NINTENDO + PUCK = OBSCURE NINTENDO COSPLAY!!!
You click? I click! WE ALL CLICK ON AMAZING NEW VOTING INCENTIVE! Seriously, though, April Fool’s is over and the joke incentive has been replaced by a new pic featuring a Puck cast member cosplaying as some obscure(ish) character from the wide world of Nintendo!
Click to join the Nintendo Fun Club today, Mac!
As for the comic…
The ‘aww’ moment has gone out of fashion these days, along with studio audiences and multi-camera sitcoms. I understand why. There’s something overly saccharine and cloying about the way the ubiquitous ‘aww’ moment worked in those TV shows of old.
But I remember listening to the writers of The Office (the American one) talking about how the ‘aww’ moment could still work, as long as you could include a funny part or a mild reversal or twist to bring it back into the comedic realm. Which is sort of what I tried to do in this comic.
In my opinion, the problem with the classic sitcom ‘aww’ moment rested in the way it was essentially breaking tone. In a comedy, the whole concept is to laugh, to not take anything too seriously. But then you slip in some ‘real’ emotion, and it’s momentarily disarming to the viewers. The unexpectedness can give the emotion some added heft, but really, the ‘aww’ moment still qualifies as a comedic sucker punch. You were faking comedy and then you swung drama.
I think a little bit of ‘the feels’ is never a bad thing in any story, but in a comedy comic strip, like this one, I always feel like there is one task I have with every entry, and that’s to be (or at least try to be) funny.
So I tried.
M*A*S*H had its aww moments. But I think that it depends on the writers, producers, actors, directors and the audience if it’s going to be a definitive aww or just a break in the pacing of the story or series.
I was never a M*A*S*H fan. But I’ve never seriously given it a try. I just remember it as that boring-looking show that was always on in reruns when I was a little kid.
You nailed it.
Stick with the early episodes…it got terribly sanctimonious as time wore on. By the end it wasn’t funny at all.
The sanctimonious stuff is some of the very same that I refer. After Frank Burns, Henry Blake were written out and the introduction of Potter and Winchester, the characters in my opinion were given a chance to organically grow. Yes, it had a large number of slapstick hijinks, but it also tackled interracial issues, unscientific thinking (wrong colored blood (yes this was during the Trapper John years)), idiotic military posturing and friendships amongst enemies.
These were decent ‘awww’ and ‘ahh’ moments.
The first few years could make funny out of serious—a lot of the funny went out of it when they killed off Henry Blake—but, over the years, I think they conflated Korea with Vietnam to an utterly unrealistic point.
(Also I gather it didn’t much *look* like Korea—as time wore on, I saw movies with Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton scrambling over those same Southern California hills. (Not the only show with that problem—I’ve watched the show “F Troop,” set right after the war, and I had no idea so many Indian War battles were fought so close to Los Angeles.))
I had no choice but to become a fan. My mother could quote literally any line from the entire run of the series, and tell you exactly when it happened. Her favorite was always from Sydney Freedman.
“Ladies and gentleman, take my advice: pull down your pants, and slide on the ice.”
I still don’t completely get what that means.
I never thought that as a kid. I thought it was funny, humorous, and militarily python-esque. And I got to watch it with my parents.
Of the two shows that started with ‘Nam helicopter footage, it was the boring one for me. The A-Team was the one for me.
Vietnam had either those humongous marine helicopters that was used in an 80s crime solving show with a nerd, his robot and two guys for the female viewers. But Vietnam also had the UH-1 Huey. The helicopters in the Korean War had gasoline engines and limited capabilities.
You should try reading the books, they are much better, and very funny.
I always thought Mash was inspired by Catch 22.
Loved the show. And for those that don’t know, the name of that iconic theme song is “Suicide is Painless.” I’m too lazy to provide a link, but look it up on YouTube with the lyrics.
Odd there was never a “Hogan’s Heroes” spin-off for Korea.
Or maybe not so odd.
It’s only in your presence she feels safe enough to truly relax. And by “relax” I mean “fill her diaper.”
Exactly. It’s like those people who can only go to the bathroom at home.
This falls under that strange human trait to be more vulnerable (pooping) when you are more comfortable (at home) and not in unusual areas (in your middle school bathroom, the only good one in the entire school) no matter how much you want to let your feelings out (or how long your last class was).
I think its science.
Well, when your pants are around your ankles you want a place you know like the back of your hand.
It’s like poetry, man. Like poetry.
You’re sciencing the sh$% out of this!
Boy, and I thought Callie didn’t fit the bill…
Misty （かすみ）is one of the most common Nintendo characters for girls to cosplay, if not the most common.
Okay, so now you’ve discovered my secret. They’re not obscure! But I’d say the common cosplay factor here is due more to the fact that you can purchase all elements of her outfit at Value Village for about ten bucks. If you want to cosplay as Peach or Zelda, and not look terrible, you’re going to need to part with some serious coin.
That or second hand prom dresses.
you could have Miranda dressed as Zelda while Colin is holding her and he’s dressed as Link but that’s an idea :3
It’s an idea – an ADORABLE idea, but nah, I’ve already drawn them all, and that’s not in there.
Uhmmm.. blasphemer.
The baby dressed as a piece of the tri-force as Colin/Link holds it/her over his head triumphantly.
Second poo reference in this arc, third toilet reference. If you include vomit, I’ve lost count. Just saying.
I aim for the highest of brows when it comes to comedy.
Also the brownest of notes…
And the greatest of accuracy when portraying babies? 😉
Not gonna lie, I didn’t think I’d see Puck have an ‘awww’ moment like… Ever. I stand corrected. Cool.
To be honest, I always had trouble with the ‘awww’ moments in movies/shows (unless it’s a romantic movie/show) because it just feels a bit like “Hey, here’s a cute random moment for literally no reason at all”.
“I came here to laugh, not to feel” is my default reaction to those moments.
As for her holding in poo for a week, yes, I have little trouble seeing that, to be honest.
As long as ‘aww’ moments contain baby poo, they’re cool.
“I’m so excited to see you, mama! Let me give you something!”
It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Until the garbagemen come by and take away this week’s trash, anyway. 😉
The gift that can be shared and spread around forever! Some kids are really horrible.
(Also, it looks like I’m finally caught up.)
Getting caught up happens eventually. And it’s a sad moment when it does.
On the bright side, it should have convinced Social Worker Lady that Miranda is Puck’s kid.
Well, there’s that.
And now for the other shoe to drop.
Didn’t Misty have a thing for Ash but was too hardheaded to admit it.
Neither one of those kids was emotionally ready for a relationship. It’d be nice if, once Ash has finally worked the whole Pokémon master-thing out to his satisfaction, he returns home and the second thing he does after visiting his Mum is to look up Misty…
“Presence of mother provokes the child’s fight or flight response” is how I imagine the social worker will interpret that. By the way, I can see the social worker now= “So, you say you are the immortal fairy known as Puck aka Robin Goodfellowe. You are living with your baby’s father without benefit of marriage. This . . . man . . . is clearly terrified of you, and compensates by yelling at others. You have a never-legally adopted stepdaughter you say was left on your doorstep ten years ago. This stepdaughter is known to juvie. Your best friend punches you in the face, and per you is the daughter of the Devil, who is also the mayor of Hamilton. Thank you for the best-seller pop psychology book I’ll be writing now!”
Yeah, that sounds about right.
Well, Puck is still ahead of the curve. I would’ve sworn she’d be arrested or at least sued after beating up the doctor at her delivery…
Heh! Nailed it. One swing. Dead on. Centered the head. Drove the shank. Connected two things.
Well done.
If it’s so right, then why do you make it sound so wrong?
Ewww, and my bf wants to know why I never want kids. We were at a store once and I was trying on clothes and a man was waiting for his wife, pushing a baby stroller. Two cute teenage girls walked by, the guy was giving them the eye and sucking in his gut, and the baby gave out with rhis huge flatus noise. The two teenagers gave him a huge dirty look and prissed off. My bf thought that was hilarious.
After one has reproduced, one needs to come to terms with the fact that one has lost all of one’s sex appeal, and that one is disgusting to the rest of the species. It’s best to come to terms with it early in the process.
The only difference between a MAN and a DIRTY OLD MAN is one has lived longer.
Wish you’d tell my Dad. He’s on his third wife, who is my age, and is working on his thirdfamily
See, he’s part of the problem. He needs to pack up his sexy and go throw it in a box with the rest of his broken dreams, like I did.
My Hero !
Sometimes one needs to come to terms with it even if one has not reproduced. 🙂
True. But reproduction speeds the process. Having kids aged me fifteen years. Instantly.
Hi! Anyone notice I was missing for a month?
I was in the hospital. Almost lost my leg to a serious bacterial infection.
The CDC got involved – and now they have a file on me. >:-(~
It’s nice to come back home to see Puck and Miranda reunited.
Too bad the social worker is still drawing breath, though.
Good to have you back. And your leg. Good to have the both of you back.
Yikes… How long is it going to take you to recover?
I’m home, now, and walking around with a cane and, sometimes, a walker, already.
I have to wear a compression sock so that my body fluids don’t fill the pockets left behind by the bacterial veins – otherwise my leg swells back up to about three times it’s normal size.
I’m hoping to return to work next week… but, my doctor says I’m an optimist. 🙂
(I’ll probably be out another 2 weeks, at least)
I think you need a longer break to recuperate. Maybe five, six weeks. And a nice, warm clime to encourage healing. Like Hawaii.
I’d recommend a cooler climate to help prevent swelling…
How about I split the difference and find a nice place that’s cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoons?
…searching…
CRAP! I already live here.
Buck up, Puck. ^_^ While it may seem as though your baby takes after you so much that she is punishing you for leaving her alone wit Colin, you could also see this as proof that Miranda is completely relaxed when she is with you. She trusts you more than anyone!
Exactly.
As for Daphne’s question in the voting incentive, I applaud Misty for adding the suspenders. Tomboyish as she was, she was making BLOODY sure that she would never become that kind of fanservice!
I was told once by a menswear expert that suspenders are, and have always been, a fashion choice more about style than function. And I told him that there’s no way I’m wearing suspenders. He called me a coward, but the fashionably daring end up with embarrassing photos to show future generations.
Suspenders, Bow Tie — SO FUNK !
And a fez! Fezzes are cool!
If your name is Stan.
Or Douglas.
Didn’t realize how trailer parky you had her looking until this final frame. Nice. I’m sure there will be repercussions…
Not ever again
Can we see without a smile
“Madonna And Child”
Puck really ain’t the Mary type.
Every facial expression in PUCK is so perfect, so dead on.
Do you use a model, or maybe a book, or a program, or can you simply imagine the “look” in your mind ? It’s a hell of a skill you possess.
I am stubbornly resistant to the idea of using models for anything. Every pic of a character is always done on the fly, with no ref pics or anything. I sort of feel like drawing from ref pics is cheating, even though I know that’s how most of the comic industry works. Now the downside is that my lack of refs means that my work sometimes just doesn’t totally look right. And I do feel bad about that, but not bad enough to spend hours looking for good ref pics.
I cannot even imagine being that good.
Kudos, my talented friend. Kudos !
(Spare Lasagna, anyone ?)
I need a ref pic to draw a square. A bad square.
The claws get in the way.
That’s my excuse, and I’m stickin’ to it !
When Miranda said agoo I think she said can I poop on your arm again?
I believe that’s direct baby-to-English translation right there.
OMG, OMG.
A canine intrudes.
Well, as long as the SalemDog puts in a vote for the Web’s Best Comic, faithfully, every day…..
(yes, that would be PUCK)
And stay away from Tracee.
I have to admire the emotional fortitude it takes to keep the same facial expression for so long. Especially after being so close to a baby pooping.
I’m sure that face has seen some things. Unflappable takes on new meaning.
A very endearing panel capped off from Miranda poppin’ off a wet one lol.
Genius.
I like to add a touch of realism to the mix.
How come they don’t require Puck to prove she’s the legal guardian, but they did with Colin.
Well, I’m assuming she produced some documentation off-camera, but beside that, I will state that the world of childcare definitely carries a strong double standard that is prejudiced against men. (I can’t complain too loudly, because almost all the other double standards are prejudiced against women, so…) But from observation, I can say that in this situation, a mother probably wouldn’t be asked to produce any documentation. A dad, on the other hand, would.