NEW APRIL VOTING INCENTIVE!
Vote for Puck on TWC to get a message of support in these trying times!
VOTE TO KEEP NEWSPRINT OLD!
As for this comic...
Someone called this last week. So hats off.
A few people also noticed that I got confused as to which shoe Daphne lost in comic #538. For some reason, I was so sure it was the right shoe that I didn't even bother to check. It was the left. So I went back and changed last week's comic to keep the continuity. Also, this week you'll notice a bare left foot in panel four. Continuity! Also, someone update the foot wiki.
I hope everyone's doing okay out there, both health-wise and finance-wise. Keep safe, stay home and try to stay sane.
![I was humming Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now" the WHOLE TIME I was drawing this. Help me.](https://puckcomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/puck-540.png "I was humming Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now" the WHOLE TIME I was drawing this. Help me.")
Puck 540
NEW APRIL VOTING INCENTIVE!
Vote for Puck on TWC to get a message of support in these trying times!
VOTE TO KEEP NEWSPRINT OLD!
As for this comic...
Someone called this last week. So hats off.
A few people also noticed that I got confused as to which shoe Daphne lost in comic #538. For some reason, I was so sure it was the right shoe that I didn't even bother to check. It was the left. So I went back and changed last week's comic to keep the continuity. Also, this week you'll notice a bare left foot in panel four. Continuity! Also, someone update the foot wiki.
I hope everyone's doing okay out there, both health-wise and finance-wise. Keep safe, stay home and try to stay sane.
For me it was Tommy James and the Shondells singing I Think We’re Alone Now.
Vintage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxyN3z9PL4
So many good song choices!
I was singing that going to work yesterday. 🙂 Nobody was in the office (working from home for some reason), so it was a great time to reconfigure the network without messing everybody up for a couple of hours.
You live a good life, friend. With a good soundtrack.
*Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub.* 🙂
And Taylor aka Tyler’s disapproving parents.
We knew it was coming. I think.
First he changes the name they gave him, and now this.
“oh no honey, it’s just as we feared: our son’s a furry!”
Well, hard to argue against the accusation. Though I’ve strongly maintained that Tyler is attracted to Daphne and not the specific fact that she’s some sort of dog girl. That said, if he got another girlfriend and she was also a dog girl, kinda like when Kermit got another girlfriend and she was also a pig, then it starts to look a little bad.
Dunno. Haven’t seen him without clothes. (Let’s keep it that way, right?)
this is like every farmer’s daughter’s story, only different and missing a shotgun.
Only without the farmer’s daughter. Or the farmer. Or the shotgun. So nothing like every farmer’s daughter story.
I had plenty of Jamaican friends growing up.
I am remembering all the colorful expressions that were said by their parents when they were in trouble.
I got cursed out a couple weeks ago by a drunk Jamaican guy at my job. I had a clue as to what he was saying from having seen Marked for Death.
I don’t think I’ll be trying my hand at emulating them in the dialogue. Even though I lived with Jamaicans for a year and also grew up with a few Jamaican friends, I think I’d get something wrong. The deal with Tyler’s mom is that the patois only comes out when she’s really angry, so I think I might be able to just use it as a bit of punctuation? We’ll see.
Panel 1: The Confession of Love
Panel 2: Possibly the prettiest panel so far in the whole run of the series, supporting some of the sweetest text
Panel 3: Image: the hair off to the side in Panel Two leads to a lovely framing of the face in Panel Three. But the text: NO DON’T SAY THAT YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU SAY THAT.
Panel 4: Dun-dun-DUNNNNNNNN!.
To say this in a funny way. Number two has never looked so dreamy before.
And I do believe that I said that to peek up Salem’s curiosity.
You will never, EVER get Salem to say something nice about Daphne. Like cats and dogs, those two. 😉
@Pat
@EG
“You will never, EVER get Salem to say something nice about Daphne. Like cats and dogs, those two. ”
EXACTLY
(and never anything bad about TRACEEE)
No, just wondering if Salem would try to bury the number two comment. But probably 50/50. No agreement on Daphne, but agreement on the artwork.
I’m thinking you meant “pique up Salem’s curiosity”
Peek, peak, and pique: they sound the same but mean very different things.
The first one we learn is peek: it has to do with looking, especially furtively or quickly or through a small space, as in “open the box and peek inside.” It’s both a noun and a verb; when you peek, you take a peek. Our advice for remembering this one is to keep in mind that you peek in order to see.
Peak is the verb you use to talk about reaching a maximum, or coming to a highest point, literally or figuratively, as in “The meteor shower will last for several days but will peak on Sunday.” Its noun counterpart, which refers to various pointed or projecting parts, is more common: something that peaks reaches a peak. Just as every mountain has a peak, thinking of the peak—the highest point—is the way to remember that peak is the choice for reaching the highest levels. Associating the “a” in peak with the “a” in maximum or with a capital “A” (the most mountain-like of letters) can be helpful.
Pique is the oddball of this trio. We know the “ique” spelling from the likes of technique, antique, and unique, but pique nonetheless looks a little exotic. It comes from a French word meaning literally “to prick,” but its earliest English use was as a noun. The noun is still used: a pique is a transient feeling of wounded vanity—a kind of resentment. As a verb, pique was (and still is, especially in British English) used to mean “to arouse anger or resentment in,” as in “Their rudeness piqued me.” Now, however, it’s most often our interest or curiosity that gets piqued—that is to say, our interest or curiosity is aroused, as in “The large key hanging next on the wall piqued my curiosity.”
Pique has another meaning too, though it’s less common than any of those already mentioned. Pique sometimes is used to mean “to take pride in (oneself),” as in “She piques herself on her editing skills.”
Hey, I’m the English teacher here!
LoL,
well, (according to a few translator/interpreter friends I have) English is THE most challenging language to learn even if it is one’s native language.
one quote I like: it is the fact that every rule has an exception… including the rule that every rule has an exception… in fact, that rules IS an exception to itself (otherwise, it’d be a law).
I often say that English is the easiest language to learn badly and the hardest language to learn well. It doesn’t have a bunch of complicated things that other languages do, like gendered common nouns, complex conjugation, and complicated pronoun rules. If you just want to make yourself understood, it doesn’t take that long to learn. If you want to sound smart, though, that takes a LONG time because of all those exceptions you mentioned.
Complex conjugation maps a+b*i to a-b*i. But you already knew that.
That looks like math. If it looks like math, I DON’T KNOW IT! I’m an English teacher, for crying out loud. I know NOTHING USEFUL!
Common misspelling there….
pique up curiosity – not “peek” or “peak”
Peek is sight related and often refers to looking quickly or through a small space. A homophone, peak is a noun or verb that refers to a maximum or high point figuratively or literally, as in the peak of a mountain or “peak performance.” Lastly, a third homophone pique, means “to excite or arouse” and is usually used with “curiosity.”
… trying hard not to be a grammar nazi, it’s just that it kind of affects me like a faint scratching of fingernails on a blackboard when I read something where someone uses the wrong word in place of “pique”
I’m glad it works. Each of the panels took me a while. But I am especially happy with panels two and three.
Oh yeah, those PEEKS are delicious !
Uh … that’s Peeps.
@EG
I concede – NOT.
PEEKS are delicious.
I think with my tummy
No one calls those Peeks. But I’ll give it to you because you tried.
@eg
I will accept your defeat with Grace.
(who’s Grace?)
prolly another of TRACEEE’s sisters.
Darn.
Just when a ’60 Chevy is most needed.
BEST SONG EVAH’
The only people who have a ’60 Chevy anymore are vintage car enthusiasts. But the sentiment remains. Gotta say, though, the romance of the line is marred if you swapped it with, say, a ’97 Honda.
You know what, oh man, he’s got his hand on her knee. OH BABY. But while it may sound sarcastic, I do not think that his hands would have held anything but her tools, or maybe her hands in a handshake.
This is hot.
I’m such a freaking nerd.
Although, on another note, being exposed to most American (US) stereotypes of baby mamas and baby daddies, I was surprised to see two people in the door way.
You noticed the hand. Nice. Yeah, you got the idea. I want to hearken back to that time when even the idea of touching your object of affection in any capacity is a heady and overwhelming experience. We all were there at some point.
As for the American stereotype, this is Canada. The stereotypes don’t apply.
🙂 In panel one he’s got his hand well above the knee, you go Tyler! High on the thigh, that IS hot!
I think you did a great job communicating how amazing it is when you first get to lovingly touch someone you desire.
I’m also super glad I’ve gotten to do this away from parents 😉
Parents ruin everything. Except meatloaf.
@EG
I Love Love Love Meatloaf.
Sadly, my human pet Baldie has yet to master it.
Paging Maria Muldaur! (her rendition of “Don’t you feel my leg”(which is at YewTewb: watch?v=Unms-ABgrgI) is one of my contemporary favorites.
You may notice in an earlier panel, his hand is much higher up.
Still on the leg, though. I pay attention to such things.
Although, panel three is just about the most heart warming I’ve seen these two. It’s almost like Gecko wants everyone to have what these two have.
Someone to smile about.
That’s the thrill of fiction, isn’t it? That we can sometimes put ourselves into the shoes of the characters, feel an echo of their emotions in our own hearts. We need a little bit of joy in our hearts right now. All of us.
🙂
Dude (I’m sorry, I lived in California), I respect what you’re doing.
I also know I am both “Essential”, but also “Expendable”, so I kinda doubly appreciate it, especially with groceries increasing by roughly 35% in the southern borders (at least where I live, with no meat, nor toilet issue available).
For reals, non saracstic, the sentiment is appreciated.
Sorry to hear that, man. Lots of people are in a terrible situation and I just feel awful for them. I mean, this isn’t great for anyone, but I’m probably in one of the better situations, where I can work at my day job from home, and my wife’s in the same boat. I’m also stuck in the house with my family, so it’s not as isolating. I send positive vibes to you through the internet and wish you strength.
Once again, reality rears its ugly head.
Why does reality never have a pretty head, anyway?
Is this the first time that we’re going to be meeting Tyler’s parents in the series ?
Yep. First time. We’ve heard about his mother before, but only through what Tyler’s said about her: that she’s of Jamaican heritage and hates Daphne. Nuff said.
Better the parents showed up now than during the last strip, when she was straddled down on him. That would have brought some serious mama fireworks. 🙂
Well, yeah. Honestly, I had Daphne raise her hips a bit in this comic because that last panel from the previous strip was just a tad too en fuego.
It’s ok, we like the fire. 🙂
Good! Where’s my lighter fluid?
Close at hand, we hope. 🙂
Indeed, they were not asleep.
The parents of a teen on prom night are NEVER asleep.
“Not slept, Caesar.” from _I, Claudius_.
A classic indeed.
Panel 2, you made Daphne pretty 🙂 as rewinn mentioned, possibly the prettiest panel ever 🙂
I tried. Really I did.
You succeeded, but then, we never doubted it for a second. 🙂
They’re young, they’ll have longer moments alone together I hope.
Eventually. We hope.
This is one of the sweetest, most touching strips you’ve written, Gecko.
Still, I keep hearing the theme from Jaws growing steadily louder…
Well, you gotta mix some sour with the sweet. Or it’ll get too treacly.
This is where Daphne wakes up and is kissing her pillow.
I wouldn’t do that to you! No again, anyway.
It would need a MUCH longer build-up
@mermaidan
LOL !
And whispering sweet nothings to the down filling.
While in the next panel, Tyler and Hannah are swapping spit.
Yay Daphne! Yay continuity!
“Just you. And me, and your parents, why are your parents here?”
“This is their lawn.”
“Oh.”
It’s been almost two weeks and still coughing. Grr, ARRG! Here in Ma., we’re just trying to flatten the curve. And it looks like we have. COOL! For now.
Flattened curves have never been so in style before.
I’m sure that the flappers in the 20s were en vogue.
That’s 2nd panel…
Hmmm. You know, I’m not sure what Tyler’s parents will do…
I know they think Daphne is a bad influence, and they will almost certainly break up this display of public affection… but beyond that?
Well, just another week or two … and you shall have answers!
Tyler’s parents’ animosity will only make Tyler and Daphne an even closer couple. (I understand both human and canine psychology.) 😉
You do.
Last two chapters it was “Can you Feel the Love Tonight?” and “Talk Dirty to Me”.
Line to kill the mood: “What’s all this, then?”
Must admit – the Voting Incentive exceeded my expectations.
IT ROCKS !
And you were complaining about more Phoebe.
@EG
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”
Emerson
Mine is the size of a Walnut – A LARGE WALNUT.
Thank you very much.
harrumph
We did indeed get more Phoebe…. but just a little bit too much TP … by about four panels 😉
@rewinn
Yeah, those extra panels in the upper left hand corner really tick me off !
😛
Well, haven’t you learned anything from this crazy time? There’s NEVER ENOUGH TOILET PAPER!!! You want LESS now?!? Crazy!
@EG
I have never, in my nine lives, used a single square.
Yet you beg for my sympathy ?
I grant it.
Out of pity.
Now, for the sake of Gosh, where’s the SANDBOX ?
I just realized it has been an age since Daffy wore one of her signature Tee Shirts.
Yep. Not sure I’ll be able to get back into the swing of things when prom night is over and she’s wearing t-shirts again.
There’s always the possibility of date night now, isn’t there?
The future is their oyster.
TP no longer stands for ‘toilet paper”- it stands for “Temptress Phoebe.”
😉
Heh. Valid.
want to scare a couple teens laying on your front lawn?
go back inside and…
Close your door… quietly (almost)
I know, that’s just TOO mean.
You are terrifying.
Awkward.
Excessively!
Oh, Phoebe, you tease you.
She has many talents.
All these old love songs remind me of Same Old Lang Syne.
If we are wise, we keep these precious memories very close to our hearts.
Yet we will always wonder….
Yeah, Trixie.
She was some Calico.
sob sob sob sob
Old Lang Syne
@SalemCat, thanks for the link. Dan Fogelberg was talented and I miss him. “Auld Lang Syne” is Scottish for “Old Long Time.” I am thinking that future memories are being made for both Tyler and Daphne.
I like the new vote incentive. Too bad she’s overdressed!
Shoulda gone for the single ply?
I would gladly risk no social distancing to help Phoebe re-wrap her TP rolls.
Don’t you dare! Stay safe! Six feet minimum!
… or possibly six feet under!
The fourth panel shows the greatest cliffhanger of this webcomic!
I’m glad you think so. But the one where Tracee pulled brass knuckles out of her clutch is still, to my mind, the greatest cliffhanger of this webcomic.
@EG
TRACEEE !!!!
:p :p :p :p :p :p :p
😛