What is the single most representative page or panel from OotS to you?

[AstralFire]

I'm creating a small booklet of samples from various English-language webcomics for my students, and OOTS is one of my choices I'm recommending for more advanced readers. Unfortunately, OOTS' archive design is... not helpful for me to remember what happened where. At first I went for pulling some of the dramatic art panels post new style, but I realized those are rare and not very representative of the comic. So if you had to select just one page or a few panels to show to people so they have an idea of whether they should give it a try or not, what would that be?

[137beth]

Dunno about "representative," but one of my all time favorites is Xykon's monologue to V (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0657.html).

[Aveline]

I like #321 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0321.html) a lot. It demonstrates OOTS's slapstick self-awareness as a medium, but simultaneously its causal considerations. It also demonstrates most of the Order members' basic archetypes. As a bonus, it takes Elan seriously as a relevant character. (I care about Elan a lot.)

[Emanick]

I think this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) is probably the most profound, unique and interesting in the history of OOTS. There's a reason why it won the Stick Awards for best OOTS strip ever.

[AstralFire]

I like #321 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0321.html) a lot. It demonstrates OOTS's slapstick self-awareness as a medium, but simultaneously its causal considerations. It also demonstrates most of the Order members' basic archetypes. As a bonus, it takes Elan seriously as a relevant character. (I care about Elan a lot.)

(We share interests in this matter.)

Good picks, I think I'll be using the lower half of 321 for now. While this is a recommendation for my advanced readers I don't want to start with the piles and piles of text walls since it's not where OotS starts either.

[knag]

I think this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) is probably the most profound, unique and interesting in the history of OOTS. There's a reason why it won the Stick Awards for best OOTS strip ever.

That was the strip I was going to say. I didn't know it was voted best strip, but it was the strip that convinced me to go read this comic from the beginning.

[understatement]

For both action and propensity of fourth-wall jokes, this one. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0551.html)

For artistic intensity, maybe this one. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0422.html)

Most of the "best strips" contain too much spoilers.

[DaOldeWolf]

While spoilery, I think #922 (www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0922.html) is really cool and funny.

[Peelee]

I think this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) is probably the most profound, unique and interesting in the history of OOTS. There's a reason why it won the Stick Awards for best OOTS strip ever.

A non-ranked choice voting system?:smalltongue:

[Gift Jeraff]

Second-to-last panel. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0738.html)

[RatElemental]

Pretty dang spoilery but this one (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0881.html) always spoke to me. Nicely summarizes the plot up to that point and the main characters (minus V) pretty well too.

[woweedd]

I think this strip (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) is probably the most profound, unique and interesting in the history of OOTS. There's a reason why it won the Stick Awards for best OOTS strip ever.
I like that scene, and it's a very clever idea, a villain taking advantage of the fact that, as TV Tropes would put it, you can't thwart Stage One of the villain's plan. Tarquin MUST form and rule his empire for the same reason that all-but-one of the Gates MUST be destroyed: The villain's plan can only be thwarted once it's already close to completion for maximum drama. That said...It's actually kind of a dumb plan when you think about it for more then a few seconds. If Tarquin were facing off against the sort of no-nonsense, competent hero he believes his son to be, the plan would never have worked. I mean, just to start, T doesn't seem to fully grasp the idea that people would be reading "his" story for ELAN, not him. He pays lip service ot the idea that the main character is supposed to be the hero, not the villain, but he doesn't fully grasp it. And, of course, any competent Bard would realize that, given how these sort of things work, HE would be the be the one telling this story, not Tarquin. Even in a universe where the story IS about him Tarquin's not gonna get "the story of Tarquin's defeat". At best, he's gonna get "The Story of The Vector Legion's Defeat", with him as the insane madcap comic relief, legendary only in how laughable he was, in the courts of the hero who overthrew the three empires and saved a continent. Tarquin's way of doing it is original, but his ultimate goal is dime-a-dozen.

[Fyraltari]

I like that scene, and it's a very clever idea, a villain taking advantage of the fact that, as TV Tropes would put it, you can't thwart Stage One of the villain's plan. Tarquin MUST form and rule his empire for the same reason that all-but-one of the Gates MUST be destroyed: The villain's plan can only be thwarted once it's already close to completion for maximum drama. That said...It's actually kind of a dumb plan when you think about it for more then a few seconds. If Tarquin were facing off against the sort of no-nonsense, competent hero he believes his son to be, the plan would never have worked. I mean, just to start, T doesn't seem to fully grasp the idea that people would be reading "his" story for ELAN, not him. He pays lip service ot the idea that the main character is supposed to be the hero, not the villain, but he doesn't fully grasp it. And, of course, any competent Bard would realize that, given how these sort of things work, HE would be the be the one telling this story, not Tarquin. Even in a universe where the story IS about him Tarquin's not gonna get "the story of Tarquin's defeat". At best, he's gonna get "The Story of The Vector Legion's Defeat", with him as the insane madcap comic relief, legendary only in how laughable he was, in the courts of the hero who overthrew the three empires and saved a continent. Tarquin's way of doing it is original, but his ultimate goal is dime-a-dozen.

He has a point, still. Who do people remember more? Count Dracula or Jonathan Harker?

[woweedd]

He has a point, still. Who do people remember more? Count Dracula or Jonathan Harker?
Van Helsing is the better comparison. Also, yeah, but the problem is that he's assuming the story, which will be told mainly by the hero who defeated him, wil paint him as the cool-headed, master strategist he believes himself to be, not the petulant narcissist he actually is. That's Tarquin's problem: Not only does not get that he's a side-villain, he doesn't get that he's not in a grim-and-gritty epic, he's in a self-aware dramedy that takes him seriously, but certainly doesn't portray him as anything approaching cool or even sympathetic.

[Fyraltari]

Van Helsing is the better comparison.
Van Helsing is more a mentor figure than a hero.

Also, yeah, but the problem is that he's assuming the story, which will be told mainly by the hero who defeated him
Uh, I don't think anyone assumes Elan is going to tell, the story, everybody seems pretty aware that the stroy is being told as it unfolds.

wil paint him as the cool-headed, master strategist he believes himself to be, not the petulant narcissist he actually is. That's Tarquin's problem: Not only does not get that he's a side-villain, he doesn't get that he's not in a grim-and-gritty epic, he's in a self-aware dramedy that takes him seriously, but certainly doesn't portray him as anything approaching cool or even sympathetic.
No argument there.

[woweedd]

Van Helsing is more a mentor figure than a hero.

Uh, I don't think anyone assumes Elan is going to tell, the story, everybody seems pretty aware that the stroy is being told as it unfolds.

No argument there.
In saying that the hero tells the story, what Ieman is more that stories are usually written taking the view of the main character. Also, yeah, Van Helsing isn't the main character of Dracula, but neither is Jonathan Harker. MINA Harker is the main character, if anyone, though Hellsing is the best remembered of the non-Dracula cast.

[Fyraltari]

In saying that the hero tells the story, what Ieman is more that stories are usually written taking the view of the main character.
Yeah but that doesn't stop the vilains from being popular. Darth Vader, Dracula, Moriarty, most horror vilains in fact are all beloved characters often more than their respective stories' protagonists. And that's often precisely because they are not in focus.

Also, yeah, Van Helsing isn't the main character of Dracula, but neither is Jonathan Harker. MINA Harker is the main character, if anyone, though Hellsing is the best remembered of the non-Dracula cast.
I went with Harker because he is there from beginning to end. I don't think Dracula has a single protagonist, it's a group thing, like OOTS.

[martianmister]

How old are your students?

[Peelee]

He has a point, still. Who do people remember more? Count Dracula or Jonathan Harker?

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis David Prowse the Wise?

[Darth Paul]

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis David Prowse the Wise?

Somewhere I have a T-shirt that says, "Of course I joined the bad guys! They have the coolest uniforms!"

[Fyraltari]

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis David Prowse the Wise?

No, but I heard his comedy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFho0_G1VI

[Peelee]

No, but I heard his comedy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQFho0_G1VI

That's partly it, but the whole story is Prowse was offered his choice of Chewbacca or Vader. He chose Vader, because he figured the villains are more recognizable and bigger characters. He was then handed a mask (to be fair here, Chewie also had a mask, but he didn't know either of those). So he was disappointed, but still had the big villain role. The voice dubbing he didn't know about until he was actually watching the movie at the premier, because nobody bothered to tell him.

[Fyraltari]

That's partly it, but the whole story is Prowse was offered his choice of Chewbacca or Vader. He chose Vader, because he figured the villains are more recognizable and bigger characters. He was then handed a mask (to be fair here, Chewie also had a mask, but he didn't know either of those). So he was disappointed, but still had the big villain role. The voice dubbing he didn't know about until he was actually watching the movie at the premier, because nobody bothered to tell him.

Really? That’s just mean.
He was still onboard for the sequels, though?

[Peelee]

Really? That’s just mean.
He was still onboard for the sequels, though?

Yes, it was a pretty big jerk move. For the sequels, my guess is money. He signed on to have a cut of the net profits from Return of the Jedi. Which, according to multiple letters Lucasfilm sent him, has yet to actually make a profit. Oh, and he was later banned by Lucas from all official events and conventions, which made up a not-insubstantial amount of his income. There were some other factors involved there, I'm not making him out to be a saint or anything, but the original Darth Vader has some pretty strong feelings towards George Lucas, I can tell you.

[Jasdoif]

I've always liked 511 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0511.html)'s density of verbal comedy.

There were some other factors involved there, I'm not making him out to be a saint or anything, but the original Darth Vader has some pretty strong feelings towards George Lucas, I can tell you.You've searched his feelings, so you know it to be true?

[Peelee]

I've always liked 511 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0511.html)'s density of verbal comedy.
You've searched his feelings, so you know it to be true?

His thoughts betrayed him.

[Darth Paul]

It only took 26 posts to turn this into another thread about Star Wars.

Impressive. Most impressive.

[RatElemental]

It only took 26 posts to turn this into another thread about Star Wars.

Impressive. Most impressive.

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

[locksmith of lo]

as someone that has always self-identified as chaotic, formerly CN but as of late finding myself more CG, the the philosophy of chaos (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0606.html) has always resonated deeply with me ever since i first read it. it was the pivot of belkar's own personal evolution too. :smallsmile:

[locksmith of lo]

but actually, more important for me as a psychanalysis masters student, the cathartic moment, a couple of pages later, where belkar identifies himself as a sexy shoeless god of war (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0610.html) is deeply satisfying. :smallbiggrin:

[Peelee]

but actually, more important for me as a psychanalysis masters student
https://yogurtwithstrawberries.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/standup-philosopher-2.jpg?w=275

[Dogcula]

...the original Darth Vader has some pretty strong feelings towards George Lucas, I can tell you.

Any idea how he feels about Shaw stealing his few seconds in the spotlight?

Oh god how did you people manage to do this in a thread about helping foreign students learn English? This whole forum is infectious.

[Peelee]

Any idea how he feels about Shaw stealing his few seconds in the spotlight?

Semantically unimportant.:smalltongue:

[woweedd]

https://yogurtwithstrawberries.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/standup-philosopher-2.jpg?w=275
An actual thing that existed, funnily enough. Rich people in ancient Rome really would hire people to be at their parties and recite philosophy so as to make the host seem "cultured". I love historical things that fell like they should be made-up, but are actually real. Ancient Rome also had drive-throughs, action figures, and celebrities shilling for products.

[SilverCacaobean]

He signed on to have a cut of the net profits from Return of the Jedi. Which, according to multiple letters Lucasfilm sent him, has yet to actually make a profit.

How is this even possible???


I love historical things that fell like they should be made-up, but are actually real.

Of course. After all, reality has no use for verisimilitude. :smalltongue:


OP, I firmly believe the most representative strip is this (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0091.html)! No, wait! This (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0301.html)!

Ok, ok... I'd pick this (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0736.html), actually. It's not my favourite or anything, but I think it's pretty funny, it illustrates the kind of humour you should expect, it's not really spoilery and it's not heavy. Scenes like Tarquin's speech or other emotionally charged scenes, in my opinion, work better if you build up to them and you've gotten to know the characters.

[Fyraltari]

How is this even possible???

New Line Cinema told the Tolkien Estate the same thing about the Lord of the Rings movies.

[Peelee]

How is this even possible???

Hollywood accounting, and why actors take a cut of the gross and not the net. All the money that a successful movie would have made went into advertising and other costs for other things, and it never actually posted a net profit, despite having a monumental gross profit.

Or, to put it simply, the accounting is done by.... stand up philosophers.

[SilverCacaobean]

New Line Cinema told the Tolkien Estate the same thing about the Lord of the Rings movies.


Hollywood accounting, and why actors take a cut of the gross and not the net. All the money that a successful movie would have made went into advertising and other costs for other things, and it never actually posted a net profit, despite having a monumental gross profit.

I'm not sure why I was surprised by this level of corruption, but it caught me off guard, for some reason. I can only guess that they have a very special way of calculating the expenses of the net income... Ugh.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

How is this even possible???

Well, someone needs to employ Lawful Evil accountants. It's such an open secret that the wiki page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_accounting) for it exists. I can't tell you what it says, though. My blood starts boiling long before I get to the details.

Grey Wolf

[Darth Paul]

Well, someone needs to employ Lawful Evil accountants. It's such an open secret that the wiki page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_accounting) for it exists. I can't tell you what it says, though. My blood starts boiling long before I get to the details.

Grey Wolf

There's a reason people think accountants are evil, all right.

For example, the US tax code is 73,954 pages long, and there are approximately 1.24 million accountants in the United States. They have lobbyists. I see a connection there. If doing your income taxes was a matter of "Take your income, subtract X dollars per family member, then look at this table to see how much you owe", how many of those accountants would be out of work tomorrow?

[Mightymosy]

I have always loved #78.
Hilarious.
And hints at a greater plot.
What's not to love?
It sorta lacks visual humor, that's true. But other than that it's great.

Another awesome one with visual humor is when Belkar gets the riding dog. One of the few I just can't help laughing even reading it again and again.

[dps]

There's a reason people think accountants are evil, all right.

For example, the US tax code is 73,954 pages long, and there are approximately 1.24 million accountants in the United States. They have lobbyists. I see a connection there. If doing your income taxes was a matter of "Take your income, subtract X dollars per family member, then look at this table to see how much you owe", how many of those accountants would be out of work tomorrow?

People employ accountants for things other than doing their taxes, you know.

Things like cheating actors out of their share of the profits from a film.

[woweedd]

There's a reason people think accountants are evil, all right.

For example, the US tax code is 73,954 pages long, and there are approximately 1.24 million accountants in the United States. They have lobbyists. I see a connection there. If doing your income taxes was a matter of "Take your income, subtract X dollars per family member, then look at this table to see how much you owe", how many of those accountants would be out of work tomorrow?
From what i've heard, that's actually partly the tax software lobby.

[Peelee]

There's a reason people think accountants are evil, all right.

For example, the US tax code is 73,954 pages long, and there are approximately 1.24 million accountants in the United States. They have lobbyists. I see a connection there. If doing your income taxes was a matter of "Take your income, subtract X dollars per family member, then look at this table to see how much you owe", how many of those accountants would be out of work tomorrow?

Very few, I'd wager. A lot of people that use accountants for their taxes don't actually need an accountant. There's a lot I'd like to discuss on this, but I'm going to play it safe and leave it at that.

[locksmith of lo]

https://yogurtwithstrawberries.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/standup-philosopher-2.jpg?w=275

hey if i can get paid for it, i'll take it! :smallbiggrin:

[Peelee]

hey if i can get paid for it, i'll take it! :smallbiggrin:

Welp, you've certainly verified you're a grad student.:smalltongue: