The Sticks Awards 656-660

[Nazzo, the 102nd]

Hi, and welcome to The Sticks Awards!

The Sticks Awards are given to the best strips of all times, chosen by the polls here in the Playground. Read the The Sticks Awards Results Compilation (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34791) thread for more details and previous results.

To vote, simply post your favorite strip of the current 5 on the thread. You have 5 days to do it.

The poll will close on June 12th, 00:00 AM forum default time.


The Sticks Awards 656-660

656 It Probably Squeaks, Too (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0656.html)
657 Second Chance (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0657.html)
658 A Bird in Hand (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0658.html)
659 Flight of the Phylactery (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0659.html)
660 Lucky Breaks (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0660.html)

[Kato]

Really, this is kind of hard... I guess I'll go with Xykon's monologue in #657. Not that the others aren't geat but... there are no meaningful speeches and I like those.

[ThePhantasm]

#660

Xykon's face at the end is awesome. It was also just the sort of lighthearted slapstick humor strip that the comic needed at the time... things were tense. Gave it all a bit of levity while not removing the suspense.

[Mordae]

659. Good character moments all around.

[Lesingnon]

657 all the way for me. That monologue by Xykon...there are no words to properly express how awesome it is.

[iowaforever]

657; Xykon's speech is epic

[Gift Jeraff]

#657 is the reason I'm reading OOTS.

See, I first found out about OOTS 6 years ago while reading through 8-Bit Theater's archives and seeing Burlew's guest comic (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2004/05/18/vacation-04-3-i-love-bridge-jokes/). It looked like the kind of comic I would enjoy, but I put it on hold.

2 years later, someone on the Nuklear Power Forums linked this OOTS strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0223.html) when this 8BT strip (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2007/08/16/episode-881-you-dont-give-them-names-either/) came out. I decided to finally give OOTS a go. However, this was towards the very end of the Battle for Azure City. Needless to say, I was put off by the fact that it was basically as wordy as 8-Bit Theater, but sometimes had an extra page! Or two! Factor in that there were a whole bunch more characters than the cast page let on, and the fact that the FAQ seemed so sloppy with its broken code, and I was completely put off.

Then, in the autumn of 2008, I found OOTS again through TV Tropes. #599 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0599.html) was the latest strip. Again, wordy, double pages, half the main cast missing with the same people from the last time I read the strip so I figured characters got replaced, the elf had apparently turned evil, and there's also an imp talking to a rock or something. So I didn't bother with it.

Then, at the start of the Darth Vaarsuvius arc, I was again linked to OOTS. This time...things seemed really interesting. There was a dragon wanting to do something really evil, but there was also the tragedy of her son dying. There were 3 really cool cloaked beings delivering ominous yet funny dialogue. After this, I decided to occasionally check on OOTS and slowly read the archives every now and then.

Then came #657. I still wasn't 100% sure what was going on, but man was it cool. The speech was cool. The mood was tense and creepy. The sudden grabbing of V got me. And that last panel--I had no idea who this bearded wonder was, but I knew something was awesome about the panel.

So, yeah. Then I decided to finally finish through the archives (though #661 is the strip that made me rush through them) and you get the idea.
TL;DR: #657 is one of my favorite strips.

[monomer]

657 for the monologue and O-Chul at the end.

[xingbing1]

#660. Because of the obligatory sewer-themed labyrinth. #657 is a very close contender though, xykon's speech there is awesome :smalltongue:

[martianmister]

659 for the epicness of this mere strip.

[SamBurke]

Gotta go with 658. The chance to end it all, to create the ultimate buffer. Such hope.

[ORione]

This is the easiest one so far. 657

[Red XIV]

A strong set of strips, but gotta go with Xykon's epic speech in 657.

[Kurald Galain]

Guess what vote I cast before giving this to the 659...

[Dushara]

Wow, a bunch of people choosing 657 so far. I liked it too, but much more for V's chance to redeem herself than for Xykon's speech (I guess I've never really cared for lectures).

For me it's a no-brainer: 659. For +5 holy cajones and V getting back to herself with my favorite recurring joke in the last panel.

[ragingrage]

657

It's one of the better monologues I've ever read.

[Caleniel]

This was a REALLY tough one for me: I was tied between 657 (monologue), 659 (explosive runes) and 660 for a long time. But I will go with 660.

I really sums up Rich's genius to me: I vote for this one for the tension in the falling phylactery. For the vivid sound of the little "plink" in my mind each time it bounces off of something, and finally, for the unforgettable expression on Xykon's face when he realizes where it fell.

And this is the beauty of it: Xykon is a stick figure. More over, he is a stick figure depicting a skeleton. He can't possibly HAVE a facial expression! But Rick is so incredibly good as loading simple forms with intense meaning and atmosphere that you can almost physically FEEL Xykon's rage in that panel.

I just love that.

[warmachine]

#659. Love the V's gotcha at the end.

[Killer Angel]

all the strips have some merit.
656 got the better humor (I can't believe I was rooting for a paladin. I feel dirty)
658 is a great turning point in the fight
659 got the return of explosive runes
Xykon's face in 660 is priceless.

But the epic speech in 657 is the winner

[aduboo29]

Going to stand by the epic Xykon monologue.

#657 this time around.

[Joerg]

A tough decision again. My vote goes to 659 because it had me actually cheering in front of the screen.

[Hardcore]

Hmm, this was not easy. Xykons reaction 658 is funny "let you choose two organs to keep:D but his speech is good too. I vote for #657. It is strips like that one that make xykon one of the best villains ever!

[Griever3216]

This is so hard, such a good set of comics. 657, 659 and 660 were overall amazing and not just for the obvious jokes/punchlines.

However, my vote goes to 657 because I remember how tense things were back then and you see O'Chul at the end coming for more. 660 for Xykon's facial expression in the last panel (which is enough to scare me) is a fine second.

[OA_Chimera]

659. "You cheeky son of a..." and "Guess what spell.." are two of the best lines in the whole comic.

[137beth]

This was my favorite sequence in the entire series, so picking the best was really tough. I'm gonna go with 657, though.

[DBear]

657 runs a close second for :xykon: "Power is power"
659 wins due to :vaarsuvius: giving :xykon: the bird :smalltongue:

[Chaos rising]

659, it signals the V breaking out of his power obsession and showing that Xykon's raw power strategy can be beaten by clever use of weaker spells.

[Ninja Dragon]

660

The water dungeon joke is awesome. I bet Xykon wishes the pylactery had rather fallen into the rift...

[Andre]

#660 hands down, one of the absolute greatest.
Explosive Runes, Expressive Xykon, Explicit mocking of dungeon crawling, and Expressive Xykon again?


... seriously, can I have an hell yeah?

[Raistlin82]

#659 for me.
One of the most important things to consider in comedy is timing.
Well, the Explosives Runes joke had been used for quite a few times already, but not anytime before this strip. When I saw the last panel, I ROFLed hard.

#657 is a close second, though. I love Xykon's "Power equals Power" speech.

[Aldreck]

#659 for the epic use of a brick-joke

[Cizak]

659. Might be the best joke in the comic ever imo, and it still holds the tension.

[focke]

657 for me. Love the speech.

[Vemynal]

657 definitely

gotta love the epic evil speech

[Eiremauve]

659

Because :vaarsuvius: and O-Chul are awesome."Guess what spell I cast before giving this to the bird."

[Gargulec]

#659 for awesomness that can only be measured in units that can't be comprehended by human minds.

[Azuyomi244]

660 because I love the timing in this one.

[Procyonpi]

Tough decision between 657, 659, and 660. Gonna have to got with 657, though.

[LuPuWei]

As with the last batch, it's a difficult choice beacause this entire series is made of awesome. I especially have to give rep to 656 for "I can't believe I was rooting for a Paladin there. I feel dirty." and 659 for "+5 Holy Cajones" and V's endgame. But Xykon's "Power=Power" speech is an OotS Crowning Moment of Awesome. So 657 it is :smallbiggrin:.

And again I'm very happy that 661 is not in this batch. That would have been tragic...


#657 is the reason I'm reading OOTS.

See, I first found out about OOTS 6 years ago while reading through 8-Bit Theater's archives and seeing Burlew's guest comic (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2004/05/18/vacation-04-3-i-love-bridge-jokes/). It looked like the kind of comic I would enjoy, but I put it on hold.

2 years later, someone on the Nuklear Power Forums linked this OOTS strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0223.html) when this 8BT strip (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2007/08/16/episode-881-you-dont-give-them-names-either/) came out. I decided to finally give OOTS a go. However, this was towards the very end of the Battle for Azure City. Needless to say, I was put off by the fact that it was basically as wordy as 8-Bit Theater, but sometimes had an extra page! Or two! Factor in that there were a whole bunch more characters than the cast page let on, and the fact that the FAQ seemed so sloppy with its broken code, and I was completely put off.

Then, in the autumn of 2008, I found OOTS again through TV Tropes. #599 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0599.html) was the latest strip. Again, wordy, double pages, half the main cast missing with the same people from the last time I read the strip so I figured characters got replaced, the elf had apparently turned evil, and there's also an imp talking to a rock or something. So I didn't bother with it.

Then, at the start of the Darth Vaarsuvius arc, I was again linked to OOTS. This time...things seemed really interesting. There was a dragon wanting to do something really evil, but there was also the tragedy of her son dying. There were 3 really cool cloaked beings delivering ominous yet funny dialogue. After this, I decided to occasionally check on OOTS and slowly read the archives every now and then.

Then came #657. I still wasn't 100% sure what was going on, but man was it cool. The speech was cool. The mood was tense and creepy. The sudden grabbing of V got me. And that last panel--I had no idea who this bearded wonder was, but I knew something was awesome about the panel.

So, yeah. Then I decided to finally finish through the archives (though #661 is the strip that made me rush through them) and you get the idea.
TL;DR: #657 is one of my favorite strips.

I wonder how many of us have started on OotS this way...

[dps]

This was a REALLY tough one for me: I was tied between 657 (monologue), 659 (explosive runes) and 660 for a long time. But I will go with 660.

I really sums up Rich's genius to me: I vote for this one for the tension in the falling phylactery. For the vivid sound of the little "plink" in my mind each time it bounces off of something, and finally, for the unforgettable expression on Xykon's face when he realizes where it fell.

And this is the beauty of it: Xykon is a stick figure. More over, he is a stick figure depicting a skeleton. He can't possibly HAVE a facial expression! But Rick is so incredibly good as loading simple forms with intense meaning and atmosphere that you can almost physically FEEL Xykon's rage in that panel.

I just love that.

I agree. 660. Amazing isn't it?

[Kato]

I wonder how many of us have started on OotS this way...

It's been a while but I think I might have to 8 Bit via OOTS, not the other way round... at least t was definitely a reason for me to read it even though it might have been something else that got me finally started on it... can't recall entirely.

[MelTorefas]

659. Embodies all the humor I love about this strip, especially the self-referential.

[Klear]

660

I just love that "No no no no no no--NO! ... YES!

Also how the phylactery bouces off Redcloak's right eye...

[Thattaman]

659 for the return of that much loved running gag.

Guess what spell I cast before posting on this forum.

[Klear]

659 for the return of that much loved running gag.

Guess what spell I cast before posting on this forum.

You know that I always though Belkar is stupid that he always reads the whole thing when he should have realized what it is? I won't from now on.

[DuskWings]

657
Power=power

[calar]

Easily 657. Most emotionally impacting moment by far.

[silversaraph]

I'm gonna go against the crowd and pick 656. Kinda the bulk of how in three rounds he takes a disintegrate, meteor swarm to the face, and maximized lightning bolt, and STILL manages to stab RC in the face, kill a powerful hobgoblin leader and get rid of the phylactery. With an iron bar. In his underwear.

If I were some fiends I would be cheering for him too.

Edit: am I seriously one minute late?

[Emanick]

659 is what my vote goes to. It got me more excited than any strip since the 400s, and that's pretty darn impressive.

[hajo]

The Sticks Awards 656-660

656 It Probably Squeaks, Too (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0656.html)
657 Second Chance (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0657.html)
658 A Bird in Hand (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0658.html)
659 Flight of the Phylactery (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0659.html)
660 Lucky Breaks (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0660.html)

I vote 658 "Pop" :smallamused:

[Forealms]

659

Nothing has made me root more for a stick figure character. Several occasions came close, but not quite.

[Morgan Wick]

Exciting one, this. 657 came out to a substantial lead early, then 659 started to run it down as we hit the second page, but 657 retained enough support that it appears to have the win (though by my count one more after-the-bell vote for 659 would force Nazzo to throw them all out). This is pretty much as expected, though 659 had a bit more support than I expected. The real surprise is who the third-place dark horse turned out to be. I expected 656, which only mustered a single vote; instead the funny crowd turned out for 660, almost because it doesn't have much going for it.

The next batch of strips winds down the story arc with V's and O-Chul's escape and the resurrection of Roy, and boy howdy does it have a lot of good strips.

While 661 is a complete deus ex machina, it does so in a way that's a major landmark in the MitD's development, so I expect it to get a lot of support. 662 has Xykon imposing Redcloak's "idiot tax", so more character development there. 663 will be the runt for its necessarily clunky writing and its purely utilitarian character. 664 sets up a couple of Chekhov's guns (and for the first time has me worried about moving into the Eighth Hundred after this) and develops Eugene's character, and 665 is Roy's actual resurrection.

661, 662, and 665: all strips that could win nearly any other group of five. I expect 662 to edge out 661 and 665 for the win, with 664 placing a distant fourth, but I wouldn't be surprised at vote-splitting yielding substantially different results.

[Nimrod's Son]

658, for the reappearance of Blackwing.

[137beth]

Shouldn't the vote be over now?

[MoonCat]

Shouldn't the vote be over now?

They usually close much later than intended, don't sweat it.

[Nazzo, the 102nd]

Official results, at last. Yeah, I know I'm late. :smallamused:

656 - 1 (2.04%)
silversaraph

657 - 19 (38.78%)
Kato; Lesingnon; iowaforever; Gift Jeraff; monomer; ORione; Red XIV; ragingrage; Killer Angel; aduboo29; Hardcore; Griever3216; 137ben; focke; Vemynal; Procyonpi; LuPuWei; DuskWings; calar

658 - 3 (6.12%)
SamBurke; hajo; Nimrod's Son

659 - 17 (34.69%)
Mordae; martianmister; Kurald Galain; Dushara; warmachine; Joerg; OA_Chimera; DBear; Chaos rising; Raistlin82; Cizak; Eiremauve; Gargulec; MelTorefas; Thattaman; Emanick; Forealms

660 - 9 (18.36%)
ThePhantasm; xingbing1; Caleniel; Ninja Dragon; Andre; Aldreck; azuyomi244; dps; Klear