I think Nik means to say Ben is a dog, which makes him a literal son of a bitch, as in female dog.
Twice now, my backyard has been occupied by a big bitch with strong “darling ray of sunshine” energy. I found Princess at school when I was 9, and now Coco is inherited from my uncle.
Pretty sure it’s just Lucas maintaining plausible deniability for Ben; he is a cop dating an unregistered super (and specifically dating his civilian alter-ego). Openly acknowledging a relationship between Ben and “D-pad” would endanger him- especially since Ben’s login was already used to look up the troll, and he was reprimanded/investigated as a result.
I read this as Ben caring about Lucas’ and Ethan’s safety even when he is supposed to be keeping his distance, and Lucas respecting the fact they can’t admit to knowing each other in front of Huntress (or Troll/Elijah).
Killiak
16 hours ago
Ooooh, so Ben is going to die. Gotcha.
Tarl
15 hours ago
Kinda was hoping to see Zeke realize Ethan might have died died and get his reaction.
ReaverRogue
15 hours ago
So either Ben’s going to die, or he’s going to…
“Stop feeding the Troll”
Excited to find out!
Jedi
15 hours ago
Smart move, having even more backup at standby…
Scortch
15 hours ago
Oh jeez, its been so long I forgot about thst bitch Nicole.
Daniel
14 hours ago
By god, don’t leave Ben alone with the Troll and Elijah, not when there’s overpowered clipping speedster out there having whatever plan B there have!
Send the Thunderess with him. She attributed absolutely nothing to this encounter, but at least she might be bulletproof or something. Her eyes are glowing, after all.
I think we just didn’t focus much screen time on her because she’s not one of the main characters. I’d give her the benefit of the doubt that she was doing stuff unless there’s reason to believe otherwise.
Daniel
14 hours ago
Also: you should charge your phone more often, Ethan
Chris
14 hours ago
No one’s going to mention vault-tec? Or did we already know about that?
I just took that to mean they are playing F76 together and he’s got a very popular messaging background for her. What interests me is he might use that for her anyway, admitting she’s his dystopian overseer.
I saw it as just his lock screen. It can look like that and not be for anybody in particular, if you set up notifications to show who called/texted you on the lock screen.
Ethan’s a known Fallout fan. A bit too enthusiastic about Fallout. I remember the old storyline where he’d basically be put out of commission for weeks following any Fallout release, to the point he looked like a haggard addict. His friends would keep Fallout news out of earshot whenever he was around, lest they trigger another episode. This version seems more chill about it, but he’s still a big fan, I would think.
Tim
12 hours ago
Someone remind me who Nichole is? Was she his ex or the toxic girlfriend?
Well, what happened when Ethan left was an ultimatum, where Ethan made his choice. It wasn’t a formal breakup, and I doubt that Nicole said the last word, but I think Ethan lost interest in this relationship
Yes I remember the ultimatum, but AFAIR we never saw them actually breaking up, and it seems Nicole is not letting it go so easily. And it’s not clear what Ethan intends to do about it
(I really hope he’s not going back to her, of course)
I really hope so. If I were a suspicious minded IA investigator having to deal with comic book bullshit on a daily basis, I might view any further association between him and the Troll as a potential sign of guilt. Particularly given how he seems to be one of those villains who loves concocting elaborate schemes.
Del Cox
12 hours ago
Maybe it was ultimately superfluous, but I really wanted to see the Zeke-Dpad-Analog exchange of information about the powers situation.
Boof
9 hours ago
They win!
But can glove kid phase them out of prison?
Aeroprism
8 hours ago
I’m a bit worried for Ben here. These two in the same car? He might be a cop, they’re beyond dangerous. I really like Ben, I’d hate to see something happen to him.
Also: Excellent string of comics these last few days. Thank you for finding the perfect balance between suspense and delivery. You truly respect your readers and the payoff was absolutely delightful!
Curtis
7 hours ago
Anyone feel like a strip is missing here? Like, should have been some sort of interaction between Locus and Ethan after they discover his powers still worked? Some interaction with Zeke? But it just goes from them all being inside after he respawns to all of a sudden being outside. I even hit the the back button thinking I missed an update.
Ah yes, sending the armed and dangerous criminals who literally just escaped from prison and threatened the entire city, both of whom are confirmed or attempted mass murderers… Back to prison… in the same car…
I see absolutely nothing that could possibly go wrong here in the short OR the long term! 🙂
JozMk.II
5 hours ago
Really hope Ethan quickly breaks up with her. I don’t want another several dozen painful pages of him dealing with that toxic See You Next Tuesday.
Paula
5 hours ago
Oh, that was…underwhelming. I was hoping for a Lucas and Ethan hug and Zeke being confused and then they explaining it to him. I also wanted to see the troll reacting to Ethan being alive (and he recovered quite well from Zeke’s hit). I don’t know. It is just I wanted to see more immediate aftermath of what happened, not a 19 years later thing.
Gonfrask
3 hours ago
You have just jinxed it…
Nzall
3 hours ago
How many pages are usually in these A&D serials? 36?
Victual Brother
3 hours ago
Theoretical question regarding the Troll and any potential charges being brought: would he be charged with Murder or Attempted Murder of Ethan? I’m curious to hear opinions.
Not a lawyer or law person, but I’d guess it has to be attempted murder. Ethan is alive, and there is no way to actually prove he died. For all we know his respawn could even be a ‘right before dying, instead this happens’ thing.
Chrispy
2 hours ago
Livestreamed terrorist threat and only 1 officer “happens” to be nearby?
Mike
10 minutes ago
How did Elijah’s legs get straightened? Game Boy and Thundress working together probably, but it just feels odd we didn’t see it.
24
That last line seems suspicious
He’s just happy to see his lover.
lol yeah that’s just Ben, say hi to Ben
Yeah, if this wasn’t Ben I’d be sure the cop was working with the troll, the way the last line was framed.
By the way my Ben is a Son of a B!tch.
Literally.
52lbs of absolute love and cuteness (with periodic annoyance thrown in).
Okay,
To the fucker who downvoted my Ben.
You must be a pathetic cat person.
Apparently, the Troll escaped and is on the loose.
What? No, the one who escaped is Black Hat
You mean Ben isn’t a cat? Aww, Ben sounded like the best cat ever…
Okay, if “Son of a B!tch” didn’t give it away. . .
I do not know if I ever want to see a 52 lb housecat.
Lynx or similar maybe, but I don’t know if I would try to domesticate them.
I think Nik means to say Ben is a dog, which makes him a literal son of a bitch, as in female dog.
Twice now, my backyard has been occupied by a big bitch with strong “darling ray of sunshine” energy. I found Princess at school when I was 9, and now Coco is inherited from my uncle.
If Ethan randomly calls him Uncle Ben, he will die.
Pretty sure it’s just Lucas maintaining plausible deniability for Ben; he is a cop dating an unregistered super (and specifically dating his civilian alter-ego). Openly acknowledging a relationship between Ben and “D-pad” would endanger him- especially since Ben’s login was already used to look up the troll, and he was reprimanded/investigated as a result.
I read this as Ben caring about Lucas’ and Ethan’s safety even when he is supposed to be keeping his distance, and Lucas respecting the fact they can’t admit to knowing each other in front of Huntress (or Troll/Elijah).
Ooooh, so Ben is going to die. Gotcha.
Kinda was hoping to see Zeke realize Ethan might have died died and get his reaction.
So either Ben’s going to die, or he’s going to…
“Stop feeding the Troll”
Excited to find out!
Smart move, having even more backup at standby…
Oh jeez, its been so long I forgot about thst bitch Nicole.
By god, don’t leave Ben alone with the Troll and Elijah, not when there’s overpowered clipping speedster out there having whatever plan B there have!
Send the Thunderess with him. She attributed absolutely nothing to this encounter, but at least she might be bulletproof or something. Her eyes are glowing, after all.
She didn’t do nothing, exactly. Removing Power Glove from the equation alone was a major contribution, and she fought a bit.
I think we just didn’t focus much screen time on her because she’s not one of the main characters. I’d give her the benefit of the doubt that she was doing stuff unless there’s reason to believe otherwise.
Also: you should charge your phone more often, Ethan
No one’s going to mention vault-tec? Or did we already know about that?
I just took that to mean they are playing F76 together and he’s got a very popular messaging background for her. What interests me is he might use that for her anyway, admitting she’s his dystopian overseer.
I saw it as just his lock screen. It can look like that and not be for anybody in particular, if you set up notifications to show who called/texted you on the lock screen.
Ethan’s a known Fallout fan. A bit too enthusiastic about Fallout. I remember the old storyline where he’d basically be put out of commission for weeks following any Fallout release, to the point he looked like a haggard addict. His friends would keep Fallout news out of earshot whenever he was around, lest they trigger another episode. This version seems more chill about it, but he’s still a big fan, I would think.
Someone remind me who Nichole is? Was she his ex or the toxic girlfriend?
Toxic (ex)-girlfriend
Why ex?
Well, what happened when Ethan left was an ultimatum, where Ethan made his choice. It wasn’t a formal breakup, and I doubt that Nicole said the last word, but I think Ethan lost interest in this relationship
Yes I remember the ultimatum, but AFAIR we never saw them actually breaking up, and it seems Nicole is not letting it go so easily. And it’s not clear what Ethan intends to do about it
(I really hope he’s not going back to her, of course)
Wishful thinking. I’m sure there is more drama to go there
Toxic GF… I had to think for a moment there – already forgot about her. 😛
hmm – would the Troll, who’s already met Ben in the prison, put 2 + 2 together that Ben is linked with Analogue + DPad?
Well with the same reason someone might ask more questions at the police hq as Ben somehow seems to be always involved with all the Troll cases …
I took it more as Lucas throwing Ben a favor since Ben was already at risk since he let Lucas look up information on the Troll.
Ben being able to bring the Troll in should help clear his name.
I really hope so. If I were a suspicious minded IA investigator having to deal with comic book bullshit on a daily basis, I might view any further association between him and the Troll as a potential sign of guilt. Particularly given how he seems to be one of those villains who loves concocting elaborate schemes.
Maybe it was ultimately superfluous, but I really wanted to see the Zeke-Dpad-Analog exchange of information about the powers situation.
They win!
But can glove kid phase them out of prison?
I’m a bit worried for Ben here. These two in the same car? He might be a cop, they’re beyond dangerous. I really like Ben, I’d hate to see something happen to him.
Also: Excellent string of comics these last few days. Thank you for finding the perfect balance between suspense and delivery. You truly respect your readers and the payoff was absolutely delightful!
Anyone feel like a strip is missing here? Like, should have been some sort of interaction between Locus and Ethan after they discover his powers still worked? Some interaction with Zeke? But it just goes from them all being inside after he respawns to all of a sudden being outside. I even hit the the back button thinking I missed an update.
yeah it’s an odd jump
Ah yes, sending the armed and dangerous criminals who literally just escaped from prison and threatened the entire city, both of whom are confirmed or attempted mass murderers… Back to prison… in the same car…
I see absolutely nothing that could possibly go wrong here in the short OR the long term! 🙂
Really hope Ethan quickly breaks up with her. I don’t want another several dozen painful pages of him dealing with that toxic See You Next Tuesday.
Oh, that was…underwhelming. I was hoping for a Lucas and Ethan hug and Zeke being confused and then they explaining it to him. I also wanted to see the troll reacting to Ethan being alive (and he recovered quite well from Zeke’s hit). I don’t know. It is just I wanted to see more immediate aftermath of what happened, not a 19 years later thing.
You have just jinxed it…
How many pages are usually in these A&D serials? 36?
Theoretical question regarding the Troll and any potential charges being brought: would he be charged with Murder or Attempted Murder of Ethan? I’m curious to hear opinions.
why not both?
Not a lawyer or law person, but I’d guess it has to be attempted murder. Ethan is alive, and there is no way to actually prove he died. For all we know his respawn could even be a ‘right before dying, instead this happens’ thing.
Livestreamed terrorist threat and only 1 officer “happens” to be nearby?
How did Elijah’s legs get straightened? Game Boy and Thundress working together probably, but it just feels odd we didn’t see it.