The Monstrous Misadventures of Rusty & Co.

[Lord Torath]

Looks like this level, which started way back on Sept 15, 2015 (over four years ago!), is finally starting to wrap up. All that's left is the denouement and the critical missives.

For anyone who's curious, here is the called shot heard around the world.

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-3

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Briefing

[HorizonWalker]

For those curious:

Yes, the baseball episode is finally over. We've moved on to a new one, albeit one that assumes you read the previous episode, so... buckle up and catch up.

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-7

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Famous bug

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-14

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Such a lovely face

[sihnfahl]

Update: Level 9-14

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Such a lovely face

I wonder what'll happen when they try to check out...

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-16

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This job would be great, if it weren’t for the guests

[Lord Torath]

Woot! Double update today!

[Agi Hammerthief]

Woot! Double update today!

first page was quick to draw I guess

[Kantaki]

Well, that's probably not good.
Rusty's vanished, Maddie's in trouble and someone's very likely a statue.
Y.T.'s our only hope...
Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

But the HoH cameo was great.
Even if it took a moment to click.
The dwarf looked familiar.

[Gez]

Y.T.'s our only hope...

I was wondering when she was going to finally twist the matriarch's mind...

On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas
Rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance
I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself
"This could be Heaven or this could be Hell"
Then she lit up a candle
And she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor
I thought I heard them say
"Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here"

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted
She got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys
She calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard
Sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember
Some dance to forget
etc.

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-21

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Where’s Waldo?

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-24

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Mirrors on the ceiling

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-26

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Such a lovely face

[theangelJean]

Update: Level 9-26

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Such a lovely face

Been following this comic for a while now, including the whole of the previous arc and this one. I'm enjoying the story.

Last arc I got the sportsball puns and plot relevant aspects if not all the references. I don't like or follow sports, but I feel like sportsball x dangerous hijinks has been done before, so I got it. And the story was great.

But this arc ... I kind of vaguely know the lyrics of Hotel California and if I didn't, the comments sections both here and there have helpfully written them out a few times for those not following along. And today's comic I thought was stretching it. I actually read the comic, looked at the comments, and then had to go back and realise that something was revealed that hadn't been previously. I don't know why I wasn't shocked, but hey, this comic has Rusty in it already, right? And the possible reference to the song was ... just a reference. Not a joke, not plot-relevant, not even true, and the sarcasm didn't mean anything. Unless there's another reference I'm not getting?

But I still like the story itself, and the plot is moving along, so I guess I'll have to treat the references as an added bonus. Or not.

BTW TiffanyY.T.'s inclusion in this adventure was by vote, right? I wonder if the author had other ideas in mind if she hadn't made it in?

Looking for Y.T's name I noted that Myrmarch Antoinette has made it onto the Cast Page (under Other). Myrmarch Antropas is listed under Enemies, and I don't remember her. But she also wears her collar up to her eyes. So I guess that's a thing.

[sihnfahl]

Looking for Y.T's name I noted that Myrmarch Antoinette has made it onto the Cast Page (under Other). Myrmarch Antropas is listed under Enemies, and I don't remember her. But she also wears her collar up to her eyes. So I guess that's a thing.

Antoinette is the 'nice' one greeting at the door (no gems embedded in her abdomen)

Antropas is the one with the artifact (gems in the abdomen)

And the collar is ... well, just LOOK at that last panel. It's to avoid scaring the mammals if their mandibles start to show...

[theangelJean]

Antoinette is the 'nice' one greeting at the door (no gems embedded in her abdomen)

Antropas is the one with the artifact (gems in the abdomen)

And the collar is ... well, just LOOK at that last panel. It's to avoid scaring the mammals if their mandibles start to show...

Ahh, I hadn't realised they were different Myrmarchs. I did an archive binge right up to the baseball chapter looking for her too!

I wasn't bothered by the mandibles, but maybe that's just me. Maybe the fact that Rusty also has (cute) mandibles?

[sihnfahl]

I wasn't bothered by the mandibles, but maybe that's just me. Maybe the fact that Rusty also has (cute) mandibles?

Well, Rusty's mandibles are more or less harmless. After all, rust monster. He's only a threat to folks attached to metals in their possession.

Hers are more ... pointy. And the fact that she's threatening snake tartare says 'meat's back on the menu, boys'.

[Lord Torath]

Yeah, it doesn't look like Tiffany's going to be offered a position on the 'zombie' staff.

[sihnfahl]

Yeah, it doesn't look like Tiffany's going to be offered a position on the 'zombie' staff.

Forget about breakfast at Tiffany's...

She IS the breakfast.

[Kantaki]

Still might get a job as part of the skeleton crew.

[hajo]

Update: Level 9-29

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The fountain of ham

[Kantaki]

Update
As sweet as Maddie's enthusiasm is, she looks kinda a little bit crazy here.

Also "Anty Madeline".

[Lord Torath]

I was wondering why Rusty would ask the big bodyguard types for help. I mean, despite his celebrity status, they're both the Matriarch's bodyguards. Why would they help Rusty?

Then I remembered they got fired for letting Yuan-Tiffany escape. Which explains the 'hobo sticks' over their shoulders.

I wonder if they'll get names?

[mucat]

I was wondering why Rusty would ask the big bodyguard types for help. I mean, despite his celebrity status, they're both the Matriarch's bodyguards. Why would they help Rusty?

Then I remembered they got fired for letting Yuan-Tiffany escape. Which explains the 'hobo sticks' over their shoulders.

And notice that he is also asking for help from the little bellhop standing next to the newly unemployed tough guys...and the bellhop, in turn, is clutching a genuine Rusty lunchbox. One of his fans!

[Kantaki]

Aww.
The ant wants Rusty to sign the lunchbox.

Now is this part of a rescue attempt, or just to increase the value of the collectible?

[Vinyadan]

Aww.
The ant wants Rusty to sign the lunchbox.

I had no idea that this is a thing, so I was puzzled by this update, when it came out.

[sihnfahl]

Now is this part of a rescue attempt, or just to increase the value of the collectible?

Or just a collectible cause he's a fan, and really doesn't want Rusty hurt?

Rusty no eat lunchbox!

[Gez]

Or just a collectible cause he's a fan, and really doesn't want Rusty hurt?

Rusty no eat lunchbox!

Lunch box?

[KatsOfLoathing]

Gotta appreciate that Rusty has spent the majority of this being-captured thing looking more casually annoyed than worried. It's only fair, though - Mimic and Cube were the damsels in distress the last time somebody got captured, now it's his turn.