Next-strip predictions

[arimareiji]

I think it's time for me to go to bed because these caused me to hurt my face from laughing so hard. WanderingMist and Metastachydium are the heroes we need, but not the ones we deserve.

Panel one: Tarquin army appears round the edge of Monster Hollow.
Panel Two: Close-up of Tarquin smugly grinning
Panel Three: Tarquin holds up rabbit.
Panel Four: Elan reaction shot
Panel Five: Tarquin punches rabbit.
Name of the strip: He did say to make a note of it.

And Riftwolf. (^_^)b

Presumably very quickly?

Good point.

...unless hell is working in a gas station* for eternity, and you sneak bites when you're stocking the freezer.

<sub>* - Don't blame me for this weird non sequitur, blame the person who created the button "Of course I believe there's a literal hell. I work retail." that I saw aeons ago. (^_~)

Edit: Adding another reply</sub>

[brian 333]

In 1235 we will see TE, (minus MitD,) but before Haley can do her thing Serini will make her move, along with Orange Voice.

Durkon will be the first to fall.

[Ionathus]

Yes, that's true. I was trying to indicate that by saying "a surprising scene change."

Not that Thog eating ice cream is surprising, but I would be surprised to cut to see that at this moment.

One of my favorite bits about Questionable Content is that whenever somebody yells at the author "what's Steve doing?!? We haven't seen him in the comic in forever!!" he will post a comic of Steve eating cereal.

[brian 333]

I like to guess what comes next, but I admit I am put off by readers who feel emtitled to demand the author write this or that. I'm sure the above example is all in good fun, but I have strong beliefs regarding artistic integrity and how any artist's first responsibility is to his muse.

Webcomics appear to us to be conversations, but they are not. The artist must compose them like a painting. And if he paints a happy little tree everywhere we readers demand, there won't be room for the mountain he wanted to paint.

[Ionathus]

Webcomics appear to us to be conversations, but they are not.

Exactly; well said.

This is one of the things I don't really love about the fanbases of both webcomics (especially this one, given its very active forum) and narrative podcasts. Even though Rich recently said he doesn't like to "sell himself" in a parasocial content creator relationship with his fans, the way this forum talks about his work is still very evocative of that same dynamic. Fans who believe they are right and even that they have the right to criticize the work with a very familiar, authoritative tone, as if they're just an old friend understands the author completely and is just giving personal, invited feedback.

I don't see the same thing with books or movies, which are neatly packaged and published in a completed format from the start. People can criticize them, but it's in a much more detached format. It doesn't hurt that the whole story is told all at once, meaning that people don't have the time to say "I don't get it, therefore the author is a bad author" when the explanation is still obviously forthcoming.

Serialized fiction can be fun, but the nitpicking and sense of familiarity from the fan community is exhausting at times.

[KorvinStarmast]

... but I have strong beliefs regarding artistic integrity and how any artist's first responsibility is to his muse.

I am with you.

Webcomics appear to us to be conversations, but they are not. The artist must compose them like a painting. And if he paints a happy little tree everywhere we readers demand, there won't be room for the mountain he wanted to paint.

*golf clap*

I think Rich went on record a while back about why he has to/had to step away from the forum. Not gonna search that, though, it's self evident.

[brian 333]

In 1235 we will see TE, (minus MitD,) but before Haley can do her thing Serini will make her move, along with Orange Voice.

Durkon will be the first to fall.

And my 100% score for predicting what Mr.Burlew will write next remains intact!

I have been perfectly wrong every time, but a perfect record is a perfect record!

[arimareiji]

Yes, that's true. I was trying to indicate that by saying "a surprising scene change."

Not that Thog eating ice cream is surprising, but I would be surprised to cut to see that at this moment.

One of my favorite bits about Questionable Content is that whenever somebody yells at the author "what's Steve doing?!? We haven't seen him in the comic in forever!!" he will post a comic of Steve eating cereal.

I like to guess what comes next, but I admit I am put off by readers who feel emtitled to demand the author write this or that. I'm sure the above example is all in good fun, but I have strong beliefs regarding artistic integrity and how any artist's first responsibility is to his muse.

It's hard for me to guess what you meant to reference -- to me, the above post and the series of jokes that led to it seem confusingly far from being a demand. But I certainly agree in principle.

I'm frequently astonished by the way other posters in other threads have excoriated the Giant because he doesn't write OotS the way they like -- e.g. as a DM who strictly obeys their personal interpretation of the rules, and/or portraying every goblin being an Evil Villain Who Needs Killing from birth and who deserves as miserable of a short life as the gods can make.

I hope this will remain a place where people can make serious, or joking, predictions without being mis-perceived as -- let alone in reality -- demanding that the Giant fulfill their wishes.

[Edreyn]

Demanding from author to write following someone's wishes is dumb. Why bother reading then? Just imagine the story you like, or even write yourself.

I don't much like the current arc about goblins needing help, but that's why I read comic (or any other book) - I want to be surprised by what author does next.

[Dion]

I demand of the Giant that Thog, if he is still alive, must eat ice cream.

I’m not saying the Giant needs to draw it. Thog can do it off panel, unremarked on by anyone in strip.

I’m just saying that I don’t want an epilogue like “and Thog never got to eat ice cream ever again”.

[arimareiji]

Demanding from author to write following someone's wishes is dumb. Why bother reading then? Just imagine the story you like, or even write yourself.

I don't much like the current arc about goblins needing help, but that's why I read comic (or any other book) - I want to be surprised by what author does next.

Well-said.

It's very easy to think, when we get an unpleasant surprise, that surprises are inherently bad. If you ask me, "no surprises" would be a literal hell. (^_^)

I demand of the Giant that Thog, if he is still alive, must eat ice cream.

I’m not saying the Giant needs to draw it. Thog can do it off panel, unremarked on by anyone in strip.

I’m just saying that I don’t want an epilogue like “and Thog never got to eat ice cream ever again”.

Smart@$$.

[pearl jam]

I demand of the Giant that Thog, if he is still alive, must eat ice cream.

I’m not saying the Giant needs to draw it. Thog can do it off panel, unremarked on by anyone in strip.

I’m just saying that I don’t want an epilogue like “and Thog never got to eat ice cream ever again”.

If I demand an epilogue to include that, then we can see which of us the Giant loves more.

Smart@$$.

I'll just go ahead and save you the trouble.

[brian 333]

It's hard for me to guess what you meant to reference -- to me, the above post and the series of jokes that led to it seem confusingly far from being a demand. But I certainly agree in principle.

I'm frequently astonished by the way other posters in other threads have excoriated the Giant because he doesn't write OotS the way they like -- e.g. as a DM who strictly obeys their personal interpretation of the rules, and/or portraying every goblin being an Evil Villain Who Needs Killing from birth and who deserves as miserable of a short life as the gods can make.

I hope this will remain a place where people can make serious, or joking, predictions without being mis-perceived as -- let alone in reality -- demanding that the Giant fulfill their wishes.

I apologize for my lack of clarity. I did not intend you to think the criticism was directed at you. My comment referred to forum posters who expected an author to show them what a specific character was doing at a particular time. Sure, it was a joke and the author went along with it, and everyone had a good time.

But writing is a craft, and it takes a craftsman to do it well. We readers and critics are certainly entitled to our opinions, but we are not the writer of this, or any other, webcomic. Our opinions on the crafting of a webcomic matter about as much as the opinion of a janitor matter to a brain surgeon. The brain surgeon shouldn't take the janitor's opinion seriously, and the janitor is a fool if he thinks the brain surgeon should.

If Rich ever needs help with a broken window, my experience as a handyman may be useful. But I am not entitled to demand he write or explain anything, and I certainly have no authority to declare that he wrote it wrong.

[arimareiji]

I apologize for my lack of clarity. I did not intend you to think the criticism was directed at you. My comment referred to forum posters who expected an author to show them what a specific character was doing at a particular time. Sure, it was a joke and the author went along with it, and everyone had a good time.

But writing is a craft, and it takes a craftsman to do it well. We readers and critics are certainly entitled to our opinions, but we are not the writer of this, or any other, webcomic. Our opinions on the crafting of a webcomic matter about as much as the opinion of a janitor matter to a brain surgeon. The brain surgeon shouldn't take the janitor's opinion seriously, and the janitor is a fool if he thinks the brain surgeon should.

If Rich ever needs help with a broken window, my experience as a handyman may be useful. But I am not entitled to demand he write or explain anything, and I certainly have no authority to declare that he wrote it wrong.

I'm glad to hear it, and all the more glad I was more careful with my words than I can sometimes be (by explicitly referring to other posters in other threads).

I've seen others imply or even assert that they know better than the Giant how he should craft his story, but I have no memory of you doing the same. And I'm glad that you also find it... to be safe, regrettable.

Last but not least, I'm also glad if I understood correctly that you were only talking about the QC posters -- I misunderstood, and thought you meant the posts in this thread. (I'd noticed you definitely hadn't directed criticism toward me, but I was less sure whether you believed people in this thread were making serious demands.)

[brian 333]

I think you got my intent. Guessing what comes next is fun. Demanding the author do this or that is not.

I don't know where the story is going, and so far I am enjoying it. I can't wait to read the story Mr. Burlew wants to write.

And if I could do it better I'd have my own webcomic.

[Brumagris]

Seems like Roy and Durkon closed their conversation with an agreement and the rest of the team got their screen time. 10 gold that in 1236 we will see some action. I am going to bet on a decoy tactic from Serini that will keep the Order somehow engaged. Perhaps even a comment from Blackwing on something approaching. Bit of talk and an ominous cliffhanger to open the real fight in 1237.

And for the big bet long shot, by 1240 we will have TE leaving the cave undisturbed and Blackwing having to mount a rescue operation.

[Fyraltari]

Blackwing having to mount a rescue operation.

And he's going to hum the Mission: Impossible theme, the entire time.

[arimareiji]

And my 100% score for predicting what Mr.Burlew will write next remains intact!

I have been perfectly wrong every time, but a perfect record is a perfect record!

Any ideas for 1236, or is better to quit while you're ahead/behind?
_{(I've spent money in a casino exactly once and never again for the former reason, and I'm trying to absorb the latter reason in other areas that may be apparent. orz)}

I'm leaning toward "Team Evil minimal-or-post-action and/or talking, in such a way that will raise suspense that ambushing them would be a huge mistake."

Not sure what follows, but I'm also leaning toward the suggestion that Serini's ambush is being set up as a surprise (so not in the next couple of strips at least).

[brian 333]

I'll risk my record and predict that TE will be visited by Serini who will rat out TOotS, and offer them unobstructed access to the gate in exchange for their promise to use it without destroying it because she understands how hard it is to be a monster these days.

After all, the theme of the comic is that moral relativism is superior to moral absolutism, and every monster would be a good guy if the world would just give a monster a break.

[Riftwolf]

Next strip prediction for real this time
Roy and Durkon are mid-pontificate when suddenly the Telepathy cuts out. Then V drops to the ground. Then the doorway turns to a dead end.
By the time V figures out its an antimagic effect, Serini's already started attacking.

[Metastachydium]

Next strip prediction for real this time
Roy and Durkon are mid-pontificate when suddenly the Telepathy cuts out. Then V drops to the ground. Then the doorway turns to a dead end.
By the time V figures out its an antimagic effect, Serini's already started attacking.

I'm not sure shutting off magic is in Serini's best interest. Without access to it, she is toast.

[Ionathus]

I'll risk my record and predict that TE will be visited by Serini who will rat out TOotS, and offer them unobstructed access to the gate in exchange for their promise to use it without destroying it because she understands how hard it is to be a monster these days.

After all, the theme of the comic is that moral relativism is superior to moral absolutism, and every monster would be a good guy if the world would just give a monster a break.

I don't think she'll visit Team Evil directly, since she's been keeping silent since their arrival. I figure she's still hoping for the slim chance that they continue to spin their wheels without realizing the teleportation trap exists.

[Squire Doodad]

I don't think she'll visit Team Evil directly, since she's been keeping silent since their arrival. I figure she's still hoping for the slim chance that they continue to spin their wheels without realizing the teleportation trap exists.

Atm, if they don't figure out the teleportation trap exists via their natural action, then that means the Order is more of a threat than Xykon since they're about to jeopardize the trap in hopes of taking down Xykon - which, as we know, Serini doesn't believe they can do.

[KorvinStarmast]

But writing is a craft, and it takes a craftsman to do it well. We readers and critics are certainly entitled to our opinions, but we are not the writer of this, or any other, webcomic. Our opinions on the crafting of a webcomic matter about as much as the opinion of a janitor matter to a brain surgeon. The brain surgeon shouldn't take the janitor's opinion seriously, and the janitor is a fool if he thinks the brain surgeon should.

TR had a nice little bit about "it's not the critic who counts" and that fits this situation nicely.

I'll risk my record and predict that TE will be visited by Serini who will rat out TOotS, and offer them unobstructed access to the gate in exchange for their promise to use it without destroying it because she understands how hard it is to be a monster these days.

Not going with that bet.

[halfeye]

It's looking as if 1234 will be another exposition comic.

Now looking likely that 2346 will be four chatter comics in a row.

[KorvinStarmast]

Now looking likely that 2346 will be four chatter comics in a row.

I'll guess that 1236 will break up the incessant yapping with the entry of another party, and I think Serini is that other party. For some reason, I don't think she'll say

Spoiler: Serini has her own idiom

Show

"Sneak attack, bitch"

when she shoots Haley with a poisoned / treated bolt.

[Precure]

In strip 1236, someone will die!

[Squire Doodad]

In strip 1236, someone will die!

Will it be this Xykon? Probably Xykon.

[Precure]

Will it be this Xykon? Probably Xykon.

Isn't he dead?

[elros]

In 1235 we will see TE, (minus MitD,) but before Haley can do her thing Serini will make her move, along with Orange Voice.

Durkon will be the first to fall.

It's a good question about how Serini will attack OOTS. I am thinking she will attack V first, because:

• Always geek the mage first,
• Serini should know that Dwarfs have resistance to poison,
• Elves have low constitution, so she could get rid of V pretty quickly.

My question would be who she disables next. I think she would use an area of effect, maybe entanglement, to disable as many of the party as possible.
I would love a breakdown of that encounter, the same way wrote them up for the Order's fights against Miko.