First Random Last |

You are currently browsing the archive for Analog and D-Pad



24

Confidence, p20

January 31, 2025 by Tim


Subscribe
Notify of
guest

95 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Noa
Noa
6 days ago

Pfft, Real smooth. Will Lucas catch the intent? Will he accept the clearly offered move or respect the guy’s position/job more? Tune in next time to find out! (PS: Darn cliffhangers!)

Dagroth
Dagroth
5 days ago
Reply to  Noa

Roughly half of the detective and similiar stories uses that trope, he probably will. 😉

Ronnie
Ronnie
4 days ago
Reply to  Noa

If Lucas was dating a woman, the situation could be a bit vague, but men generally don’t take 10 minutes to pee.

Peosea
Peosea
4 days ago
Reply to  Ronnie

Went to poo. Obviously meant 10 hours

tomB
tomB
3 days ago
Reply to  Noa

It wasn’t subtle. But it can wreck his relationship.

In the country I live in, when an officer seeks info from our national police information system, the query is tagged by a unique identifier thatbties to the officer. They are also strongly admonished to leave the purpose. I saw a lawyer go after the national police and they went to the detachment and there was no reason. That got a sh””storm of epic proportion.

So even if Lucas’ paramour is willing, if he uses that, he could wreck the officer’s career.

But maybe the cops are clueless.

Last edited 3 days ago by tomB
OneNeoEno
OneNeoEno
3 days ago
Reply to  tomB

Yeah, but this is set in the states, where the cops regularly commit murder and get away with it. If Ben is caught, he’d get a minor slap on wrist at worst.

Lazlowi
Lazlowi
6 days ago

I actually laughed out loud at the face Lucas is making – this gem of a man! It’s awesome to see their relationship unfold.

Daminica
Daminica
6 days ago

Don’t do it Lucas, you don’t roll that way…

Phire
Phire
6 days ago
Reply to  Daminica

Don’t roll -what- way?

Coloring outside the lines a bit to potentially save his friends life?

I’d hope Lucas does roll that way but maybe I’ve overestimated him.

T.J.
T.J.
6 days ago
Reply to  Phire

He’s an unregistered vigilante, so by definition that is the exact way he rolls.

Esc
Esc
6 days ago
Reply to  Daminica

He’s not even a licensed superhero, he’s literally a vigilante. He does roll that way. And he got tacit endorsement from Ben.

Number51x
Number51x
6 days ago
Reply to  Daminica

Ben is inviting him to do it. It’s fine.

Marty
Marty
6 days ago
Reply to  Daminica

Lol, that was an invitation. It’s how sometimes people share information in business that is actually confidential. The file is “accidentally” on the table while the other person goes to the bathroom / gets a coffee / goes to make a copy.

George P
George P
6 days ago
Reply to  Marty

Well, obviously in movies for dramatic effect. In reality you likely have to log into some server to view things. If you give your password that is even worse, if you log into the server and leave then you are leaving someone unattended to search anything

7eggert
7eggert
4 days ago
Reply to  George P

In theory the person would lock the PC. But I’ve consistently been left in an empty room with an unlocked PC with complete access to very sensitive medical data. Suggesting to lock it was considered to be rude.

Ronnie
Ronnie
4 days ago
Reply to  Daminica

What way? He asked Ben to do it, and Ben told him that policy prevents *him* from doing it. Lucas is not subject to said policy–he’d just be doing the thing he hoped his boyfriend would be able to do.

Tim
Tim
6 days ago

And the title of this occurence makes a lot more sense !

Crossroads
Crossroads
6 days ago

Classic move right there.

Aeg
Aeg
6 days ago

I guess he figured Lucas actually had a really good reason. That being said, what bugs me about this is that IRL, any IT department has the ability to track searches done on that database via the credentials used to access them. Ben would know that, and “oops, someone must have accessed it when I wasn’t looking” isn’t an excuse in any environment that actually cares about enforcing that policy and actually makes the situation worse. That being said, the real world has also shown that police use this kind of access all the time and get away with it,… Read more »

Killiak
Killiak
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

“I didn’t do it”

Police lie detector AND super powered empath show he is telling the truth.

Tuomari
Tuomari
6 days ago
Reply to  Killiak

you can get in as much if not more trouble if you have left sensitive data exposed. Heck more than few politicians have goten flak for their handling of confidental/secret documwnts. Now imagine it would have been just a regular grunt and not influential politician.

T.J.
T.J.
6 days ago
Reply to  Tuomari

It’s pretty far beyond the boundaries of typical security requirements to claim that he “left sensitive data exposed” when it was accessed by an unregistered vigilante who came in through his window in the middle of the night.

Now, if anyone can prove he let the unregistered vigilante in the window, that’s another story.

ears
ears
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

I agree with Aeg. Ben is kinda being “I cannot do it morally, but I can let you – if you can take that moral responsibility”. If he cared about not doing it and not being caught doing it – it wouldn’t matter if it’s him or Lucas using the laptop, all that matters is which account performed the action. And “physically it wasn’t me” just moves the misdeed from “misuse of (restricted access thing)” to “carelessness in usage of (restricted access thing)”, it doesn’t absolve from the misdeed. There’s a responsibility in not letting someone else use your account.… Read more »

Last edited 6 days ago by ears
ears
ears
6 days ago
Reply to  ears

For context, I think Ben will also be fine with whatever Lucas chooses to do. The “test” here is just a mental note of whether or not Lucas Does A Legally Bad here. I shouldn’t even call it a test. Happywyvern below is right, the social cues are there.

Jin
Jin
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

Given how emphatic Ben tends to be, he might just be doing the whole song and dance routine to let Lucas feel better about it, because Lucas would probably happily take the fall for ‘taking the advantage’ of Ben’s trust if an issue ever comes up and it would, in a world of espers and psychics, be strictly and technically true.

Neon
Neon
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

Quite sure this is more about Bens own moral system than any legal questions. He can’t justify with himself doing it but he can giving Lucas the means to do it himself.

Rob
Rob
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

Although this is possibly true. Things you think would be more secure; are not. The world is held mostly together by duct tape and string.

Last edited 6 days ago by Rob
Matt Braddock
Matt Braddock
6 days ago
Reply to  Rob

If these guys knew how much of the world’s critical infrastructure is kept functioning by jury rigged parts running legacy code, they would freak the absolute f out.

WAhydrohead
WAhydrohead
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

But Ben gets to say in a court of law that he did not do that search.

Will B.
Will B.
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

This. I’d rather he protect Ben from himself. If it were anybody else he wouldn’t offer this, so…

Marty
Marty
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

Why?
Because nudge-nudge, wink-wink. That’s why 🙂

sasparillafizz
sasparillafizz
6 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

I’m not sure what they would nail him for though. Pulling up files on a popularly known super criminal isn’t exactly criminal. He said himself he had looked into Lucas to ensure he wasn’t dating Deathblood. There are probably quite a few people who access such files routinely given the predominant amount of damage Troll does. It’s not like those case files just disappear because he’s in jail, even ‘potential’ crimes have to be checked to verifiy was it Troll who did it or one of his copycats? This isn’t like medical records where only your specific doctor probably has… Read more »

7eggert
7eggert
4 days ago
Reply to  Aeg

There is a lot of coincidence happening – a famous singer has a big show and their name gets searched in the databases – not by the crew trying to protect them. Even if the news report about that, everybody will eagerly look the other way.

Some people are more equal.

Benjamin
Benjamin
6 days ago

Lucas! NO!

Marseyais13
Marseyais13
6 days ago

very smooth Ben !
Reminds me of Malcolm in the Middle, when Lois is asking the sergent for info to track down Reese, and he tells her he has all the info in the drawer of his desk but can’t reveal it, and it pisses him off so much he’ll stand and face the window for a few minutes ^^

AustynSN
AustynSN
6 days ago

From the back and with his mask hanging off, Lucas looks a bit like Captain Marvel. (Original, AKA Billy Batson, AKA The boy with the power of SHAZAM)

Last edited 6 days ago by AustynSN
Tuomari
Tuomari
6 days ago
Reply to  AustynSN

huh, your comment must have been disliked by a marvel comics fan with sore buttocks, allow me to bring it ro balance, as all rhings should be

Eric
Eric
3 days ago
Reply to  Tuomari

If that’s the case, should I downvote your comment to get you back to “0” again? “Balance” and what-not.

Nah. That’s just silly.

Jedi
Jedi
6 days ago

Either he wants to give him a choice or its another test, hard to tell … but i tend to it being the first one … and then, hard choice for Lucas …

Tim Braatz
Tim Braatz
6 days ago

Btw, not entirely sure about Ethans Respawn rules (where is the point of death?), but couldn’t they just stop his heart, look if he respawns and if not, reanimate him?

7eggert
7eggert
4 days ago
Reply to  Tim Braatz

They’d need to know the details of the rules. It can be a positive test, it can be a false negative, it can create a clone

Snark
Snark
6 days ago

ooof… on the one hand “no means no”.. and old “personal is not the same as important”. And if it is a test from Ben’s side, I’d say it is kind of a sucker… on the other – what IS more important? And being a vigilante-ish super (at the very least not registered) Lucas is probably Neutral Good or Chaotic Good in heart. As in “essence over procedure”, “law for the people, not people for the law” mentality and all that stuff. And in that light Ben’s “opening” is a gift of confidence and a sign of trust in Lucas’… Read more »

Happywyvern
Happywyvern
6 days ago

Reading the comments here I feel im missing something,

He gives the speech about not being allowed to do it…

Opens his laptop, clearly pointing out that this laptop can easily find out what’s needed. Then he says he is going for a pee and pointing out its for 10 minutes. Im middle aged it doesn’t take me that long.

But a lot of people are saying its a test and he shouldn’t do it?

Am I just dense at reading social cues on comic books?

Snark
Snark
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

I’m confused about what confuses you. Yes, Ben clearly presents the opportunity to Lucas to look for the records. Ben also states that it is, in fact, prohibited. If Ben is not allowed to do it, Lucas is even more not allowed to do it. The real question is how “Lawful” Ben is. Is it the test of Lucas’ ability to refuse a temptation – “I want to, but I will not do it because it is prohibited”? Or is it just a way to circumvent the rules and give Lucas the information. We don’t know what Ben sees as… Read more »

James Rye
James Rye
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

It’s more like that Ben is a good guy following the rules while also breaking them at the same time for Lucas (aka not using police data to tell Lucas directly, but “accidentally” leaving his personal laptop open for anyone to access), but that if Lucas were to go through with this proposal and anyone from the police notice that Ben’s account logged in to check on the Troll’s whereabouts and “something” happened with the Troll a couple days later after said login… there could be questions. And danger to Ben’s job due his integrity as a cop if people… Read more »

GUNnibal
GUNnibal
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

I think you are absolutely correct in your interpretation of what Ben is trying to do here. This reminds me of a story. I used to know a guy who was a school teacher, this is the story he told me. He was very careful about building and maintaining his reputation among the kids he was teaching (knowing that ruining said reputation would likely result in him failing to teach them anything afterwards). One day he gives the kids a written test and sits there watching them filling in the papers. Suddenly one of the kids drops a small note… Read more »

Danidas
Danidas
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

It’s a classic test to see where Lucas’s loyalties are and how willing he is to go against his morals and ideals. If he uses the laptop it will hurt Ben and open the door to Lucas forsaking himself and falling to evil. As the next step would be Lucas breaking into what ever facility is housing the troll to try and extract info from him in a way that most likely involves violence. Breaking countless laws in the process and since he used Ben’s laptop to get the info it means Ben will have to shoulder the blame and… Read more »

Zair
Zair
6 days ago
Reply to  Danidas

You don’t say “the data is right here, wink wink nudge nudge, I’m going to leave for TEN MINUTES”

And then claim it’s some kind of bullshit test. He’s saying “hey, I’d love to help you but I can’t cross this line, oh look, it’s all right here and I’m leaving the room for a while, it’d be a shame if the stuff just happened to get opened where you could look at it. You know, while I’m out of the room for TEN MINUTES.”

G L
G L
6 days ago
Reply to  Zair

“I’d like to help you. But I can’t. I’d like to tell you to take a copy of your policy to Norma Wilcox on — Norma. Wilcox. W-I-L-C-O-X. On the third floor, but I can’t. I also do not advise you to fill out and file a WS2475 form with our legal department on the second floor. I would not expect someone to get back to you quickly to resolve the matter. I’d like to help. But there’s nothing I can do. SORRY, MA’AM! I KNOW YOU’RE UPSET!

Terrycloth Monkey
Terrycloth Monkey
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

The debate is because we don’t know Ben’s motivation here. It could be, “I think what the Troll is doing is awful, and I want Lucas to get the info he needs to potentially save a life” or “I can’t believe my new boyfriend asked me to do something criminal! Lets see if he has the morals I hope he does.”

Marseyais13
Marseyais13
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

yeah same, I see no world where this is a test, to me this is the classic :
“I can’t help you…HOWEVER, here is everything you need, and how long you have to take it, then let’s pretend nothing happened”.

Classic good guy who wants to obey the rules but still try to help as much as reasonably possible in the circumstances.

Matt Braddock
Matt Braddock
6 days ago
Reply to  Happywyvern

I say every single cop who has seen too many criminals get off scot free because they don’t have to play by the rules while police has to, considered bending the rules a bit themselves.

Austin Mills
Austin Mills
6 days ago

Okay, I didn’t like the mustache, but I’ve changed my mind. Lucas, marry this man.

Steve
Steve
6 days ago

With our heroes’ luck, Lucas will go digging illegally (ex: unauthorized use of a computer system) while Ethan slips on a bunch of gummy bears and impales himself on an eggbeater, or something.

Damion
Damion
6 days ago
Reply to  Steve

That would be HILARIOUS.
And also deeply deeply sad for a bunch of reasons.

Blue Griffin
Blue Griffin
6 days ago

I really think some people are over thinking this. I don’t think this is a test at all. Just a way to set up plausible deniability. Lucas gets the information. Ben stays unaware if he did or not. End of story.

Realone
Realone
6 days ago
Reply to  Blue Griffin

Yes, that’s what’s going on here. Kind of surprising how many other people are unable to identify such obvious cues.

Zeqs
Zeqs
6 days ago

It’s not a cop show without this “I got the info you need right here, but I can’t give it to you. Now, I’m stepping out for a quick coffee, back in ten, don’t you take a peek on this info, ok?” bit.

Truly classic.

Last edited 6 days ago by zequeins
naustghoul
naustghoul
6 days ago

Not only does he love him, he trusts him. Yup, Lucas my man, you are done. There is no way that you can deny this guy anything anymore.

Ocramot
Ocramot
6 days ago

This is very nice of Ben, but I guess Lucas still would have to log in with Ben’s credentials, so any improper use would trace back to Ben anyway

Damion
Damion
6 days ago

It’s unreal how blown away I am by the strength of the writing paired with the simplicity of the art in this comic.
Just incredibly great.

Damion
Damion
6 days ago

To all the comments saying this is some kind of “test”, given that Ben has been verrrrrry carefully taking baby steps to let Lucas know he knows, and to let Lucas know he is pro-cape AND pro-law, it would mean that he is either 1: sincerely offering Lucas info in the best way he knows how to do without directly breaking a law (which I hope is the case). Thereby showing Lucas he really does love and trust him, and is willing to take risks for good reasons. Or 2: This is all an INSANELY long con with a ridiculously… Read more »

ears
ears
6 days ago
Reply to  Damion

without directly breaking a law

Sorry, but this part I don’t agree with. Being negligent who can use your laptop with NCIC access on it is as much a violation as using the access for personal reasons yourself. The only “not Doing A Bad” thing here on Ben’s side is in the moral space

Aegee
Aegee
6 days ago
Reply to  ears

Are you saying you lock your computer/laptop every time you walk away from it when you’re the only person who would reasonably have access to it (i.e. you live alone and are currently at home)?

Say they weren’t in a relationship/Ben didn’t even know Lucas. Lucas (a vigilante) decided to follow Ben (or any other officer) in an attempt to get the information and Ben walked away from the laptop while working at home, is Ben still “breaking the law”/being negligent?

Pete
Pete
6 days ago

Back in TEN. Should it take TEN minutes? Hmmm…

ThatGuy
ThatGuy
6 days ago

No, I mean it.

You kill him off, I’m gonna riot. For him to pull this classic move to his vigilante boyfriend is the best thing ever. Best character addition in a LONG time!

pookysgirl
pookysgirl
6 days ago

“Well, you have ten minutes to figure out how to find sensitive information in our database. Good luck!”

“But doesn’t it usually take you guys a week of training to-”

“I SAID GOOD LUCK!!!”

Richard Weatherfield
Richard Weatherfield
6 days ago

Plausible deniability. Love it.

Nik
Nik
6 days ago

“These are not the droids you are looking for.”

Verdiekus
Verdiekus
6 days ago

I like Ben, but don’t do it Lucas.

Nik
Nik
6 days ago
Reply to  Verdiekus

Do it, and your journey to the Dark Side will be complete.

MusicManD
MusicManD
6 days ago

If this IS a test, it’s the kind that would make me end a relationship.

He’s going out of his way to say, “I have to follow the rules, but you don’t. Let me turn my back real quick.” He even interrupts Lucas saying that it’s fine and he doesn’t need to help.

Truthfully, though, in a world with superheroes and supervillains, any IT department that doesn’t use constant security to prevent bad actors from accessing their database- say with fingerprint scanners in every key or periodic facial recognition during every query- is woefully incompetent.

Phoebe
Phoebe
6 days ago
Reply to  MusicManD

Well, he already entered the credentials and opened the database for him, before suddenly realising he needs to pee FOR TEN MINUTES!

Sir Guestalot
Sir Guestalot
6 days ago

I’m…honestly not sure where the figurative dice should fall on this. Narratively, I expect Lucas will take the opportunity, because that moves the plot point of “Schrodinger’s Nine Lives” forward. But setting aside narrative expectation for a minute: On the one hand, Ben just gave him a gift and made it quite clear that he was fully aware of what he was doing (and after making it clear that it would be a non-starter if he wasn’t convinced it was for a good cause). Lucas not accepting that gift would arguably be insulting Ben’s own resolve to do what he… Read more »

Andhaka
Andhaka
6 days ago

You have to do right by this amazing man, Lucas!! Don’t let him get away!!

RLight
RLight
6 days ago

Grab the laptop, break the window on the way out. Give Ben some plausible deniability.

foducool
foducool
6 days ago

very smooth ahaha

Drew
Drew
6 days ago

Lucas: “Hey, uh, before you go, how do you do a search on this thing?”

Lily
Lily
6 days ago

People in the comment are so doubtful. This isn’t a test, he straight up wants Lucas to look at his computer. He agreed and just wants plausible deniability.

teddy
teddy
6 days ago

love this

ChibiAcer
ChibiAcer
6 days ago

Lucas really needs to work on picking up social cues, lol 🤣

sasparillafizz
sasparillafizz
6 days ago

“It makes me so angry that I cannot assist you I think I’m going to just stare outside this window without looking around for the next fifteen minutes or so”

Mahmoud
Mahmoud
6 days ago

What a shame a vigilante broke into Ben’s house and accessed his laptop while he was away. What a dastardly fiend.

Extreme
Extreme
5 days ago

“Wait a second… I can delete parking tickets”

Hawk
Hawk
5 days ago

Has it been made clear what Lucas is hoping to find?
If he’s looking for where they’re keeping the Troll, what would knowing that do?
Will he try to question the maniac with a proven history of manipulation and falsehood? What does Lucas think he can glean that trained interrogators couldn’t?

Robert 'CockRoach' Archer
Robert 'CockRoach' Archer
5 days ago

Ten minutes? Hey when you gotta go you gotta go! 😛

Tawnis
Tawnis
5 days ago

So, back when this whole re-boot started, I wasn’t all that sure about Lucas’ change from the original; so many series lately are just throwing LQBTQ+ characters in there for the sake of wanting to seem inclusive or trying to reach a broader demographic and I guess it’s left me a little more cynical than I realized. They don’t get to be their own character and are just the token inclusivity one. All that being said, I’m so happy that is not the case here; I freaking love their characters and relationship. Lucas and Ben are so damn good together… Read more »

Last edited 5 days ago by Tawnis
SylntSyco
SylntSyco
5 days ago

Green Flag af.

DerGrimmigeZwerg
DerGrimmigeZwerg
5 days ago

Guess the Oathbreaker Paladin build isn’t that far off after all… Not that I’m complaining.

ZombieM0nk3y
ZombieM0nk3y
5 days ago

He’s a keeper.

Victor
Victor
5 days ago

“I totally understand.”
Do you though? He’s dropping hits left and right and you only got the last one.

Derfman
Derfman
4 days ago

Well, I sure hope he does not do it. Because he could be putting Ben into a really bad situation regardless of who does the accessing. For all we know, Ben may be testing him to see how far he can trust him.

Derfman
Derfman
4 days ago

Tim, your pages coding seems to be wonky. Can’t navigate with the arrow keys while typing in a comment. It keeps trying to go to the previous or next page.

Marseyais13
Marseyais13
3 days ago
Reply to  Derfman

yeah, there seems to be a missing override of the regular navigation while the focus is on the comment box

Dore
Dore
4 days ago

It’s just a setup for Ben to ultimately get killed because not a single character in these comics can EVER have any real happiness.