I love the way Ethan finally broke though the Troll’s nonsense. Like, he gave in, took a breath, and suddenly… “yeah wow this guy is just an idiot, let’s just figure out the solution now.”
Also – Ethan’s eyes just look a bit off in the last panel. And I’m sorry if it’s one of those things where you just struggled forever with and for some reason it just never came out right and I just pointed it out, but I hope it’s instead a “it’s the holiday break it’s not worth fixing, family more important” lol.
Esc
6 months ago
Good call Ethan. What, if anything, does the Troll even want him to do here? Yeah he’ll do whatever to stop him “killing the hostages” so what? Yeah he could let it go at a moment’s notice for no reason. So do you not need Ethan? Seems like The Troll really was banking on Ethan flipping out and being able to blame hostage deaths on him or something.
That’s my take on it. The Troll was planning on killing the hostages all along and was banking on Ethan trying to be a “real” hero so he could blame the deaths on him. Instead, Ethan chose to be a REAL hero and played along to save the hostages, so now when the Troll kills them, he’s entirely the one to blame and his entire disinformation campaign against Ethan is exposed as exactly what it is.
I’m thinking Ethan being Ethan. He maybe able to troll someone about Video games or pop culture but he doesn’t have the mind set or attitude to do it in the situation like this.
I think he’s just being Ethan now, with his anger now gone. The Troll forced Ethan’s sister to the forefront of his mind, which is clearly more important to Ethan than his own hatred of the Troll. Ethan knows that focusing on his own anger towards the Troll right now would only make it impossible to do what he’s deemed necessary to save those hostages. Thus, his focus is now on his sister; Those hostages; His sworn duty to protect and save lives. That’s what’s defeating the Troll right now; Ethan doesn’t care about him right now, and so he’s… Read more »
Eh, I think there’s still a little reverse-trolling there. He’s saying the words, but not acting the part. He’s not, in fact, “crying and begging.”
If you screwed up something and hurt your SO, and are trying to give an apology, there’s a huge difference between heartfelt saying “I am so, so sorry,” and in saying monotone, deadpan, “I am so, so sorry.”
To be fair, he had already given the heartfelt apology, but that was rejected.
Gonfrask
6 months ago
I have lost the line of my speech, so please, shut up and let me end it.
Nightdagger
6 months ago
So anyone want to give me an over-under on another super hero coming up and forcibly disarming (perhaps literally) The Troll while Ethan has him completely and entirely distracted from everything in the world except for trying to get a rise out of him?
Do we know how long Gameboy’s pauses last? If he paused someone and then died, would they be paused forever? Does time pass for the immobilized? Are they aware of what’s happening around them?
The ultimate troll would be to pause the troll and lock him inside his own head forever, assuming it doesn’t run out and he isn’t going to starve to death.
We see eyes moving and nothing else when Sam pauses someone, so I’m going to assume that time passes for them and they’re aware.
And you haven’t described “the ultimate troll,” but a classic “fate worse than death.” Being trapped, alone, in your own mind, without being able to act or move or die, for all eternity, is an ultimate inhumane torture. It’s the kind of eternal hell that I wouldn’t wish on even a garden-variety psychopath.
TVTropes calls this the “And I Must Scream.” Named for Harlon Ellison’s “I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream,” a short story wherein the Human narrator is turned into an amorphous blob by a sadistic and insane supercomputer and tortured for eternity that cannot scream because it does not have a mouth.
The Troll deserves worse, but I’ll be satisfied if this is his fate.
Well, last time the troll was around with literally two hanged hostages with bombs attached, and only the cops appeared. Now the city got an official super to the location, so I guess there are. It’s also might be hard to fake an hostages situation if no one on the city is reported missing
To be fair, *most* webcomics that go long enough for the creator to learn from themselves, tend to be better than mainstream commercial comics from the simple fact that they are writing out of love for their characters, and not solely for a paycheck at the end of the month.
idk what kind of comics you’re reading, but not really no. This is pretty good but there are awesome commercial comics.
OliGagnon
6 months ago
Two things left to solve:
1) The missing tooth of The Troll has moved from tooth #10 to tooth #12 between Infernal Demons P.25 and now. So it is not The Troll or there was some artistic freedom going.
2) In Infernal Demons P. 25, The Troll has a surprise green juice cartridge for Ethan. This trump card has yet to be mentioned or used. If it is The Troll, he can either turn off Ethan’s power or trollify Ethan. If he is not the troll, it explains why there is no cartridge around.
1) Probably a minor artistic mistake. These are drawn you know, by hand.
2) I think it’s pretty well assumed the green juice cartridge was the acid that the troll got dropped in. I’m wondering if the dead man’s switch isn’t actually going to kill hostages, but rather release that acid all over that rooftop?
Kaitensatsuma
6 months ago
Troll is confused, Troll injures itself in it’s confusion
All too common, really.
Last edited 6 months ago by Kaitensatsuma
jack
6 months ago
ok, i’m curious. when is lucas going to pull a hancock on this dude?
Adaon
6 months ago
Ethan may be doing this on purpose or just being Ethan – but by the God of Gaming, he is doing GREAT.
Crestlinger
6 months ago
Analog uses Confusion! It’s Effective!
J.D.
6 months ago
Don’t feed the troll indeed.
hes still just bantering i doubt there are any hostages
Rolando
6 months ago
The so-called “Troll,” is just another psycho with a theme. Real, smart trolls don’t care. Their whole point, is making others care while they enjoy not caring at all. That guy, is just another poser among many. Only difference is, his need to act it out is so extreme he became a serial killer. He clearly cares SO MUCH, and is SO desperate for attention and for things to work exactly the way he wants them to… He’s crossed all lines. He’s obsessed with ritual and stuck in a superiority complex, like many other psychos. He’s just not functional nor… Read more »
I do agree, he’s not a true troll, but he is living in a fantasy world where he’ll publicly destroy who he deems deserving, and the whole world appreciates his brilliance and skill. The only reason he’s after Ethan is he blames him for “ruining” his chance at glory, and that the troll’s actions resulted in his being badly disfigured. Like so many people, when something doesn’t go to plan, it’s always someone else’s fault.
Pulse
6 months ago
hah seems like ethan has finally done the right thing, been himself and accidentally troll the troll
ears
6 months ago
Plot twist: the hostages are all those discord “troll community” members
Foxhood
6 months ago
Honestly that would be the lamest thing to do as a Troll. As that isn’t trolling, just being a petty crook with hostages. Unworthy of being seen as a villain with a gimmick and a disgrace to trollkind.
David
6 months ago
I think this is it. The troll wanted an honest reaction from Analog. This is his honest reaction. My long shot bet is the troll just gives up in the next strip (or maybe two if there’s a lot of dialogue)
Kevin Greenbaum
6 months ago
Moment Ethan dropped to his knees and decided to just play along with it the Troll lost. Ethan can’t fight him for fear of the Troll dropping the detonator and being able to blame him, and can’t do absolutely nothing because it shows he doesn’t care about the possible hostages. This is the only situation that the Troll cannot win, he can still kill the hostages but he can’t pin blame on anyone else, he has to show he’s entirely the bad guy now.
Kyhan
6 months ago
I have a feeling it’s not a deadman switch, and the Troll is only pretending to hold it down—or it’s a two-stage trigger, where only the second stage detonates. That way, Ethan will unknowingly set it off thinking he’s just trying to prevent it going off.
24
Old trolling the troll trick
I love the way Ethan finally broke though the Troll’s nonsense. Like, he gave in, took a breath, and suddenly… “yeah wow this guy is just an idiot, let’s just figure out the solution now.”
Also – Ethan’s eyes just look a bit off in the last panel. And I’m sorry if it’s one of those things where you just struggled forever with and for some reason it just never came out right and I just pointed it out, but I hope it’s instead a “it’s the holiday break it’s not worth fixing, family more important” lol.
Good call Ethan. What, if anything, does the Troll even want him to do here? Yeah he’ll do whatever to stop him “killing the hostages” so what? Yeah he could let it go at a moment’s notice for no reason. So do you not need Ethan? Seems like The Troll really was banking on Ethan flipping out and being able to blame hostage deaths on him or something.
Don’t forget that vial though.
That’s my take on it. The Troll was planning on killing the hostages all along and was banking on Ethan trying to be a “real” hero so he could blame the deaths on him. Instead, Ethan chose to be a REAL hero and played along to save the hostages, so now when the Troll kills them, he’s entirely the one to blame and his entire disinformation campaign against Ethan is exposed as exactly what it is.
He’s already lost. And he’s MAD about it.
He wants to be killed and ruin Analog forever. Same motivation as the Joker. Funny thing is that Analog who Laughs is old universe Ethan but psycho.
huuuuh…can’t tell if Ethan is purposely reverse trolling or just being Ethan.
I’m thinking Ethan being Ethan. He maybe able to troll someone about Video games or pop culture but he doesn’t have the mind set or attitude to do it in the situation like this.
Both my friend both.
I think he’s just being Ethan now, with his anger now gone. The Troll forced Ethan’s sister to the forefront of his mind, which is clearly more important to Ethan than his own hatred of the Troll. Ethan knows that focusing on his own anger towards the Troll right now would only make it impossible to do what he’s deemed necessary to save those hostages. Thus, his focus is now on his sister; Those hostages; His sworn duty to protect and save lives. That’s what’s defeating the Troll right now; Ethan doesn’t care about him right now, and so he’s… Read more »
Eh, I think there’s still a little reverse-trolling there. He’s saying the words, but not acting the part. He’s not, in fact, “crying and begging.”
If you screwed up something and hurt your SO, and are trying to give an apology, there’s a huge difference between heartfelt saying “I am so, so sorry,” and in saying monotone, deadpan, “I am so, so sorry.”
To be fair, he had already given the heartfelt apology, but that was rejected.
I have lost the line of my speech, so please, shut up and let me end it.
So anyone want to give me an over-under on another super hero coming up and forcibly disarming (perhaps literally) The Troll while Ethan has him completely and entirely distracted from everything in the world except for trying to get a rise out of him?
Now I’m curious if there even are any hostages.
I’m curious what or who is behind The Troll, because I get the feeling there’s someone there.
Its Lucas’s arrow levitating Sam aka Gameboy into position to pause the Troll.
Do we know how long Gameboy’s pauses last? If he paused someone and then died, would they be paused forever? Does time pass for the immobilized? Are they aware of what’s happening around them?
The ultimate troll would be to pause the troll and lock him inside his own head forever, assuming it doesn’t run out and he isn’t going to starve to death.
We see eyes moving and nothing else when Sam pauses someone, so I’m going to assume that time passes for them and they’re aware.
And you haven’t described “the ultimate troll,” but a classic “fate worse than death.” Being trapped, alone, in your own mind, without being able to act or move or die, for all eternity, is an ultimate inhumane torture. It’s the kind of eternal hell that I wouldn’t wish on even a garden-variety psychopath.
TVTropes calls this the “And I Must Scream.” Named for Harlon Ellison’s “I Have no Mouth and I Must Scream,” a short story wherein the Human narrator is turned into an amorphous blob by a sadistic and insane supercomputer and tortured for eternity that cannot scream because it does not have a mouth.
The Troll deserves worse, but I’ll be satisfied if this is his fate.
When you paused your Gameboy and died, what happened? That’s right, the batteries ran out and the Gameboy died, too!
You mean Troll’s last panel? That’s a regular star.
No the yellow light below him
Just lights coming out of building windows, go back a page
Figured that was just the lights from the police below.
Looks like it’s just the normal city lighting as shown in the previous episodes.
Well, last time the troll was around with literally two hanged hostages with bombs attached, and only the cops appeared. Now the city got an official super to the location, so I guess there are. It’s also might be hard to fake an hostages situation if no one on the city is reported missing
THERE! WERE! THREE! HOSTAGES! (Each representing a console.)
There was supposed to be a fourth for PC gaming also but (As Troll put it) that one suffered an accident…
The other (newly introduced? at least I’d not seen them before) could be working on freeing the hostages while Ethan keeps the Troll’s attention.
We’ve still got Chekov’s Glowing Sludge Vial sitting on the mantelpiece, so this can’t be over yet…
Definitely getting “burn time while hostages are located” vibes here. I have to hope the cops and other supes are doing something right now.
Right. There are two supers that can be helping do something. I hope we’ll see what they have been doing soon.
That moment where Analog+D-Pad reaches a level of story-quality that easily beats all other big commercial comics.
Eagerly following this episode. Can’t wait for part 13.
To be fair, *most* webcomics that go long enough for the creator to learn from themselves, tend to be better than mainstream commercial comics from the simple fact that they are writing out of love for their characters, and not solely for a paycheck at the end of the month.
That is 150% accurate. Tim has been giving endlessly for so long now. I was there on day 1 and I can’t quite imagine my internet without C-A-D.
idk what kind of comics you’re reading, but not really no. This is pretty good but there are awesome commercial comics.
Two things left to solve:
1) The missing tooth of The Troll has moved from tooth #10 to tooth #12 between Infernal Demons P.25 and now. So it is not The Troll or there was some artistic freedom going.
2) In Infernal Demons P. 25, The Troll has a surprise green juice cartridge for Ethan. This trump card has yet to be mentioned or used. If it is The Troll, he can either turn off Ethan’s power or trollify Ethan. If he is not the troll, it explains why there is no cartridge around.
But is it established that the Troll is aware of Ethan’s power?
1) Probably a minor artistic mistake. These are drawn you know, by hand.
2) I think it’s pretty well assumed the green juice cartridge was the acid that the troll got dropped in. I’m wondering if the dead man’s switch isn’t actually going to kill hostages, but rather release that acid all over that rooftop?
Troll is confused, Troll injures itself in it’s confusion
All too common, really.
ok, i’m curious. when is lucas going to pull a hancock on this dude?
Ethan may be doing this on purpose or just being Ethan – but by the God of Gaming, he is doing GREAT.
Analog uses Confusion! It’s Effective!
Don’t feed the troll indeed.
hes still just bantering i doubt there are any hostages
The so-called “Troll,” is just another psycho with a theme. Real, smart trolls don’t care. Their whole point, is making others care while they enjoy not caring at all. That guy, is just another poser among many. Only difference is, his need to act it out is so extreme he became a serial killer. He clearly cares SO MUCH, and is SO desperate for attention and for things to work exactly the way he wants them to… He’s crossed all lines. He’s obsessed with ritual and stuck in a superiority complex, like many other psychos. He’s just not functional nor… Read more »
I do agree, he’s not a true troll, but he is living in a fantasy world where he’ll publicly destroy who he deems deserving, and the whole world appreciates his brilliance and skill. The only reason he’s after Ethan is he blames him for “ruining” his chance at glory, and that the troll’s actions resulted in his being badly disfigured. Like so many people, when something doesn’t go to plan, it’s always someone else’s fault.
hah seems like ethan has finally done the right thing, been himself and accidentally troll the troll
Plot twist: the hostages are all those discord “troll community” members
Honestly that would be the lamest thing to do as a Troll. As that isn’t trolling, just being a petty crook with hostages. Unworthy of being seen as a villain with a gimmick and a disgrace to trollkind.
I think this is it. The troll wanted an honest reaction from Analog. This is his honest reaction. My long shot bet is the troll just gives up in the next strip (or maybe two if there’s a lot of dialogue)
Moment Ethan dropped to his knees and decided to just play along with it the Troll lost. Ethan can’t fight him for fear of the Troll dropping the detonator and being able to blame him, and can’t do absolutely nothing because it shows he doesn’t care about the possible hostages. This is the only situation that the Troll cannot win, he can still kill the hostages but he can’t pin blame on anyone else, he has to show he’s entirely the bad guy now.
I have a feeling it’s not a deadman switch, and the Troll is only pretending to hold it down—or it’s a two-stage trigger, where only the second stage detonates. That way, Ethan will unknowingly set it off thinking he’s just trying to prevent it going off.