The last time we got an origin story flashback was when Ethan was struggling with the aftermath of The Troll and remembered why they became super heroes in the first place. So hopefully, this time leads to Scott coming back on track, even though i can also see it going the complete opposite (“I wanted to do this to protect people, also you from yourselves! Without me, you would have caused more harm than good, just like with this robot!”)
Not youth. If I am not mistaken, this is some time after the death of Ethans sister (Scott’s significant other) and apparently just after Lucas and Ethan gain abilities. The state of his home is an example of what deep depression and unexpected loss and tragedy can do to people (including the panel previously regarding suicidal thoughts). I am curious just how long it has been after Ethan’s sisters death.
My best guess is somewhere between one and three weeks, depending on whether Carly-era Scott had facial hair or not. Apartment is trashed, but not TOO trashed; beard and moustache growth isn’t super scraggly yet. Plus, he still had quite a large amount of Oxycodone, and doctors generally want to get you off of that and onto something milder as soon as possible to avoid a dependency.
I’m sorry to counter Eldest Gruff but I would say months had past since Carly’s death not weeks.
Remember that Scott was paralyzed in the same attack that killed Carly. If you lose the use of your legs due to a gun shot you don’t get out of the hospital after only a few days or a week. Scott probably spent a month or more in the hospital recovering plus further time spent learning how to live without the use of his legs.
Oh dang, you’re right. Great point; it’s got to have been a few months at least. I completely forgot about the actual spinal cord injury; only how long the emotional downward spiral’s been.
IIRC, Ethan said during the double date that his parents moved away from Omnitropolis after his sister was killed, leaving the store to him. When Ethan and Lucas got their powers, they were still setting up GameHaven for the grand opening.
I guess he might probably have spent some time in the hospital as well? I feel like one week doesn’t really fit how Ethan and Lucas act in their flashback.
It’s possible it’s still early on after the incident. I also can’t recall what year the storyline takes place in, but it’s also possible this was back when the opioid epidemic was still fresh, and doctors were prescribing oxys left and right without regard for dependency or addiction. Scott may just have a pill mill doctor regardless of time period.
Judging by the number of Oxyc pill bottles in the 4th pane from the previous comic, I would say a 3-4 months after the accident and however long Scott was in the hospital.
Also depends on if he lost his legs/got paralyzed in the same event that killed Carly. If he did, then he would have been in the hospital for… weeks at least? And only at home for just the 1-3 weeks you mentioned, so the apartment wouldn’t be too bad yet. I assume the recent trauma would also explain the Oxycodone.
Thanks everyone who replied. My assumption/guess is roughly 6 months to 1 year since Carly’s death. Again, this is based on pill bottles, collection of mail, state of the home/apartment & his appearance.
Maybe Tim can clear it up for us…
Vincent Price
2 years ago
Just wait until Ethan has to demonstrate his own abilities, and Scott simply loses it.
Was thinking the same, and maybe not the best time to show that you can respawn. Something tell me that Lucas is going to suggest that it can be show later “in a safer place” as he seems to be noticing things.
im expecting him to go “watch this” and send the arrow through his neck just as hes going on and on. scott loses it for a second before blip and hes back without missing a word.
Which part? Ethan discovering his ability, or accidentally demonstrating it to Scott? I think the discovery came when Lucas accidentally killed him with an arrow that first night.
Given how often stuff like that happens, I’m slightly curious how pre-superpower Ethan made it that far. He probably got a lot more careless in the time afterwards, when actions suddenly had less severe consequences.
Sounds like a Ryan George setup. “He did a backflip, snapped the bad guy’s neck, and saved the day.”
ShonaSoF
2 years ago
“I’m done with this nonsense.” to “What the holy hell is that?!?”
Xanthicirs
2 years ago
Do we know if Lucas’s arrows make a noise when popping into existence? Because in my head it sounds like when Jelly Kid makes bread exist in Bravest Warriors.
Marsh
2 years ago
‘Surprised Scott’ makes me feel happy because I know he’s okay and this is a turning point for him.
But in sure it *was* a turning point. If not THE turning point in his life, where he began to be obsessed with “this with power/s using them negligently and causing harm to others. And back in present day, a Rogue AI controlled ‘killer’ robot is likely his very last straw.
Mousio
2 years ago
That look on the last page! PRICELESS!!!
Bit late to the party, but this flashback (last page mostly?) pretty much confirms my head cannon as to why Scott was so against Zeke (All the “saving humanity from super machines” aside); if they are what gave him another reason to keep going after he lost the rest, this makes his reaction more understandable.
Not exactly forgivable, but gives much more context.
Well done Tim. Can’t wait for the next feew chapters?!!
Everything people do is because of reasons that seem valid to them. They look at the situation from their own perspective and use the tools they have. Sometimes this will result in hammering in a screw.
When we discover that we we made mistakes we usually want to be forgiven, not condemned for things we could or somehow would not perceive differently back then. Therefore we should at least try to do the same for others.
FireballDragon
2 years ago
Oh, I thought Scott was gonna OD over Zeke. Apparently that was before EnL became Analog and D-Pad.
We’re exploring more origins, this time how Scott joined Ethan and Lucas as their tech-guy. Meaning we’re dealing with Scott shortly after Ethan’s sister/His fiance was killed.
The mail Is piling up because Scott is depressed. Given he was contemplating suicide in the page before this he probably didn’t see the point in opening the letters.
I don’t think the mail portends anything in particular, it’s just Lucas noticing that Scott has not been keeping up with his affairs (due to him being paralyzed with grief).
It’s those last three panels that clinch the laugh from me. Scott’s expression jumping from “What fresh spore of madness…” to “Holy s@#$!!!” And the smug look on Lucas’s face are the best!
Ben
2 years ago
I’m starting to see a piece of Scott’s motivation that I missed. While Lucas and Ethan were getting superpowers, he was losing everything that mattered to him in life. That… god that would feel so unfair to somebody in Scott’s position. The kind of unfair that you never get over. The kind that festers and corrupts you. He tried to be a part of it. To feel powerful by being the ‘guy in the chair’ who guided them and made them gadgets; it was a coping mechanism. But that was never going to be enough, at least not for long.… Read more »
I agree mostly, he wants power over the threat. IDK weather he’s interested more in having power or in someone having power over the threat (and not seeing A&D doing that). Both would explain what we saw.
Urainkhali
2 years ago
Heh. Bitten by a radioactive arcade machine…
Drew
2 years ago
I wonder… “This guy…” who said “oops!”… he was in the explosion, too. Is he one of the supervillains we’ve seen?
On the page where the accident was shown he’d already left the room.
It’s possible he might’ve still been in the blast radius, but that by itself probably shouldn’t have triggered any supervillain powers. Those seemed mostly caused by the combination of exposure to ‘magic science goop’ + ‘lightning channeled through a video game machine’, and Oops Guy didn’t get either of those.
Zair
2 years ago
I’ve been reading the comic since… geez, I think before Ethan even built Zeke.
Tim, your art’s really improved over the years, and it really shows in this strip particularly. The subtle details in the expressions, Lucas looking so smug, Scott’s “I’m done with this” and subsequent shock.
Beautifully done.
Marcus
2 years ago
SHIT MAN! you slingshot us into a backstory?!?! christ i had to really think about this one for a minute…. also, please tell us more about the goo and the kaboom. i love you, you will do this for me right?… right?
Well it certainly wasn’t an Earth Shattering Kaboom. I’ll tell you that much.
toughluck
2 years ago
I can’t wait for them to show Scott Ethan’s superpower!
Joey
2 years ago
This bit shows how much Ethan and Lucas trust Scott. He is the very first person they go to, immediately, with something that they’d probably want to keep fairly secret. It’s interesting in that it shows that while they trust him implicitly, he does not reciprocate and didn’t let them know the head bomb was still active.
Kaitensatsuma
2 years ago
Lucas eyeing that pile of letters
Ash Ketchup
2 years ago
Lucas can tell something’s not right from that first panel with all the mail. I wonder if he ever finds out Scott was contemplating suicide.
Snowfae
2 years ago
That last panel is perfect. Just the whole ‘ofukdisreal’ face.
some guy
2 years ago
I’ve been following this comic for over 15 years and I’m amazed just how far it’s come. Not only do you keep the quality, but you increase it and keep me hooked. Amazing job, Tim.
24
OOoooh! I totally didn’t catch the reverse time jump in the last panel!
Very cool with some origin story <3
The last time we got an origin story flashback was when Ethan was struggling with the aftermath of The Troll and remembered why they became super heroes in the first place. So hopefully, this time leads to Scott coming back on track, even though i can also see it going the complete opposite (“I wanted to do this to protect people, also you from yourselves! Without me, you would have caused more harm than good, just like with this robot!”)
That storyline started on May 30, 2016, in case anyone wants to stroll through the Archives for a refresher.
wow, that long ago?
Time flies!
SIX FRIGGING YEARS?
Took me a moment to notice the difference in his beard in the last comic
Hey, is that an arrow or are you just happy to see me?
HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can *smell* that apartment.
Ahh. Youth.
I am not sure that is youth given what was happening previously.
Not youth. If I am not mistaken, this is some time after the death of Ethans sister (Scott’s significant other) and apparently just after Lucas and Ethan gain abilities. The state of his home is an example of what deep depression and unexpected loss and tragedy can do to people (including the panel previously regarding suicidal thoughts). I am curious just how long it has been after Ethan’s sisters death.
My best guess is somewhere between one and three weeks, depending on whether Carly-era Scott had facial hair or not. Apartment is trashed, but not TOO trashed; beard and moustache growth isn’t super scraggly yet. Plus, he still had quite a large amount of Oxycodone, and doctors generally want to get you off of that and onto something milder as soon as possible to avoid a dependency.
I’m sorry to counter Eldest Gruff but I would say months had past since Carly’s death not weeks.
Remember that Scott was paralyzed in the same attack that killed Carly. If you lose the use of your legs due to a gun shot you don’t get out of the hospital after only a few days or a week. Scott probably spent a month or more in the hospital recovering plus further time spent learning how to live without the use of his legs.
Oh dang, you’re right. Great point; it’s got to have been a few months at least. I completely forgot about the actual spinal cord injury; only how long the emotional downward spiral’s been.
IIRC, Ethan said during the double date that his parents moved away from Omnitropolis after his sister was killed, leaving the store to him. When Ethan and Lucas got their powers, they were still setting up GameHaven for the grand opening.
I’d guess if you don’t count the time in the hospital you might still be right.
I guess he might probably have spent some time in the hospital as well? I feel like one week doesn’t really fit how Ethan and Lucas act in their flashback.
It’s possible it’s still early on after the incident. I also can’t recall what year the storyline takes place in, but it’s also possible this was back when the opioid epidemic was still fresh, and doctors were prescribing oxys left and right without regard for dependency or addiction. Scott may just have a pill mill doctor regardless of time period.
Judging by the number of Oxyc pill bottles in the 4th pane from the previous comic, I would say a 3-4 months after the accident and however long Scott was in the hospital.
Also depends on if he lost his legs/got paralyzed in the same event that killed Carly. If he did, then he would have been in the hospital for… weeks at least? And only at home for just the 1-3 weeks you mentioned, so the apartment wouldn’t be too bad yet. I assume the recent trauma would also explain the Oxycodone.
Thanks everyone who replied. My assumption/guess is roughly 6 months to 1 year since Carly’s death. Again, this is based on pill bottles, collection of mail, state of the home/apartment & his appearance.
Maybe Tim can clear it up for us…
Just wait until Ethan has to demonstrate his own abilities, and Scott simply loses it.
Was thinking the same, and maybe not the best time to show that you can respawn. Something tell me that Lucas is going to suggest that it can be show later “in a safer place” as he seems to be noticing things.
im expecting him to go “watch this” and send the arrow through his neck just as hes going on and on. scott loses it for a second before blip and hes back without missing a word.
im wondering if that comes with its own story of ethan being hit by a car or something totally mundane on the trip home.
Which part? Ethan discovering his ability, or accidentally demonstrating it to Scott? I think the discovery came when Lucas accidentally killed him with an arrow that first night.
Perfect time to bring in the ninja to decapitate Ethan… Like the ol’ days 🙂
The mail is always a dead giveaway.
Lucas makes a point
The smug look on Lucas’ face in the last panel!! XD
Lucas decided to provide a little bit more Direction to the story.
Ethan then slipped on the good, broke his neck and respawned
Goo*
Given how often stuff like that happens, I’m slightly curious how pre-superpower Ethan made it that far. He probably got a lot more careless in the time afterwards, when actions suddenly had less severe consequences.
honestly wondering how previous timeline ethan made it as far as he did
Plot armor and being animated help a lot.
Especially when arrows shoot you from off-panel or ninjas stab you from behind.
I miss the random Ninjas….
Just like Kenny
Knowing he’s functionally immortal made him less careful than he was before
Sounds like a Ryan George setup. “He did a backflip, snapped the bad guy’s neck, and saved the day.”
“I’m done with this nonsense.” to “What the holy hell is that?!?”
Do we know if Lucas’s arrows make a noise when popping into existence? Because in my head it sounds like when Jelly Kid makes bread exist in Bravest Warriors.
‘Surprised Scott’ makes me feel happy because I know he’s okay and this is a turning point for him.
Ya know this is a flashback.
But in sure it *was* a turning point. If not THE turning point in his life, where he began to be obsessed with “this with power/s using them negligently and causing harm to others. And back in present day, a Rogue AI controlled ‘killer’ robot is likely his very last straw.
That look on the last page! PRICELESS!!!
Bit late to the party, but this flashback (last page mostly?) pretty much confirms my head cannon as to why Scott was so against Zeke (All the “saving humanity from super machines” aside); if they are what gave him another reason to keep going after he lost the rest, this makes his reaction more understandable.
Not exactly forgivable, but gives much more context.
Well done Tim. Can’t wait for the next feew chapters?!!
Everything people do is because of reasons that seem valid to them. They look at the situation from their own perspective and use the tools they have. Sometimes this will result in hammering in a screw.
When we discover that we we made mistakes we usually want to be forgiven, not condemned for things we could or somehow would not perceive differently back then. Therefore we should at least try to do the same for others.
Oh, I thought Scott was gonna OD over Zeke. Apparently that was before EnL became Analog and D-Pad.
Welcome to the flashback! xD
I love Lucas. His facial expressions are one o my favorite things about this comic.
Anybody else wondering what the volume of mail that Lucas is staring at in panel 1 portends?
We’re exploring more origins, this time how Scott joined Ethan and Lucas as their tech-guy. Meaning we’re dealing with Scott shortly after Ethan’s sister/His fiance was killed.
The mail Is piling up because Scott is depressed. Given he was contemplating suicide in the page before this he probably didn’t see the point in opening the letters.
I don’t think the mail portends anything in particular, it’s just Lucas noticing that Scott has not been keeping up with his affairs (due to him being paralyzed with grief).
And also being paralyzed with actual paralysis.
It’s those last three panels that clinch the laugh from me. Scott’s expression jumping from “What fresh spore of madness…” to “Holy s@#$!!!” And the smug look on Lucas’s face are the best!
I’m starting to see a piece of Scott’s motivation that I missed. While Lucas and Ethan were getting superpowers, he was losing everything that mattered to him in life. That… god that would feel so unfair to somebody in Scott’s position. The kind of unfair that you never get over. The kind that festers and corrupts you. He tried to be a part of it. To feel powerful by being the ‘guy in the chair’ who guided them and made them gadgets; it was a coping mechanism. But that was never going to be enough, at least not for long.… Read more »
i like the way you think, it kinda sets up the separation that i recall a few people envisioning and scott becoming a villain.
Very good analysis. However, Carli was Ethan’s sister, not Scott’s. Scott was dating her.
I agree mostly, he wants power over the threat. IDK weather he’s interested more in having power or in someone having power over the threat (and not seeing A&D doing that). Both would explain what we saw.
Heh. Bitten by a radioactive arcade machine…
I wonder… “This guy…” who said “oops!”… he was in the explosion, too. Is he one of the supervillains we’ve seen?
Was he? I thought he had left the store?
On the page where the accident was shown he’d already left the room.
It’s possible he might’ve still been in the blast radius, but that by itself probably shouldn’t have triggered any supervillain powers. Those seemed mostly caused by the combination of exposure to ‘magic science goop’ + ‘lightning channeled through a video game machine’, and Oops Guy didn’t get either of those.
I’ve been reading the comic since… geez, I think before Ethan even built Zeke.
Tim, your art’s really improved over the years, and it really shows in this strip particularly. The subtle details in the expressions, Lucas looking so smug, Scott’s “I’m done with this” and subsequent shock.
Beautifully done.
SHIT MAN! you slingshot us into a backstory?!?! christ i had to really think about this one for a minute…. also, please tell us more about the goo and the kaboom. i love you, you will do this for me right?… right?
you may want to look into this former flashback: https://cad-comic.com/comic/analog-and-d-pad-04-03/
Well it certainly wasn’t an Earth Shattering Kaboom. I’ll tell you that much.
I can’t wait for them to show Scott Ethan’s superpower!
This bit shows how much Ethan and Lucas trust Scott. He is the very first person they go to, immediately, with something that they’d probably want to keep fairly secret. It’s interesting in that it shows that while they trust him implicitly, he does not reciprocate and didn’t let them know the head bomb was still active.
Lucas eyeing that pile of letters
Lucas can tell something’s not right from that first panel with all the mail. I wonder if he ever finds out Scott was contemplating suicide.
That last panel is perfect. Just the whole ‘ofukdisreal’ face.
I’ve been following this comic for over 15 years and I’m amazed just how far it’s come. Not only do you keep the quality, but you increase it and keep me hooked. Amazing job, Tim.