OOTS #775 - The Discussion Thread

[The Giant]

New comic is up.

[fishboy]

Excellent as always :smallsmile: Thanks a lot for the entertainment Giant!

Edit: And now I want a giant rat to ride....I'll feed it black eyed peas I think, those things are good for nothing else :smalltongue:

[ColonelFuster]

I know exactly how Elan feels every time I watch Glee.:smalltongue:

[doodthedud]

Nice. Was online for an update :D

Hello again, Glaring Elf.

[Handsome Pete]

I thought there might be a more direct commentary on the Black Eyed Peas performance, but still very good.

[ThePhantasm]

Heck yeah! The arena! About time!

Loved the Bad Year blimp.

So glad the games are about to start. I'm among the most patient when it comes to waiting storylines out, but even I have to admit the long conversations in the previous strips were starting to bog things down... great timing, this.

Also, angry green elf is back. Angry at V still, apparently...

Also, beautiful arena. Looks like it took a lot of time to draw. Wonderful stuff.

[OA_Chimera]

Hmm.. Gotta wonder what is up with that Elf.....

[Marillion]

I laughed out loud at the baccarat pun.

And there's that elf who seems to have a problem with V again...

[Jair Barik]

Hmmm. Looks like there may be some sort of argument/fight break out between V and the Elven ambassador soon. Can't wait.

[HalfTangible]

I honestly thought Elan would start cheering like a maddog when they showed the arena events (which i thought would happen at the end)

Heh heh. Choreography ^^

[mroozee]

Good strip.

Panel 7 should read "they're" rather than "their".

"They'll never be the same after they're forced to participate in this, even if they DO make it out alive."

[MoonCat]

Does that blimp really say BadYear? And Mr. Scruffy is so cute.

[JSSheridan]

Thanks Giant!



Loved the Bad Year blimp.


Oh yeah, I thought that was the Empress at first. :smalltongue:

[ShadeSpark]

Nice, very nice.

I wonder who the green haired elf is.....Is it me, or does he/she only ever glare when V's around?

[Gift Jeraff]

"Bad Year?"
"No, the best."


So does Haley realize Blackwing is real, or are they still just humouring V?

[MoonCat]

I agree, Polonius is glaring again, this shall have to be explored. I'm just extremely curious about Durkon's spell.

[Mastikator]

Elan is dead wrong once again, the reason they aren't killing each other is because Elan isn't powerful enough to kill Tarquin, and Tarquin doesn't want to kill Elan.

[pendell]

GAME ON!

All right! Moral sadness or not, I am looking forward to this! I DEMAND ENTERTAINMENT!

Possibly sometime down the line the cruelty of forcing hand-drawn stick figures to butcher each other will tear my heartstrings. But until then, let the games begin!

With excitement,

Brian P.

[Stegyre]

I think Durkon is on to something.

And maybe we'll soon find out what all the elf-glare is about. :smallamused:

[The Curt Jester]

Think this is the first time I've ever read the comic and gotten to the first page on the forum. That's got to be a feat.

I liked the reference to awful Super Bowl shows. Or is it a reference? Certainly seems to be one to me.

[HUMVEE Driver]

First place Roy, FTW!

What a great page!

At least it wasn't Christina Agulera singing The National Anthem. :smallsigh:

[faustin]

Does anyone think too that Polonius is gonna spill soon the "Mommy Dragon" issue to the Order?

[The MunchKING]

Bad Year Blimp? Honestly??

Pshaw!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

{scrubbed}

[Dr.Epic]

Bad Year. I love it. Also, why's the arena so far away from the central city? And anyone else wondering what the singers are singing?

[Skeletor]

Hmm.. Gotta wonder what is up with that Elf.....

ya Same here that green haired elf looks shifty :smallconfused:

[ricorum]

That... was just beautiful. I agree completely.

[CorvusOmbra]

Hmm... Elan has recently certainly grown a lot as a person but he seems still more prone to judge first the esthetic rather than the ethic aspect of things. Once a bard always a bard.

[Mutant Sheep]

Mr. Scruffy's blank stare is perfect. Mr. Scruffy is going to do something awesome soon, maybe jump on the glaring elf so we can stop talking about him/her.

[Debatra]

I agree, Polonius is glaring again, this shall have to be explored. I'm just extremely curious about Durkon's spell.

He mentioned (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0672.html) researching a mass spell that protects against negative energy effects. (Off-hand, I'd assume Death Ward.)

[Vulkan]

Best Bard EVER. However I believe we already established this fact within the first couple of pages.

[Orzel]

Their smiles sicken me

[Shreav]

An excellent comic, as always. A question: Is this the first time that we've seen a page-and-a-half for an update? There have been plenty of two-pagers, but I can't recall any page-and-a-halfs before.

[MoonCat]

An excellent comic, as always. A question: Is this the first time that we've seen a page-and-a-half for an update? There have been plenty of two-pagers, but I can't recall any page-and-a-halfs before.

#50 was like that. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0050.html)

[Killer Angel]

This strip, just after the superbowl, is priceless. :smallbiggrin:

[MoonCat]

I don't have a TV, and am not interested in sports. Could someone please tell me what is going on, and what it is parodying?

Also, I have to ask, why the :smallyuk: face?

[Phishfood]

That elf is clearly angry because mr scruffy keeps winning the staring matches.

Love the fact that V put him on a lead too.

[Squark]

That. Was. Awesome.


I should seriously use that line sometimes.

[HandofShadows]

Elan got a Grade A line there. LOL!

[Psyren]

Elan really confuses me. He can articulate phrases like "morally indefensible" one minute, then resort to stuff like "meany" and "groundy-ground" at others.


Hmm.. Gotta wonder what is up with that Elf.....

He just doesn't like cats is my guess.
Though it wouldn't be the first time Rich smacked me in the face with a curveball.

[Gift Jeraff]

An excellent comic, as always. A question: Is this the first time that we've seen a page-and-a-half for an update? There have been plenty of two-pagers, but I can't recall any page-and-a-halfs before.

There were several during the Darth Vaarsuvius chapters.

[SPoD]

Elan really confuses me. Hr can articulate phrases like "morally indefensible" one minute, then resort to stuff like "meany" and "groundy-ground" at others.

Elan's vocabulary often rises several notches when talking about bard-friendly topics like dramatic structure or aesthetics. Mostly because it's funnier that way.

[Toper]

I'm pretty sure this strip could have done without the last panel, since the joke was pretty clear about three panels prior. :smallbiggrin: Otherwise cute and funny; I like Polonius and Mr. Scruffy, and the symbol of the Empire of Blood is a nice detail. (Have we seen that before?)

[Hiro Protagonest]

Bring on the gladiators! I don't think Elan could stand anymore of the pregame show! And I wanna see Roy and the half-dragon fight!

[FoE]

So, we can add "bad musical numbers" to Tarquin's growing list of sins? The fiend!

[Hiro Protagonest]

So, we can add "bad musical numbers" to Tarquin's growing list of sins? The fiend!

Yes, yes we can.:smallamused:

[scienceguy8]

I don't have a TV, and am not interested in sports. Could someone please tell me what is going on, and what it is parodying?

Also, I have to ask, why the :smallyuk: face?

During lulls in the action most organized sports will employ acts, many of a musical nature, to keep the crowd entertained. On a related note, I'm gonna miss my fedora and maroon marching tuxedo (guess the school and get...something...maybe).

Anyway, sometimes these acts can go horribly wrong. For instance, just this week was the Superbowl, where we had mis-sung Star Spangled Banner lyrics and a not-that-great halftime show. When someone messes up at a big venue, it seems like everyone notices.

[MoonCat]

It's nice to see a new day, the last one lasted for 26 whole strips. Wow.

I wonder whether the guy in the turban is another ambassador, I see him earlier here. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0744.html)


During lulls in the action most organized sports will employ acts, many of a musical nature, to keep the crowd entertained. On a related note, I'm gonna miss my fedora and maroon marching tuxedo (guess the school and get...something...maybe).

Anyway, sometimes these acts can go horribly wrong. For instance, just this week was the Superbowl, where we had mis-sung Star Spangled Banner lyrics and a not-that-great halftime show. When someone messes up at a big venue, it seems like everyone notices.

Oh, thank you. I'd been wondering. What happened to the USA's anthem?

And Giant, I've just got to say this by now.

I really am admiring Order of The Stick lately. You appear to have settled into a consistent and fast update schedule. This has giving us OoTS often, and yet still manages to give us beautiful detailed art, and a perfect balance between humor (this is still a comic), emotional content (this is still a story), and plot advancement (stuff actually happens from strip to strip.). Thank you so much Giant for creating this masterpiece in which I can be part of your multitude of awed readers.

[correnos]

Okay, I REALLY want to know what is up with the green-haired elf. We may soon find out how fast word of V's evilness really spread, I suspect.

[Themrys]

Polonius is staring again. Hm. Maybe s/he belongs to the family of V's (ex)parents in law and V just doesn't remember hir face.
Or V does remember and just doesn't want to start a conversation because s/he knows how that will end.

I don't think Inkyrius told many people about what V did. Can't imagine gossiping elves. And the hair colour supports my theory that Polonius is related to Inky.

[Teddy]

Really good comic. Had me laughing several times.

Also, it seems as if people insist on sitting on the doors. :smallwink:

[Mr. Snuggles]

Polozius the Elven Ambassador is angry because:

1) V genocided black dragons, and the world thinks that "the elves" did it instead of one singular elf.

2) V took the Azurites to Elven territory and told them to invade it.

3) More backstory...Polozius is V's wife's ex-husband or something.

Baccarat has to be the most boring casino game ever. There is no strategy, none. The game is purely mechanical and is like betting on a coin toss. Not much opportunity for bluffing the evil villain or learning more about his personality so as to find his hidden weakness.

[Scarlet Knight]

Bad Year. I love it. Also, why's the arena so far away from the central city? And anyone else wondering what the singers are singing?

"Cuts Like a Knife" ?

[olthar]

Baccarat has to be the most boring casino game ever. There is no strategy, none. The game is purely mechanical and is like betting on a coin toss. Not much opportunity for bluffing the evil villain or learning more about his personality so as to find his hidden weakness.

the same could be said of any other table game. Baccarat is more interesting when not played as a table game (that being said, I've never done that).

The Badyear blimp was a bit much, otherwise awesome.

[PsychedelicBard]

Place your bets, folks! The games are here!

[CoffeeIncluded]

NICE. Though what's up with Polozius and V?

[VA_beds]

:smallsmile:
Polozius the Elven Ambassador is angry because:

1) V genocided black dragons, and the world thinks that "the elves" did it instead of one singular elf.

2) V took the Azurites to Elven territory and told them to invade it.

3) More backstory...Polozius is V's wife's ex-husband or something.

Baccarat has to be the most boring casino game ever. There is no strategy, none. The game is purely mechanical and is like betting on a coin toss. Not much opportunity for bluffing the evil villain or learning more about his personality so as to find his hidden weakness.

hence the fact that they switched it to poker in the daniel craig version of casino royale :smallsmile:

[Squark]

Oh, thank you. I'd been wondering. What happened to the USA's anthem?

The half-time show was just plain mediocre (Although I thought the mass choreography was well done. Now if they could just do somethign about the Band itself), but Christina Agulera missed the, "O'Er the Ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming," line in the national anthem. And Frankly, She didn't sing the song as a whole well, either. She doesn't sing correctly (My school's choir teacher found it painful to watch her injure her vocal chords like that).

[Themrys]

Polozius the Elven Ambassador is angry because:

1) V genocided black dragons, and the world thinks that "the elves" did it instead of one singular elf.

2) V took the Azurites to Elven territory and told them to invade it.

3) More backstory...Polozius is V's wife's ex-husband or something.



1) Who should have told the world it was an elf? The dead black dragon? The only possibility to find out who did it was the oracle, and the oracle would have told that it was Vaarsuvius.
Or are there some game mechanics I am unaware of?

2) Why should V have done that?

3) V doesn't have a wife, nor does V's now ex-mate have an ex-husband. They are both ambigiously gendered.
However, an ex-mate of Inky who wants hir back would be happy that V is now out of the way.
Therefore, and because of the green hair, I suspect it is some member of Inkys family, all of whom would have a reason to hate V.

The fact that V doesn't seem to remember Polonius is explained by V's overall disinterest in people. Probably they met at V's wedding and V didn't pay attention.

[super dark33]

A nice oblivion reference, and a good strip too!

[grimbold]

i love the bad year blimp

[AMJ]

<snip>

Anyway, sometimes these acts can go horribly wrong. For instance, just this week was the Superbowl, where we had mis-sung Star Spangled Banner lyrics and a not-that-great halftime show. When someone messes up at a big venue, it seems like everyone notices.

I actually enjoyed the halftime show a lot, Slash and Usher as well as BEP??? It was the best halftime show I have seen. Fergie rubbing against Slash - made me consider getting a big hat for me and an outfit for my girlfriend :smallcool: cosplay? - sure why not? :smallbiggrin:

Star Spangled Banner is a really tough song, but Aguilera did not do it well... Whitney on the other hand was awesome way back when.

As to the comic: I don't think it humors Polonius to be seated at lower importance than a cat...

[KoboldRevenge]

Ha ha ha "Bad year"

[Hardcore]

I expect the Arena strips will be memorable...

[Tundar]

I love the BadYear blimp!

And I notice they put up a transparant screen in front of Tarquins seat. Probably a good idea.

[MoonCat]

I love the BadYear blimp!

And I notice they put up a transparant screen in front of Tarquins seat. Probably a good idea.

That is the doorway. You can see them all over the wide shot of the arena.

[Themrys]

As to the comic: I don't think it humors Polonius to be seated at lower importance than a cat...

You mean, the seating is according to importance?
That would explain why V is seated next to the cat although Elan is now officially responsible for it.
Both Haley and Elan are more important than V, but as Elan's friend V is more important than Elan's pet.
The elven ambassador, on the other hand, is obviously too ambigiously gendered for Tarquin to hit on, and therefore the least important.
I wonder whether Tarquins 11th? wife will show up.

Again, only Blackwing seems to have noticed Polonius' staring. Interesting. I hope Polonius says something during the games.

[Tundar]

That is the doorway. You can see them all over the wide shot of the arena.

Hmmm true. The blurryness had me confused there.

[PsychedelicBard]

I think that if the seating was according to importance, Tarquin would be sitting in one of the edges.

[AMJ]

You mean, the seating is according to importance?
That would explain why V is seated next to the cat although Elan is now officially responsible for it.


I might be jumping to conclusions due to culture...
Around here, the host (hosts - if the hosts are a married couple) at an important event (public or private) will be sitting at the middle of the main table and then the most important guests will be sitting right next to the host. Then according to importance the other guests will be positioned further and further away from the host.

It used to be a huge insult to be placed at a too low position at the tables.

Edit: Tarquin should be sitting in the middle. If he was married and decided to bring his wife she should be sitting on his righthand side.

[Raistlin82]

"My sanity demands that I don't engage that statement" is my new favourite V quote. :smallbiggrin:

"Your approval fills me with shame" is still #1 overall, though. :smalltongue:

[Hiro Protagonest]

I think that if the seating was according to importance, Tarquin would be sitting in one of the edges.

No, the middle is the most important spot.

[Themrys]

I might be jumping to conclusions due to culture...
Around here, the host (hosts - if the hosts are a married couple) at an important event (public or private) will be sitting at the middle of the main table and then the most important guests will be sitting right next to the host. Then according to importance the other guests will be positioned further and further away from the host.

It used to be a huge insult to be placed at a too low position at the tables.

Edit: Tarquin should be sitting in the middle. If he was married and decided to bring his wife she should be sitting on his righthand side.

Righthand side can't apply here since Elan sits on what is Tarquin's left side if Tarquin sits in the middle, and Elan is the most important person here.

That the seating order is according to importance makes sense. V doesn't seem to be aware, though, and I guess Polonius' angry staring is because of V, not because of the seating order.
Of course it could be that Polonius knows about the importance of the seating order and V doesn't. V was never very interested in social matters.

[Dyluth]

In terms of Mr. Burlew's ability to create great detailed pieces of artwork that fully respect the aspects of scale and distance using only line art, this is a new triumph indeed. The angle he drew the collisum from is just brilliant :) Amazing job as always Giant!

Of course it ends with a great joke as well, I love Elan's true look of distaste at the standards below that of a high level bard!:smallbiggrin:

[MoonCat]

I might be jumping to conclusions due to culture...
Around here, the host (hosts - if the hosts are a married couple) at an important event (public or private) will be sitting at the middle of the main table and then the most important guests will be sitting right next to the host. Then according to importance the other guests will be positioned further and further away from the host.

It used to be a huge insult to be placed at a too low position at the tables.

Edit: Tarquin should be sitting in the middle. If he was married and decided to bring his wife she should be sitting on his righthand side.

And there is that empty seat right next to Elan. Either Tarquin is there as right hand man (actually left, Kilkil is on the right) and the dragon sits on the center, or Tarquin is center, and somebody's more important than Elan.

[Themrys]

And there is that empty seat right next to Elan. Either Tarquin is there as right hand man (actually left, Kilkil is on the right) and the dragon sits on the center, or Tarquin is center, and somebody's more important than Elan.

That balcony doesn't look like it can stand the weight of the dragon.
I suspect Tarquin will bring his new wife. Or at least intends to do so.

[Trixie]

Finally, V was useful for something :smallbiggrin:

[ThePhantasm]

An excellent comic, as always. A question: Is this the first time that we've seen a page-and-a-half for an update? There have been plenty of two-pagers, but I can't recall any page-and-a-halfs before.

Nope. Another example: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0651.html

[Azuyomi244]

Heh. Bad year

[Symmys]

After all the dramatic strips, it's nice to have a lighthearted one like this.

Also, the Badyear blimp was the first thing I noticed. :smallbiggrin:

[MoonCat]

That balcony doesn't look like it can stand the weight of the dragon.
I suspect Tarquin will bring his new wife. Or at least intends to do so.

Yes. I wonder who is more important than Elan to Tarquin. I figured she was locked up in a tower, but he may bring her out to announce the wedding and/or force her to come in chains so he can pretend they're a normal engaged couple. But someone does appear to be more important than Elan (I agree the dragon couldn't sit there), and I do wonder who.

Edit: And I totally agree with Elan, I find it impossible to watch something in front of me.

[Mr. Snuggles]

hence the fact that they switched it to poker in the daniel craig version of casino royale :smallsmile:
The game that James Bond played against Le Chiffre was Baccarat Chemin-de-Fer, which is different. For one, the players can be the banker, which is the entire plot point about Bond attempting to bankrupt Le Chiffre's schemes. Chemin-de-fer actually has some strategy, as the book explains. The remake of the movie switched it to poker because in 2006 Texas Hold-em was wildly popular and likely to appeal to a wider audience than a moldy old French game.

[HappyBlanket]

...I love how Mr. Scruffy gets his own seat.


He mentioned (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0672.html) researching a mass spell that protects against negative energy effects. (Off-hand, I'd assume Death Ward.)

If I recall correctly, there's a mechanic (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120917) in D&D that lets casters invent their own spells (This is how V invents "Vaarsuvius' Enhanced Scrying" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0504.html)). I was under the assumption that Durkon was doing the same.


Polozius the Elven Ambassador is angry because:
2) V took the Azurites to Elven territory and told them to invade it.

V mentioned (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0643.html) that the castle had been abandoned due to budget cuts, so the Elves probably don't care about it..

[PsychedelicBard]

No, the middle is the most important spot.

Yes, indeed. But there's no (visible) middle seat.

[MoonCat]

Yes, indeed. But there's no (visible) middle seat.

The podium looking thing probably has a seat obscured by it. Stick figure art is harder to understand in a few cases, but I'm pretty sure.

[PsychedelicBard]

This may sound incredibly ridiculous, but the seats are taller than the thing in the middle, so I'd think atleast part of it would appear. I'm a bit crazy for detail.

[Asthix]

Yeah, that green haired elf is mad at V specifically.

Congrats on reaching comic #775, Giant!

[MoonCat]

This may sound incredibly ridiculous, but the seats are taller than the thing in the middle, so I'd think atleast part of it would appear. I'm a bit crazy for detail.

Either it's in the podium, or you're right. Which means Tarquin would be next to his son. which makes sense.The middle would be empty then though. Maybe it's decorative.

Asthix, what's special about #775?

[Prowl]

The Giant must be spying on me, because that was almost word-for-word my reaction to the SB halftime show.

Well, OK not word for word but the sentiment is spot on :smallwink:

[Themrys]

This may sound incredibly ridiculous, but the seats are taller than the thing in the middle, so I'd think atleast part of it would appear. I'm a bit crazy for detail.

Maybe Tarquin sits on a different seat?

Or the middle is left free because the dragon should sit there, but can't. Maybe the dragon does sit there but is hold by the zeppelin so the balcony doesn't crack.

[MoonCat]

Maybe Tarquin sits on a different seat?

Or the middle is left free because the dragon should sit there, but can't. Maybe the dragon does sit there but is hold by the zeppelin so the balcony doesn't crack.

Maybe she is the zeppelin!

[HappyBlanket]

Maybe she is the zeppelin!

Impossible. That zeppelin is way too small.

[PsychedelicBard]

Maybe she's the arena! :smallbiggrin:

[The Pilgrim]

I love how the Arena looks to be a lot bigger than the capital city.

BTW nice hate gaze from the Elf Ambassador. Burnt more that the desert's heat.

[Ron Miel]

I think that if the seating was according to importance, Tarquin would be sitting in one of the edges.
No, the middle is the most important spot.

Yes, but Tarquin doesn't want to appear too important. He lets other people seem important while he remains unnoticed.

[HappyBlanket]

Yes, but Tarquin doesn't want to appear too important. He lets other people seem important while he remains unnoticed.

Suddenly, a flash of brilliance.
It would make a lot of sense for Tarquin to prefer a seat to the side of the middle.

[TinselCat]

Hmmm...I thing the elf if a little put out at being seated lower than Mr. Scruffy...

Looks like we're gearing up for a mess of action in the ring, and some verbal fencing in the stands. Heh, heh. Can't wait.

[Lurkmoar]

I wonder if Elan and Haley informed V and Durkon about what happened in the prison.

Probably not, because why make things easy?

[TinselCat]

I wonder if Elan and Haley informed V and Durkon about what happened in the prison.


Considering that Haley asked V if Durkon was staying behind, I think they haven't been back to the palace yet, otherwise he would have told her and Elan himself. There wouldn't have been an opportunity to do so.

[Burner28]

I don't get why Polozius is mad at V.:smallconfused:

Also What kind of secret message does Gourntonk have for the Empress?

[Lkctgo]

"One day the hero has to play baccarat with the villain... what I don't know is how to play..", also, "As a bard, I find the choreography morally indefensible" Elan's totally forgetting about his father. Hahaha.

[PsychedelicBard]

I think that was yesterday in comic time.

[Themrys]

Hmmm...I thing the elf if a little put out at being seated lower than Mr. Scruffy...

No, s/he only started glaring when V appeared.

[JonestheSpy]

I think that was yesterday in comic time.

No, it was made clear a bunch of times that the big arena fight was happening in the morning after the break-out attempt.

[ibiwan]

I love how the Arena looks to be a lot bigger than the capital city.

I love how you look to be completely unaware of perspective considerations.

[One Skunk Todd]

Maybe it's just me but that airship looks a lot like the Mechane.

[PsychedelicBard]

No, it was made clear a bunch of times that the big arena fight was happening in the morning after the break-out attempt.

I think 753 disagrees with you.

[Mr. Snuggles]

V mentioned (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0643.html) that the castle had been abandoned due to budget cuts, so the Elves probably don't care about it..
Once Elven territory, always Elven territory. Just because they've retreated doesn't mean it's not theirs any more. Xykon vacated his tower for 30 years and it was still his. When he returned, what's the first thing he did? He exterminated all of the inhabitants that moved in while he was gone. If V hadn't done the dragon thing, I'd be certain that this was the reason for Poloznius' glares.

[Mr. Snuggles]

"As a bard, I find the choreography morally indefensible" Elan's totally forgetting about his father. Hahaha.
Well, they're linked. Remember, this is a "usually evil" country. The food was evil-aligned, the festival parade was evil-aligned, why shouldn't the dancers and choreography be evil-aligned as well? Remember, we are at the Arena - evil entertainment incarnate.

[Burner28]

Well, they're linked. Remember, this is a "usually evil" country. The food was evil-aligned, the festival parade was evil-aligned, why shouldn't the dancers and choreography be evil-aligned as well? Remember, we are at the Arena - evil entertainment incarnate.

The Dancers could be Evil or Neutral really.

[Gift Jeraff]

Considering that Haley asked V if Durkon was staying behind, I think they haven't been back to the palace yet, otherwise he would have told her and Elan himself. There wouldn't have been an opportunity to do so.
It's a new day, so they probably returned to sleep. It's not hard to believe that they've barely seen Durkon, or that he made the decision to stay behind after Elan and Haley already left (V was late, so maybe Durkon originally planned on arriving with V).

[Herald Alberich]

Did anything else see the first panel and start humming the fanfare that opened the Podrace scene in Episode I? Something about desert stadiums ...

[Themrys]

Once Elven territory, always Elven territory. Just because they've retreated doesn't mean it's not theirs any more. Xykon vacated his tower for 30 years and it was still his. When he returned, what's the first thing he did? He exterminated all of the inhabitants that moved in while he was gone. If V hadn't done the dragon thing, I'd be certain that this was the reason for Poloznius' glares.


Then drop the dragon thing theory. If the elves moved back in, the Azurites could have told them how V looks.
While I don't think Inky told everyone what V has done.

However, I would have thought V would know how the elves would react...

[Kome]

Absolutely useless trivia:

There are approximately 3100 attendees in the stands.

[Melee]

Is it possible that V is talking to Polonius off-panel?

Because s/he's facing that way in the last few panels, and it would be hard not to notice someone glaring at you from a seat away

[LuPuWei]

V wins this comic, in my book.

[Themrys]

Is it possible that V is talking to Polonius off-panel?

Because s/he's facing that way in the last few panels, and it would be hard not to notice someone glaring at you from a seat away

I think V is exactly the kind of person who would not notice that. Blackwing has noticed, though.

Possible yes, but V could be facing that direction simply because everyone does.

[Azukar]

Well I'm not saying anything new here, but look like whatever that elf's deal is with V is going to come to a head soon.

[Herald Alberich]

Mr. Scruffy is here? I wouldn't have expected them to bother bringing him along, when as a cat, he's perfectly capable of keeping himself entertained for a while if left in one of their palace bedrooms with the door closed.

I don't know if Belkar will die yet (I think there's a good chance), but something significant is going to happen to him, if Mr. Scruffy is here to witness and/or participate in it. If the cat wants to get to his master, that bit of string around his neck isn't gonna stop him.

[shadowkiller]

Maybe it's just me but that airship looks a lot like the Mechane.

The Mechane (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0392.html) has second prop and another control surface on the balloon part. Also it's less elongated.

[JonestheSpy]

I think 753 disagrees with you.

Nope, 753-774 are all the same day. Go back and read 'em if you don't believe me.

[Sengoku]

Looool...it was the pre-game :D

[Squirrel_Token]

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAiNED?! IS THIS NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE?!!?

[Hawkfrost000]

i totally simpathise with elan, i feel the same way with all modern music

[T.H. Everything]

It was pretty good. I felt that the way the running gag with Blackwing was fit in felt forced, though.

[H Birchgrove]

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAiNED?! IS THIS NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE?!!?

Ha, I was waiting for someone to quote "Gladiator". :)

Do you think we will get any references to that film, "Spartacus" or another Sword-and-Sandal film? :)

[PsychedelicBard]

Nope, 753-774 are all the same day. Go back and read 'em if you don't believe me.

Well... yeah. That's exactly what I said.
What exactly are we discussing here? :smallconfused:

[Theblackmage]

Well... yeah. That's exactly what I said.
What exactly are we discussing here? :smallconfused:

I think I see what is going on here: *very much paraphrased*
TinselCat: This is right after the break-out attempt.
You: No, that was "yesterday".
JonestheSpy: No, [disagreeing with you?] arena fight happens the morning after break out attempt.
You: 753 disagrees.
JonestheSpy: 753-774 are the same day.

So basically, this appears to be an example of 2 people arguing without reading the argument itself, only seeing something indicating disagreement and thus fighting back. :smalltongue:

Back to the comic, is it just me, or does Polonius look like he/she is taking issue with "supervise the feline" and gesturing towards Polonius, or perhaps "hanging out with animals" immediately following said gesture? Blackwing said something about P "glaring" at V, but I usually think of glaring to be the face w/ the straight brows, not the "V"-shaped angry brows we see here.

[GreenMuffin]

Me like first panel

[Forealms]

Was I the only one who was reminded of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion? More for the title than anything else.

[Barlen]

Back to the comic, is it just me, or does Polonius look like he/she is taking issue with "supervise the feline" and gesturing towards Polonius, or perhaps "hanging out with animals" immediately following said gesture? Blackwing said something about P "glaring" at V, but I usually think of glaring to be the face w/ the straight brows, not the "V"-shaped angry brows we see here.

In the second panel Polonius is sitting next to the cat and not glaring or even looking in that direction. He/she doesn't start glaring until V arrives. This is follow up to the earlier glaring that blackwing observed and discussed with V. Also, that was likely Durkon's seat. Scruffy could easily sit on the floor or on someone's lap since he is a cat. But (possibly for story reasons we don't see yet) Scruffy is and may need to be visible as being here.

[Grimly Feendish]

I'm wondering why the elvish ambassodor is called Polonius. Is he going to be stabbed behind the arrass? Or maybe something that sounds like that.

[Gift Jeraff]

It's Polozius (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0742.html), actually.:smalltongue:

[LordGabe]

The Blimp... I've seen it before (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0390.html)... I think...

Captain Julio Scoundrél comes back to rescue Elan from his father and dies, just as he has foretold (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0392.html)...

[StClair]

Did anything else see the first panel and start humming the fanfare that opened the Podrace scene in Episode I? Something about desert stadiums ...
YES. Thank you. Glad to know I'm not alone.

[Sandman]

Mr. Scruffy is here? I wouldn't have expected them to bother bringing him along, when as a cat, he's perfectly capable of keeping himself entertained for a while if left in one of their palace bedrooms with the door closed.


Is there any better entertainment for the animal companion of a sexy shoeless god of war than arena matches?:smallbiggrin:

[Calmness]

So, am I the only one who doesn't know what baccarat is? Is it a card game?

Oh, and yes Elan was funny. :smallbiggrin:

[Haarkla]

Could the Badyear blimp be a reference to this?

http://agc.deskslave.org/comic_viewer.html?goNumber=517

[Gnoman]

In the original book of Casino Royale, it's the game Bond was sent to play. They changed it to poker in the movie.

[Raging Gene Ray]

My respect for Elan just tripled.
Or maybe my loathing of him was reduced by 33%

Whichever the case, good on him for rubbing two brain cells together and making some judgment.

Seriously, are they just doing the same dance-move over and over? Is said dance move nothing more than rocking back and forth? Is the music just a 10 second loop of a drum and bass beat that sounds EXACTLY the same as every other repeated loop of a drum and bass beat?

I haven't been this outraged over low-quality entertainment since...well, 5 minutes ago.

And that elf definitely has some past connection with V...or Blackwing...or maybe just ravens in general. Or maybe V reminds him of a purple-haired girl (I love to watch her twirl) and that fills him with RAGE against ridiculous hair colors.


In the original book of Casino Royale, it's the game Bond was sent to play. They changed it to poker in the movie.

That's because nobody would have known what baccarat was.


Could the Badyear blimp be a reference to this?

http://agc.deskslave.org/comic_viewer.html?goNumber=517

Wha? No, of course not, it's a reference to the Goodyear Blimp, one of the most iconic bits of corporate advertising tied to sporting events.

[JonestheSpy]

I think I see what is going on here: *very much paraphrased*
TinselCat: This is right after the break-out attempt.
You: No, that was "yesterday".
JonestheSpy: No, [disagreeing with you?] arena fight happens the morning after break out attempt.
You: 753 disagrees.
JonestheSpy: 753-774 are the same day.



Ah, yes, I thought PsychedelicBard was saying #775 was a flashback - never mind...

[Messenger]

Just nicer to see Elan in a lighter mood and circumstance.

[Starscream]

There are times that I almost forget why :elan: is my favorite character. Then I see something like this, and all doubts perish.

[Doug Lampert]

That's because nobody would have known what baccarat was.

Casino Royale was filmed in 1954, with baccarat.

It was filmed again in 1966, with baccarat.

It was filmed again in 2006, with Texas Hold'em, because they couldn't find any other game to use that's EVEN STUPIDER for the scenario than baccarat.

DougL

[Gnoman]

Baccarat decline massively in popularity after the sixties. And any form of poker makes sense ith that situation. Poker is 70% skill.

[Locnil]

Oddly enough, I knew exactly what baccarat was. Just not how to play it.

That's what happens when you're the only one in the family who is not into these "traditional games" I guess.

[ThePhantom]

Nice comic, back to the fun.

[Destichado]

I am SO HAPPY with the airship.

It's Final Fantasy VI all over again! I tittered, when I saw it. TITTERED. Thank God no one was around to hear it. :smallwink:

[HappyBlanket]

You know, this entire time I simply assumed Polozius to be someone introduced in one of the books. I'm kinda guessing I was wrong.

I love that the oots never notices Blackwing unless doing so forces a sanity check on V's part.


The Blimp... I've seen it before (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0390.html)... I think...

Captain Julio Scoundrél comes back to rescue Elan from his father and dies, just as he has foretold (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0392.html)...

I can't seem to find the post, but someone pointed out that the Mechane has an additional propeller compared to the Bad Year Blimp, along with a few crossbows and additional balloons tied to the side (of the Mechane).

[brionl]

The Blimp... I've seen it before (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0390.html)... I think...

Captain Julio Scoundrél comes back to rescue Elan from his father and dies, just as he has foretold (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0392.html)...

There is more than one airship, you know. Such as this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0388.html), or several of them here (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0339.html).

I think one thing we can count on is that Julio won't be rescuing Elan, if he has any say in the matter.

[BobVosh]

I was having a very bad day, but the Bad Year Blimp Airship was enough to make me smile. Thanks Giant.

[Shoelessgdowar]

Think this is the first time I've ever read the comic and gotten to the first page on the forum. That's got to be a feat.

I liked the reference to awful Super Bowl shows. Or is it a reference? Certainly seems to be one to me.

It's called Improved Initiative... it is stackable and adds +4 to your initiative check bonus.

[Nimrod's Son]

This looks exciting. The last time the page-and-a-half strips came out, the story went into overdrive.

[Felixc-91]

ok, those dancers, they are really creepy. the have the exact same hair style, look on their faces, posture... those smiles scare me, its some how really disturbing, sorta like some of The Joker's better smiles.
oh Elan, the ocasional comment like your last one is why your not my least favorite character. :smile::smile::smile:

[Savil]

I like the coat of arms of the Empire of Blood. When they designed it, they certainly didn't expect what would become of the Empress :smallsmile:

[St Fan]

Absolutely useless trivia:

There are approximately 3100 attendees in the stands.

Are you counting also those that cannot be seen because of the curvature of the arena? :smalleek:


I like the coat of arms of the Empire of Blood. When they designed it, they certainly didn't expect what would become of the Empress :smallsmile:

Oh yes, well checked. I didn't realize those where stylized dragons around the blood drop at first glance. Very thin dragons.

[Aidante]

After many years lurking, I finally had to register to say: am I going mad, or are the dragons on the coat of arms awfully close in appearance to Trogdor?

[Eiremauve]

"My sanity demands that I not engage that statement" :vaarsuvius:

V is wonderful. :smallsmile: I'm going to use that line at the first opportunity.

[Dvandemon]

Good strip.

Panel 7 should read "they're" rather than "their".

"They'll never be the same after they're forced to participate in this, even if they DO make it out alive."

Uh, no :smallconfused: "their" is for possession, they're as in, "They will never be the same after they are forced to participate in this, even if they DO make it out alive

[Themrys]

"My sanity demands that I not engage that statement" :vaarsuvius:

V is wonderful. :smallsmile: I'm going to use that line at the first opportunity.

What does "engage" mean in that context? I looked it up in the dictionary and found nothing that matched.

[Ajadea]

Are you counting also those that cannot be seen because of the curvature of the arena? :smalleek:


He/she probably was, I did some counting and multiplying, as well as a bit fo estimation. Judging by the middle section, there are 11 rows and an average of about 36-37 in each of those. There are therefore somewhere between 396 and 407 people in each section. There seem to be 8 sections in the arena, so there are approximately 3168-3256 general spectators in the arena.

[factotum]

Uh, no :smallconfused: "their" is for possession, they're as in, "They will never be the same after they are forced to participate in this, even if they DO make it out alive

Er, you appear to be agreeing with him, so why did you start with "Uh, no"?

[Kish]

What does "engage" mean in that context? I looked it up in the dictionary and found nothing that matched.
Respond to it, think about it, acknowledge it in any way (except, apparently, to snark at it).

[weckar]

A HALF-PAGE!? What could POSSIBLY warrant a HALF-PAGE!?

I don't even recall there ever being a HALF-PAGE before!

[Dvandemon]

Er, you appear to be agreeing with him, so why did you start with "Uh, no"?

I'm not agreeing with him, he's making a statement about grammar but in Elan's context, he's wrong.

[weckar]

I'm not agreeing with him, he's making a statement about grammar but in Elan's context, he's wrong.Aren't you both saying "they're" is right?

[St Fan]

He/she probably was, I did some counting and multiplying, as well as a bit fo estimation. Judging by the middle section, there are 11 rows and an average of about 36-37 in each of those. There are therefore somewhere between 396 and 407 people in each section. There seem to be 8 sections in the arena, so there are approximately 3168-3256 general spectators in the arena.

Judging by the red flags on top of the arena, I'd estimate there are 7 sections rather than 8. Though I could be wrong.

[Gift Jeraff]

A HALF-PAGE!? What could POSSIBLY warrant a HALF-PAGE!?

I don't even recall there ever being a HALF-PAGE before!

Again, there were multiple pages-and-halves during the Darth Vaarsuvius arc.

[Ted The Bug]

Is it just me, or does this feel like a great setup ruined by a really obvious punchline? Imagine if Elan had said "I know! And look at that choreography! Just plain sickening." or something along those lines. Same joke, but a little less super-obvious.

[Themrys]

Is it just me, or does this feel like a great setup ruined by a really obvious punchline? Imagine if Elan had said "I know! And look at that choreography! Just plain sickening." or something along those lines. Same joke, but a little less super-obvious.

Wasn't the joke that Elan described this as if it were the actual gladiator games but it wasn't?
How does Elan mentioning he is a bard and therefore finds the choreography cruel ruin that joke?

[Dvandemon]

Aren't you both saying "they're" is right?

I believed the OP to say "their" is correct and not they're

[St Fan]

Wasn't the joke that Elan described this as if it were the actual gladiator games but it wasn't?
How does Elan mentioning he is a bard and therefore finds the choreography cruel ruin that joke?

Exactly. I laughed heartily at this one, because I scrolled down the new page strip by strip, thus hidding the punchline, and I'm glad to have done it. I should have seen it coming, but still Elan's setup was perfect.

[Herald Alberich]

I believed the OP to say "their" is correct and not they're

No, he was saying "they're" is correct. When the strip was first posted, the line used "their", and he was pointing out the problem. It was fixed, and now the typo is gone.

[Ranylyn]

This is my new favorite strip in the comic. I love you, Elan, in a friendly way that won't make Haley (or my fiancee) kill me!

[Neoriceisgood]

Fun page, though it makes me especially eager about what comes next. :smalltongue:

[Swordpriest]

Anyone else think that there will be at least half a dozen other people who totally miss the point of the Badyear Blimp and say "OMGZZZ it's the Mechane?!??" :smalltongue:

[zimmerwald1915]

Nice Mel Brooks reference, Giant!

[MoonCat]

Nice Mel Brooks reference, Giant!

What's the reference?

[zimmerwald1915]

What's the reference?
Well, apart from the Badyear Blimp being an obvious, and oft-pointed-out reference to the Goodyear Blimp that hovers over football games, Lone Starr calls Spaceball 1 the Badyear Blimp.

[MoonCat]

Ohh, thanks!

[Ranylyn]

Well, apart from the Badyear Blimp being an obvious, and oft-pointed-out reference to the Goodyear Blimp that hovers over football games, Lone Starr calls Spaceball 1 the Badyear Blimp.

Oh god, I totally didn't catch that one, I deserve to die in a fire for that.

[Shoelessgdowar]

Well, apart from the Badyear Blimp being an obvious, and oft-pointed-out reference to the Goodyear Blimp that hovers over football games, Lone Starr calls Spaceball 1 the Badyear Blimp.

Oooo, wow... totally missed that, and Spaceballs is one of my favorite Mel Brooks Films of all time (And just for context, I have the Mel Brooks Collection on my Shelf as well as Spaceballs, A spare copy of Blazing Saddles which I got before I got the collection, Both Versions of the Producers, and have watched every one of his movies... even Dracula: Dead and Loving it... at least twice so I can catch more of the Jokes since all Mel Brooks Movies have jokes you will miss even on the 3rd or 4th watching... well, okay, not the Get Smart Movies, but many people don't even know Mel created Get Smart. And I do have the Spin-Off Movie for the recent Get Smart one...)
Very Nice Catch... I am extremely impressed, and a touch ashamed at myself.


Oh god, I totally didn't catch that one, I deserve to die in a fire for that.

No, no, no... You and I should have to watch Dracula: Dead and Loving It once for every other Movie Mel has made, and have to act like Peter McNichol's as Renfield, acting out all his scenes whenever he is on... then watch Andy ****'s Get Smart Series... then have scarpini...

[Mr. Snuggles]

Well, apart from the Badyear Blimp being an obvious, and oft-pointed-out reference to the Goodyear Blimp that hovers over football games, Lone Starr calls Spaceball 1 the Badyear Blimp.
That's kind of a stretch. I mean, Goodyear/Badyear is a pretty apparent joke. I think a shout-out to Spaceballs would be a lot more obvious.

[Shoelessgdowar]

That's kind of a stretch. I mean, Goodyear/Badyear is a pretty apparent joke. I think a shout-out to Spaceballs would be a lot more obvious.

Perhaps, but we still should have recognized the reference, albeit possibly unintentional or not.

[binyamin20]

I just hope the singer doesn't mess up the words of the national anthem, or it's off with her head...

[brionl]

That's kind of a stretch. I mean, Goodyear/Badyear is a pretty apparent joke. I think a shout-out to Spaceballs would be a lot more obvious.

It's obviously a shout-out to the Tom Slick episode that had Badyear Blubber sponsoring a blimp race (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDfKKQ4WSqA).
"Remember, if your check bounces, it's a Badyear."

[Themrys]

Respond to it, think about it, acknowledge it in any way (except, apparently, to snark at it).

Thanks.
V certainly helps me improve my English. :smallsmile:

[IronWilliam]

I just hope the singer doesn't mess up the words of the national anthem, or it's off with her head...
It IS the Empire of Blood...
Although the threat would probably improve the performance, so it's not all bad.

[TLMonkey]

Well, apart from the Badyear Blimp being an obvious, and oft-pointed-out reference to the Goodyear Blimp that hovers over football games, Lone Starr calls Spaceball 1 the Badyear Blimp.

Well, I think everyone here caught that BadYear Blimp joke, but I don't see that Spaceball 1 reference so clearly... Literally I don't know what you're talking about...

Besides, Elan is so "angry" with the choreography and the "contemporary" music... I kinda agree with him.

[MoonCat]

Thinking again, I think it was just a joke on GoodYear.

[LEXagon]

Can anyone kindly explain the joke with "bad year" blimp inscription? :smallsmile:
And why this episode is associated with "Black Eyed Peas"?

[snowblizz]

Can anyone kindly explain the joke with "bad year" blimp inscription? :smallsmile:
And why this episode is associated with "Black Eyed Peas"?

Good Year makes tires, and used to (might still do) advertise on their own blimps. I The Empire of Blood there's no such thing as a good year though.

Also really old threads shouldn't be necroed.