Thursday, December 4, 2008

No Cutsies

Today's strip is a cute little one-off. But what in the name of Zeus is going on in panel two? At first glance it looks like Skull was wearing pants, or a shirt that cuts off at the stomach, or...something. It took me a few minutes to realize that he's standing behind a rope.

I know this is an oft-cited complaint of mine, but I'm begging you Mr. Kurtz; pull the camera back a little.

And I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm still not entirely sold on the idea of a jaded Skull.

24 comments:

Ben Sunshine-Hill said...

One off? I hope so. I have a sinking feeling it's a skull doesn't like kids storyline, though.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

A rope? That might explain it. To be fair though, this strip made me laugh out loud.
I actually don't mind Skull having a bad streak. After all, most kids (and let's face it, Skull is the 'kid' of the strip) are not only selfish, petty and quick tempered, but also extremely unforgiving of those traits in other children.
I'd know, I've been one for 30 years :D

Alex Tucker said...

Seems likely it's a "Skull's been turned off kids until he finds that one adorable moppet who makes him wuv kids all over again" storyline.

I think most people would agree Nasty Skull is enjoyable now and then, at least in measured doses.

Alex Tucker said...

Addendum: Just saw Friday's strip, where Skull loses bladder control on a department store Santa. See? Snarkier but still adorable!

Wouldn't a 400-500 lb. troll crush Santa's legs?

Sko said...

Does anyone know what that blob is on Skull's right shoulder in the first panel? It vanishes after that.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

The joke in today's strip is very similar to the joke in this housepets strip, although I think Housepets (even though I'd never read it before) pulls it off better.

I'm not implying plagiarism - just that the joke could have been done better.

Brett Schiller (Sage) said...

Skull is so far in Kurtz's wheelhouse its not funny. While most of his other characters have been "explored" and for the most part become unfunny, most of the Skull stuff since the wedding has been hilarious.

The man knows how to write that character.

Sko said...

After over ten years, you'd hope he'd be able to write at least one of the characters well by now.

TheOriginalJes said...

I liked the writing, and wasn't upset by the art at all. Parallels to other strips aside, I think that the Santa/Priest gag also worked for having kids on his lap. Some good-time wholesome, bad-tasting PVP pedophile humor. It's like a whiskey-sour to start off the weekend.

And then, Skull being intimidated AND peeing on Santa's lap...two punchlines for the price of one! (The intimidation being directly on the heels of what Skull did to the boy's hoodie, yesterday.)

The more I think about this one, the funnier it is.





Okay, I've chuckled my limit.

Brett Schiller (Sage) said...

anyone have the wireless drum set for rock band 2? Is it worth asking for for christmas? Plus is a 26 year old asking for fake drums funny or sad? :)

Anonymous said...

Rdy said...


Does anyone know what that blob is on Skull's right shoulder in the first panel? It vanishes after that.


I thought it might be Santa's hand, but you'd think it would be on the other shoulder.

Jai said...

Sage: Yes. Yes. Neither! They're not far off from being a real electronic drum set (Definitely get a pack of cymbals, too)... Good deal better than the RB1 drumset.

A Nonny Mouse said...

I don't know, Jai... a 26 year old asking for presents seems a bit odd to me. The 20s should be when you start quietly accepting the fact that you'll just be getting underwear or (if you're lucky) chocolates from people more interested in putting all their thought into purchases for children.

Santa's hand is on the correct shoulder. Slipping the hand to the opposite shoulder would be the difference between friendly reassurance and sexual harrassment.

Jessica said...

Heh, my family (albeit that's just me and my parents) gives each other gifts every year... and my dad ALWAYS has a wish list, more often than not new gadgets that he has his eye on. He's over 50, and sure, I think it's a BIT silly... but only because he's my dad.
My boyfriend and I are getting Rock Band 2 for ourselves this year :3

Brett Schiller (Sage) said...

The reason I have a list is because no one knows what the hell to get me and i don;t usually write it until im bugged about 5-7 times.

Plus Rock Band is one of the few vidoe games i can pick up and play for 30 min without getting too involved. Ill likely get fallout 3 as well as well as underwear. I can;t wait until Champions online comes out too

Jai said...

You can't play Fallout 3 for 30 minutes without getting too involved. Just a word of caution.

Brett Schiller (Sage) said...

I know thats why I referenced rock band as that game

Brett Schiller (Sage) said...

Im likely to get Fallout 3 because people are calling it a kick-ass game

Sko said...

@ A Nonny Mouse - I'm not too sure about your take on the shoulder thing. Hand on the near shoulder looks weird. It's hardly a friendly looking gesture, rather, it looks like he's about to launch Skull head-over-heels backwards.

A Nonny Mouse said...

I was just kidding about the present thing. I personally found that once I started working I didn't want to tell people what I wanted, though. I became able to budget for my own purchases and preferred to give people a chance to get me something thoughtful.

A Nonny Mouse said...

Re: Today's comic- Atari isn't "still around." Its disfigured remains were dragged out of the ashes and stapled to a crude cardboard cutout of a phoenix.

Jessica said...

Oh wow. Best metaphor ever.

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