Girl Genius XXXI: Let’s look at it from farther away!

[Willie the Duck]

I wonder, how many times did Lucrezia get "defeated" in this sequence? Let's count:
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
Eight!
Nine!

Nine times was Lucrezia vanquished today! And she's still not down!

I think even Rasputin would say she's overdoing the bit.

Rasputin didn't really resist death in any major way, it was almost all after the fact propaganda to make the killing sound more awesome. And that's really the difference. If we were hearing the tale from... the minstrel in this story... and he told about the nine times it took for Lucrezia to actually die (maybe a two-page spread or even four), it would be amusing, interesting, and speak to how powerful she is as a threat. This just feels like padding... the kind webcomic artists who don't have the story all mapped out (like I guess I just assume the Foglios do) might do. It seems dissonant.

[Fyraltari]

Rasputin didn't really resist death in any major way, it was almost all after the fact propaganda to make the killing sound more awesome.

Yeah I know, but it's a good story. Also it's likely his corpse did sit up on the pyre, which is always fun and may have kickstarted the rumor.

And that's really the difference. If we were hearing the tale from... the minstrel in this story... and he told about the nine times it took for Lucrezia to actually die (maybe a two-page spread or even four), it would be amusing, interesting, and speak to how powerful she is as a threat. This just feels like padding... the kind webcomic artists who don't have the story all mapped out (like I guess I just assume the Foglios do) might do. It seems dissonant.

I think this is supposed to be a drawned out death. Lucrezia "comes back" more visibly damaged and unhinged each time. The Foglios are putting her through the wringer ad her last scene (well this version's last scene), it's her still being presented as a threat each time that makes it look more and more ridiculous.

Also, I noticed whil compiling this little list, that the ascension of the Princesses marks the end of a volume and... I am the only one who finds the way this comic is divided very odd? The volumes don't seem to match arcs with set-ups, pay-offs and resolutions of plot points, they just seem to match an arbitrary volume length.

Like in The Order of the Stick, the end of each book feels like an ending whereas this just cuts in the middle of a scene.

[Shining Wrath]

Yeah I know, but it's a good story. Also it's likely his corpse did sit up on the pyre, which is always fun and may have kickstarted the rumor.

I think this is supposed to be a drawned out death. Lucrezia "comes back" more visibly damaged and unhinged each time. The Foglios are putting her through the wringer ad her last scene (well this version's last scene), it's her still being presented as a threat each time that makes it look more and more ridiculous.

Also, I noticed whil compiling this little list, that the ascension of the Princesses marks the end of a volume and... I am the only one who finds the way this comic is divided very odd? The volumes don't seem to match arcs with set-ups, pay-offs and resolutions of plot points, they just seem to match an arbitrary volume length.

Like in The Order of the Stick, the end of each book feels like an ending whereas this just cuts in the middle of a scene.

A point that may be being driven home, at length, is that the clank body can't heal despite access to The Flame, while Monahan still looks healthy. And the Foglios may think they'll sell more books if you need to buy the next one to see how this arc ends.

We saw in earlier strips that when Albia shrinks the process generates heat - she hurt Zeetha's hand. I wonder why she's not roughly a bazillion degrees right now?

[InvisibleBison]

We saw in earlier strips that when Albia shrinks the process generates heat - she hurt Zeetha's hand. I wonder why she's not roughly a bazillion degrees right now?

Maybe she channeled the heat into that POOM.

[Shining Wrath]

Maybe she channeled the heat into that POOM.

But she shrank while unconscious and shouldn't have made any decisions at all.

[Traab]

Its more likely that clankrezia isnt going down to demonstrate the absolutely inhuman tenacity and determination that has kept her alive and semi sane for these millenia she has been hopscotching around history doing whatever. We still dont have details about much other than she has killed lots of queens and has studied the mirrors for a very long time, but its very clear she has gone through a freaking LOT.

[Zazu Yen]

Its more likely that clankrezia isnt going down to demonstrate the absolutely inhuman tenacity and determination that has kept her alive and semi sane for these millenia she has been hopscotching around history doing whatever. We still dont have details about much other than she has killed lots of queens and has studied the mirrors for a very long time, but its very clear she has gone through a freaking LOT.

I agree with this. Have we ever actually seen an aspect of Lucrezia die? She's practically a force of nature at this point. This is why I suspect the Muse of Time may be an earlier splinter off of Lucrezia that didn't go into the world conquering business but is rather hopscotching around time and possibly dimensions with her own goals. The Lucrezia that invaded Agatha probably knew of her and her interactions with Van Rijn, thus intuiting how to free her, but I don't believe they are the same person. Anymore, anyway. Or not from this timeline.

[Fyraltari]

I agree with this. Have we ever actually seen an aspect of Lucrezia die?

The one in Agatha's head.

[Divayth Fyr]

The one in Agatha's head.

She was removed from Agatha and transferred into a container. One host away from being free isn't exactly dead.

[Traab]

The one in Agatha's head.

It didnt die, it was moved to a different container.

[Shining Wrath]

I agree with this. Have we ever actually seen an aspect of Lucrezia die? She's practically a force of nature at this point. This is why I suspect the Muse of Time may be an earlier splinter off of Lucrezia that didn't go into the world conquering business but is rather hopscotching around time and possibly dimensions with her own goals. The Lucrezia that invaded Agatha probably knew of her and her interactions with Van Rijn, thus intuiting how to free her, but I don't believe they are the same person. Anymore, anyway. Or not from this timeline.

Still wonder if time-travel Muse Lucrezia didn't see a horrible future and went Full Klaus Wulfenbach to prevent it. "I must rule, because the alternative is rule by the Mime Queen".

[Zazu Yen]

Still wonder if time-travel Muse Lucrezia didn't see a horrible future and went Full Klaus Wulfenbach to prevent it. "I must rule, because the alternative is rule by the Mime Queen".

Indeed. One of my pet theories is that the Muse of Time is Lucrezia from the timeline of Othar's twitter, where Europa ended up a blasted wasteland, and she is now possibly working to prevent that. Which should put her opposed to Lucrezia in part, since Othar believe the Other was responsible for the destruction. Or maybe the Heterodyne boys & Queens caused it in opposition to Lucrezia ("in order to save Europa, we had to destroy it", kind of thing). So maybe SHE told this Lucrezia how to deal with the Queens and kidnapped the Heterodyne boys in this timeline to remove Lucrezia's main competition, not having counted on Agatha filling the power vacuum.

EDIT: The Muse of Time could even be from the time before that. Or from THIS timeline, or the next. Time travel stories are fun! Who knows how many times Time Travel Lucrezia has danced this dance.

[Thales]

...Maybe this will finally do her in?


Man, if Tarvek were with the crew, they could have ended all this with two words.

[geoduck]

...Maybe this will finally do her in?


Man, if Tarvek were with the crew, they could have ended all this with two words.

Eh, maybe. Now that Lucrezia knows about the issue, she's likely found a way to counter it.

And I doubt this will finish her off, but at least we've learned which side Monahan's joining.

[Shining Wrath]

"No one saw this coming", said no one who has been watching this battle play out.

Interesting comment about Albia's power "aging". Not merely that the Flame is at ebb, but that Albia is getting old. Is it possible we're about to see Paris redux, where Albia is trying to hold on until a worthy heir appears?

[Gez]

This just feels like padding... the kind webcomic artists who don't have the story all mapped out (like I guess I just assume the Foglios do) might do. It seems dissonant.

I don't think the plot is all mapped out; notably because we know it has greatly diverged from the original plan. I know the Castle Heterodyne arc certainly felt like stalling for time, and there also have been various bona fide fillers (paper dolls, Weasel Queen, guest comics...) so I wouldn't be surprised.

Like I'm sure there are points that they have mapped out (closing the time loop from the beginning for example) but the journey between these points?

[Zazu Yen]

I don't think the plot is all mapped out; notably because we know it has greatly diverged from the original plan. I know the Castle Heterodyne arc certainly felt like stalling for time, and there also have been various bona fide fillers (paper dolls, Weasel Queen, guest comics...) so I wouldn't be surprised.

Like I'm sure there are points that they have mapped out (closing the time loop from the beginning for example) but the journey between these points?

I doubt the Foglio's ever pad for story plotting reasons. They're long experienced story tellers who I doubt would ever be stuck on a plot point they didn't see coming so long as a single day. Remember the "cork board of continuity madness"? The taking down of a Lucrezia is a momentous occasion and they wan't it to feel that way, it will read much better when not being read a-page-every-other-day, just as the Castle doesn't feel nearly as dragged out when read straight through. They also probably want the big final to be on a chapter break for print reasons.

Monahan knows who'd be next if Aliba was finished off, but "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" deal only lasts so long as there's a common enemy. Maybe she'll try to negotiate a truce afterwords if she gets to keep the island and what's left of the flame here, maybe she'll go for broke and try to claim England for herself. Then we'll probably have another "Master of Paris" type situation though who would claim the throne isn't as clear.

[geoduck]

Monahan knows who'd be next if Aliba was finished off, but "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" deal only lasts so long as there's a common enemy. Maybe she'll try to negotiate a truce afterwords if she gets to keep the island and what's left of the flame here, maybe she'll go for broke and try to claim England for herself. Then we'll probably have another "Master of Paris" type situation though who would claim the throne isn't as clear.

I assume it will be one of Albia's daughters, but hopefully not Neena, as it's pretty clear she isn't remotely ready to take the job.

[Zazu Yen]

I don't think the plot is all mapped out; notably because we know it has greatly diverged from the original plan. I know the Castle Heterodyne arc certainly felt like stalling for time, and there also have been various bona fide fillers (paper dolls, Weasel Queen, guest comics...) so I wouldn't be surprised.

Like I'm sure there are points that they have mapped out (closing the time loop from the beginning for example) but the journey between these points?

I doubt the Foglio's ever pad for story plotting reasons. They're long experienced story tellers who I doubt would ever be stuck on a plot point they didn't see coming so long as a single day. Remember the "cork board of continuity madness"? The taking down of a Lucrezia is a momentous occasion and they wan't it to feel that way, it will read much better when not being read a-page-every-other-day, just as the Castle doesn't feel nearly as dragged out when read straight through. They also probably want the big final to be on a chapter break for print reasons.

Monahan knows who'd be next if Aliba was finished off, but "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" deal only lasts so long as there's a common enemy. Maybe she'll try to negotiate a truce afterwords if she gets to keep the island and what's left of the flame here, maybe she'll go for broke and try to claim England for herself. Then we'll probably have another "Master of Paris" type situation though who would claim the throne isn't as clear.

[Agi Hammerthief]

Monahan knows who'd be next if Aliba was finished off, but "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" deal only lasts so long as there's a common enemy. Maybe she'll try to negotiate a truce afterwords if she gets to keep the island and what's left of the flame here, maybe she'll go for broke and try to claim England for herself. Then we'll probably have another "Master of Paris" type situation though who would claim the throne isn't as clear.

Monahan knows there are other vacant flames, maybe with the help of Albia she can find another one. One that isn’t stuck on an island. (or under the sea)

[Shining Wrath]

Albia said at the start that not everything was bad, and the picture showed Monahan. I think Albia would welcome a fellow Queen and isn't too judgmental about the morals of that Queen. Also, maybe Monahan can take over this Flame, cleanse it, and fix the Deep Dweller / Song Keeper problem.

[Fyraltari]

Albia said at the start that not everything was bad, and the picture showed Monahan. I think Albia would welcome a fellow Queen and isn't too judgmental about the morals of that Queen. Also, maybe Monahan can take over this Flame, cleanse it, and fix the Deep Dweller / Song Keeper problem.

The Queen of England allowing an Irishwoman to establish another monarchy on a (relatively) close island?

[Shining Wrath]

The Queen of England allowing an Irishwoman to establish another monarchy on a (relatively) close island?

It appears so. Albia must be very lonely to tolerate that, but she refers to Monahan as "sister". I'm unsure if Albia is now large, or if Monahan shrank after Zopping Clankrezia. They seem to be the same size as Clankrezia, but maybe she shrank after being defeated?

Probably the former.

[eee]

Albia seems to have recovered quite quickly from Lu's beatdown as soon a Lu went down herself. I wonder if she was faking to see what Monahan would do.

[Shining Wrath]

Albia seems to have recovered quite quickly from Lu's beatdown as soon a Lu went down herself. I wonder if she was faking to see what Monahan would do.

She did speak of repairing the airship and Poom'd one of the Song Keeper's minions rather casually.

I wonder why Lucrezia didn't "DIE!" Monahan at the start?

[Willie the Duck]

I wonder why Lucrezia didn't "DIE!" Monahan at the start?

Was she perhaps not queenified enough at that point?

[Grim Portent]

More likely arrogance, and a bit of cautious power usage.

There's no need to go all out and crush someone with all your power when you can kill them with less, and Lucrezia is prone to underestimating her opponents. If she can defeat Monahan with 5% effort, then why waste 6%? If she can survive 5% then surely she can't handle 8%? So on and so forth.



Notably this Lucrezia has been humbled less often than the one we are used to, not having fought anyone from the main cast until arriving at the undersea dome.

The one we are used to seeing got tricked or overpowered several times, even when she was fully capable of not being beaten because she was overconfident. Hell, she was still being overconfident until the moment she got shoved into the extractor machine.

[Shining Wrath]

Albia doesn't seem too upset by the self-destruct mechanism. Is this more arrogance and overconfidence, or are we about to see Albia enter The Madness Place and disarm the self-destruct with a few simple tools?

[Manga Shoggoth]

Lucrezia tends to be overconfident, and Albia has had milennia to prepare for her next encounter with the thing that was destroying queens.

With respect to Monahan, I'm not overly surprised - Albia has been alone (or at least without a near-equal) for a very long time. She probably welcomes another Queen arising, as long as it isn't Lucrezia (although I think she was perhaps expecting Agatha to be the one to do it...).

[geoduck]

Albia doesn't seem too upset by the self-destruct mechanism. Is this more arrogance and overconfidence, or are we about to see Albia enter The Madness Place and disarm the self-destruct with a few simple tools?

I figure they'll all just skedaddle, or toss Lucrezia's body out of blast-range.