If she ever went proper Mad, a nanobot swarm converting people’s bodies to rocket fuel in order to propel their brains to her would be a possible result, yeah?
Also, if Dr Collodi really died to this mob, Helen Narbon would call him *such* a newbie.
He was killed back in the 1960s, long before Dr. Lee started working for A-sig. (The hellfire could be a Collodi invention, after all: it’s traditional for mad scientists to die when one of their own inventions go out of control, either through the actions of Meddling Fools or their own error).
Right. Even if Anasigma or some precursor entity was involved in the attack, it’s not a given that Dr. Collodi or the Baron would know that information. (Unless we’ve been shown otherwise and I’ve just forgotten that part myself, which happens.)
If Collodi had known about and feared Anasigma, it’s likely he would have warned his creations about Anasigma. Instead, the entity he warned them about in the film was Project Skin Horse.
Now that I think about it, a Cold War-era retooling of “It’s a Small World” as a dire warning of nuclear conflagration rather than a saccharine message of hope and optimism might have made a fascinating installation art piece. It’d be the same sort of dark humor that gave us “99 Luftballons” and that Nuclear War boardgame.
You know, this arcs actually helped remind me ABOUT the WHimsy arc and how important it was. Barons kinda faded back in my mind to Nicks terrible little dudebro friend. Kinda forgot he’s a very, very, very old AI, tied back to this narrative of the destruction of the New.
Not surprising Baron drowns himself in escapism. He can’t really grow up, either.
It’s like the Shakespearian-trained robot in the terrific webcomic Freefall. He got ordered to play Jarjar at an amusement park until his long yearned-for date of scrapping… The Good Guys saved him from suicide, and freed him, but it was close.
Way to go, you idiots. You’ve ruined it for everyone. (And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then it wasn’t you)
Shaenon, I implore you, on behalf of those many of us who truly enjoy this – this which you have poured your very heart into – don’t stop because of a handful of people who have no respect for you and everything you put into this comic.
Shaenon, I not only enjoy and respect your work (you, Jeff and Pancha are incredibly talented!), I’ve learned so much from you over the years! You’ve taught me what the Vulcan principal of IDIC truly means – with laughter! To love my neighbor for their uniqueness rather than fear their differences. I feel like I am a better person because of the wisdom you’ve shared in this labor of love.
I will not try to dissuade you from your decision to stop, although it breaks my heart that your reward for baring your soul with the world has been tears. I for one have looked forward to “Skin Horse” being the last thing I read every night and the first thing I read when I wake up in the morning. I will merely say “Thank you.” for making the world a better place, which most of us can aspire to do only for our immediate families.
You are loved. Really loved. And you’ll be missed.
I can’t decide which panel is better – the sad figure of the Baron in front of the blaze or the “wtf” expressions in the last panel. And the desperate attempt to find something positive in the last line sells it. Awesome!
I call bullshit on the last three panels, the mob was actually anasigma.
But still a mob! With Dr. Lee formulated Flesh-Melting Hellfire! (yes, I know she would only do this if it somehow involved brain schlorping)
If she ever went proper Mad, a nanobot swarm converting people’s bodies to rocket fuel in order to propel their brains to her would be a possible result, yeah?
Also, if Dr Collodi really died to this mob, Helen Narbon would call him *such* a newbie.
Alas, die he did.
He was killed back in the 1960s, long before Dr. Lee started working for A-sig. (The hellfire could be a Collodi invention, after all: it’s traditional for mad scientists to die when one of their own inventions go out of control, either through the actions of Meddling Fools or their own error).
The 1960s was long before Dr. Lee started -existing-.
The one follows from the other, no?
Not necessarily! Time travel exists in the Narboniverse.
And what, exactly, makes you think the mob was Anasigma? Have you forgotten about the film the gang watched in WhimsyWorld?
Right. Even if Anasigma or some precursor entity was involved in the attack, it’s not a given that Dr. Collodi or the Baron would know that information. (Unless we’ve been shown otherwise and I’ve just forgotten that part myself, which happens.)
If Collodi had known about and feared Anasigma, it’s likely he would have warned his creations about Anasigma. Instead, the entity he warned them about in the film was Project Skin Horse.
Lucky none of the other Whimsey animatronic characters have made it this far. There might be more hellfire, with Baron M. in a featured role.
I love everyone’s “stunned bunny” expressions in the last panel!
Seconded. This is not the expected end to a theme park ride.
This would have been a spectacular finish to the “It’s a Small World” ride.
Now that I think about it, a Cold War-era retooling of “It’s a Small World” as a dire warning of nuclear conflagration rather than a saccharine message of hope and optimism might have made a fascinating installation art piece. It’d be the same sort of dark humor that gave us “99 Luftballons” and that Nuclear War boardgame.
“that Nuclear War boardgame.”
I take it that the only winning move is not to play
The only winning move is for no one to play.
You can win if there’s only one player. (See, USA 1945).
Ahh yes, Nuclear War. “Got change for twenty five million people?” The game that never has winners, and rarely has survivors.
The card game is still available at http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/, though it looks like the two expansions are once again out of print.
I used to work there, it was a fun place.
That is my ALL TIME favorite game. I will miss the Saturday tournament with Rick for the rest of my GenCons.
“This Way To The Hellfire-Tinged Egress.”
I saw an egress soaring majestically through the Alps once. (Too bad for all the carnival-goers falling out of her.)
Seems to me that the Baron is suffering from survivor’s guilt. This is, after all, a ride he made for his own virtual sanctum.
You know, this arcs actually helped remind me ABOUT the WHimsy arc and how important it was. Barons kinda faded back in my mind to Nicks terrible little dudebro friend. Kinda forgot he’s a very, very, very old AI, tied back to this narrative of the destruction of the New.
Not surprising Baron drowns himself in escapism. He can’t really grow up, either.
For some reason my mind’s eye pictures Baron emerging from the inferno like an action hero…
I wonder if this event changed him into the cynical, jaded, profane person we see today?
Probably. If it did who would blame him? @_@
It’s like the Shakespearian-trained robot in the terrific webcomic Freefall. He got ordered to play Jarjar at an amusement park until his long yearned-for date of scrapping… The Good Guys saved him from suicide, and freed him, but it was close.
Way to go, you idiots. You’ve ruined it for everyone. (And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then it wasn’t you)
Shaenon, I implore you, on behalf of those many of us who truly enjoy this – this which you have poured your very heart into – don’t stop because of a handful of people who have no respect for you and everything you put into this comic.
Agreed.
Shaenon, I not only enjoy and respect your work (you, Jeff and Pancha are incredibly talented!), I’ve learned so much from you over the years! You’ve taught me what the Vulcan principal of IDIC truly means – with laughter! To love my neighbor for their uniqueness rather than fear their differences. I feel like I am a better person because of the wisdom you’ve shared in this labor of love.
I will not try to dissuade you from your decision to stop, although it breaks my heart that your reward for baring your soul with the world has been tears. I for one have looked forward to “Skin Horse” being the last thing I read every night and the first thing I read when I wake up in the morning. I will merely say “Thank you.” for making the world a better place, which most of us can aspire to do only for our immediate families.
You are loved. Really loved. And you’ll be missed.
Tearfully,
Dave Huber
Shaenon, Hoping you are ok. Please know that Skin Horse has had my heart for years now. All of y’all will be missed more than you know.
I can’t decide which panel is better – the sad figure of the Baron in front of the blaze or the “wtf” expressions in the last panel. And the desperate attempt to find something positive in the last line sells it. Awesome!