Girl Genius XXIII: Screaming, Ranting and Egregious Violence

[SZbNAhL]

It is a world ruled by Mad Science! Things happen. Usually, they happen to other people. This is entertainment. That's when the front door gets blown in- And you belatedly realize that, once again, you are doomed to be the entertainment in another exciting installment of: GIRL GENIUS (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20071228)!

Many elegant, finely-crafted, and vintage links follow:

Links to Previous Threads
Girl Genius! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4818) (thread)
Girl Genius II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80718)
Girl Genius III: Nize Thread! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92541)
Girl Genius IV: Because SCIENCE! is my mistress (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102230)
Girl Genius V: Madre de Diodes! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112305)
Girl Genius VI: Der Pestle in Der Kestle (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128538)
Girl Genius VII: Get on the Slab, I Want to Get to Work! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143909)
Girl Genius: VIII Will Show Them All! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159600)
Girl Genius IX: The Unstoppable Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173582)
Girl Genius X: The Othar Shoe Drops (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189632)
Girl Genius XI: Ding Dong, the Baron's Dead! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207223)
Girl Genius XII: For Doom The Bell Tolls (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227697)
Girl Genius XIII: "Gott's Leedle Feesh in Trousers!" (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245508)
Girl Genius XIV: A Lightning Arc in All But Speed! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266978)
Girl Genius XV: The Weasel, the Spark, and the Wardrobe (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287759)
Girl Genius XVI: The Wrath of Klaus (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?322309)
Girl Genius XVII: And Then He Had Pie (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?365866)
Girl Genius XVIII: Invisible Hand of the Legendary Smoke Knights (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?412897)
Girl Genius XIX: Worth a Third of Your Grade (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?458545)
Girl Genius XX: Endothermic Life Forms Are Inherently Heretical (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?488904)
Girl Genius XXI: Cancel the Jugglers (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?510316)
Girl Genius XXII: Paris Needs Pants (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?529521-Girl-Genius-XXII-Paris-Needs-Pants)

Comic Links
Link to current comic (http://girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php) and link to the beginning of the strip. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021104) (Updates MWF, usually after Midnight [Eastern Time])
The Continuing Adventures of Othar Tryggvassen, Gentleman Adventurer! (http://twitter.com/Othar) (back on hiatus, may update in the future)
A compilation (and much easier to read if you're just catching up) of the first three chapters can be found here at the GG website (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/fun/twitter_othar_01.php).
And if one goes to snapbird.org (http://snapbird.org/) and types in "Othar" in the 'Who?' field, all of Othar's adventures can be read on one page (albiet in reverse order of posting - Now must have a Twitter account to use).
Mirror of the comic found on LiveJournal (http://girlgeniuscomic.livejournal.com/) (No longer being updated as of Mid-May, 2017)
Mirror of the comic found on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Girl-Genius-Webcomic/28371352860?ref=nf) (Will occasionally have Girl Genius related news)
And one can find mirrors of Girl Genius on deviantArt as well (http://girlgeniuscomic.deviantart.com/). (Occasionally Kaja will put up or link to interesting GG related art that is found on dA)

Reference Links
Wiki Project devoted to to Girl Genius (http://girlgenius.wikia.com/wiki/The_Department_of_Almost_Certainly_True_History)
Wikipedia entry on Girl Genius. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Genius)
TV Tropes page on Girl Genius. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GirlGenius)
The Secret Blueprints (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4272360&postcount=1478) (NOTE: Contains background information on the GG Universe, so it should probably be read after "catching up" to the newest comic, as it contains many spoilers.)

Social Media and News Links
Phil Foglio's new Wordpress art, news, and blogging website. (http://girlgeniusadventures.com/)
Kaja Foglio's LJ Page (http://kajafoglio.livejournal.com/) and Studio Foglio News LJ Page (http://studiofoglio.livejournal.com/) (Not currently being updated)
Kaja & Phil's Personal Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kaja-Phil-Foglio/196305144555) (Not currently being updated)
A twitter account that basically is a catch-all feed for Girl Genius related news. (http://twitter.com/girlgenius)
Cheyenne Wright's Twitter (http://twitter.com/CheyenneWright) and LiveJournal Accounts (http://cheyennewright.livejournal.com/) (The colorist's twitter and LJ pages)
And finally,
Phil's old LJ page. (http://philfoglio.livejournal.com/) (Occasionally contains crossposts from the Wordpress website)

====

Q: What is this "Sneaky Gate" y'alls go on about?

Sneaky gate: Named from this hidden gate in comic (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20071219), it has become a name for viewing new comics early. Remember, if you're going to discuss the new comic, put it in spoiler boxes until the release time (12am EST).

Sneaky Gate 101:

Right click the comic image.
Select view image or copy paste the image location into the address bar.
Modify the date to be the day you're trying to look at. (ex. 20120111 -> 20120113)
Go to the modified url.
Be disappointed when there's no early comic to read.
Alternately, enjoy the comic!

[Rockphed]

On the one hand, it is pretty smart to put the sparks where you can keep them easily segregated from the rest of the populace. On the other hand, I don't think the threat of imminent drowning is enough to keep sparks from creating really dangerous stuff.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

On the other hand, I don't think the threat of imminent drowning is enough to keep sparks from creating really dangerous stuff.

I don't think it is intended to. I think Albia is quite comfortable accepting that nothing short of molecular disintegration will stop sparks from creating really dangerous stuff. This is just an effective form of damage control when said stuff gets created.

GW

[eee]

Snip



Thank you!

[halfeye]

I don't think it is intended to. I think Albia is quite comfortable accepting that nothing short of molecular disintegration will stop sparks from creating really dangerous stuff. This is just an effective form of damage control when said stuff gets created.

GW
Nah, this only works for mildly dangerous things, really dangerous things can have an effect radius of kilometres, or hundreds of kilometres.

[Xianthe]

Trelawney's comment to Gil and Tarvek that she might not go back with them might foreshadow this. She might know her Queen well enough to know she wouldn't willingly let Agatha go...

Which should be "interesting"...to say the least (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060306).

(Sorry if this is already been brought up. I read back over the last 10 pages or so and didn't see anything...)

[Rockphed]

Which should be "interesting"...to say the least (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060306).

(Sorry if this is already been brought up. I read back over the last 10 pages or so and didn't see anything...)

I had forgotten about that threat. I'm pretty sure that Gil hasn't. This may be part of why Wooster is so uptight right now.

[Rogar Demonblud]

An interesting form of damage control. Reminds me of a sci-fi movie I saw where the research stations are placed over Venusian-level Hellworlds. One problem, the braking rockets fire and the whole thing does an atmosphere dive into a place where we can't go. This is a little less permanent, which is okay if you don't want to build a whole new dome.

[HandofShadows]

I had forgotten about that threat. I'm pretty sure that Gil hasn't. This may be part of why Wooster is so uptight right now.

I don't think Gil has either. In fact it would be no surprise if he didn't already figure out how to do all that he has everything set up to actually do it. Gil is at heart a nice guy and one of the few truly good people in the comic. But he is also a living example of Beware The Nice Ones (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/BewareTheNiceOnes/WebComics). :smalleek:

[factotum]

Nah, this only works for mildly dangerous things, really dangerous things can have an effect radius of kilometres, or hundreds of kilometres.

Depends how deep underwater you are. If you set off a nuke at the bottom of the deep ocean then the huge pressure of water around it would restrict the blast radius to maybe a few hundred metres, for instance--it takes a lot more energy to push water under those sorts of pressure away from the hypocentre than regular sea-level pressure air.

[PraetorDragoon]

Well, we have the promise of Egregious Violence done.

I wonder how well that from of "damage control" works on the seriously strong sparks.:smalleek:

[Rockphed]

I don't think Gil has either. In fact it would be no surprise if he didn't already figure out how to do all that he has everything set up to actually do it. Gil is at heart a nice guy and one of the few truly good people in the comic. But he is also a living example of Beware The Nice Ones (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/BewareTheNiceOnes/WebComics). :smalleek:

On the other hand, (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040510) Gil didn't have any weapons until after Agatha built him one (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040517).

[geoduck]

It's also possible that Lord Womble is being sarcastic here; he's already demonstrated a tendency towards snarking.

[guttering flame]

Depends how deep underwater you are. If you set off a nuke at the bottom of the deep ocean then the huge pressure of water around it would restrict the blast radius to maybe a few hundred metres, for instance--it takes a lot more energy to push water under those sorts of pressure away from the hypocentre than regular sea-level pressure air.

Never heard of man-made tsunamis? (hint: you just described how to create one)

[halfeye]

Depends how deep underwater you are. If you set off a nuke at the bottom of the deep ocean then the huge pressure of water around it would restrict the blast radius to maybe a few hundred metres, for instance--it takes a lot more energy to push water under those sorts of pressure away from the hypocentre than regular sea-level pressure air.

They're above the level of the continental shelf, almost certainly.

That said, it depends on the nuke. A really big one would make waves anywhere. Beside which, ground and sea bursts are much more polluting than air-bursts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Crossroads

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Operation_Crossroads_Baker_Edit.jpg/560px-Operation_Crossroads_Baker_Edit.jpg

[factotum]

Never heard of man-made tsunamis? (hint: you just described how to create one)

I really, really didn't. A nuke a few hundred feet below the surface might generate a big wave (as in the Castle Bravo nuclear test), but if you were to somehow set off the Tsar Bomba at the bottom of the Challenger Deep a ship on the surface wouldn't even notice.

(More info: see section "Deep nuclear explosions" on the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_explosion)

[HandofShadows]

On the other hand, (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040510) Gil didn't have any weapons until after Agatha built him one (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040517).

And then Gil built his own Here (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20071126#.WroA5uSG8dU). And a short time later beats the tar out of a huge Jarger named Vole while rather badly wounded.

[eee]

And then Gil built his own Here (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20071126#.WroA5uSG8dU). And a short time later beats the tar out of a huge Jarger named Vole while rather badly wounded.

Yes. Before Agatha, Gil didn't have much reason for weapons or violence, except as a matter of routine. His father was his main emotional focus, and really, what could threaten Klaus? Since then, he's grown and become more accomplished at fighting. Part of this is due to Agatha. Not only is she an even greater emotional focus, she's in danger constantly; and Gil will pull out ALL the stops to keep her safe. Tarvek, too, as we've seen. If Albia DOES try holding on to her, even with strings of silk and trickery, England's going to boil.

[SZbNAhL]

Gil's a powerful spark, but Albia has technology that is literally so advanced as to be indistinguishable from magic. There's only so far passion can take you.

[Ellen]

So, everyone noticed that, so far, they've only referenced princesses in England? And Albia said "weeds" right after discussing Gil and Tarvek?

I'm beginning to get a bit nervous about how this dynasty is run.

[PraetorDragoon]

So, everyone noticed that, so far, they've only referenced princesses in England? And Albia said "weeds" right after discussing Gil and Tarvek?

I'm beginning to get a bit nervous about how this dynasty is run.

Just now you are beginning to get a bit nervous?

And dynasty? For some reason I don't think Albia has a dynasty. I thought the Princesses were princesses from other countries/nations..... on permanent visitations. Makes me wonder how often they were "rescued" from the outside
.
Mr. Unicorn.... you think you can run away from Heterodyne Chaos? How *Naive*

[Kantaki]

I don't understand the point of the fourth lab.
Isn't everything Sparks create a abomination of science?

[guttering flame]

I don't understand the point of the fourth lab.
Isn't everything Sparks create a abomination of science?

Of course. But it's cool to have a lab especially-made for your abominable creations.

[Drascin]

Gil's a powerful spark, but Albia has technology that is literally so advanced as to be indistinguishable from magic. There's only so far passion can take you.

Yes and no.

Passion can in fact take you to a lot of places in Girl Genius. But even beyond that, the simple fact is that for any spark, blowing something up is multiple orders of magnitude easier than protecting it, which does bridge the gap a bunch. If Gil and Tarvek do decide England has to go...

[eee]

Somehow, I am reminded of the White Witch enticing Edmund with Turkish Delight in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.


Gil's a powerful spark, but Albia has technology that is literally so advanced as to be indistinguishable from magic. There's only so far passion can take you.

There are hints there's an emotional component to the Spark. It may not be like an intellectual analog to "the madder Hulk gets, the STRONGER Hulk gets!" but extreme stress seems to increase its potency. I wouldn't bet that putting Agatha at risk WON'T made Gil and Tarvek come up with something Albia can't handle.

Or that doing the same but with Gil and Tarrvek as the targets might not prompt Agatha to do even worse.

[lord_khaine]

I do stand in the camp that passion or no, The Queen is to much for anyone else we have seen so far to handle. I might give Klaus a chance in open warfare, empire against empire. But here The Queen has all the cards on her hand.
All the same i do also think Gil and Tarvek can cook up enough chaos that keeping Agatha would be more trouble than its worth.

[Calemyr]

I do stand in the camp that passion or no, The Queen is to much for anyone else we have seen so far to handle. I might give Klaus a chance in open warfare, empire against empire. But here The Queen has all the cards on her hand.
All the same i do also think Gil and Tarvek can cook up enough chaos that keeping Agatha would be more trouble than its worth.

The old Master of Paris came off as unassailable as well, when he was introduced, as did Klaus. Circumstances tore both to shreds pretty quickly, however, after Agatha showed up. Of course, Agatha never tried to take down either of them (battle at the circus was an emotional reaction, not an attempt), and in fact worked to defend Voltaire, but her presence introduces too many variables for even the great and powerful to properly account for.

If she's an out-and-out villain, I'll be disappointed. The rulers we've seen have been pretty darn reasonable so far, even Martellus has his positive traits. I do want her to be like them - nominally good people who simply have different agendas than Agatha.

As for the current strip, the fourth lab makes a lot of sense to me. While Sparks generally make abominations of science as a rule, they don't always make Abominations of Science!!!, if you will. Especially mature Sparks that have survived the recklessness of their youth. Not everything is a haywire death machine looking to unleash havoc on an unsuspecting world. And even the Abominations require components that need precision tools rather than superfluous safeguards. It's really rather clever.

[lord_khaine]

The old Master of Paris came off as unassailable as well, when he was introduced, as did Klaus. Circumstances tore both to shreds pretty quickly, however, after Agatha showed up. Of course, Agatha never tried to take down either of them (battle at the circus was an emotional reaction, not an attempt), and in fact worked to defend Voltaire, but her presence introduces too many variables for even the great and powerful to properly account for.

Hmm.. not certain i agree. The Master of Paris was shown to have grown old and tired. I would say his fall came from the hands of nature more than anything else. While Klaus were taken down by a sneak attack from a hidden spark that had proven his equal before.

The Queen meanwhile seems like an older version of the Master who are still at the same time in her prime.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Just now you are beginning to get a bit nervous?

And dynasty? For some reason I don't think Albia has a dynasty. I thought the Princesses were princesses from other countries/nations..... on permanent visitations. Makes me wonder how often they were "rescued" from the outside
.
Mr. Unicorn.... you think you can run away from Heterodyne Chaos? How *Naive*

I'm suddenly reminded of a line from one of the earlier threads. "Does this have a minimum safe distance?" "Well, maybe. Probably. Yes?"

[HandofShadows]

Or that doing the same but with Gil and Tarrvek as the targets might not prompt Agatha to do even worse.

I think the three of them are going to end up saving each other again a little like in Der Kastel. :smallbiggrin:

[Southern Cross]

That wouldn't surprise me. The Foglios wouldn't have brought them together if they didn't think it would be necessary for the storyline.

[Ellen]

Just now you are beginning to get a bit nervous?

And dynasty? For some reason I don't think Albia has a dynasty. I thought the Princesses were princesses from other countries/nations..... on permanent visitations. Makes me wonder how often they were "rescued" from the outside
.
Mr. Unicorn.... you think you can run away from Heterodyne Chaos? How *Naive*

Oh, I've been nervous for a while, now.

The "Girl Genius Complete List of Absolutely Everybody!" lists Princess Urania (who appeared in one of the extra stories in the books) as "Currently the most popular of Her Undying Majesty's perpetually-frustrated and often fast-living heirs."

Of course, heirs don't have to be her direct descendants. For all I know, Albia married into the title and these are her husband's distant cousins' descendants.

Still, I'd feel a bit better if there were some mentions of princes. Granted, there are plenty of men in important positions. But, "weeds" and the whole "garden" thing are worrying me.

Also, while it's possible Albia only gets a general light display from Agatha's mind that makes her aware of its complexity, the fact that she may be a mind-reader who can follow Agatha's thoughts is more than a little worrying if they wind up in conflict.

[Shining Wrath]

Albia can see Agatha's mind as a 6D lattice.
Normal 3, time, and two more not accounted for by normal mortals. Perhaps one is a result of "peering into the infinite", and the other is Sparkosity. Or it's just a throw-away line never to be developed further. :smallbiggrin:

At any rate, I took it to mean Albia can see Agatha's mind and its general structure, but not see what she's thinking. She gave no indication of being able to know what the answers were to the questions she posed.

If Albia is thousands of years old, she must have been a Spark at a time when that meant inventing a better chariot and a more lethal pilum. I imagine the GGverse version of the Roman Empire ran into her rather than Boedica, and hence the war for pre-British independence went differently.

It does seem she collects princesses, and / or sparks.

[geoduck]

Albia can see Agatha's mind as a 6D lattice.
Normal 3, time, and two more not accounted for by normal mortals. Perhaps one is a result of "peering into the infinite", and the other is Sparkosity. Or it's just a throw-away line never to be developed further. :smallbiggrin:

At any rate, I took it to mean Albia can see Agatha's mind and its general structure, but not see what she's thinking. She gave no indication of being able to know what the answers were to the questions she posed.

If Albia is thousands of years old, she must have been a Spark at a time when that meant inventing a better chariot and a more lethal pilum. I imagine the GGverse version of the Roman Empire ran into her rather than Boedica, and hence the war for pre-British independence went differently.

It does seem she collects princesses, and / or sparks.

Based on what we see of her literal garden, I bet she collects all sorts of things. For example, when we first meet her, there's something in the background that looks a lot like a chunk of Stonehenge.

[keybounce]

I don't think Albia will turn out to be an "villain". I think that she, like Klaus, is someone who is concerned about the safety and well-being of her people, and the stability and "non-chaos" of her realm and the surrounding area.

Think of it this way: Klaus had to wage a war to impose stability, and he hasn't even had a full generation of it. Albia has managed something like 1000 years of peace and stability, even as someone tried to destroy them by sinking their island.

To call her a villain would be to say that her concern is for her personal benefit at the expense of her people; like the real world leaders of Russia, China, North Korea. (Etc.) But the truth is, we can't make that comparison. After 1000 years, she is playing the game at a level higher than any of us; I'm sorry, but it reaches the point of Job, and God is saying "who are you to question me?".

Her thought process bears no resemblance to our thought process. Her decisions and her reasons are not ours to understand.

Does she bring stability? Yes. Is she abusing her people for her personal benefit? We cannot judge.

[guttering flame]

If Albia is thousands of years old, she must have been a Spark at a time when that meant inventing a better chariot and a more lethal pilum. I imagine the GGverse version of the Roman Empire ran into her rather than Boedica, and hence the war for pre-British independence went differently.


Is she really that old? My impression was she's 300-400 years old. She can't be a Boedica. Her name is Latin, not Celtish.

[geoduck]

Is she really that old? My impression was she's 300-400 years old. She can't be a Boedica. Her name is Latin, not Celtish.

Lord Womble (the unicorn guy) says that she claims she's thousands of years old. And people do sometimes change their name. In fact, if she's telling the truth, I'd say it's a given she's done so, more than once.

[Shining Wrath]

Is she really that old? My impression was she's 300-400 years old. She can't be a Boedica. Her name is Latin, not Celtish.

Albia may be the name Julius Caesar called her by while unsuccessfully wooing her.


Lord Womble (the unicorn guy) says that she claims she's thousands of years old. And people do sometimes change their name. In fact, if she's telling the truth, I'd say it's a given she's done so, more than once.

Like, say, Gandalf = Mithrandir = Olorin, she may go by whatever the people in a particular time and place find appropriate.

[guttering flame]

If such a powerful ruler reigned in England all that time, do the Anglo-Saxon and Norman invasion occur? Without them the English culture would be very different.

[Ellen]

Albion was the Roman name for England. It came from the Latin world for "white" and referred to the white cliffs of Dover. Since it wasn't uncommon to refer to rulers, royal or noble, by the territory they ruled ("Ruler of X" got shortened to just "X"), it makes sense for the Queen of Albion to be called Albion or Albia, the feminine form.

If she thinks about her name the way she thinks about her appearance, I don't suppose she cares what she's called so long as everyone knows it means "your majesty."

And Agatha has four crises to solve and only has till the next disaster to do it. Since she can only solve Problem A if it is a prelude to a Much Bigger Problem B, this could be bad.

And she has an assistant she hasn't met yet. Will he be on her side, his side, Albia's side, or a Mole for the Other? However it turns out, I'm betting he's B.

[factotum]

If such a powerful ruler reigned in England all that time, do the Anglo-Saxon and Norman invasion occur? Without them the English culture would be very different.

I don't think you can really treat Girl Genius as an actual alternate history. We know that Sparks have existed in this world for many centuries (the original Heterodyne and Albia herself being good examples) and so, by rights, *nothing* should bear any similarity to the way things are in the real world--yet the flag of England is still the Union Flag and the Eiffel (aka Awful) Tower still exists in Paris, neither of which make any sense in a true alternate timeline.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Huh. You know, of the list of things to do ASAP, I hadn't even considered Agatha's need for Fuzzerpillar Brand Insulin. If she can abate that (if not eliminate it), that'll be a good step towards freedom of action for her.

Plus, we don't have people screaming about how she's going to die if the thing isn't on panel for two consecutive updates.

[Lateral]

...agatha where's your locket

[HandofShadows]

I don't think you can really treat Girl Genius as an actual alternate history. We know that Sparks have existed in this world for many centuries (the original Heterodyne and Albia herself being good examples) and so, by rights, *nothing* should bear any similarity to the way things are in the real world--yet the flag of England is still the Union Flag and the Eiffel (aka Awful) Tower still exists in Paris, neither of which make any sense in a true alternate timeline.

Here's a nice scary though. The GG isn't an alternate reality it's the FUTURE. Sparks have screwed stuff up that most of the worlds history was lost. :smalleek:

[keybounce]

...agatha where's your locket

Oh, very good catch.

What if this really is Lucrezia right now? She may be getting better at hiding the fact that it's her; putting on the "Agatha" act.

She certainly would not want to have to rely on a creature, or a man to live. She knows that she needs to get Lucrezia out, and she knows that Tarvek knows her secrets. She knows what a Wulfenbach airship means politically.

The real question is, who or what let Lucrezia out? And is this part of Albia's plan to keep her there?

[PhantomFox]

Art error. They acknowledged it in Facebook.

[Onyavar]

Lord Womble (the unicorn guy) says that she claims she's thousands of years old. And people do sometimes change their name. In fact, if she's telling the truth, I'd say it's a given she's done so, more than once.

Another speculation: she's really that old but only started ruling Britain a few hundred years ago.

[Ellen]

By the way, we all got the double meaning on the big dirigible joke, right?

[Hurkyl]

By the way, we all got the double meaning on the big dirigible joke, right?
Of course! Not only is it an impressive feat of engineering, but it makes for a grand fireball too!

[guttering flame]

Of course! Not only is it an impressive feat of engineering, but it makes for a grand fireball too!

they still use hydrogen baloons instead of helium?

[Manga Shoggoth]

Nothing wrong with hydrogen if you are careful and keep it away from sources of ignition1. Still a lot better than hot air.

Historically, while discovered in the Sun (1868) and terrestrially (1895), large reserves of helium weren't found until 1903 in the USA (historically the largest supplier). The Americas are inaccessible in the Girl Genius world, so there probably isn't a ready supply.

Unless you get some bright spark who has the idea of squeezing hydrogen together to get helium...

EDIT: Just seen the Jager poker cards. Not really impressed - I would have expected Jenka and Mama (and Maxim) to be queens, and they splt the boyz up.

1 Naked Flames, St Elmo's Fire, Sparks...

[petersohn]

Nothing wrong with hydrogen if you are careful and keep it away from sources of ignition1. Still a lot better than hot air.
...
1 Naked Flames, St Elmo's Fire, Sparks...

(Emphasis mine) I think that explains the problem.

[SZbNAhL]

they still use hydrogen balloons instead of helium?

In our history, that was common until the Hindenburg disaster in the 1930s. Unless you're surprised that the GG-verse isn't more safety conscious than ours?

[eee]

It surprises me, but I really miss Agatha heterodyning as she works.


Art error. They acknowledged it in Facebook.

That's a relief.

Besides, Zeetha knows Agatha's body posture and mannerisms. I doubt Lu can mimic those, or knows enough about them to even try. If Zeetha came out of the bath and saw Agatha moving in ways she shouldn't be, Lu would get a fist upside her head and be out cold pretty quick, I think.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Besides, in the GG-verse, it's quite possible for a Spark to (accidentally) invent a polymer that attenuates or even eliminates the loss of hydrogen from the bag.

[Shining Wrath]

Is "Hey baby you inflate my dirigible" a Spark pickup line in GGverse? Asking for a friend named Gil.

Who in Europa can not care what Albia thinks? Obviously, someone very well hidden. Setting aside her personal power - and also the power of her military - there's the power of her secret agents. I don't know what Albia's version of Smoke Knights is, but I'll bet they are just as good as the Sturmvarous crew, if not better. "Bond. James Bond" or whomever. I would not want to play Game of Thrones with someone who has ruled a GG kingdom for centuries. Ergo, the most likely candidate is The Other. Number Two would be Martellus having a stupid moment, thinking his title of Storm King and / or retinue will protect him. Number Three would be Grandma, with a scheme several layers deep to have someone else take the blame. Number Four would be a new threat, arriving just in time to upset Agatha's vacation.

EDIT:

Will tea have a similar effect on Agatha as coffee?

[SZbNAhL]

I don't know what Albia's version of Smoke Knights is, but I'll bet they are just as good as the Sturmvarous crew, if not better. "Bond. James Bond" or whomever.

If Wooster's anything to go by, they're good but nowhere near smoke knight level. Unless he's been intentionally holding back so people underestimate him, I guess.


Number Two would be Martellus having a stupid moment, thinking his title of Storm King and / or retinue will protect him.

Would he have the subtlety to send a ship in Wulfenbach livery?

[eee]

Is "Hey baby you inflate my dirigible" a Spark pickup line in GGverse? Asking for a friend named Gil.

One of Colette's half-brothers asked Zeetha if she liked dirigibles...


Who in Europa can not care what Albia thinks? Obviously, someone very well hidden. Setting aside her personal power - and also the power of her military - there's the power of her secret agents. I don't know what Albia's version of Smoke Knights is, but I'll bet they are just as good as the Sturmvarous crew, if not better. "Bond. James Bond" or whomever. I would not want to play Game of Thrones with someone who has ruled a GG kingdom for centuries. Ergo, the most likely candidate is The Other. Number Two would be Martellus having a stupid moment, thinking his title of Storm King and / or retinue will protect him. Number Three would be Grandma, with a scheme several layers deep to have someone else take the blame. Number Four would be a new threat, arriving just in time to upset Agatha's vacation.

EDIT:

Will tea have a similar effect on Agatha as coffee?

I like the idea it's Krosp. He and the Bears having commandeered the dirigible so he could return to Agatha's side, army in tow. And it wouldn't be that he doesn't care what Albia thinks, it's that he believes he can talk his way out of any trouble. Even if Her Undying Majesty ISN'T impressed by a talking cat, he IS fleeing the chaos that is Europa. That should get him at least some asylum.

It could also be the Vespiary Squad.

And there's less caffeine in tea.

[Rogar Demonblud]

After rereading the Paris arc, I'm thinking Prende would make sense. She probably knows the most about the lantern, made contact with Agatha, disappeared at some point after leaving the crypt and would end up with Tarvek to continue the process of making him the Storm King.

[Shining Wrath]

If Wooster's anything to go by, they're good but nowhere near smoke knight level. Unless he's been intentionally holding back so people underestimate him, I guess.



Would he have the subtlety to send a ship in Wulfenbach livery?

Wooster might not be a Smoke-Knight equivalent, but rather a spy. His skills are in being visible but not discovered, as opposed to being invisible and lethal.

Martellus might have the audacity to commandeer a Wuflenbach ship outright. In fact, the ship that carried his assassin was a commandeered English vessel, although I don't think it was a vessel from Her Majesty's Navy.


One of Colette's half-brothers asked Zeetha if she liked dirigibles...



I like the idea it's Krosp. He and the Bears having commandeered the dirigible so he could return to Agatha's side, army in tow. And it wouldn't be that he doesn't care what Albia thinks, it's that he believes he can talk his way out of any trouble. Even if Her Undying Majesty ISN'T impressed by a talking cat, he IS fleeing the chaos that is Europa. That should get him at least some asylum.

It could also be the Vespiary Squad.

And there's less caffeine in tea.

I don't know if we've identified caffeine as the active ingredient for spinning Agatha up into super-Spark mode, although it makes sense. I'm just not "feeling" Krosp being so unsubtle as to arrive in a dreadnaught, even if he is transporting a bear army. Krosp is more the "walk into your bedroom, find him napping on your pillow like he's always been there" sort.


After rereading the Paris arc, I'm thinking Prende would make sense. She probably knows the most about the lantern, made contact with Agatha, disappeared at some point after leaving the crypt and would end up with Tarvek to continue the process of making him the Storm King.

Someone trying to retrieve the lantern makes sense - and the Incorruptible Library has a legitimate claim to title, as does the Sturmvarous family. Prende could be there for either side. We do have a major dangling thread in that the High Librarian was murdered by Grandma's minions, and the Library will probably figure that out soon. Grandma probably thinks she's safe, but the resources of the Library are vast, and Colette would probably welcome any excuse to get Grandma out of town.

[Fyraltari]

Who in Europa can not care what Albia thinks?

Who makes it his duty to fight Sparks and Tyrants alike? Who cares not for the dangers at hand when the cause is noble? Who can fight the most terrible of dangers and live? Who is safer than anyone else when airborne?

Why, it is none other than OTHAR TRYGGVASSEN GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER!

[geoduck]

Who makes it his duty to fight Sparks and Tyrants alike? Who cares not for the dangers at hand when the cause is noble? Who can fight the most terrible of dangers and live? Who is safer than anyone else when airborne?

Why, it is none other than OTHAR TRYGGVASSEN GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER!

Othar is certainly a possibility, but in terms of plot and in-universe logistics, Higgs and Vole are more likely candidates. They could have much more easily gotten their hands on the ship, and when last seen, they were headed to Paris anyway.

[Shining Wrath]

Othar is certainly a possibility, but in terms of plot and in-universe logistics, Higgs and Vole are more likely candidates. They could have much more easily gotten their hands on the ship, and when last seen, they were headed to Paris anyway.

Part of me hopes that when The Other is finally defeated, it will appear that all hope is lost, Agatha and allies will be at her mercy, and then Othar will show up quite unexpectedly and die heroically so that the battle may continue. It would be somehow fitting.

I am open to the Higgs / Vole idea, but Agatha's statement that the inbound person(s) don't care what Albia thinks moves that to the unlikely bucket IMNHO; Higgs certainly seems to be cognizant of political considerations, and I think the new and improved General Vole wants to avoid conflict. It's a Venn Diagram; people capable of gaining control of a Wulfenbach dreadnaught, people who badly want to reach England, and people who don't care if they anger the most powerful Spark in Europa to do so (or have a reasonable expectation of forgiveness).

Higgs and Vole: not in the "willing to anger Albia" circle.
Othar: not in the "badly want to reach England" circle, so far as is known.
Anyone who is aware of Prende's lantern being in England and wants it, can be in the "badly want to reach England" circle. That's the Library, the Sturmvarous clan, and The Other. There may be other motivations - Higgs, for example, wants to reach Zeetha.
Almost all the major players could take over a dreadnaught if given sufficient motivation, but it's certainly easier for people who command Smoke Knights or revenants than it might be for, say, Krosp. Higgs and Vole could do it by brute force, but I'm not sure they are willing to hurt a lot of Wulfenbach troops - and let's face it, those two could swim to England. Mr. T. voiceI pity the shark that bites either; yes, I pity the finned fool.
The "willing to make Albia angry" check stated by Agatha is the most stringent criterion. You either have to be very safe from reprisal, or very confident that all will be forgiven. Or Othar.

For now, I'm going to stick with The Other or the Sturmvarous Schemers (one of several).

[Rockphed]

If Wooster's anything to go by, they're good but nowhere near smoke knight level. Unless he's been intentionally holding back so people underestimate him, I guess.

At some point Wooster complains about people underestimating him after he proclaims himself a master spy. He is told that the title means "Sneaky Gossipmonger" in eastern Europe, which deflates his gasbag.


Part of me hopes that when The Other is finally defeated, it will appear that all hope is lost, Agatha and allies will be at her mercy, and then Othar will show up quite unexpectedly and die be thrown out a window heroically so that the battle may continue. It would be somehow fitting.

Othar's spark is almost entirely concentrated in his personal combat ability and his indestructible nature. Furthermore, his ability to fall from great heights, or be hit with massive weapons, or whatever is a well documented running gag in the comic. If anything, when the Other explains her plan to kill off all the other sparks so she alone will wield power, I expect Othar to burst from hiding with an exclamation along the lines of "Well, why didn't you just say so", which will somehow break the monologue long enough for everyone else to respond.

[eee]

Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm liking the Vespiary Squad more and more. At least some of them were, I believe, hiding in Paris; but Colette has closed Paris, so they would have needed to get out. They have NO reason to trust the Wulfenbach Empire, and if the Other became aware of them, they'd be "Need to die immediately" targets. So pretty much all of Europa is closed to them, and requesting asylum in England might be their only option at this point. The only people they trust are Travek and, to a lesser degree, Agatha. They may still think he's in Mechanicsburg, but they know she's in England. They're former Wulfenbach soldiers so they'd know how to take over and fly one of the Empire's dirigibles, if it's not one they already had. And they'd bring a bunch of knowledge about wasps, and even some weasels, if they can, with them. So it's logical, and the story would support it; let's see if it's what's coming.

[lord_khaine]

I dont think thats a bad theory. It certainly dont have any noticeworthy holes in it. I do think its unlikely Colette would kick them out. They are to useful. But there are lots of other reasons for why they might want to reach Agatha or Albia.

[Shining Wrath]

I dont think thats a bad theory. It certainly dont have any noticeworthy holes in it. I do think its unlikely Colette would kick them out. They are to useful. But there are lots of other reasons for why they might want to reach Agatha or Albia.

Or, both.

They did disperse post Mechanicsberg, so it may not be all of them - but even one with a Wasp Eater would be an interesting development.

Albia has the resources and probably the good will to mass produce wasp eaters.

[Fyraltari]

Or, both.

They did disperse post Mechanicsberg, so it may not be all of them - but even one with a Wasp Eater would be an interesting development.

Albia has the resources and probably the good will to mass produce wasp eaters.

It would be in her interest at least. I don't think she'd care much for being enslaved.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Of course, she probably bought at least one copy of the book from Madame Desmana.

[Shining Wrath]

Of course, she probably bought at least one copy of the book from Madame Desmana.

Or got a complimentary copy - on the list of people whose good favor I would wish to curry were I Desmana, the Master of Paris is #1, but Albia might be #2.

[Onyavar]

I'm the eternal nitpicker.


Mechanicsberg
'Berg' is a mountain.
'Burg' is a castle.


Sturmvarous

'voraus' is a preposition, read it here like Stormforwards. Other translations may be 'first to advance in a violent manner' or 'heedless frontrusher'.

[Southern Cross]

Considering surnames in Europe were usually determined by occupation, the translation of Sturmvoraus is very worrying...

[thorgrim29]

Weren't the OG Sturvauraus followers of the Storm King? That seems like the sort of name you'd get leading the vanguard of the Storm King's army or something like that.

[eee]

That's an interesting early artwork. I wonder if he based some of the faces on friends or recognizable figures.

[Rogar Demonblud]

That (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180404#.WsTyS7KG_cs) does have some resemblance to early Buck Godot strips. I'll have to see if I can dig up a link.

[petersohn]

Considering surnames in Europe were usually determined by occupation, the translation of Sturmvoraus is very worrying...
Surnames of commoners were based on occupation or other traits. Of nobility, it was mainly came from the land they owned. Nevertheless, Sturmvoraus is definitely a meaningful name. My guess is that one of their ancestors named himself this when he decided to claim the legacy of the Storm King. In this case, it's a pretty logical choice.

[Manga Shoggoth]

That (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180404#.WsTyS7KG_cs) does have some resemblance to early Buck Godot strips. I'll have to see if I can dig up a link.

Oddly, some of the style reminded me of some of Rowland Emett's drawings.

[SZbNAhL]

My guess is that one of their ancestors named himself this when he decided to claim the legacy of the Storm King. In this case, it's a pretty logical choice.

Doesn't Tarvek's claim to the throne come from his mother?

[thorgrim29]

So there's a town in Pennsylvania called Mechanicsburg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanicsburg,_Pennsylvania

Doesn't seem quite as exciting as the GG one, although I can see some of the characters of The Office as generational minions.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Is it bad that as soon as I saw the cards, I started noticing the things the proofreader missed all those years ago?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Is it bad that as soon as I saw the cards, I started noticing the things the proofreader missed all those years ago?

Probably, because I did it too, and you definitely do NOT want to have your thought patterns resemble mine if you can help it.

GW

[Rogar Demonblud]

Not a problem. You're actually copying mine. :smalltongue:

[keybounce]

'voraus' is a preposition, read it here like Stormforwards. Other translations may be 'first to advance in a violent manner' or 'heedless frontrusher'.

So, is "storm bringer" a valid translation? Or can "storm" translate as chaos -- bringer of chaos perhaps?

[SlyGuyMcFly]

'voraus' is a preposition, read it here like Stormforwards. Other translations may be 'first to advance in a violent manner' or 'heedless frontrusher'.

Interesting! I'd always assumed the 'voraus' bit was derived from the latin vorare 'consume, devour', that lives on in English in words like voracious. I had always thought of the Sturmvoraus family as the Storm Eaters.

[Ibrinar]

So, is "storm bringer" a valid translation? Or can "storm" translate as chaos -- bringer of chaos perhaps?

I don't think so though it is possible that it has some archaic meaning like that. Otherwise it is mostly similar to the word ahead I think. So it can also be a statement/warning that a storm is ahead.

About chaos I think the symbolism of sturm and storm are pretty much the same.

[lord_khaine]

It would be in her interest at least. I don't think she'd care much for being enslaved.

I dont think she considder herself in any form of danger from being enslaved.
But i do also suspect she hates the though of having her subjects stolen from her.

[Fyraltari]

I dont think she considder herself in any form of danger from being enslaved.
But i do also suspect she hates the though of having her subjects stolen from her.

Is she not ? Her biology is clearly different from regular humans but there is only one way to know for sure if she is immune to the slaver wasps and I don't think she'd take that risk.

[Onyavar]

So, is "storm bringer" a valid translation? Or can "storm" translate as chaos -- bringer of chaos perhaps?

Storm is a powerful word in most languages , yes.
But storm (as in tempest!) bringer? Can not be inferred from Sturmvoraus, in my opinion. "Sturm" is another word for 'rush' in this context, just like it is also used in English (to storm a castle), afaik. If there is reference to an actual tempest, it could only be a naval warning like "ahoy, storm ahead!" Maybe Tarvek's ancestors weren't wallfodder but (air)sailors?

Sturm = (to) storm, (to) rush
voraus = ahead, forwards, in front

I only brought the topic up because of consistent misspelling in this thread, however. Varous or vuros just isnt a word ;-P

But as we have diverged into translation stuff, ar there any other foreign words from Gg you like to know about?
Geisterdame(n) = ghost lady\ies. Literally.
Jäger (sg/pl) = ranger(s), hunter(s) (as the profession), but also a type of light infantry (Wikipedia (en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Jäger_(infantry)))

[Lethologica]

Is she not ? Her biology is clearly different from regular humans but there is only one way to know for sure if she is immune to the slaver wasps and I don't think she'd take that risk.
"Testing" is for when you're still guessing. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20100416#.WslbeojwZPY)

[factotum]

Is she not ? Her biology is clearly different from regular humans but there is only one way to know for sure if she is immune to the slaver wasps and I don't think she'd take that risk.

There's one thing about her that ought to make her certain she's immune to slaver wasps, and that's that she's a Spark. I doubt the information that a slaver wasp capable of infecting Sparks has been created is widespread at the moment.

[SZbNAhL]

There's one thing about her that ought to make her certain she's immune to slaver wasps, and that's that she's a Spark. I doubt the information that a slaver wasp capable of infecting Sparks has been created is widespread at the moment.

Surely that's the kind of thing Wooster would have included in a report. I can't remember off-hand if he's been told on-panel, but he's been travelling with Agatha for a good while now and she certainly knows.

[Fyraltari]

There's one thing about her that ought to make her certain she's immune to slaver wasps, and that's that she's a Spark. I doubt the information that a slaver wasp capable of infecting Sparks has been created is widespread at the moment.

I honestly don't know, I m usually pretty good at following complex plots but this comic is too much for me. Who knows what is where why with whom when betraying whom at the moment is info I don't really have anymore...

[Rogar Demonblud]

Surely that's the kind of thing Wooster would have included in a report. I can't remember off-hand if he's been told on-panel, but he's been travelling with Agatha for a good while now and she certainly knows.

Does she? Lucrezia knows, but we've seen that very little specific information seems to leak out past the locket. Most of it seems to just be various bits of scientific principles.

[SZbNAhL]

Does she? Lucrezia knows, but we've seen that very little specific information seems to leak out past the locket. Most of it seems to just be various bits of scientific principles.

I could've sworn Tarvek told her in Mechanicsberg, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

I did. however, find this (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120903#.WsqJtJch3IU), so at least we can put that ridiculous "Tarvek might just be an incredibly talented engineer who likes shouting and not an actual spark" theory to rest.

[eee]

What happened to Jenka's teeth, is what I want to know. There's some indications that her original fangs were pulled and replaced with human size teeth, but like so much in Girl Genius we don't know the details...

Also, what lunatic would give the Jägerdraught to a bear, and did they give it to any other animals?

[HandofShadows]

What happened to Jenka's teeth, is what I want to know. There's some indications that her original fangs were pulled and replaced with human size teeth, but like so much in Girl Genius we don't know the details...

Well, we know the old Storm King pulled them out or had them pulled.


Also, what lunatic would give the Jägerdraught to a bear, and did they give it to any other animals?

Ah, we are talking about the Hetrodynes here. Giving Jägerdraught to a bear would be a good joke to them. And we have seen what it can do to ducks. :smalleek:

[PraetorDragoon]

Also, what lunatic would give the Jägerdraught to a bear, and did they give it to any other animals?

A Heterodyne lunatic! :smallbiggrin:

[factotum]

Are we sure being fed the Jaegerdraught is what made Fust so big? :smallconfused:

[Calemyr]

Are we sure being fed the Jaegerdraught is what made Fust so big? :smallconfused:

No. He could well have been an impressive specimen well before the Jaegerdaught. However, he is explicitly stated by Jenka to be Jaeger in his own right, so he took the draught either way.

EDIT: I do have to wonder, though, how well Fust (who is clearly intelligent but has yet to speak) would get along with Dmitri's bears...

[xroads]

Ah, we are talking about the Hetrodynes here. Giving Jägerdraught to a bear would be a good joke to them. And we have seen what it can do to ducks. :smalleek:

Okay, I have to ask. When did they introduce jager ducks into the comics? Because I've got to see that!

[Calemyr]

Okay, I have to ask. When did they introduce jager ducks into the comics? Because I've got to see that!

Right here. QYRAAAAKK! (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091102#.Wst_b-jwaUk)

[xroads]

Right here. QYRAAAAKK! (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091102#.Wst_b-jwaUk)

Thanks! These are just extra characters needed for posting.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Man, waterfowl are bad enough without getting the Spark treatment. A Sparked-out duck (or worse, a goose)?

[Manga Shoggoth]

Right here. QYRAAAAKK! (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20091102#.Wst_b-jwaUk)

Well, technically that's not a Jager duck as it as it was changed wholly by the waters of the Dyne. The Jagerdraught has a number of other components as well. Probably hasn't sworn the Jagertroth either (although I doubt whether Faust has either...)

How much of a technicality that is remains to be seen...

[Onyavar]

The comic didn't show.how the duck exploded a minute after swallowing the dyne water...

It's also funny, the first panel of the next strip has a chemical apparatus that remotely resembles a duck, right? Maybe Faustus used the bird somehow?

[Lethologica]

The comic didn't show.how the duck exploded a minute after swallowing the dyne water...

It's also funny, the first panel of the next strip has a chemical apparatus that remotely resembles a duck, right? Maybe Faustus used the bird somehow?
It's probably different for animals that grew up with it.

[keybounce]

Part of me is wondering what other strange animals are around that area.

But a better question: on this page
http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090923
says there are two new story pages to download from the free stuff page. But they don't actually exist!

Where can I download these pages?

Also, is there any way to get a large-scale/high-resolution/wallpaper version of the last panel of this page: http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20090819

[Manga Shoggoth]

It's probably different for animals that grew up with it.


Part of me is wondering what other strange animals are around that area.

The third Girl Genius novel has a full page advert for hunting expeditions around Mechanicsburg because of the creatures that had been drinking the Dyne, some of whom didn't die. It mentions such delights as the Shifting Boar, the Constricting Catamount and the Emperor Shark-Mammoth. One wonders exactly what a shark was doing that far up the Dyne....

[thorgrim29]

The third Girl Genius novel has a full page advert for hunting expeditions around Mechanicsburg because of the creatures that had been drinking the Dyne, some of whom didn't die. It mentions such delights as the Shifting Boar, the Constricting Catamount and the Emperor Shark-Mammoth. One wonders exactly what a shark was doing that far up the Dyne....

Maybe one of the pre-castle Heterodyne had sharks imported for to make a tank full of friggin sharks with friggin death rays on their friggin heads for their parlour and one escaped... and then made sweet sweet Science! defying love to a wandering mammoth.

[SZbNAhL]

It mentions such delights as the Shifting Boar, the Constricting Catamount and the Emperor Shark-Mammoth. One wonders exactly what a shark was doing that far up the Dyne....

I'm more concerned about the catamounts, to be honest. Aren't they native to North America?

[factotum]

One wonders exactly what a shark was doing that far up the Dyne...

Frankly, I'm not going to try and stop a Dyne-enhanced shark from going wherever it darn well wants to go! :smallwink:

[PhantomFox]

I'm more concerned about the catamounts, to be honest. Aren't they native to North America?

Normally, yes. Doesn't help that they have at least 5 different names. Pumas, Mountain Lions, Cougar, Florida Panther...

[DrewID]

Maybe one of the pre-castle Heterodyne had sharks imported for to make a tank full of friggin sharks with friggin death rays on their friggin heads for their parlour and one escaped... and then made sweet sweet Science! defying love to a wandering mammoth.

What two responsible abominations of science want to do in private is their own business and no one else's.

DrewID

[HandofShadows]

No new story in over a week? :smallannoyed: Well I decided to go back and look through when Agatha drank the Dyne water and she has the same glowey eyes as Albia does when she talks about peeped into infinity. Something else I noticed that may or may not be important is that both Gil and Tarvek's eyes glowed the same way. Now was that a reflection of what was going on with Agatha at the time or did the "peep" a little as well but don't recall it? :smallconfused:

[Rogar Demonblud]

They were in bad enough shape I'm guessing they didn't see anything.

[keybounce]

I'm wondering if a centipede or something like that drank from the Dyne.

We could call it the Erg monster ...

[guttering flame]

How long until regular comics return?

[HandofShadows]

How long until regular comics return?

I second this motion. I know they are proud of The Works, but come on.

[geoduck]

How long until regular comics return?

Another week, according to the official GG Facebook page.

[Rogar Demonblud]

At least Violetta looks good in today's art. I know jaegers are popular, but I'm tired of the Professors using them for the filler stuff.

[Scarlet Knight]

At least Violetta looks good in today's art. I know jaegers are popular, but I'm tired of the Professors using them for the filler stuff.

I get a GGGW ( Girl Genius Gone Wild) vibe from this version of "The Works".

Zeetha looks like the co-ed on Spring Break who drank too much and Violetta looks like the oft-overlooked friend who just found out the guy with the camera wants HER to do the first video.

[geoduck]

At least Violetta looks good in today's art. I know jaegers are popular, but I'm tired of the Professors using them for the filler stuff.

Eh. It's certainly not a bad drawing in artistic terms, but she doesn't really look like that in the strip.

[DrewID]

Ooh! Bonus black-n-white sketches dated Tuesday (for those who only look at/for MWF).

DrewID

[eee]

RE the cards:

Good Lord, has von Zinzer pulled another one? What IS it with this guy, and how do the rest of us get something like that?

(The tall girl, she's the grad student of the last of the mad scientists who tried conquering Mechanicsberg. She applied for asylum after the inevitable defeat.

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120413#.Wtcx0H--q1s)

And Zeetha and Gil: Definitely siblings.

[PraetorDragoon]

RE the cards:

Good Lord, has von Zinzer pulled another one? What IS it with this guy, and how do the rest of us get something like that?

(The tall girl, she's the grad student of the last of the mad scientists who tried conquering Mechanicsberg. She applied for asylum after the inevitable defeat.

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20120413#.Wtcx0H--q1s)

And Zeetha and Gil: Definitely siblings.

The grand benefits of being the Alpha Minion. (Emphasis on Alpha, quadruple emphasis on Minion)

[Rogar Demonblud]

The tall girl, she's the grad student of the last of the mad scientists who tried conquering Mechanicsberg.Miss Baumhund.
She applied for asylum after the inevitable defeat.No, she asked if Agatha was taking Grad Students yet.

[eee]

Miss Baumhund.

Sanaa Tryggvassen, Hexalina Snaug, Violetta Mondarev, and Miss Baumhund.

Certainly not your average bunch of names.



No, she asked if Agatha was taking Grad Students yet.

That is true. But in the GGuniverse, and Mechanicsberg, the one sort of implies the other. Or perhaps, it should.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Nah, she's just trading up on advisors. God knows I would've liked to be able to trade my incompetent advisor for another professor.

[Rockphed]

Nah, she's just trading up on advisors. God knows I would've liked to be able to trade my incompetent advisor for another professor.

I'm pretty sure when she surrendered she was granted clemency for any involvement she had with her previous advisor's schemes. Furthermore, low level sparks are probably acceptable minions for the Heterodyne. High level sparks can only be rivals or consorts (though friendly rivals are probably acceptable), but low level sparks know their place and are unlikely to try turning on the Heterodyne simply because a single experiment blew up. Plus, the general worldview of Heterodynes past had 3 types of people: Heterodynes, Heterodyne minions, and experimental subjects.

[Rogar Demonblud]

You forgot category four: entertainment.

[Manga Shoggoth]

You forgot category four: entertainment.

Nope. That's a superset of Heterodynes, Heterodyne minions, and experimental subjects.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Higgs looks thoroughly unimpressed. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180419#.WtoSarKG_cs)

[Manga Shoggoth]

Higgs looks thoroughly unimpressed. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180419#.WtoSarKG_cs)

This is the guy whose standard pose in Castle Heterodyne was "nonchalant". He was probably there when Franz was made.

[Rogar Demonblud]

I really hope this is the last piece of promo filler. I want my Mad Science, dammit!

[Kantaki]

I love the Heterodyne wing of the library.
All those books on evil topics.
Necromancy, murder, D&D 3rd Edition...
And Agatha looks totally unimpressed.:smallamused:

[geoduck]

I understand they're parodying James Bond with Wooster's sketch, but having his admirers be Oggie and Maxim is a bit.. odd.

[eee]

Snaug shows unexpected dexterity! Sanaa shows expected dexterity. And Dr. Mittlemind looks almost... nice... there.


I love the Heterodyne wing of the library.
All those books on evil topics.
Necromancy, murder, D&D 3rd Edition...
And Agatha looks totally unimpressed.:smallamused:

It might be her own library in Castle Heterodyne. Or she might have wandered into the Forbidden Stacks in the Immortal Library and found a book written by her ancestors. I was looking for "Everybody Wants to Talk" by Oglavia Spüdna, but didn't see it.

[Calemyr]

I really hope this is the last piece of promo filler. I want my Mad Science, dammit!

Good grief, yes. This is getting annoying.


I love the Heterodyne wing of the library.
All those books on evil topics.
Necromancy, murder, D&D 3rd Edition...
And Agatha looks totally unimpressed.:smallamused:

I think less "unimpressed" and more "disapprovingly unsurprised". Her expression just screams "Of course these would be the kinds of books I'd find in my great library. My family sucks.".


Snaug shows unexpected dexterity! Sanaa shows expected dexterity. And Dr. Mittlemind looks almost... nice... there.

Mittlemind was expressly described as uncommonly nice, describing himself as a mad social scientist, going so far as to let his experiments out for Christmas. Not the control groups, of course. He's mad, not crazy.

[The Glyphstone]

I love the Heterodyne wing of the library.
All those books on evil topics.
Necromancy, murder, D&D 3rd Edition...
And Agatha looks totally unimpressed.:smallamused:

Putting D&D 3rd Edition next to Cheap Shots was a nice touch.

[Rogar Demonblud]

I understand they're parodying James Bond with Wooster's sketch, but having his admirers be Oggie and Maxim is a bit.. odd.

Why? He's a smart guy, and good at being sneaky and subtle.

He just can't do the Jaeger accent.

[The Glyphstone]

And his expression seems to indicate he finds this as odd as you do.

[Manga Shoggoth]

I understand they're parodying James Bond with Wooster's sketch, but having his admirers be Oggie and Maxim is a bit.. odd.

Oh, I don't know. The Jagers do have previous form at playing the damsel in distress (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20140404)...

[keybounce]

Can someone help me with the titles on the top and bottom row?

[Divayth Fyr]

Can someone help me with the titles on the top and bottom row?
Top row: Torture, Pain, No fun for you, Suffering, Misery, Make 'em say 'ow', Slice, Chop, Dice, Gut, Cut, Snap
Bottom row (the ones visible enough to read anyway): Die, Doom, Distort, Poisons, Guns, Knives, Fast Food, Bye!

[Leewei]

That 3rd Ed D&D tome gave me a good chuckle!

[factotum]

OK. Have we seen "Lucrezia's Secret Lab" before, or is that a potential hint at a future plotline? I honestly can't remember.

[Lethologica]

OK. Have we seen "Lucrezia's Secret Lab" before, or is that a potential hint at a future plotline? I honestly can't remember.
That's where they found Otilia's body and Zola got her copy of Lucrezia. Starts here. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20100507#.WuAtkYjwZPY)

[factotum]

That's where they found Otilia's body and Zola got her copy of Lucrezia. Starts here. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20100507#.WuAtkYjwZPY)

Good Lord, has it really been eight years in real time since then? Anyway, thank'ee kindly, sir.

[PraetorDragoon]

Good Lord, has it really been eight years in real time since then? Anyway, thank'ee kindly, sir.

I remember how that storyline seemed to never, ever end.

[Calemyr]

I remember how that storyline seemed to never, ever end.

And now, the storyline doesn't seem to ever, ever start. For the love of cogs, get to what we came here for!

[Rogar Demonblud]

I figure we'll get another promo filler on Friday, and then things will resume. I'll set up a link this weekend to a few updates before the hiatus, so folks can reread to refresh their memories of what's going on.

[Shining Wrath]

I strongly suspect Team Foglio is on vacation somewhere, possibly with the Experiments, and said vacation will last until May 1.

[geoduck]

I strongly suspect Team Foglio is on vacation somewhere, possibly with the Experiments, and said vacation will last until May 1.

As annoying as this interlude has been, no, I think Phil genuinely has been spending his time doing up these sketches for The Works. Remember we're only seeing a sample of everything going into the game; with 4 packs of 60 cards each, he's having to draw (presumably, roughly) 240 of these stupid things, plus whatever incidental art is being included in the instructions and packaging.

[wingnutx]

Violetta is looking very callipygian today.

[gooddragon1]

Baseless speculation and slander: What if... Van... is secretly... VAN RIJN.

Just for fun.

[SZbNAhL]

Baseless speculation and slander: What if... Van... is secretly... VAN RIJN.

Just for fun.

You really think he'd join a coalition against the Heterodynes? No, the true identity of van Rijn must be one with a strong hatred of the other, a reason to value secrecy and a keen sparky intellect. The only character who fulfils these criteria is twelve wasp eaters in a big coat.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Ah, a return to Classic Bang.

[keybounce]

I figure we'll get another promo filler on Friday, and then things will resume. I'll set up a link this weekend to a few updates before the hiatus, so folks can reread to refresh their memories of what's going on.

The last story was in March. I would not be surprised if the entire month of April is card drawings.

Also: is it my mistake, or is new artwork added to the day's postings after they first go up? In other words, if you go to the site early in the morning, and see some artwork, do you see new artwork if you go by later in the evening?

I just reviewed the entire month, and I am certain there is artwork there that I did not see before.

I especially love the last two (Agatha) on this one: http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180417

[Scarlet Knight]

I may be wrong, but didn't the Professors hire some backup artists just for these occasions?

[SZbNAhL]

I may be wrong, but didn't the Professors hire some backup artists just for these occasions?

Did they? First I've heard of it.

[geoduck]

New plot, finally.

With an upcoming reveal that, to use a mixed metaphor, is being telegraphed in big blinking neon letters.

[Rogar Demonblud]

For those who don't want to click 'previous strip' over a dozen times. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180330)

Also, "Sizeable Group of Constructs" has many implications, but I'm wondering if we're meant to think it's the bears.

[keybounce]

I'm curious if it is Punch and Judy.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Better not let Judy Lilith hear you calling her sizeable.

[Deliverance]

Krosp, Bears, Dr. Dim and whomever else is along for the ride would be the obvious guess.

[factotum]

I'm curious if it is Punch and Judy.

Two wouldn't comprise a "sizeable group", so even if it *is* them, there would have to be others as well.

[Fyraltari]

"Do not look at the death ray during the remaining life". Nice.

[eee]

Two wouldn't comprise a "sizeable group", so even if it *is* them, there would have to be others as well.

Given what we've seen of Punch and Judy's physical capacities, I think they'd be a sizeable group just by themselves.

But more likely it's the Bearz and Krosp. He knows how to fly a Wulfenbach airship. And of course he'd want to meet with Agatha first thing.

[SZbNAhL]

Wow, this week's character sketches are really detailed.:smalltongue:

Regards the constructs, I doubt it was Punch and Judy, since they had no reason to attack Castle Wulfenbach. Krosp and the Bears rescuing Dr Dim seems most likely, but perhaps a little too obvious. Maybe it was Martellus's sparkhounds taking advantage of Gil being distracted in Paris? Or maybe Higgs asked the Jagers to provide a distraction while he smuggled Vole offboard, since last we saw him he was coming to meet Zeetha and she could presumably have told him where she was via the pendant.

[Stabbey]

Krosp does seem like a reasonable guess, it has been three real-life years and two books since he was last around. He was completely absent from the Paris arc.

[geoduck]

Wow, this week's character sketches are really detailed.:smalltongue:

Regards the constructs, I doubt it was Punch and Judy, since they had no reason to attack Castle Wulfenbach. Krosp and the Bears rescuing Dr Dim seems most likely, but perhaps a little too obvious. Maybe it was Martellus's sparkhounds taking advantage of Gil being distracted in Paris? Or maybe Higgs asked the Jagers to provide a distraction while he smuggled Vole offboard, since last we saw him he was coming to meet Zeetha and she could presumably have told him where she was via the pendant.

Why would Sparkhounds rush off to meet Agatha in England?

Why would Higgs have to smuggle Vole off the airship? They could just leave together.

It is odd how the two of them disappeared, but unless they are with Krosp and Co. for some reason, they aren't the ones causing this problem.

[Shining Wrath]

There's no mention of the size of these constructs. Could it be that while Agatha was time-warping with Martellus, one of her spark-having constructs (maybe one lost clear back when she was with the circus) started building a construct army, which now wants to reunite with her; and not knowing where she is, began the search with Castle Wulfenbach, and having learned where Agatha is, stole the dreadnought and headed west?

I think it's at least possible that there are multiple instances of Dingbot Prime and / or multiple spark-having mini-constructs. So imagine Albia's shock and dismay when the airship lands and a horde of little construct sparks emerges. If you've read "The Mote in God's Eye", what we have here are Tinker Moties.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Those aren't constructs. They're clanks. Clanks are robots, constructs are biological.

Or Clockwork Horrors vs Aberrations, if you prefer D&D-esk terms.

[Shining Wrath]

Those aren't constructs. They're clanks. Clanks are robots, constructs are biological.

Or Clockwork Horrors vs Aberrations, if you prefer D&D-esk terms.

Point conceded. I take this as constructive criticism.

Krosp and lots of bears, then.

[Leewei]

Point conceded. I take this as constructive criticism.Heh heh. As a connoisseur of dad jokes, I approve!

[Ellen]

That doesn't sound like Krosp. Might be Moloch (I've lost track of him. Where is he right now?), but I think he might be a bit more freaked out at knowing Wulfenbach is in England. Maybe one of Agatha's sparky friends from Castle Wulfenbach? Possibly her cousin?

[Fyraltari]

That doesn't sound like Krosp. Might be Moloch (I've lost track of him. Where is he right now?), but I think he might be a bit more freaked out at knowing Wulfenbach is in England. Maybe one of Agatha's sparky friends from Castle Wulfenbach? Possibly her cousin?

I think Moloch is trapped within the Time-freeze.

[SZbNAhL]

That doesn't sound like Krosp. Might be Moloch (I've lost track of him. Where is he right now?), but I think he might be a bit more freaked out at knowing Wulfenbach is in England. Maybe one of Agatha's sparky friends from Castle Wulfenbach? Possibly her cousin?


I think Moloch is trapped within the Time-freeze.

So are Theo and Sleipnir, unless I'm forgetting something (or they were freed offscreen, but that seems like bad storytelling to me).

[factotum]

Also: as far as we know, Moloch isn't a construct.

[eee]

I think Moloch is trapped within the Time-freeze.

There's a lot of speculation about that. We know he (and Gil, in a Geister dress) was with Agatha when she was using the Time Window to see what happened to his old war clank, and kept seeing Bang. Now, if that takes place after Mechanicsberg is freed, that's one thing. If it takes place before, it means he left the city before Klaus froze it and is currently wandering around in the world somewhere, probably hoping his and Agatha's paths do not cross again. We will have to wait and see.

[Ellen]

Those aren't constructs. They're clanks. Clanks are robots, constructs are biological.

Or Clockwork Horrors vs Aberrations, if you prefer D&D-esk terms.

True. I was jumping from who it sounded like without thinking about the one thing we should know.

Although maybe it's just that letter of Gil's finally catching up. With a hundred singing rosebushes.

[thorgrim29]

Considering the Foglios aren't really the type to just make up names like that, who is the name of the ship referring to? A brief google search didn't yield anything.

[Shining Wrath]

Considering the Foglios aren't really the type to just make up names like that, who is the name of the ship referring to? A brief google search didn't yield anything.

There's a lot of Biondi's (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biondi), though. For the right time period, Ernesto or Jean.

[factotum]

Considering the Foglios aren't really the type to just make up names like that, who is the name of the ship referring to? A brief google search didn't yield anything.

I did a similar search and apparently the character played by JoBeth Williams in the 1993 TV movie "Final Appeal" was named Christine Biondi--I've never seen the film, though, so have no idea if that's an intentional name drop or not.

[Rogar Demonblud]

There's a lot of Biondi's (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biondi), though. For the right time period, Ernesto or Jean.

Jean was born in 1900, so too late.

[thorgrim29]

Is it though? The GG timeline is a bit wonky...

[eee]

There are several Christine Biondis on Facebook, including one that does catering.

Advertising?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Probably a shout out to a friend, like the married couple in the Library.


Is it though? The GG timeline is a bit wonky.

Not wonky enough for it to be the 1940s.

[Ellen]

OK, I didn't realize that was a Wulfenbach captain doing the talking. Ignore previous speculations based on that.

Krosp is in the running again. So are Adam and Lilith (although I'm pretty sure they still feel their first duty is elsewhere). Although, Agatha being Agatha, there could be a whole army of constructs we've forgotten about coming to find her.

The main trick is that they're constructs who either have authority to get rides from Wulfenbach people or who can con Wulfenbach people (or successfully blackmail/threaten/bribe/convince working with them is the lesser of two evils).

[PraetorDragoon]

Aaah! The tease! The suspense! The cliffhanger!

[Traab]

Im thinking its wasp eaters. The release of the monograph on them has convinced the deeply hidden survivors to bring out their weasels and join with the heterodyne.

[geoduck]

I still vote for Krosp and Co. Plotwise, I'll actually be a bit disappointed if it's anyone else. Boarding Castle Wulfenbach with the bears and retrieving Dr. Dim is what Krosp pretty much has to be doing.

[PraetorDragoon]

I think it is Higgs and Vole. Last we know is that they intended to go to Agatha, so that would make sense.

[HandofShadows]

Voting for Krosp and some bears. I think Higgs would be MUCH more circumspect and he should have the authority (more or less) to just have someone give him a small fast ship. Also a Wulfenbach Captain probably would not be referring to Higgs as a "er Passengers". Higgs is well known to be working directly with Gil.

[factotum]

Also, while Higgs may well be a construct (do Jaegers actually class as constructs? Not sure on that) it certainly isn't something that's so widely known that the British would be referring to him casually as such.

[DrewID]

Aaah! The tease! The suspense! The cliffhanger!

The usual.

[Agi Hammerthief]

the clifhangers are not as bad when you only drop in every other month.

[BannedInSchool]

Did someone order a gross of dingbots? :smallbiggrin:

[keybounce]

Dingbots? Gross. I support the other group of clanks.

[SZbNAhL]

Im thinking its wasp eaters. The release of the monograph on them has convinced the deeply hidden survivors to bring out their weasels and join with the heterodyne.

Unless the weasels have become sapient over the last couple of years and are now acting without their handlers, that wouldn't be "a group of constructs" so much as "a group of humans accompanied by some constructs".

[Agi Hammerthief]

has the king arrived?

[eee]

has the king arrived?

The Emperor of All Cats and his entourage (and perhaps, his 'Daddy'), more likely.

[Manga Shoggoth]

Is he going to visit the Queen?

[SZbNAhL]

Is he going to visit the Queen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/*****_Cat_*****_Cat)?

I think your link's fallen victim to the board's profanity filters.

[Manga Shoggoth]

I think your link's fallen victim to the board's profanity filters.

Ha! Ha!! Ha!!! In a dreadful fit of revenge I will link two truly dreadful1 videos of the nursery rhyme (Exhibit A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y83fbhN6FBk), Exhibit B (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgFuW4qLE2c)). THAT WILL SHOW THEM!!!!!

We don't even have a Mr Scruffy icon for me to litter the page with in my displeasure.


1 - I was going to link a good one, but I gave up hope after seeing these... The second is the most awful of the two.

[Rockphed]

Ha! Ha!! Ha!!! In a dreadful fit of revenge I will link two truly dreadful1 videos of the nursery rhyme (Exhibit A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y83fbhN6FBk), Exhibit B (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgFuW4qLE2c)). THAT WILL SHOW THEM!!!!!

We don't even have a Mr Scruffy icon for me to litter the page with in my displeasure.


1 - I was going to link a good one, but I gave up hope after seeing these... The second is the most awful of the two.

My eyes! My eyes! What manner of eldritch abomination did I just witness?

[PraetorDragoon]

Ha! Ha!! Ha!!! In a dreadful fit of revenge I will link two truly dreadful1 videos of the nursery rhyme (Exhibit A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y83fbhN6FBk), Exhibit B (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgFuW4qLE2c)). THAT WILL SHOW THEM!!!!!

We don't even have a Mr Scruffy icon for me to litter the page with in my displeasure.


1 - I was going to link a good one, but I gave up hope after seeing these... The second is the most awful of the two.

Dear lord. Why did I click the second one? WHY?:smalleek:

[Fyraltari]

Ha! Ha!! Ha!!! In a dreadful fit of revenge I will link two truly dreadful1 videos of the nursery rhyme (Exhibit A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y83fbhN6FBk), Exhibit B (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgFuW4qLE2c)). THAT WILL SHOW THEM!!!!!

We don't even have a Mr Scruffy icon for me to litter the page with in my displeasure.


1 - I was going to link a good one, but I gave up hope after seeing these... The second is the most awful of the two.

So, this is what the Heterodynes have been up to these days. Still as devious and demented original as ever, I see.

[Scarlet Knight]

Is he going to visit the Queen?


"Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?
I've been to London to visit the Queen."

[Agi Hammerthief]

The Emperor of All Cats and his entourage (and perhaps, his 'Daddy'), more likely.
that‘s the one

[Rogar Demonblud]

As has been stated before, that's a little too obvious for how the Foglios roll. But is there really any other candidates for 'a large group of constructs'?

[geoduck]

The passengers revealed. (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20180507)

Now let's find something new to talk about. Like the bears' new "outfits", or the fact that they've suddenly become multi-colored. :smallsmile:

[Rockphed]

Well, sometimes telegraphing things works. I'm not sure that this is one of those times.

On the subject of multi-color bears, I assume it is like what happened between books 1 and 2 with the Jaegers. In the first book (in Beetleburg), the Jaegers were pretty much all the exact same model. In the second, partially because we now had color, we saw a couple designs. When the Bears first showed up, they were drawn as an undifferentiated mass, but now that some bears might be important to the story we are going to see more unique models. Also, note that we already had a white bear back when we were fighting the Beast.

[guttering flame]

These aren't the run of the mill bears we so before. These are the Uber-Bears leadership.

[Fyraltari]

Well, sometimes telegraphing things works. I'm not sure that this is one of those times.

On the subject of multi-color bears, I assume it is like what happened between books 1 and 2 with the Jaegers. In the first book (in Beetleburg), the Jaegers were pretty much all the exact same model. In the second, partially because we now had color, we saw a couple designs. When the Bears first showed up, they were drawn as an undifferentiated mass, but now that some bears might be important to the story we are going to see more unique models. Also, note that we already had a white bear back when we were fighting the Beast.

So you are saying these ones might have some bearing on the plot?

[Southern Cross]

Those jokes are unbearable...

[keybounce]

I can barely stand it.

[PraetorDragoon]

Things are about to get grizzly.

[Traab]

Do they have a theme song yet? Im thinking Scar's song from lion king will do. "Our teeth and ambitions are bared."

[eee]

Yay, Krosp! The voice of reason has returned! And he's still wearing his coat.


Do they have a theme song yet? Im thinking Scar's song from lion king will do. "Our teeth and ambitions are bared."

Holst. Mars, the Bringer of War.

[Shining Wrath]

Props to all those who guessed Krosp early on. And Krosp is making a proper entrance, one reigning monarch visiting another.

[SZbNAhL]

Holst. Mars, the Bringer of War.

I think Jupiter is more appropriate. It has that over-grand air that Krosp does so well.

[Shining Wrath]

I think Jupiter is more appropriate. It has that over-grand air that Krosp does so well.

The bringer of jollity? Not sure that's Krosp's vibe. Neptune, the Mystic?

[Rogar Demonblud]

Well, we finally have a stage direction to compete with Shakespeare's Exeunt, pursued by a bear.

Enter, escorted by armed bears.

[Fyraltari]

Those jokes are unbearable...
Those are just the bare necessities, so I guess you will just have to bear with us.

Enter, escorted by armed bears.
So that is what that "right to armed bears" people keep talking about is!

[wingnutx]

I think Jupiter is more appropriate. It has that over-grand air that Krosp does so well.

Years of having cats for pets makes me think it'd be more appropriate to go with 'Uranus'.

[lord_khaine]

Years of having cats for pets makes me think it'd be more appropriate to go with 'Uranus'.

Bwahah! im glad i was not drinking anything there.. :P

Else.. yeah.. congratulations to those who guessed that it was Krosp.

[Shining Wrath]

Krosp's bear bodyguards bear arms with bare bear arms, offering barely any protection against ranged attacks other than, perhaps, bared fangs.

[guttering flame]

Krosp's bear bodyguards bear arms with bare bear arms, offering barely any protection against ranged attacks other than, perhaps, bared fangs.

Remember their first appearance when the train stopped?

[thorgrim29]

Yeah they do better barely armored or fully bare than normal people do with non-powered armor.

[Xianthe]

I love the officer in back, mopping his forehead with a handkerchief. I'm guessing that he's relieved to finally be rid of his passengers!

[Drascin]

Yeah they do better barely armored or fully bare than normal people do with non-powered armor.

Yeah. These are genetically engineered super bears. Little short of a death ray or a small railgun is really going to stop one mid-charge.

Besides, this is an honor guard. The entire point is to look impressive, not to come in war footing!

[petersohn]

Yeah. These are genetically engineered super bears. Little short of a death ray or a small railgun is really going to stop one mid-charge.

Besides, this is an honor guard. The entire point is to look impressive, not to come in war footing!
True. In a war, they would be wearing armor and carrying guns. I mean the kind of gun Klaus used to destroy Agatha's organ.

[Leewei]

The potential for tummy clocks here is staggering.

[Shining Wrath]

Remember their first appearance when the train stopped?

Barely.

That these be bad-ass bears is not the point; a series of bear puns, is the point.

[keybounce]

"Fetch me a bear, naked." Arf.

[PraetorDragoon]

Barely.

That these be bad-ass bears is not the point; a series of bear puns, is the point.

Surely you mean "Bearely"?

[SZbNAhL]

Should I take this as ursine that I can start making terrible puns or would that type of post be too polar-ising? Look I've been revising continually for weeks and get about six hours' sleep a night, I can't be expected to make decent puns right now. Especially not with every possible permutation of "bear" spoken for.

[Rogar Demonblud]

If you've been revising constantly for weeks, does that mean you've grown a nice bear-d?

[Shining Wrath]

These bear jokes are getting rugged but will soon be furgotten.

[Agi Hammerthief]

someone in the background looks happy, like he barely got away with his life.

[SZbNAhL]

If you've been revising constantly for weeks, does that mean you've grown a nice bear-d?

I've never been one to panda to society's expectations of personal appearance.

[Rogar Demonblud]

So you've gotten a little grizzly?

[tonberrian]

Back on topic, it seems that SOMEONE doesn't like Dr. Dim...

[Ellen]

Unbearable as it is to not join in on the ursine jokes, things are about to get grizzly. Albia's arctic* tones shifted us to the polar opposite of what we expected. I am not pandaing to the crowd when I say we are about to see a big hulla-Baloo. It's going to be a Kodiak moment, if you know what I mean. The almost teddyously easy going queen will wake up from hibernation, like an angry, mama bear. These are real plot complications and not just paddington to draw it out.

Bear with me. It's as big an upset as the Cubs winning the World Series but, what we thought was a simple, honey of a story--Krosp coming to see Agatha--has turned into a real bugbear of a problem. Krosp may be smarter than the average bear, but he has made a big Boo-Boo with his plans.

Excuse me, I need to go practice some Yogi and maybe eat a picnic basket to calm myself down. Maybe, after, I'll be ready for the Jambearee.

Also, don't anyone say I'm only Winnie-ing and Pooh-poo the idea.

*"Arctic" comes from the Greek word for bear, because North was under the constellation of the bear (I mention this because no bad pun should go unpunished).

[keybounce]

"Food lady"?
"Three years"?
That's a cat for you.

[Kantaki]

"Food lady"?
"Three years"?
That's a cat for you.

I was going to say the power went to his head, but yeah being a cat doesn't help either.

And I guess whoever's reacting so strongly to Vapnoodle, it's not good for our heroes.

[geoduck]

I was going to say the power went to his head, but yeah being a cat doesn't help either.

And I guess whoever's reacting so strongly to Vapnoodle, it's not good for our heroes.

Mostly likely Albia. You know she's listening in on all of this.

[Agi Hammerthief]

"Food lady"?
"Three years"?
That's a cat for you.
or is it the Foglios lapshading the time since his last appearence?

[PraetorDragoon]

Unbearable as it is to not join in on the ursine jokes, things are about to get grizzly. Albia's arctic* tones shifted us to the polar opposite of what we expected. I am not pandaing to the crowd when I say we are about to see a big hulla-Baloo. It's going to be a Kodiak moment, if you know what I mean. The almost teddyously easy going queen will wake up from hibernation, like an angry, mama bear. These are real plot complications and not just paddington to draw it out.

Bear with me. It's as big an upset as the Cubs winning the World Series but, what we thought was a simple, honey of a story--Krosp coming to see Agatha--has turned into a real bugbear of a problem. Krosp may be smarter than the average bear, but he has made a big Boo-Boo with his plans.

Excuse me, I need to go practice some Yogi and maybe eat a picnic basket to calm myself down. Maybe, after, I'll be ready for the Jambearee.

Also, don't anyone say I'm only Winnie-ing and Pooh-poo the idea.

*"Arctic" comes from the Greek word for bear, because North was under the constellation of the bear (I mention this because no bad pun should go unpunished).

*snif* This post is a work of art.

Vapnoople looks so happy in this last panel.