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As for this comic...
It's one of those rare 'more than four panels' strips this week. Though always sticking within the technical bounds of four panels. Because reasons.
!["And if YOU want to learn new skills like Tracee, consider signing up for Skillshare!"](https://puckcomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/puck-495.png ""And if YOU want to learn new skills like Tracee, consider signing up for Skillshare!"")
Puck 495
MAY VOTING INCENTIVE UP NOW!
More bonus car wash comic stuff! Good times!
VOTE TO BE SO VERY, VERY KIND!
As for this comic...
It's one of those rare 'more than four panels' strips this week. Though always sticking within the technical bounds of four panels. Because reasons.
From Halo 2: “You see this look? It’s terror”
Did Master Chief say that? If so, that’s funny.
My head canon now is that she is trashy because of trashy parents, and she doesn’t want kids because she was the oldest and the de facto parent for the younger 5 kids and is already childcared out. Distaste from experience and stubbornly holding on to a new life style rather than object ignorance.
Wasn’t supposed to be a reply… hem…
I suppose this is a spoiler, but … bingo. You are correct on all fronts, save the number of kids. There were six younger siblings. So only one off. All will be revealed next week, but it turns out your head canon is real canon.
How would Satan feel about another kid, one who wasn’t like Phoebe? Say, more evil?
I think it may be his curse to always have preternaturally good children.
And if it’s not *technically* his child?
Ooooops. Heh, sorry – knew a lot of these in real life.
No apologies needed. That’s called great instincts.
Aaaaaaaaand … a classic cleanup montage scene reveals Tracee has unexpected talents.
We should have expected that.
It’s like a magic show: expect the unexpected.
And in terms of montages, the classic cleanup montage is second only to the classic training montage in terms of its appeal.
Now you’ve got me thinking about the “Mon-tage!” scene from “Team America – World Police”…
Amongst that…other…scene… Lol
The ‘montage’ song is the single best scene in Team America. Though technically speaking, what’s in this comic is not a montage. It’s what’s referred to in screenplay lingo as a ‘series of shots’.
“diap” is best sound effect
It was born of desperation.
What about “click” for the sound of a diaper pin?
Well, yes. If this diaper shown were not a disposable one. Which it is.
I love Miranda’s Halo of Cleanliness!
One of the only times the halo effect really makes sense.
I thought it was Halo of Amazement…
That was actually the intended concept but halo of cleanliness works equally well.
I figured they were all like Rick James. Since I have it on good authority that he had an orange aura.. and it’s real.
Tracee may have won the battle, but the war is far from over…
deploy secret baby tactic #32… the hug and smooch!!!
heh heh heh, Tracee doesn’t stand a chance!
But is that an act of aggression? I think not.
That depends on the baby. 😉
If it melts the heart it is – that attack can be lethal!
THAT was wonderful !
Judging by Miranda’s shocked expression, does Robin allow her to wallow in her own filth ?
The answer is obvious.
and sad
I don’t think so, Salem. I think the shock stems more from Miranda’s belief that she had the upper hand. Clearly she (and the rest of us) vastly underestimated Tracee.
Well, maybe not wallow in her own filth. But perhaps the cleaning and grooming is not done with such efficacy?
Anger is a really good motivator for just getting distasteful things done. Caring can make some rituals take longer.
Tracee currently has more experience with babies than Puck.
If Puck and Colin keep making mistakes, that may change in time.
A maid raised up to a princess does not forget her skills.
I love this statement.
But does she shift into her quaint dialect for fun sometimes or just when she’s reprising a role from “This is Spinal Tap.”
Because I couldn’t remember the cockney she was using in “My Fair Lady.”
I love this statement too.
Satan is really going to regret leaving as he will come home to a much stricter household.
Game changer, man. GAME. CHANGER.
And he’s already overdue for an ass-whooping!
Lawdy Mama!
Loved that, too!
I had no idea what to put on the mug. That just came to me. It felt right.
Wanna go out, baby, to late at night.
Lawdy mama, no need to worry.
Wanna go out, baby, to late at night.
I got a real funny feeling
You’re gonna treat your daddy right.
Big-legged woman, come and hold my hand.
Lawdy mama, no need to worry.
Big-legged woman, come and hold my hand.
I got a real funny feeling
You wanna love another man.
—“Lawdy Mama,” Cream. (Eric Clapton, composer.)
It was a phrase that came into existence in the late 60’s from who knows where (just looked it up and apparently it was from blues music in the 1930’s), spread with alarming speed, then died hard by the mid 70’s, never to be heard from again. It was in the titles of MULTIPLE rock classics, popped up in lyrics again and again, then poof. Gone.
Until it showed up on Tracee’s mug.
But where did she *get* the mug? Surely Satan doesn’t just have graphic mugs that say that lying around? If it’s not his, why does Tracee have it? It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing she likes, unless it’s somehow a keepsake.
Some mysteries can never be answered. Mainly because the author isn’t creative enough to explain it.
Oooh! Maybe it’s Sigmund’s?
Viewers: Reasons??
ElectricGecko: Reasons.
Viewers: Reasons?
ElectricGecko: Reasons!
Viewers on the left side: Reasons!
ElectricGecko: Reasons.
Viewers on the right side: Reasons!
ElectricGecko: Reasons.
Viewers (chanting): Reasons! Reasons! Reasons!
The next day, SalemCat slept halfway through a new harmonizing World Peace, because of Reasons! That and a mostly unobstructed path of a sunbeam.
@pat
I do sleep a lot.
My favorite dream is one of Emperor: I urge you to worship me.
😛
good times
I knew that you would not say *reasons*
@pat
I sense a trap.
but wat the hell…
reasons
Dude, I’m tired. Sometimes words fail me.
Last panel- Tracee has never looked hotter. Dammit. <3 <3
I concur
All she needed was some grime, a hoodie and a pair of yoga pants. Who knew?
That, and displaying some skills that don’t involve jiggling her surgically enhanced assets to let her sponge off of someone. Or, you know, beating people bloody. 😉
Those too are skills.
Well, sure.
But I prefer the ones she’s shown on this page. ^_^
She actually looks attainable.
And the most attractive aspect in a person can sometimes be attainability. True enough.
“The swift right jab of unexpected competence” may be my favorite phrase from this comic. And the shocked look on Miranda’s face complete with halo is the best reaction.
I enjoy crafting fun turns of phrase. Even if those turns of phrase are a little too clever for the characters who spout them.
I’m surprised at the lack of an alt-text (unless it’s intentional it just says “Puck 495”. If so, carry on.
I always assumed Tracee would be competent in *some* way… not like THIS, maybe, but still.
That was an oversight. I amended that. (I was really, really tired last night. Still am.)
Man, she’s got some anger.
I’m not saying washing the baby wasn’t the right thing to do. I’m saying, most people wouldn’t have thought of it as an act of revenge for slights suffered.
What is her history? Well, she was born not that long ag—NOT THE BABY!
Was that a ‘Dinosaurs’ reference?
No.
Is that that puppet show with dinosaurs?
Yes. It featured an annoying baby dinosaur who would shout, “NOT DA BABY!” At his dad, implying that only the baby deserved love and attention. It was awful.
Ah. I vaguely remember that.
No, the joke was, I was obviosuly asking about Tracee’s history, and the other person (also me) decided to talk about the baby’s history. Which you probably know, but maybe another commenter doesn’t
I was not a fan of that show. I can’t remember why, but I was just not as impressed as everyone else seemed to be.
You know, it still conforms to four-panleism. It’s just that some of the pannels are subdivided.
“Diap”, HA! 🙂
Well, it’s critical that I keep the four panels mainly because I rearrange the panels into a 2×2 format when I post them to Patreon.
That’s reasonable. Charles Shultz has similar reasons.
HAD! Had similar reasons.
I also find the four panel limitation to be useful creatively. It gives me bounds and a structure to work within. Like the structure of a haiku, that can actually be a source of inspiration.
That’s not uncommon. Me too. “Do whatever you want” is a sure way to give me artist’s block.
On the other end of the scare is the guy who, whenever I show him something, tells me that that either it looks like a Cthulu monstrosoty or that he does not write comedies. I do as simple as possible for him.
Are you creating comedic works about the Elder Gods? Now I’m curious!
Book designer. I also do the covers. That reminds me, I have to send a disk out, I’ve been putting it off for stupid reasons.
I have a Flickr account. Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankharr/
For his new book, I’m thinking I might want to try to sneak a representation of the spheres model of the solar system. I don’t have HIGH hopes, but I think I’m going to try it.
I saw no Eldritch horrors. Lots of books though.
Every year I also do a sign so the people of my building know to take candy from the bag at my door. Last year was special because it was the 200th anniversarry of Frankenstein.
Not that it’s GOOD, but here it is: https://www.facebook.com/frank.r.harr/media_set?set=a.10156895239948750&type=3
“I saw no Eldritch horrors. Lots of books though.”
Yeah, that’s just his taste, I guess.
Shrug.
I think I finally know how I want a website for me set up. At some point, I’ll got to Wix or something and do it.
One thing I notice about Tracee. Being covered in ash becomes her.
@bergerjacques
Given that TRACEEE’s “partner” is Satan, it’s rather surprising ASH is not her constant companion.
So.. does this make Tracee an ash blonde or just a dirty blonde?
Is there such a thing as a dirty ash blonde?
All I know is that she has a great ash…
+1 Amazing point for that one, sigpig.
It does hide the orange rather nicely.
GAH
IT’S A DIRTY JOB BUT SOMEONE’S GOTTA DO IT!!!
:)) :)) :))
And when there’s only one someone around…
… they just might shake off the mask they’ve been showing the world and show the tough-as-nails creature lurking underneath.
It’s not like Miranda will remember or tell anyone!
I miss that show.
Proven once again, that every woman has great mothering instincts when challenged by a child.
Well, there may be more to this than simple mothering instincts…
This looks more like big sister instincts to me…
I doubt Traces will ever be a mother. She’s just too into herself. And, so far, I don’t see her attitude to Miranda become any more caring.
Maybe not. But baby steps…
I still fully expect that if the Dark One does end up knocking her up, Tracee will lay an egg. Then all she’ll need to do is bury it in sand or compost or whatever she prefers to keep Calimero at a constant temperature.
Speaking of, do you think said Dark One would ever make Tracee immortal like Liz Taylor?
Well, there may be more to that story. We may hear about that in the future.
*excited wiggles*
No matter what she prefers to look like, Tracy comes from the land of trailer parks. It wouldn’t surprise me if it turned out that she’s part of a large family and was expected to help take care of her little brothers and sisters.
Correct.
I have to say it: this is the first time Tracee’s done anything I really like. ^_^ It’d be fascinating if this version of Tracee started peeking out from behind the mask she built to become the Canadian Devil’s concubine.
Chances that this version of Tracee continues to peek out from behind the mask: high.
Did Puck supply the Bebeh Powda?
If Satan had it on hand, we know it’s real talc. 🙂
I’m not sure its source. One would presume it was packed with baby, but honestly, baby powder is sort of a bygone thing. Doctors recommend against its usage. I put it in there because its iconic. And it provided an opportunity for fun sound effect.
I’m sure Satan would love to be a Papa. It’s easier to corrupt them while they’re still young. 😉
Well, he’s been down that road before. And despite starting from birth with Phoebe, he fully failed.
That’s because Phoebe is too pure for this world, and too loved – he’d have more luck with a kid who’s already had a few hard knocks.
@EG, I forgot Phoebe’s his daughter, I guess because she’s so nice.
🙂 Now I wonder if he’ll be returning home before or after Miranda goes home. It would be interesting to see how he reacts to Tracee’s babysitting skills. He may get ideas on how to expand his influence.
*Liked
She didn’t even rinse her hair and face real quick? Also, love the onomatopoeia.
Well, there is less dirt on her. So it looks like she did some form of quick cleanup.
She still has a smudge on her face – that would’ve come off *accidentally.*
Ah, but when tending little nippers, the thing to do is to get them settled right quick and don’t leave them out of your sight for more than a bare moment!
You can take care of yourself when they’re safely asleep.
Again, /accidentally/. She’d brush up against something and –
You know what, I’m nitpicking, nevermind.
Oh, I get it. It’s honestly just a bit of visual shorthand that is not entirely realistic. It’s a thing: if someone’s dirty in a cartoon, you put a splotch of dirt on their cheek and call it a day. It’s easy to draw and quickly understood.
Whoa. Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. Did I just see– Yes. Yes I did. Mind. Blown. Sense of. Reality. Requires. Adjustment. Prom Night is a night of many many revelations.
Come for the free webcomic, STAY for the FREE MIND-BLOWING!!!
Excellent! This is wonderful.
Glad you approve. Always good to know that readers are happy when I take a slightly unexpected direction. Because unexpected directions can sometimes make people unhappy.
This round to Tracee.
I find it interesting she was faking incompetence with handling little kids.
She obviously has experience. So why hide it?
The plot thickens.
All will be answered! Slowly. Veeeeerry slowly.
There are only 4 panels.
Panel 1
Panel 2a 2b 2c
Panel 3a 3b 3c 3d
Panel 4
Beautifully expressed.
I greatly enjoy panel shenanigans and sound effects, so thank you for providing both of them in one brilliant strip.
I very seldom engage in panel shenanigans, so this is a rare occurrence, really.
I’m with the baby. Gah is right.