense, especially in a game-based world.

Edit: That said, if I were GM, I'd apply the "it phases out of you, and you both take damage" rule - like what happens when you phase door too deeply or too long or teleport into solid rock. Alternatively, it could simply be that it's in that exact right spot to not permanently/insta-kill or forever paralyze (such as rare medical cases) - magic might run that way, where that's more common.

ALSO, I think his general survival (not necessarily surviving this, but all the other things he's faced) may be because of his mysterious "curse" somehow. I'm not too sure, but I'd tend to think that way.

Finally - it's kind of stupid that they're just leaving him there. The best idea would be to try taking his stuff while he's down - shield, crossbows, bolts, whatever item(s) they could grab while he's paralyzed/distracted. It might still not be enough, but it'd be something. Even if they couldn't use them, throw them down the ravine, at least.

[Art of Hilt]

Bad Machinery (http://www.scarygoround.com/) continues to be charming in every way.
Seriously it's like John Allison took out everything bad about Scary Go Round, picked out a few of its good traits, and then made that ten times better.

[POS Industries]

So basically KC Green has figured out what he should have been doing this whole time and made Gunshow a comic about Sir Ron Lionheart's average Wednesday.

[Amake]

Oh man Lackadaisy is making other artists* look bad. It's not even a proper update but it probably has more different faces on one page than I've drawn faces at all.

[Loyal]

I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess that Mister Howard Taylor (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2011-01-18) Had an unpleasant experience (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2011-01-19) with the TSA recently. (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2011-01-20)

[tacticslion]

I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess that Mister Howard Taylor (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2011-01-18) Had an unpleasant experience (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2011-01-19) with the TSA recently. (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2011-01-20)

I'd say so, yeah...

Also, anyone have any guesses as to what's up with Kore's barely-seen face in Goblins? Metal glinting on the skin...?

[Fifthfiend]

Oh man Lackadaisy is making other artists* look bad. It's not even a proper update but it probably has more different faces on one page than I've drawn faces at all.

Oh my god, Buckleycat is my new avvie.

[Aldurin]

Erfworld's current battle has taken a very severe turn. First it looked like slaughter of Stanley's entire air force and now an incapacitated leader is directing single units to destroy entire stacks of Spacerock troops.

And there's extra rations too, and undead dragons.

[The Argent Lord]

Erfworld's current battle has taken a very severe turn. First it looked like slaughter of Stanley's entire air force and now an incapacitated leader is directing single units to destroy entire stacks of Spacerock troops.

And there's extra rations too, and undead dragons.

Uh... I thought it was pretty clear from the start that the dwagons falling was intentional and part of a strategy. This isn't a twist so much as just watching something unfold.

[Aldurin]

Uh... I thought it was pretty clear from the start that the dwagons falling was intentional and part of a strategy. This isn't a twist so much as just watching something unfold.

I knew it was the strategy, I just like how it's unfolding.

[BitVyper]

Daaaw, Ysengrin's just a big teddybear.

[Donomni]

The best way to punch out a ghost with mystical energy is, in fact, not by using silly handsigns, but by singing the Ghostbuster's theme.

Thank you, Dr. McNinja, for re-establishing this.

[Viridis]

The best way to punch out a ghost with mystical energy is, in fact, not by using silly handsigns, but by singing the Ghostbuster's theme.

Thank you, Dr. McNinja, for re-establishing this.I had to reread those latest three pages while listening to the theme :dance:

It (combined with Hussie's talk about archive binging vs. reading daily) almost makes me wish that I binged comics, letting them build up a backlog. Because that moment for the Doc would have been pretty great to read all at once for the first time.



Also, it all builds very well on the Doc's established love of Ghostbusters and this talk (http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/4p7).

[Flarecobra]

Huh. VG Cats updated.

[Loyal]

I love the little details in Erfworld. That there is one fantastic beat panel.

I wonder what reasons Slately had for not merely failing, but refusing to make Tramennis an Heir. One would think a diplomat would be useful for that sort of thing.

Also, in Schlock news it's nice to see the Toughs on the delivering end of a CF for once.

[Loyal]

Couple new Lackadaisy pages up.

[tacticslion]

I love the little details in Erfworld. That there is one fantastic beat panel.

I wonder what reasons Slately had for not merely failing, but refusing to make Tramennis an Heir. One would think a diplomat would be useful for that sort of thing. Fascinating indeed. I think it's because Slately secretly kind of sucks. Look at his stature... and his fervent belief in Signamancy of physical statements. Either that, or the Titans are trying to get a message through about Signamancy.

In other Erfworld news, Isaac is my new favorite character. He makes me want a fig Newton! I know, it's sad, and I don't even really like them, but I always crave one when I read about Sir Isaac. I'm also curious: did anyone else pick out the anti-Titan in the quote
The Temple was perhaps their greatest defense against Titanic powers the rest of Erfworld couldn't even imagine. It could just be against the "Titanic powers" of the Tools, especially the elements of anti-Charlie sentiment that seem to run through the Thinkamancers.

Also, in Schlock news it's nice to see the Toughs on the delivering end of a CF for once.
And to actually see (well not really) Schlock eat someone (after all the times he's threatened to/talked about it). They still seem to be suffering from a lack of mobility, however.

As a final note, when and how did we learn that Kusari only responded to the Hereti Corp CEO?

[tacticslion]

Erfworld updated, and it's really, really cool to see:
1) any possibility of Tramennis holding the idiot-ball being eliminated entirely
2) King Jetstone admitting he's been a prejudiced schmuck
3) The next to last last panel

[Aldurin]

Now to see if they can wreck the escape party.

[Loyal]

So, there's a new Goblins up, and over two hundred versions of the Minmax/Kin/Forgath party. And one of the poor bastards has his own Shield of Wonder and may have had some very different results at the initial raid on the goblin village; pretty sure that particular group will be important later.

[tacticslion]

So, there's a new Goblins up, and over two hundred versions of the Minmax/Kin/Forgath party. And one of the poor bastards has his own Shield of Wonder and may have had some very different results at the initial raid on the goblin village; pretty sure that particular group will be important later.

... but it looks like also the +1 sword, and his own goblin too. Further, the "This is a helmet" line is now a necklace (indicating that it is, in fact, a necklace). Finally, he's the only one I noticed (outside the obviously evil ones) that didn't have clothing indicating that he was Minmax. I wonder if Forgath already died in that universe?

[Loyal]

That's what I meant by "very different results." Hell, the goblin may actually be alt!Chief or something.

[tacticslion]

That's what I meant by "very different results." Hell, the goblin may actually be alt!Chief or something.

I was actually only agreeing and expounding on what you said! He looks like alt!Chief, what with the eye patch and green skin.

[Loyal]

Captain SNES has updated twice in the last week.

New psionic Goblins villain, ChinMax, is creepy.

Erfworld continues to be excellent. Jack's slasher-smile is super creepy. What's odd is that I find this smile surprising; you'd think someone as unhinged as Jack would be an obvious choice for such a grin, and yet I find myself disturbed by it nonetheless.

[Dracorion]

Captain SNES has updated twice in the last week.

Make that three.

It's a miracle.

[Aldurin]

Captain SNES just had the best bad idea ever.

[tacticslion]

Captain SNES has updated twice in the last week.
... wha? Are you serious? That's aweso-
New psionic Goblins villain, ChinMax, is creepy.
...
ChinMax
... oh, nevermind. Now you're just making things up. ;)

Actually, yeah he's creepy. I loved that I was wondering "what the heck is up with the blood-splattered window one" when I first saw it.

I do wonder if the heroes are going to win this time. It seems like "yes", because we're watching them, but it could just be "this is how they save the multiverse" - they could even end up accidentally destroying their counter too (though I doubt it). I'm also curious: if ... that (chaotic?) evil psionic version of our favorite Goblins human goof ball who Loyal gave an alternate name to that I refuse to type*... succeeds, is it all the versions of them, or only the two-hundred eighteen that are currently in the race? Also, it looks like our crew might find themselves fighting evil variants soon. ALSO, also - the variants mostly look really cool.

Erfworld continues to be excellent. Jack's slasher-smile is super creepy. What's odd is that I find this smile surprising; you'd think someone as unhinged as Jack would be an obvious choice for such a grin, and yet I find myself disturbed by it nonetheless.
Grin doesn't bother me so much. Jack is insane, but he's got a lucidity to his insanity. I don't think that grin comes from that. Rather, that's the grin I've seen on several people in Erfworld who've presumed themselves lost or done-for when, suddenly, they are about to initiate a great slaughter. Trammines comes to mind (when he was trapped in the sticky stuff - webbing I think? - outside of Jetstone). It really disturbed me on him, as he just hadn't seemed the type before that. Jack is similar. I'm wondering if that's some sort of weird hint about the messed up over-think-a-mancy that covers the world and requires perpetual war or somesuch.

Captain SNES just had the best bad idea ever. Ever.
It's a festivus miracle!

*Despite my refusal to type it I accept it has his official name until otherwise proven, dang it. Lousy being loyal to Loyal.

[tacticslion]

The author of Gunnerkrigg Court (http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/index2.php) sucks.

...

And is clever. Bother it all.

Also, in the fifth panel here (http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=849) she looks a lot - I mean a lot - like several scenes with her mother in them. She also looks either tired or with bad make up. And it's... surprising and nice to see how well she and Reynard are getting along after everything was said.

Meanwhile, in Goblins, Kin (http://www.goblinscomic.com/) is proving herself to be the most awesome person ever.

And Captain SNES (http://www.captainsnes.com/) is still updating.

Finally, anyone got any thoughts on how successful Parson's going to be in Erfworld (http://www.erfworld.com/)? 'Cause it's kind of coming down to the wire here, and Don seems to be dealing with a kind of minor insurrection amongst his own. Does anyone know how that works? I mean, I know he could just disband whoever goes against him, but something seems to be working against the natural thinkamancy that most people have. Any guesses?

[Aldurin]

Some sort of curve ball is going to hit them, though I do think Parson will at least make it to Jetstone.

[pochercoaster]

Today's Gunnerkrigg: "Sorry Annie, although you just found out that the reason your mom died was kind of because of you, I'm going to hold you responsible for having an emotional breakdown and not going on vacation with me."

At least I think that's the implication. People in the court are very bad at empathizing.

[Art of Hilt]

Annie ran off without saying a single word effectively abandoning Kat suddenly and without notice or explanation, attacked Eglamore with some freaky fire thing, and Kat possibly found out about how Annie stole her homework and used her behind her back.
Considering that they're both still kids on top of this, I think Kat feels a little justified not jumping for joy on sight. Especially when the sight in question is... a different Annie.

That said, oh no kat annie oh noooooo

[Loyal]

Finally, anyone got any thoughts on how successful Parson's going to be in Erfworld (http://www.erfworld.com/)? 'Cause it's kind of coming down to the wire here, and Don seems to be dealing with a kind of minor insurrection amongst his own. Does anyone know how that works? I mean, I know he could just disband whoever goes against him, but something seems to be working against the natural thinkamancy that most people have. Any guesses?

Units, officers and casters particularly, can disobey orders if they feel the orders work against their side's best interests. And right now, most of Don's court feels that Don isn't doing so well. Ceasar, one of the most popular guys in the kingdom, has been expressing disdain for the way Don's been spending money ever since Jillian stopped by for a visit.

Don COULD start disbanding people, but Loyalty is already pretty shaken as a result of most of the arc and disbanding his CASTERS especially (given how rare and expensive and useful they are) would be a pretty good way to ensure that the rest of his side tries to depose him.

[Art of Hilt]

Lackadaisy updated. (http://www.lackadaisycats.com/comic.php) Single page, sure, but every page is a good page so it's all good.

[rpgdemon]

Lackadaisy is awesome, and I wish it could update more.

[Aldurin]

That is the coolest way to capture units, and it makes Faq's mounts not lame anymore.

Also recent developments in The Pocalypse hopefully indicate more cool action scenes in the future. It's actually updated pretty consistently since it started.

[TDK]

WAT. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0780.html)

[Loyal]

Well, Mr. Fluffy is his animal companion.

[Jagos]

...

You do NOT F___ with the Fluff...

[tacticslion]

Captain SNES updated a side of the story-line that we haven't seen in seven years. Yes, it was seven years ago that we last visited this battle. 2004. Wow.

As far as Faq's mounts - there was always a reason they were considered so powerful. I guess this is it: basically a free way to boos their side without needing to spend all the cash?

And as to Mr. Fluffy... woah.

[Aldurin]

Yes, it was seven years ago that we last visited this battle. 2004. Wow.

I like how some comics that have taken years to progress suddenly pick up when I catch up on the archives.

[BitVyper]

Wow, CSNES is in a frequent update cycle. I think we've had two full weeks of updates so far.

[Viridis]

Bigger Than Cheeses just ended. Here's a link (http://www.biggercheese.com/index.php?comic=849) to the last big storyline.

[Jagos]

Wow, CSNES is in a frequent update cycle. I think we've had two full weeks of updates so far.

He finally stopped watching porn. And playing RPGs. And got a better job.

Yeah, the guy's gotten a lot better with the time slip.

Just don't jinx it...

[Loyal]

Order of the Stick: (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0781.html) Pioneering in cross-species fistbumps since 2011.

I really, really liked this page. Had a great spread of jokes.

[Yrcrazypa]

WAT. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0780.html)

It's a joke on how oddly D&D 3.5 is written in terms of stats. A common house cat has a better than 50% chance of killing a level one commoner. Even higher chance than that if the cat gets the drop on the commoner.

[Loyal]

Goblins has had a pretty good streak going lately, and inter-universe shenanigans were pretty fun, but it looks like the author's gonna go insane before long. (http://www.goblinscomic.com/30-days-of-bieber-the-effects-on-a-37-year-old-man/)

[Fifthfiend]

I'm not entirely sure why but for whatever reason I hugely enjoyed Wednesday's Gunnerkrigg Court.

[Viridis]

The sad, desperate look on her face in the last panel is particularly well done.

[Art of Hilt]

I really like how the chapter is showing us how much Annie changed in the forest.
I mean, I guess it's not so much 'changed' as it is her straight up tossing away the sobering influence of her father and being more like what she used to be when she was younger, more like her mother, all expressive and active and shit.
It's pretty great.

[Fifthfiend]

The sad, desperate look on her face in the last panel is particularly well done.

Hahaha yeah. This, and the third panel where she's trapping the robot with the magic of GUN FINGERS.

[Loyal]

I think the author of Cuanta Vida (http://tf2.skyscrapersoup.com/?p=571) is making it her mission in life to make Rojo more terrifying with every subsequent page.

[greed]

Hahaha oh man Gunnerkrigg is so totally :ohdear: at the moment. Annie seems to have almost done a personality 180 with Kat. She's also acting kinda like Red.

And Robot. Mannn Robot, that is not going to end well.

[Aldurin]

I almost forgot why Palom is one of my favorites.

[Teal Mage]

Hahaha oh man Gunnerkrigg is so totally :ohdear: at the moment. Annie seems to have almost done a personality 180 with Kat. She's also acting kinda like Red.

This is what comes from spending two months in the forest, apparently! The old Annie would never try something so horribly doomed to fail. Or requiring this much effort!

Though I must admit, these last two pages have been excellent by Tom's standards. I've laughed twice!

The international sign for hacking indeed. :D

[DarkDrgon]

the newest erfworld: shits getting real for the Tranylvitans, I wanna see where this goes. are we about to see a revolution?

[Loyal]

I'd like to see Caesar in the spotlight some, actually. And Vinnie back in the spotlight.

[DarkDrgon]

more vinny is good in my book, but I'd really like to hear more about why Tramennis was never made heir.

[Aldurin]

more vinny is good in my book, but I'd really like to hear more about why Tramennis was never made heir.

It seems a lot like that kingdom is in the same run-by-a-douchebag situation that most of the others are. Especially since they have subordinates that are voicing their better ideas.

[Loyal]

Yeah, we already know; Slately didn't believe that Tramennis embodied the Royal Ideal, judging his son by his scrawny figure and penchant for diplomacy over battle.

[greed]

Goddamn I love the New Annie. "Dino-demons" and "more horns". Also Kat finally smiled, good ole Shadow.

[Aldurin]

This Order of the Stick is making me feel so sad about that. I mean, this is right up there with the ending of "Of Mice and Men".

And Captain Snes is showing the right way to lose a battle you should have won.

[TDK]

Man, Tarquin is kind of a dick.

[phil_]

This Order of the Stick is making me feel so sad about that. I mean, this is right up there with the ending of "Of Mice and Men".Given how those two have been George and Lennie from the beginning, I feel kinda dumb for having not seen this coming.

[Fifthfiend]

Never thought i'd say this about Scary Go Round, but it's kinda... not good, these days.

[Loyal]

My god, Stanley's stomach is surely bottomless.

[Teal Mage]

Goddamn I love the New Annie. "Dino-demons" and "more horns". Also Kat finally smiled, good ole Shadow.

I think what I like most about these last pages in Gunnerkrieg Court is the way Tom's bringing back some of the old one-off characters. Particularly surprised to see the Minotaur this time around.

If nothing else, it reinforces the presence of Gunnerkrieg continuity. Was always there, but with joke characters making a reappearance it feels stronger than before.

Which is pretty cool!

PS: Annie has gotten so lively! Adorable.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

This Order of the Stick is making me feel so sad about that. I mean, this is right up there with the ending of "Of Mice and Men".

Shows how cultured I am, I was getting "Dragonheart" vibes before I made that connection.

Poor guys :C

[Loyal]

This week's Awkward Zombie (http://awkwardzombie.com/index.php?page=0&comic=032111) is excellent.

[phil_]

That AZ could be four panels shorter and be more effective.

That aside, I almost sorta kinda sympathize with Stanley after this last text update a little. Just a smidge.

[Aldurin]

Yeah, once the Pokemon guys hit an awesome streak with Blaziken they went kinda one-track mind regarding fire-type starters from then on. Which is stupid because Blaziken is better.

[russianreversal]

Dr. McNinja: Everything is fine. (http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/21p14)

I was getting worried there.

[Loyal]

The Cocoon Academy storyline of Brawl in the Family (http://brawlinthefamily.keenspot.com/2011/02/15/311-cocoon-academy-part-1/) has gotten more and more excellent with each passing strip. I can't wait to see the final one.

[phil_]

Oh, wow. I knew I'd been forgetting to check some comic or other. That was really spiffy.

i like the part were fox says "what"?

[Aldurin]

I want Sizemore's shovel. I want it really bad.

[Loyal]

i like the part were fox says "what"?
Pretty sure that was James.

[Aldurin]

I feel happy now that the random turn of events has saved our two most recently loved characters in OOTS . . . for now.

[TDK]

Mind=Blown (http://brawlinthefamily.keenspot.com/2011/03/30/322-cocoon-academy-part-10/)

[Amake]

I didn't know Faygo (http://roadwaffles.keenspot.com/archive-rw.php?c=2011-3-5) was a real thing. O_o

Also Road Waffles is back from the grave for like the third time. And it starts with a mercy killing/suicide of the main characters. And then it gets weird.

[russianreversal]

I didn't know Faygo (http://roadwaffles.keenspot.com/archive-rw.php?c=2011-3-5) was a real thing. O_o So wait, did you just assume Hussie had made up a soda this whole time?

[Revising Ocelot]

So wait, did you just assume Hussie had made up a soda this whole time?

It's not sold in the UK as far as I can tell, and I'd never heard of it before. So in my case yeah.

Refer to my sig, however.

[Amake]

It wouldn't have been the most unorthodox thing he had made up.

[russianreversal]

Not trying to mock your lack of knowledge of a regional brand or anything, I just thought the actual bottles of it were a dead giveaway.

[Flarecobra]

It appears VG Cats actually had an updated comic.

[Arlia Janet]

Would it be completely self-serving to mention that my husband is back from a deployment in Afghanistan and has completely revamped the Fortuna Saga (http://www.fortunasaga.com) site and is updating its sequel?

[Jagos]

It's weird to say but...

Captain SNES has updated and is bad ass!

[russianreversal]

I think Tarquin is the villain we all aspire to be. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0785.html)

EDIT: All things considered, Gannji rolled especially well there.

[Shyria Dracnoir]

Man, if I ever DM'd a game, I'd find a way to stat Gannji and Enor and put them in the game.

[tacticslion]

Man, if I ever DM'd a game, I'd find a way to stat Gannji and Enor and put them in the game.

Shyria. Shyyyyyyyyyyyyyyria!
This (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1119498&postcount=75) (and this (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1119627&postcount=81) with this (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showpost.php?p=1119673&postcount=90)) is your chance (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?t=39860)!

/Threadjack

(also: I like comics)

[TDK]

The latest Dr. McNinja makes me giggle incessantly. I never pegged Doc as the kind of big brother who picks on the younger incessantly (except when he deserves it, as with Sean's ninja name), but there you go. XD

[tacticslion]

The latest Dr. McNinja makes me giggle incessantly. I never pegged Doc as the kind of big brother who picks on the younger incessantly (except when he deserves it, as with Sean's ninja name), but there you go. XD

I suppose any older brother'd do the same in his situation. As the youngest kid, and only guy, however, I'll never know!

[Aldurin]

Man, the recent erfworld presents a really bad situation to be in.

"Hey, let's go trespass through territory of arguably the most powerful casters in existence."

[tacticslion]

Man, the recent erfworld presents a really bad situation to be in.

"Hey, let's go trespass through territory of arguably the most powerful casters in existence."

"... with a body guard of some of arguably the most powerful casters in existence. Really, what could go wrong*?"

*Oh, snap, I jinxed it!

[Aldurin]

"... with a body guard of some of arguably the most powerful casters in existence. Really, what could go wrong*?"

*Oh, snap, I jinxed it!

I thought it was one of Sizemore's friends instead of Maggie that called out those extra casters, in attempt to intercept Parson.

[Loyal]

No, it was Maggie. She messaged a bunch of other Thinkamancers about it earlier in a text page, asking to protect Parson (with the implicit footnote of "from Charlie"). Though given Maggie's wording here and everything else, it's possible they do intend to intercept, ensuring his safety at the expense of his plan.

Sizemore's friends (or at least Janis) are also looking to assist Parson's side, incidentally, because Janis has been trying to break the paradigm of war Erfworld occupies and she believes Parson to be a key instigator in that effort.

[tacticslion]

No, it was Maggie. She messaged a bunch of other Thinkamancers about it earlier in a text page, asking to protect Parson (with the implicit footnote of "from Charlie"). Though given Maggie's wording here and everything else, it's possible they do intend to intercept, ensuring his safety at the expense of his plan.

Sizemore's friends (or at least Janis) are also looking to assist Parson's side, incidentally, because Janis has been trying to break the paradigm of war Erfworld occupies and she believes Parson to be a key instigator in that effort.

It's really really odd to think of Parson as Erfworld's version of a messiah figure.

[Loyal]

Slicing a dinosaur's neck open while saying "Hey, bro!" is how ninja brothers greet each other, I suppose.

I guess Yoshi's not around anymore.

[TDK]

Oh man I didn't think about that

They must've been PISSED about Yoshi being used as a mount.

OR

MAYBE HE IS THEIR KING

[tacticslion]

So... anyone remember where the last Captains SNES comic on Spoony/Cecil (http://www.captainsnes.com/2011/04/08/658-drab-humor/) was?

[Jagos]

So... anyone remember where the last Captains SNES comic on Spoony/Cecil (http://www.captainsnes.com/2011/04/08/658-drab-humor/) was?

...

The turn of the century came first. Honestly, I think now, there's another problem here. Now that he's not sorrowful, won't Cecil be let go?

[Aldurin]

...

The turn of the century came first. Honestly, I think now, there's another problem here. Now that he's not sorrowful, won't Cecil be let go?

He's probably going to snap and become as crazed as the other antagonistic Touched. Or he'll stab himself to end the battle.

[tacticslion]

He's probably going to snap and become as crazed as the other antagonistic Touched. Or he'll stab himself to end the battle.

Do you mean Cecil or Spoony/Edward/Who cares.

Also, just in general I found it (http://www.captainsnes.com/2003/10/07/397-misdirection/). Nice bit of luck stumbling across it too! It'll take a lot of back-archiving to read the whole thing, though. Look for something about the Antlion, I think, to get to the beginning of that stuff. "Drab Lord Revealed" is actually too far back in the archives, relative to the battle.

[Jagos]

Dammit, it's been so long since I read CSNES, I may have to go through the entire thing! >_<

[Aldurin]

Dammit, it's been so long since I read CSNES, I may have to go through the entire thing! >_<

I had the fortune to first find it when it started picking up recently.

[Fifthfiend]

Scary Go Round kind of just sucks now.

I gave Bad Machinery a chance, I was like okay John Allison get rid of Shelly Winters, get rid of The Boy, make the main characters a bunch of toddlers, it's okay, you are a good writer, I guess this could be super-good.

But like...

It's not.

At all.

[tacticslion]

Dammit, it's been so long since I read CSNES, I may have to go through the entire thing! >_<

Enjoy ten years in a day two days four days a week!
(It's a long read, especially if you've got other stuff to do. Totally awesome, though.)

[TDK]

OH MY GOD GORDITO

OH MY GOD

[tacticslion]

EDIT (last post, "... You got handsome.", RE: Gordito)
Hahah! He's terrific!

Edit: huh, this's time-stamped much later than I actually posted the thing (according to, like, four different clocks at home).


Welp. Could this be the Second Longest Callback in History (http://www.captainsnes.com/)? After, of course, the longest (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2010/02/20/episode-1221-longest-set-up-in-webcomic-history/)!

In other comic news, is this a typo (http://sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/110414) or did I miss something somewhere in which Torg went missing?

[Loyal]

Oh my god, Doc. That's so wrong. Yet so hilarious!

[Nikose Tyris]

To Quote JephJacques Twitter Feed on CAD's latest spectacle:
"Holy shit, today's Ctrl Alt Del. #hesgonnagetsomehatemailforthatone"
"it's like watching a skater wipe out and crush his balls on a guardrail. Just painful to look at. :\"
"Well, at least he had the good sense to change the joke."

And that sums up my feelings nicely on the uneditted comic!

[Fifthfiend]

Setting aside WHATEVER it is that Buckley's done now - Lindsey, the Structural Engineering PhD crab in Gunnerkrigg Court continues to be fantastic.

Also, an accredited relationship counselor!

[Ryong]

I wasn't aware that the OotS author was a fan of M. Night Shyamalan. That is all I have to say.

[Loyal]

So if Thog got locked up for public urination, I assume that means Nale had gone and visited dear old dad at some point in the recent past...

[Flarecobra]

Bet that was not a happy reunion.

[Loyal]

Another OOTS in such short order.

"It's weird, no matter how many people he's killed, the audience still thinks he's lovable." Haha, oh Tarquin, you card.

[POS Industries]

So basically Shortpacked has become "Everybody's Gay Forever: The Webcomic" at this point.

[Roland]

The secret behind the glaring green-haired elf is revealed. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0789.html) Did not see it coming at all.

[RickZarber]

So basically Shortpacked has become "Everybody's Gay Forever: The Webcomic" at this point.Best comment/rejoinder on the comic so far:

"[Y]ou have to wonder if there’s some sort of gay magnet buried underneath the toy store or something."

"I think it’s called 'San Francisco.'"

[POS Industries]

Best comment/rejoinder on the comic so far:

"[Y]ou have to wonder if there’s some sort of gay magnet buried underneath the toy store or something."

"I think it’s called 'San Francisco.'"
San Francisco, as written by a straight man living in Ohio.

[Fifthfiend]

http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/archive_page.php?comicID=876

The way Annie is drawn in panel two of this comic totally reminds me of... SOMETHING, I have no idea what and it's driving me fucking insane.

[Jagos]

Holy crap I will have nightmares about King Hippo now...

[Fifthfiend]

So basically Shortpacked has become "Everybody's Gay Forever: The Webcomic" at this point.

Best comment/rejoinder on the comic so far:

"[Y]ou have to wonder if there’s some sort of gay magnet buried underneath the toy store or something."

"I think it’s called 'San Francisco.'"

San Francisco, as written by a straight man living in Ohio.

The ridiculous thing about this latest run of Shortpacked isn't that the roommate is gay, it's that she's acting like Leslie fucking Bean, Toy Store Clerk is the first other lesbian she's ever met.

[POS Industries]

The ridiculous thing about this latest run of Shortpacked isn't that the roommate is gay, it's that she's acting like Leslie fucking Bean, Toy Store Clerk is the first other lesbian she's ever met.
It has been postulated that Malaya is, in fact, only acting like Leslie's the first other lesbian she's ever met in order to get into her pants, given her sticking her tongue out at Robin because I guess she's the new bluh bluh huge bitch.

Also, given how M. Bison's pointed out that she apparently dates guys all the time, it looks like Willis is going for the old "evil is bi" trope that goes a long way to pissing me right the fuck off.

[Fifthfiend]

I figure there's at least an even chance that the "dating tons of dudes" thing is just Willis cribbing furiously from Glee.

In any case I think it's a safe bet that, whatever it ends up being, it'll be stupid and I won't like it.

[Aldurin]

"Space-yaaarrrr!"

[POS Industries]

In any case I think it's a safe bet that, whatever it ends up being, it'll be stupid and I won't like it.
p. much yeah

[MFD]

"Space-yaaarrrr!"

That is pretty much exactly how the Captain N cartoon would have depicted the Space Pirates, too.

[Loyal]

It's finally go time in Erfworld. I kinda want my own sonic dragon.

[tacticslion]

It's finally go time in Erfworld. I kinda want my own sonic dragon.

No, look, you guys, I've got it: Sonic UNDEAD dragon! Booyah!
...
...
Er, what I mean is, my, yes, this is interesting series of events in Erfworld, isn't it?

In Goblins, "Mr. Creepy" (what Thunt called the monster once) continues to be... um... wat. No, really, I'm curious. What is it? It's just... huh. "Creepy" I guess is the correct word. Also, I wonder if K's diplomacy check actually worked? Still, I never got into this set of characters as much, and, while I'm curious about what will happen, for whatever reason, these guys just don't grab me as characters as much. The Prince is kind of a jerk (and still hasn't adequately explained why he wanted Dies along), Fox is kind of... I dunno, and K is just kind of... okay for being funny, but possibly about to die very badly. Klik's cool, though. Dies is kind of... a very used one-trick-pony. I want to see him live, but I want to see his destiny averted, but it's being hammered pretty hard. Hard to believe I'm about to say this, but I'm kind of interested in seeing Chinmax (Loyal, you win, I caved and used the name!) again and how that all works itself out instead. However, I bet once we get past the immediate two (or three) threats involved with this Mr. Creepy trial, even if we're left hanging, we're going to go back to the core goblins cast and that is something I'm interested in very, very much.

Anyone read Sluggy anymore? 'Cause right now, there are three very big questions for me: one, ALT Dr. Schlock aka His Masterness supposedly died from getting shot... no. He couldn't have. That's stupid. They just explained that the Nanite repair everything, every wrinkle in your brain. Shot =/= death here. Frog's clearly insane, so the question is, where IS "His Masterness"? Two, who wants to bet that Zoe is, in fact, fine, but has the memories of ALT Zoe now (and is the person emerging from the tube)? Three, Harbinger isn't really dead - can't be, in fact, even if there were no Nanites -, so what the heck is going to happen with that? Any guesses?

Finally, Captain SNES is made of win! "Space Yar" is exactly something the old Captain N would have done with space pirates! It's so cheesy, terrible, and shows so little understanding of the source material that there is no way that it couldn't be included in Captain N! It's brilliant!

[Aldurin]

It was halfway down the page of this recent Captain SNES update that I learned to appreciate my ability to throw the killswitch on my brain on short notice.