THE PATRONS HAVE TAKEN OVER!!!
That’s right! For the month of November (and probably beyond) the voting incentive pics are in the hands of the fans! Patrons on Patreon who pledge $5 or more a month get a personal say in what incentives are coming your way! If YOU want to put your two cents in, then my HEAD ON OVER TO PATREON and join the select club!
The first (naughty!) November incentive pic will be up November 1st!
See what all the fuss is about! (It’s about drafts! And miniskirts!)
As for this comic…
Puck returns to the mall for the first time in years. (At least within the context of the comic.) Longtime readers will note a few Easter eggs relating to the previous mall storyline. The Cinnabomb is now open, you’ll note, though it’s a bit ironic given the fact that now Puck is in svelte blonde mode and wouldn’t touch the damn things with a ten-foot pole.
There’s a graphic on the wall of the Cinnabomb that reads ‘Say YES to calories!’ but (as is always the case with this stuff) the words are totally obscured in the final image. Oh well.
Phoebe is, I suppose, being uncharacteristically cynical in this comic, but I felt it made sense – mainly because I strongly suspect that she speaks from experience on this particular matter.
The comic is great, as always, Geck… but the Voting Incentive?
I will be having nightmares over that…
Well, you know what they say. It takes talent to scar a man deeply.
Just a guy in women clothes. How should something that mild scar me?
Exactly! People are too easily scarred.
Some people would find that to be a brilliant incentive…
Well, the fact that it got me to fifth place on TWC at the time of this message speaks volumes! This is a BRILLIANT incentive. Or more specifically, a brilliant tease.
Looks like you’re back down to #18. 🙁
You’re beating xkcd by more than 22 spots, though!
They should categorize them by how often they update.
Well, I can’t compete against the relentlessness of some readership. I also only update once a week, so that’s a factor that lowers my sticking power.
And I don’t use bots to artificially boost my place. I know I’m old-fashioned, but I feel that must count for something.
But the Scotts, gecko has to appease the great scotts, and half a dozen other groups of fans
Exactly! It’s a manly look!
That dang monkey paw!
Who unleashed this terror upon the people?
Bad Gecko. Yet creatively evil with a reference to a story from English Lit. Good job Gecko, P7.
For what it’s worth, I qualify this more as a reference to a Gene Wilder movie. (The Burton one doesn’t count. At all.)
Except for the sets – I’d rather have Burton’s chocolate river than the one from the original movie.
Yeah, the original chocolate river… That ain’t chocolate.
o_o yeah…
Then what is the original river made of?
Stop asking ! Stop asking !
In the name of all that is Holy just stop asking !!
The answer can’t be pleasant !
Honestly, the original river resembled nothing so much as … dirty water. Or maybe paint. I’d like to say poo, but it really didn’t look like sewage. It was too even and watery and semi-translucent.
TMI !!
I always liked to be kind and say it looked like mud being washed away in a storm…
I find it amusing that the security guard seems to recognize this bunch, and posts himself.
I’m glad someone noticed.
I noticed, too.
He knows something is about to go down.
puck, listen to the girl thats been looking like a trashy slut far longer then you – as clueless and downright stupid as she might be in other areas, when it comes to men being a#holes no one beats the knowledge of satans daughter!
Yeah, I’d tend to agree with you on that front.
Wow !
Full Length – a rarity.
Suddenly I appreciate how challenging it must be for Phoebe to keep her tail up. It is prehensile, too ?
And Puck needs some CFM Pumps (not sure I can say that – don’t look it up)
Full length is a rarity reserved only for establishing shots, and it’s mostly due to space considerations. I need enough room at the top of the panel to put dialog, but a full length shot crowds that. As it is, I wanted Puck to say more in the first panel but couldn’t fit it in.
Phoebe’s tail may or may not be prehensile. It’s long, though – about four feet from what I can figure, and it’s very bendy. I imagine it more as a cat’s tail: flexible and often moving, but not prehensile. But that’s just me.
And I can’t draw those shoes. Seriously, they’re hard to make look right.
Maybe you could do a voting incentive that involves Phoebe with a little bow on the end of her tail…?
It might cut down on accidents.
That Barb looks awfully pointy !
Here is the first appearance of Phoebe’s Tail, which oddly enough was not shown in her first two appearances.
//www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-14
ARUGULA !
And here is the answer to the often posed question: Does Satan have a TAIL ?
See for yourself…..
//www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-49
Of course he does!
Tracee may have had a Tail Implant to endear her to her Evil Master.
Story at 11 ?
Well I meant like, just below the barb… or at the base of her tail. For you know, reasons.
I wish my tail were prehensile.
Perhaps I can train it ?
Yeah, good luck with that.
Yeah.
As I am a Manx, with a stub only, the best I could ever hope for is to train it to be a Powder Puff.
Sigh.
Manx? I thought you were a tabby…
Manx come in many fur variations, but of course, Tabby, like myself, is the very, very best. IMHO.
Fun Fact: Manx originate from the Isle of Man, which is located halfway between England and Ireland.
It is renowned for its mysterious ways, and as the home of many a Mystic and Witch.
It’s quite likely Puck has relations living there still (I certainly do), and I enjoy imagining there may be some residual ancestral memories between us.
Also, as an Island symbol, they have a three-legged thingie, the “triskelion”. It always lands on its feet, they say. It is an is an ancient symbol, used by the Mycenaeans and the Lycians. /nerd
Shhhh….Secret Stuff
I agree, I think that Pheobe has experience in this sort of circumstance. Think who you’re talking to Puck.
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? THE PHOEBE KNOWS!
I guess working at Hooters would give you knowledge like that. I’m glad I went into healthcare
Gah! The voting incentive! My eyeeesss!!!!
You’re typing this message, so your eyes are probably fine.
– translated from Braille APP™
I dunno. Whenever I take my sketchbook to the local mall, sorority house, or college and ask the young ladies to model for me, I usually get chased away by mall cops, angry hedgehogs, and nuns who hit me with rulers.
So … you’re saying that if I dressed as Willy Wonka and had a camera, that I’d have more success? This gives me an idea …
Probably? I’m not urging you to try it, though, because I don’t want to be an accessory.
Well, if I REALLY got in trouble with the mall cops, sorority-guarding hedgehogs, and ruler-wielding nuns, I was hoping to call you for my “One-Phone call.”
“You can’t arrest me, officer! I read that this was socially acceptable in a webcomic! IN A WEBCOMIC!”
On a completely unrelated note, could you make bail? Just asking. Hypothetically …
If bail is under one dollar, I might be there for you.
I want a guard hedgehog! Where can I hire one?
Talk to the good people at Sega.
So long as we get to see the naked photo shoot too…
Unlikely.
Could we at least get tasteful sideboob?
Hey, if you’ve got suggestions, you can join the incentive controllers on Patreon! (Unsubtle hint!)
Yeah, sorry, I would, but I don’t have any monies to spare….
It would be instructive to verify that ALL the freckles are gone….
ElectricGecko re-imagined as Willy Wonka responding to requests for naked Puck pics: https://youtu.be/2FyLt0aUT6I
I laughed way too hard at the voting incentive… Well, it’s not really a lie, either.
I liked how the police/security guard in the background was checking them (Puck?) out in panels 2 and 3.
I did personally not consider her very cynical – I just figured ‘she’s gone down that road before and doesn’t want it to happen to her friends’. I mean, unless you count in Tracee.
THEN she’d probably push Tracee there with a bulldozer.
Tracee would likely need no pushing. As long as there was money pulling on the other end.
She must carry around a lot of mace and brass knuckles, tho, in case of serial killers. I bet she’s the Batman of blond bitches…
Brass Knuckles ?
//www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-268
Lol yes exactly.
I have observed with women who model they always get the fee nailed down first. As well they should
“Say Yes To Calories” wasn’t wasted. I didn’t read your note until after I’d puzzled it out, mostly from the 1st + 4th panel. It’s the not-so-hidden message at all such stores, right?
Also, Daphne’s slouch is a thing of art.
And – it’s a detail – but in panel 4, is Puck pointing with her thumb curled inside her fingers? My sister long ago told me that was the girly way girly girls made fists because it’s no good for fighting – notice Daphne does it the other way.
And Phoebe – so innocent of heart, so wise in the ways of the world!
I’d love to say the hand positions were consciously chosen on my part, but really I think it was random. And Daphne is often the hardest character to pose for me. It’s hard to generate a pose that communicates a strong desire to not be there.
How about a strong desire from me that she not be there?
You so mean.
You noticed!
Why do you not want her to be there?
Because she should still be in the hospital from her antics in the last arc
Well, she did give her foster mom the money she hustled, so Puck probably believes all is forgiven… She’s not exactly a dedicated role model.
Emily Ratjatowski stole Phoebe’s Hallowe’en costume!
http://smokeroom.com/2016/10/31/17-of-the-hottest-halloween-costumes-of-the-weekend-slideshow/bacardi-x-kenzo-digital-present-we-are-the-night-halloween-party-in-brooklyn-ny-2/
That outfit could bring King Tut back to life !!
You should try it on Tracee. It prolly only cost like ten grand
That’s all ?
Satan has VERY deep pockets (ask Dante).
Not so naive anymore, eh Phoebe? *sniff* My little girl’s all grown up….
It happens, sadly. To be honest, Phoebe is the character who has changed the most since her inception. And I’m almost sort of proud of that.
Changed the most ?
Certainly not physically !
To wit: Neanderthal Daphne ://www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-3
I actually think Phoebe is the LEAST changed physically.
When you get it right, you get it right.
And Phoebe has got it right.
Phoebe’s gone from shallow young bimbo to wise goddess of lust. Truly, a more significant change has never been made.
I love how that security officer’s eyeing them warily, like they might be a threat.
They ARE a threat, if his past experience is anything to go by.
Past experience? From what?
This is not his first run-in with Puck.
Hmmmmmm…. I can’t recall. SalemCat? Links?
I was just about to call on him.
I’m on the case !
Ok – I’ve found where Puck issues a massive Fart – grosses Phoebe out – and sports a mustache (why, oh why?).
//www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-41
BUT – not the Mall yet.
(race ya)
This is tougher than I though – (I cannot resist reading each comment).
So … for now – here is MISS FEBRUARY !!!
//www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-164
MALL GUY – MALL GUY – MALL GUY !!!
//www.puckcomics.com/?comic=puck-187
(Nap Time – Purrrr)
I really should have just saved you the trouble of the hunt, seeing as I’d recently opened that comic to steal elements and use as reference, so I knew ALL ALONG which comic it was. But I applaud your tenacity!
The only reason Security isn’t fleeing in TERROR is because he’s not quite sure it is Puck returned – or not.
I noticed the time stamps.
You show a lot of dedication, here, at Puck Co.
We all got together and got you this gift:
http://www.catster.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cat-in-a-cardboard-box_0.jpg
Awwww…. sweet.
Oddly enough, altho most Cats adore a tight box, I much prefer high places – especially trees.
I’m not into hiding – I’m into CONTROL !
HURRAY for SalemCat! Where would we be without you?
Also, looking at Phoebe from head to toe like that, that’s a powerful outfit! Makes her look IN CHARGE mrow.
(I spend a lot of time looking at Phoebe)
I always start designing Phoebe’s outfits with a trope or theme in mind, and then carry that through the whole thing. It’s really fun. Except when it doesn’t work. Then it’s awful.
Has Puck suddenly lost her streetwise attitude? Because I would think her being an “exotic” redhead would attract more of this kind of attention…
Never underestimate the overwhelming power of the cultural prejudices that determine what our society sees as beautiful. (Though to be honest, you’re probably right. Maybe it was the fact that it often looked like she never combed her hair. I dunno.)
I love Daphne’s grin in the last panel. it reminds me of Annoying Orange’s smarmy smirk (and in this particular instance it’s a good comparison IMO).
That may well have been a subconscious inspiration. (My kids have forced me to watch an awful lot of that show.)
Did you mean to say “forced me to watch that awful show a lot”?
Hey, it has an appeal. Not an appeal that I love as a grown man, but if you’re a twerpy ten year-old, I get the appeal. My son is not twerpy (in fact, he’s about the kindest, gentlest kid I’ve ever known), but he likes to explore his inner twerp through that show, and I think it’s healthy.
How about pony versions of Puck and company for a vote or guest comic.
“Twilight Sparkle from ‘My Little Pony’ said, ‘This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now.'”
She is both beautiful and cool.
I can forgive her for not being a cat.
That’s actually a pretty cool idea for an incentive series, Greg! I like it!
Wait – is the security guy about to get mauled in the next strip?!!!
Buggle, looks like he got off easy this time.
(color me disappointed)
Your going to bring her freckles back eventually right?
Yes. Yes I will.
From one artist to another, I just want to say I just love how involved you make your backgrounds, the framing, etc. I never feel cheated-especially visually with your panels, man.
Thanks, Mike. Though I take the easy road out way too often. I don’t like to be too cheap, though, given the fact that I only produce one strip a week. If it’s only one strip, it should hopefully contain something to look at!