Grrl Power VI: Stripping The Hero Doesnt Work

[Max_Killjoy]

Honestly, in some ways it's a vehicle to draw thinly-disguised pinups of whatever takes Dave's fancy with some gags added in to enable fun poses. This has led to some real character bloat though.

I don't mind spending most of the time on jokes (though I certainly would say this week's funny banter was far from a comic highlight), but it would be better to spend less time with complete throw-away characters. The cast continues to balloon ever-further, making any advancement of the actual plot take longer and spreading such development as there is thinner and thinner across more people.

IMO, there was zero need to "develop" this pair of aliens, and the "joke" that took two updates to set up was a wet squib.

[Shining Wrath]

Even Dave agrees this strip (Monday’s) is pointless. Can we move on?

[Max_Killjoy]

Even Dave agrees this strip (Monday’s) is pointless. Can we move on?

Some webcomic authors would have done these as a side-project as they got time... and linked to them or put them in some bonus thing... IDK.

[Forum Explorer]

Even Dave agrees this strip (Monday’s) is pointless. Can we move on?

He said that about the whole sequence.

[Radar]

He said that about the whole sequence.

I guess this means that he does not do much forward planning as this kind of hindsight would not be needed, if the story structure was properly examined in advance. A bit of a shame and a bit of hope that he will improve over time just as he does improve his drawing skills.

[Max_Killjoy]

As far as I know, the strip is STILL in flashback and hasn't closed the gap with the opening scene.

[sihnfahl]

As far as I know, the strip is STILL in flashback and hasn't closed the gap with the opening scene.

If I remember the original version, she was headed out to an incident on her own, inferring that she's unlocked a LOT more powers from the orbs, to the point that she needs no backup.

[Traab]

If I remember the original version, she was headed out to an incident on her own, inferring that she's unlocked a LOT more powers from the orbs, to the point that she needs no backup.

Well she holds an actual military rank beyond recruit, corporal iirc, so there is that. She hasnt graduated from basic despite being on literally every single combat mission arcswat has had. I dont know if she was going on solo missions, somehow I doubt it as thats just terrible strategy. I wouldnt even send maxima out with no backup or support and she is a professional soldier superman. Did a quick jump back to the start, no indication she works solo, she was just reporting in to headquarters.

[Forum Explorer]

I guess this means that he does not do much forward planning as this kind of hindsight would not be needed, if the story structure was properly examined in advance. A bit of a shame and a bit of hope that he will improve over time just as he does improve his drawing skills.

No, he said that at the beginning of the sequence. To quote:

This next sequence will probably illuminate my lack of editorial rigor. I’m trying to wrap up this whole Aliens in Times Square kerfuffle, and I thought, “Why not do a romance subplot between two aliens whose names you guys don’t know?”

Also why he did it:

Anyway, my bar for putting stuff in the comic is “does it amuse me?” and it seems to have been a viable strategy so far.

[sihnfahl]

Did a quick jump back to the start, no indication she works solo, she was just reporting in to headquarters.

That's why I said 'if I remember the original version' - it's been running for over a decade now, and for some reason my brain 'remembers' that she was originally on her way to a mission on her own, not just checking in. But it did have a few extra details in it, that, if I'm remembering correctly, let a few character things out early.

[Traab]

Does anyone else feel like this alien girl is going to turn out to be some incredible badass as an attempt to shock us because she sounds so airheaded and ditzy with her bad english and general appearance? Possibly she might just have some sort of innate ability to taze them to the ground in a heartbeat or whatever.

[Shining Wrath]

Does anyone else feel like this alien girl is going to turn out to be some incredible badass as an attempt to shock us because she sounds so airheaded and ditzy with her bad english and general appearance? Possibly she might just have some sort of innate ability to taze them to the ground in a heartbeat or whatever.

Would that amuse Dave? It just might. And that's the best prediction for what will happen.

[Max_Killjoy]

Already wasted two weeks on this sidebar, why not waste another two weeks.

[Shining Wrath]

So beautiful you puke? Dave's weird.

[Max_Killjoy]

This sidetrack just keeps getting more aggravating.

If the damn thing actually eats "demon girl", then the last two weeks of "character development" that started with reptile skeev, will be even MORE pointless than it already was.

[sihnfahl]

So beautiful you puke? Dave's weird.

I believe the intent was "it's a lovely sequence of lighting and patterns ... but if you look at it too long, it plays with the parts of the brain that handle equilibrium, so you end up puking from the disorientation."

Edit: Aaaand someone commented on the comic if it was an unintentional crossover with Freefall.... oh boy.

[lord_khaine]

Edit: Aaaand someone commented on the comic if it was an unintentional crossover with Freefall.... oh boy.

Well.. kinda feels a bit like?
If so its the most interesting bit we have had since HW began to get screen time.
Honestly the last month have been kinda bad.

[HandofShadows]

Why do I get the feeling that the Umbrivion is not a space tourist and is an immigrant?

[sihnfahl]

Why do I get the feeling that the Umbrivion is not a space tourist and is an immigrant?

We first see him here, so ... no idea?

[Max_Killjoy]

Why do I get the feeling that the Umbrivion is not a space tourist and is an immigrant?

Per Dave's comments, it's another supporter cameo.

[HandofShadows]

We first see him here, so ... no idea?

You are correct. I had totally forgotten about that. He's a tourist as well. One that doesn't like his friends getting assaulted.

[TeChameleon]

Am I the only one that's darkly amused by the fact that the other alien (the one in the... aquatic?.. pressure helmet) is now in an opaque bubble?

[Dragonus45]

So beautiful you puke? Dave's weird.

Kind of funny seeing that line from when the Umbrivion first showed up pay off though.

Am I the only one that's darkly amused by the fact that the other alien (the one in the... aquatic?.. pressure helmet) is now in an opaque bubble?

I missed that, and now I can't un see it. You aren't alone in the dark amusement here. These last few months have been great.

[lord_khaine]

I missed that, and now I can't un see it. You aren't alone in the dark amusement here. These last few months have been great.

Oh god.. i noticed the tiny fish skeleton myself now.
Dave has had to much fun there.

[TeChameleon]

Aaaaaand the most recent strip.

I... uh... what?

[Kantaki]

I'm not entirely sure what the Nine Hell's just happened.
But I definitely don't want to think about it.
Doubly so just before going to sleep...

[PoeticallyPsyco]

Looks like the 'real' alien was that flame on her forehead, and the 'body' was actually just a chassis, based on the text at the bottom of the page.

[TeChameleon]

Looks like the 'real' alien was that flame on her forehead, and the 'body' was actually just a chassis, based on the text at the bottom of the page.

Oddly enough, that part didn't give me any real trouble.

It was just... the rest.

Especially the look on the hawaiian-shirt-guy-disguise' face as it closed back up

[Shining Wrath]

Either (as someone suggested) the alien is the flame, and she was riding a robot body; or - her species has the ability to detach their souls from their bodies and stash them in a safe place.

Comments suggest they have "disposable bodies", which supports either view, I guess.

[sihnfahl]

I'm not entirely sure what the Nine Hell's just happened.

Thought process:

"Hey, those scenes where the Flerkin ate the baddies was COOL. I wanna do that!"