Grrl Power #1074 – Open door policy
Ah, the rare no-dialog page. I almost added a “N’yah!” or something on the sword dodge, but, eh. No-dialog page instead. I usually have pretty dense dialog for a comic, and don’t have a lot of space for characters flourishing. I might have to revisit that. A good flourishing panel is kind of fun, and I can definitely see Sydney doing it. Now if only Maxima would introduce those boat cloaks to the field uniforms.
For those of you not familiar with him, Zephan’s backstory is basically Wang Chi from Big Trouble in Little China (the Chinese “sidekick” to Jack Burton – only BTiLC was really a movie that framed the actual sidekick, the bumbling comic relief, i.e. Jack Burton, as the Main Guy, and relegated the story of the actual Main Guy to the sidekick role. Sure, Hollywood probably insisted they couldn’t sell a film with an asian lead, but we can at least pretend it’s clever screenwriting.)
Anyway. So Wang Chi follows in Egg Shen‘s footsteps and becomes an Eastern… whatever Egg Shen was. Wizard? Mystic? Wu? Eventually he expands into occidental mysticism and yadda yadda yadda, became the head of ArcLIGHT. Only of course it isn’t Wang Chi, but some guy named Zephan who went through his own set of unusual and supernatural circumstances that put him on the path.
Just thought I’d clarify his backstory in case the Chinese Imperial Guard phantom projecting from the magenta crystal wasn’t enough of a dead giveaway. >cough<
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Wait… that explains Arianna Burton’s knife throwing skills!
I guess it does make sense that everyone on base can at least defend the base, if the team is on a mission far away.
Black cloak dude attempted to batter down the door and it didn’t fall. Zephan besides to take a poke at the person outside of his door with a Chinese Imperial Guard statue. Although Dave seems to apply that I was wrong that the statue was in his office to begin with.
Statue was not in his office. The swordsman is a Summons from the Crystal. See the link under “cough”
And Achilles haircut and looks as well.
FYI per Wuxia lore, Egg Shen was a Chinese Mystic.
‘It is all in the reflexes’
As often as she throws dagger-eyes at everyone I’m sure she’s had enough practice LOL. Who knows, she might of had an act as a young lady (to pay for collage) with a knife-throwing troop.
I need clarification:
Is it the black cloak dude ripping the door off the wall or is Zhepan way of iniciating combat?
It looks like the masked man in the cloak is using powers to rip the door from the wall.
Which is actually quite smart as the wall is probably more breachable than the actual door.
Usually is the case, specially when people secure (either mystically or physically) windows and doors and forget about the walls next to the windows and doors
In the 1950’s live-action Superman TV series, a guy asked Superman why he always burst in through the wall rather than using the door that was right there.
Superman replied, “Using the door wouldn’t be very dramatic, would it?”
On the cutting room floor of the late Supergirl TV show is allegedly the ‘Supergirl smashes down door or wall’ and the villain responds ‘You know, our Krypton had thousands of years of advanced technology. How is it you never heard of doorknobs?’
“Doors tend to be trapped, or expected to be used. Walls? Not so much.”
What is the likelihood that a technologically advanced civilization will have doorknobs on their doors?
Probably pretty high. There are circumstances where a sliding door, pocket door or whatever is more practical but for the most part a hinged door with a knob is simple, robust and cheap. A knob in the middle of the door is probably more of an aesthetic choice. It would require a more complex mechanism. Zephan might have reasons but it circles back around to the comments about the door being stronger than the wall.
As likely as having them in the middle of the door?
The wall appears to have steel I-beam reinforcement. That is a very secure room, with a very annoyed guard.
Indeed. On the first read I was actually thinking how steel studs are really far thinner than that, but then I realized this on the hardened side of a military facility built for supers. I’m assuming the wall surface is a concrete or some composite, rather than plain sheetrock, otherwise those well-spaced steel beams aren’t going to be very effective at keeping people out.
The thing is if you were trying to get into the room you don’t necessarily need to remove the door you just need to go through the wall this is like ringing the freaking doorbell.
First there is the alarm, then my door is crunching. Hmm
Also Zephan, a slash looks cool and all, but if you want the best shot, stabby gives less reaction time and more reach. It is less likely to destroy the portal as well so the other guy has to keep working at it.
Blades like that don’t stabby. Also that slice is as fast as most people’s stabby.
Attack a plane, not a point.
The slash was an attempt to do a surprise counter attack if the cape hadn’t dodged it he wouldn’t of survived it. The door was blocking the cape’s view but in my case I would of used something like a desert eagle! Would of punched through the door AND the cape nicely…
But it would not have looked as cool.
Looks like cloak is a Telekinetic, and he is ripping the door away, but it is sliced apart as he pulls it closer to himself.
That’s Zephan initiating combat by denying initiative to the black cloak guy.
Mutton-chops ripped the door out, like he did with the security cameras
Hey, good Bad Guy Reference Name; The Masked Muttonchop!
Either that, or The Masked Chin :P
Mutton Chin.
Was thinking that as well, doubted how it looked or sounded :(
Yeah not that punchy or punny, I don’t love it. Feel a little sheepish even.
I will only send 2 ninja for that pun because it was annoyingly clever, but I dont want you thinking I was letting it go scott free.
what baa’s and glows in the dark?
a LambP
You are now my archenemy. I’m almost certainly convinced that you are pure evil for that joke.
That wasn’t a pun. It was a crime against humanity.
*to self:* “Wow, she’s wooly upset about that silent ‘b’.”
I’m sure that has mutton to do with it.
I expected such evil from brichins – he’s getting the regular ninja-o-gram, but et tu Bharda? ET TU?
*checks the Ninja Emporium – okay I guess I can send a first year ninja hit team to you since it’s a rare infraction*
I’m slightly insulted that you would be so sheep about it.
I though you respected me enough to pay full price.
You have just graduated to the Ro Jaws Special Ninja Variety Platter Hit Squad, my friend.
Hopefully you will cleanse yourself of corruptive influences of the dark side of humor and vome back to the light side.
I think its time to shear this thread. remember to heed the conservation of ninjutsu. I love OSP red videos.
You’re suggesting Bharda has become a black sheep? Shearly not.
…I’ll stop before we push you pasture breaking point.
honestly, I just love the results I gleaned from this. I’ve never been an archenemy before, best (worst) I usually rate is ‘minor annoyance’
As soon as I saw the graying mutton chops I thought of Vincent Price as Dr. Phibes.
Muahahahaha!
Dang, now I’m off on a Phibes tangent. Anton Phibes and Vulnavia seem to have the same sort of villain-henchperson as Deus and Vale. Phibes is brilliant and a skilled artificer but he is still an old, burned up guy. It seems like Vulnavia is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. If you posit Vulnavia as a low level super, the Phibes stories could have taken place in this universe.
Based on what we have seen of him so far, I think he would go with the name “Cloak and Swagger”
how about ‘The Veiled Threat’?
Black Cloak Dude was using some power to rip the door out of the wall. Probably worried about wards, reinforcement or spells on the door itself. Let’s call it the “extended door frame”.
Shen was ready, as the alert had been active for a while at that point.
Shen had a chinese warrior summoned.
Shen ordered the warrior to attack whoever was lifting his “extended door frame”, with a horizontal slash through said “extended door frame”, hopefully blindsiding the lifter.
Black Cloak Guy dodged the sword. We are now in the last panel.
Of course, this could turn around for the guy in the cape, but it must sting to go to all this effort to distract everyone from the thing you’re going after, only to find it still has a guard, and a rather capable one at that.
I hope Zephan’s not so confident that he opts to not call for backup. He may be formidable, but as the department head, he’s probably a target on his own, along with having a number of targets in his possession.
In my experience there are two types of (fictional) mages: Those who are prepared and led by common sense and usually become quite old and those who are not prepared, led by overconfidence and do not get very old. And Zephan does not seem that young. *winks*
I believe it was fairly established that Zephan is a Successful Adventurer.
I fully expect he has multiple layers of defense, a multitude of offensive options, and if he’s even half as clever as I am, the wards are set around the perimeter of the room on the floor, not around the doorframe.
I suspect he’s also at least as clever as Avatar, and has a holdout. Tho, probably not a Ruger.
It is also stated that he is equally skilled in magic as he is with technology :)
He is Doctor Doom!
I was hoping for technomage Sean McNinja
…
…Eggtor Ze-van Doom?
…I dunno, the pieces are there.
This works for me. :)
Normally if you’re really smart, you lay down the wards on the subfloor, and then construct the floor and walls over them, so that disrupting them becomes more than a bit difficult.
Down side is if anyone casually walks by could trigger the wards and after while that would get very annoying. Maybe if he could use an identity spell with the wards then maybe. Or just install a camera system with facial recognition? I’m sure there’s high-tech solutions with a simple battery back up that would cover it and I’m sure after this there will be! Lord knows how much repairs will be needed after this attack perfect time to include them.
This requires having been brought into the fold before construction finished. While initial appearances suggest the Archon building was custom built, do we know it was custom built for Archon? Do we know that Zephan was in the fold at that time?
The moment I saw the hood and cape I pinch the bridge of my nose. You know this guy is a huge jackass if he willingly dresser this way.
As a Jackass of excellent reputation (ask the alpacas and the asses, don’t believe the dog he’s just a pup) I am almost offended. I personally would NEVER dress in such a way. Not if I was going into an activity such as that. Now, a large floppy hat? Mayyyyyyyyyyyyybe. I wonder how many people realize, the whole trend of them having special outfits was to help sell comics back when they were a nickle or dime?
Also based on circus strongmen and other performers.
What are the chances to rock pillars with vases on top are some kind of spell that you trigger by walking through?
Not likely: they fell over
This guy’s supranym is now officially For Whom The Door Tolls.
Nah, Mutton-chops
*sigh* Just because Periwinkle Butt-Sniffer and this guy both appreciate the intimidating effect of wearing a cowl does NOT put them on the same team.
We see that he has telekinetic powers. It will turn out that he can affect any object EXCEPT things that are magnetic. His villain name is Otengam.
It’s funny how that Chinese Imperial Guard Phantom actually looks like he’s in armour from Thailand.
Probably got it on holiday there.
(Sorry, I’m an armour geek.)
As this is based on a well-known movie — YES the armor shown in the Movie looked that way too.
http://surbrook.devermore.net/adaptationsmovie/btilc/rml12.jpg
He got it in Little China. There wassome Big Trouble there back in 1986.
But just remember what ol’ Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye and he says, “Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.
There’s a bit of history between Thailand and China. And China has a long history. What makes you think it’s not Chinese armor?
Apparently because he’s an armour geek. But he hasnt seen Big Trouble in Little China possibly, which harms his pop culture geek status instead of his armour geek status. :)
Sort of like how Shadiversity considers nunchucks to be the absolute dumbest weapon ever designed, inferior to even the humble stick, but he does seem to like Bruce Lee movies. :)
I haven’t seen Big Trouble In Little China in decades.
Yet the pointed spaulders and the demonic helmet seem more Thai than Chinese, which is entirely possible as films like to mix design styles.
P.S. Shadiversity likes Nunchucks as single handed weapons (and for dual wielding). He’s got proof that as a two-handed weapon, they suck.
Waiting for David Lo-Pan to show up and shit to get REAL
First the goons, then the Storms THEN Lo Pan can show up!
Geez, some people have NO sense of timing… (j/k)
I know, you know,
it’s all in the reflexes.
Gracy law’s daughter is Arianna Burton. — this needs to be canon
Nah. Ariana’s eyes are not green enough.
Actually? That is a ‘good’ thing, so, maybe…
Hmmm. If this masked fool name drops anyone named ‘Lo Pan’ I am going to fall out of my chair laughing.
Unless… that is ZEPHAN’S true name?
Hmmm…
“That was nothing. But that’s how it always begins. Very small.” – Egg Shen
No Capes!
Big Trouble in Little China is a masterpiece movie and so I cannot have any problems with this page at all.
Just a shame they never made the sequel :(
A sequel or remake would only tarnish the perfection of the original.
Only if Carpenter isn’t the one in charge.
I say, ask him to remake it as a three hour epic, and give a blank check, contractually guaranteed free reign, and a restraining order against all studio executives.
Then sit back, and wait.
But how do you get John Wayne… errr… that Computer Who Wore Tennis Shoes guy… to do the sequel?
Kurt is still alive, maybe just ask him?
DO NOT give Hollywood Ideas! They must not mess with the perfection that was that movie!!!!!
The sequel should have been made at the time, when we could have had the young brash Burton
Some movies don’t need a sequel. Like The Matrix, which was only one movie andnever had any sequels ever because its ending was perfect as is.
Ah, yes I agree, but you have to remember they always have to do that to squeeze every penny from fans! Even if it ruins a perfectly good movie…
Or Princess Bride, which was considered for a remake even though trying to recreate it was an infamously bad idea.
No! There shall be NO mention of that INCONCEIVABLE heresy!
It never happened! It will never happen! IT MUST NEVER HAPPEN…
Which is why Hollywood WILL do it and make a mess.
*cries*
They just need to agree on a title that looks the same upside-down as right-side-up
Most things are either cut too short, or continue long past their expiration date. Mostly because the people who make the financial decisions can’t tell the difference.
You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
If that actually happened, it would make for a great reason to make a sequel/extend a series franchise.
Honestly I was just looking for a reason to quote Harvey Dent from The Dark Knight. :)
Ah, that’s the problem l
I couldn’t make heads nor tails of it.
I think Ro and Brichins and palmvos have been a bad influence on you!
I think you’re assuming that I haven’t always had this dark power, and have only now decided reveal some fraction of it. ^_^
So the retirement plan for heroes is villainy? I had imagined “respect your elders” a tad differently, honestly.
Yeah, but they kinda set it up for a sequel, kinda do a “BJ and the Bear” kinda thing, or “Every Which Way But Loose”, but instead of Bear or Clyde we have Jack travelling with that beastie
There is a comic book series sequels of the movie. Old Man Jack from BOOM! comics.
The second I saw that purple gem I knew what this was referencing. I basically have that movie memorized. I originally typed “film” but had to go back and change it because BTiLC is the definition of a MOVIE.
There are only a few movies that I have completely memorized – the Princess Bride, Stargate, Big Trouble in Little China, Escape from LA, and Shawshank Redemption. :)
Although I also memorized the opening to Conan the Barbarian, as narrated by Mako.
My Cousin Vinny didn’t make the cut? But it does such a good job of showing you how not to present yourself as a lawyer!
Sigh. Ok, yeah, I admit, a lot of that movie is very cringe. The good parts are very good, but the bad parts are very bad.
Oh i loved My Cousin Vinny too, as it is a legal requirement for all attorneys to watch it, but i havent memorized the entire movie for that. I could get disbarred for saying otherwise, but I usually forget the hunting part of the movie.
I can do the voice.
…which, as much asi hate my stupid man-voice, I feel weirdly proud of, and will miss, when I get my voice fixed in Korea.
Never ever hate being able to narrate like Mako. :) Record it for when you no longer can do so!
Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, Conan, destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga.
Let me tell you of the days of HIGH ADVENTURE!
Not ‘Escape from NY”?
No. Escape from New York does not have a villain dressed like Che Guevara and Has a distinct lack of Steve Buscemi (even though Ernest Borgnine did a fine job), and therefore is the inferior movie, not as worthy of memorization.
DUDE! How is “History of the World” not on that list?!
If I memorized any more movies, I’d forget some legal information or links to Grrlpower comics info because my bucket of memories would be full and excess information would excess information would slosh out the sides. So i had to limit myself to five.
I apologize. *hands you one free ‘Get out of Pun Ninja Assassination’ Card* Non-Transferrable.
Do you really _need_ to commit so much drive space to other things, though?
I mean, you can get through a lot with just Shapes & Colors, and as long as make sure to remember Please & Thank You, you can get by without most four syllable words or potty training.
That alone would make room for sooooo many more movies, comics & tv shows.
she also has to remember where the ninja rolodex is, since its invisible.
Random bit of movie trivia:
BTiLC is a John Carpenter movie and it literally is, at its heart, a sendup of the action movie tropes of its time; Carpenter is also a huge Green Hornet fan, which also mirrors the hero-who-has-an-inexplicably-more-competent-sidekick (Bruce f-‘n Lee!) trope.
It really was good writing. The whole point of BTiLC is that Jack is helping a friend, he’s the outsider, he really doesn’t know what he’s doing, and we’re seeing this whole mythological conflict unfold from his point of view – as the least informed, arguably least useful person (until he isn’t!) in the entire story.
That movie is rather inspired, and Russell pulls of Jack so well against Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, James Hong, and Donald Li it’s criminal. It probably wouldn’t work if Jack weren’t quite so usefully gormless, but there’s magic in how it all comes together.
And geez, Dennis Dun in that movie (Wang Chi) – he’s just amazing. Despite the framing, there’s no mistaking he’s the main character of the story.
… I may be a bit of a movie buff.
Anyway – it was deliberate, and had everything to do with sending up a bunch of ‘chop socky’ racist and caracitatured tropes of the late 70’s and early 80s, and wrapping it around a modern (then), comedic take on the genre.
It’s a bit weirder then that. When the screenplay was originally pitched, it was a Western set in 1890s-1900s San Francisco, during the early waves of Chinese immigration. The studio tossed the entire script out, and handed the idea off to a different writer.
Burton originally just wanted his horse back.
Kinda like what they did with the original ‘Kung Fu’ before they gave the ‘Grasshopper’ role to Carridine and had him wandering aimlessly through the American Wild West?
Soo… was the John Wayne impression a John Carpenter direction or did Kurt Russell decide to do that on his own?
I’d thought that Green Hornet and BTiLC both had a sidekick who inexplicably acted like he thought he was the main dude because he was an American, while the actual hero was “just” an Asian.
I recognized the Egg Shen pose instantly!
Is that the nod to the power copying idiot from Heroes that stupidly used his copied telekinesis to rip a vault door off to get at something instead of using his copied phasing powers to just walk through it?
“I’m a reasonable guy, but I’ve just experienced some very unreasonable things.”
Big Trouble in Little China is one of my favorite movies. I always loved how Jack Burton turned the standard 80’s action hero trope on its head by being completely out of his depth at every turn, but continuing to do everything he could to help his friend and somehow still acting swaggeringly cocky the entire time. Absolutely brilliant.
No one wants to admit to being the sidekick, specially not the comedic sidekick :P
Americans are famously bad at this.
Our most exceptional trait is our egotism.
How often does the sidekick kill the boss villain? :)
It happens from time to time. The boss villain generally isn’t expecting that sort of thing from the sidekick, so their defenses aren’t focused on them.
True, but he almost didn’t. That look on his face when the first throw misses is painful and hilarious all at once.
It was all planned. Do not underestimate Jack Burton’s planning. It is beyond our mere mortal understanding. He drank the potion and see things no one else can see, do things no one else can do cannot do. Real things! As real as Lo Pan!
He totally knocked himself out by shooting his uzi at the ceiling knocking himself out for most of the big fight, so he would be fresh and ready for the final boss fight.
The best way to get someone to drop their guard, is to make them believe they’ve already won.
Can those jackasses get anymore chuuni at this point ? Goddamn.
Yes.
The answer is always, “yes.”
BTiLC!!!
Big Trouble In Little arC-light
Really hope he’s not here to make an omelette.
Also, waiting for Pixel to unstealth, go Crinos, and laser claw this terminal D bag.
Being a Big Trouble fan, and since there’s a Wang Chi expy, I hope that GrrlPower’s version of Jack shows up at some point in the background. Of course, given that Zephan is only “basically” Wang Chi, there’s no guarantee that such a character exists. Still, it’d be funny.
Zephan mentions he’s waiting to meet a friend. A fight breaks out. At some point one of the antagonists gets hit by a truck. Or something like that.
We’ve already met Goose.
He went from a cheesy comedic sidekick to a cheesy comedic FPS lead. That’s character progression right there. “Talk lots of shit” to “laconic and/or taciturn”.
He’s seen some shit.
Not Goose, Les
Can anyone read the plaque next to the door? I’m curious as to what room he’s breaking into.
Pretty sure it’s just Z’s office…which likely also doubles as The Reliquary.
…or possibly just has some dangerously informative literature in it.
Yeah, was wondering that as well
It’s not too easy to read, even on the double-rez version over on patreon, but it does say “ZEPHAN ZOENG”.
If the cape was smart he’s dodge the statue and focus on Zephon’s gem, but if this guy is anything like the one that had Concretia catch Sydney, he’ll be cocky and careless. And cowardly lol. It seems the whole idea was to do a late-night smash and grab but I think they badly underestimated Archon’s response time and training. Much less just how many of the department leaders are supers as well! Plus they clearly thought it was be easy-ish with the heavy-hitters being away. So while it is disturbing and frustrating for Archon members, I think they will repel the attackers and then revamp the security to a much higher level while Max and the General fume and give out orders.
Who’s this? The Crimson Chin wearing Batman’s spare mask?
So at least four hood guys.
We saw lava hood hovering down from the sky light.
Bare chest hood sliding down a wall. (No second appearance I have seen)
Red tie hood is still on the roof.
Blue mask here. I am wondering what the actual target(s) are? Most of the attacks are non-lethal except for the one on Arriana. So they want something with minimal collateral damage.
We see the one sliding down the wall again on page 1070, dueling with Hiro in the background.
Dave, I think you meant Wu Jen instead of Wu, if you were referencing the D&D Oriental Magic-User class.
Huntix, keep the beat and you’ll survive.
(you’ll survive)
Huntix, it’s the seeker you’re inside.
Shout it loud and shout it proud, everybody Huntix, goooooooooooooooahaooooooo.
There’s a secret lost to time, there’s an ancient story, one for all and all for one, fighting for the the glory,
Just gotta say, if Mutton-Chops wraps his pinkies together and summons his own guardian soldier, I’m going to start humming the Mortal Kombat theme. Just like I do when watching Big Trouble In Little China. If one of them starts making ‘pew, pew’ sounds, i just might squee.
You are NOT the only one. :)
Why is the Red She Hulk slightly taller than the Green She Hulk? If you take the heels in consideration, Red is quite a bit taller.
Take a second look at Red’s boots, heels look about the same.
If that is a solid heel, then Green She Hulk has a much flatter arch than Red She Hulk. Comically clown-like flat feet, actually.
PEASANT MAGIC!
“You never could beat me, Egg Shen!”
Jack Burton was the sidekick was the joke and the point in big trouble, just saying
Yet Jack is the one, not Wang, who kills Lo-Pan. :)
It’s all in the wrist.
Grr… reflexes.
I had no idea Stephan was from the PRC.
So is he a naturalized citizen, or just a “consultant” foreign citizen working for ARC?
‘Cos ARC is sensitive, particularly ARC-Dark, which he’s part of, and because China is currently considered an adversary of American Interests with aggressive Intelligence operations in the US, I wouldn’t have expected them to work with someone who’s a citizen of China.
…why are you like this?
Because I know people of Han ethnicity in the US who were born in Illinois and Kansas, and absolutely HATE being called Chinese instead of being called American. They absolutely despise China’s current government and don’t want to be associated with it. An ethnicity is not a country.
Which has what, exactly, to do with either the comic, or the irl Federal government?
Did you notice the caption here called him Chinese?
‘Cos, I did, and that would explain why we’re talking past each other maybe?
And I’m not rising to the bait about America’s federal government; why did you even bring it up?
“Cos ARC is sensitive, particularly ARC-Dark, which he’s part of, and because China is currently considered an adversary of American Interests with aggressive Intelligence operations in the US…”
That’s why.
Also, the typical convention in the US – where the author is from & resides – when discussing ancestry, is to say ‘so-and-so is X.’ The two real exceptions to this are statements made in the public record, and when talking about African-Americans.
You think we’re talking past each other? Alright, let’s remove the disconnect.
What, precisely and exactly, in explicit terms, are you complaining about, regarding this particular page & author’s notes?
I was twitting Dave a little bit for confusing Ethnicity with Nationality, in a way that people who are actually of that ethnicity (But not that Nationality) sometimes find distasteful.
I followed with a few reasons why I would not expect to find someone of that Nationality in Zephan’s situation. In doing so I hadn’t thought I was saying anything about the US that wouldn’t also be true of any NATO member.
You… do realise that bit under the comic was simply so he could reference a movie, for people who couldn’t figure it out from the actual comic, right?
Who said he was from PRC?
Also, this is a different timeline, where the big threat is from some fly-spit African neo-country
I thought he was in Arc-LIGHT. In fact, the author’s notes for page 208 confirm that he is. What in particular makes you think he’s a citizen of China? There are so many cases where nationality, ethnicity, and race have such a strong historical connotation that it’s hard to know which is being referred to when they don’t all match up.
He’s Taiwanese.
It’s all fun and games till he opens the Six Demon Bag.
You can thank me for this later.
https://youtu.be/iaOQUSudf38
When I saw that drink, and what it did, I pointed out to my brother, “See, they all drank a Potion of Super-heroism!”
I just find it amusing all the responses on BTLC and none that Champions Online has a whole story arc that give blatant homage to Jack and his travels.
Then again its Champions Online …
Zephan is a collector of Macguffins from Chinese Junk Shops, remember. messing with him near his collection is downright dangerous.
That guy showed up in an actual cape. As we know, that means he’s either a supervillain or a huge dork…and clearly he’s not a supervillain if he can’t handle the ARC equivalent of a paper pusher.
“Just thought I’d clarify his backstory in case the Chinese Imperial Guard phantom projecting from the magenta crystal wasn’t enough of a dead giveaway.”
Are you kidding? I spotted it instantly and went all fanboy. Was this close to going “Squeeeeeeeeee!” Big Trouble in Little China is one of my all-time favorite movies. Currently on Hulu, and if anybody who is reading this hasn’t watched it, GO WATCH IT. If you don’t have an account, use your free 30 day trial or whatever. Also some excellent Youtube reviews by JoBlo Originals (“WTF happened to this movie?”) and The Critical Drinker.
And yes, Wang Chi is the hero, Jack is the sidekick and POV character. Executive Meddling made them add the wholly unnecessary intro scene with Egg and the lawyer.
And one of my favorite scenes is the very battle you’ve referenced, with James Hong cackling maniacally and wiggling his pinkies like he’s playing a video game.
Squeeeeeeeeee!
Yeah, but there’s bound to be at least one person who doesn’t recognize it and also doesn’t even read the commentary before posting something.
That said, I’ve no idea what comment they’ll make (or maybe even have made already), as I cannot put my mind into any kind of mental state that could enable that to happen.
Critical Thinker has some excellent reviews, second only to Mauler.
(MauLeR’s reviews are sublime and if you don’t believe me, watch his review of The Predator)
So, what’s the point of the rings at the end of the blade? I know they’re a real thing. but I’ve never understood the point.
Been a while since I read about that. There are multiple points.
It adds weight but acts different to just adding more metal to the blade.
It has a counter capacity with the rings able to catch weapon points. While doing that the rings themselves won’t entangle on nets, strings etc that an opponent might use, unlike weapons with extra points.
I’m wondering if the invaders are here for a MacGuffin under Zephan’s care, or Zephan himself.
When this comic eventually gets made into a video game this will be one of the boss battles.
Only accessible after unlocking this playable character.
Which infers all named staff will be playable.
Which reminds me of everyone involved in the shop dummies attacking the supernatural council fight.
I would happily patreon a grrlverse game. Especially if we get to design & build our own Archon recruits.
Chargen of course includes the initial interview, medical checks, virtual fitness quals, gun safety courses, virtual gun cleaning and re/assembly, blindfolded for the final, assorted military and lore classes with a written exam (they’ll be subtly different for different alts), and passing the range course under four minutes.
Of course you’ll pass… eventually. But you’ll have to work at it first. No grind-bots allowed either. But you’ll get the montage stored with your character.
*hypersonic squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-*
You know after this fight, he’s going to remember that one McGuffin he collected way back when, that would have been perfect for this fight.
Early in comic he was referring to mcguffins and he seems the type to visit shops that might even carry moguays… or seven demon balls…
Do you mean seven demon bag? Or seven dragon balls?
Six Demon Bag.
C’mon Pander, you’re better than this.
Do you need a drink? I can recommend a Six Demon Bag.
I know. :)
I was going to say ‘is he trying to one up Egg Shen?’ if he responded that he meant seven demon bag (Because he said ‘Seven demon balls’).
And I’ll take you up on that drink.
A toast!
Here’s to the Army and Navy and the battles they have won! Here’s to America’s colors, the colors that never run! May the wings of liberty never lose a feather.
When Unironic Patriotism was still possible for people who didn’t guzzle horse dewormer. >.<
…now I'm sad.
*patpat*
I meant the quote in the most non-political way possible, not trying to be all political when Big Trouble in Little China is concerned. Pop Culture reference only, I promise.
I believe you…we just live in the dumbest timeline, and it’s impossible to escape.
The Spell Component Pouch Egg is wearing is the Six Demon Bag (probably a Bag of Holding, given all the weird stuff he takes out of it). He even shakes it for emphasis as he says. The drink just allows you to see things no one else can see, do things no one else can do! (i.e. in AD&D terms, Potions of Super-Heroism!)
The Six Dmon bag possess wind, fire, all that kinda thing!