Grrl Power #519 – Mesmurprise!
Maxima can be a little arrogant, but this stems from living in a world where 95% of the time she can stomp anyone who fronts. Or… fronts her? Fronts to her? I don’t think that term has been relevant for about 20 years. She can beat up jerks. This is true with supers and it’s especially true when dealing with the supernatural. Werewolves are stronger than humans, but they can’t rip the door off a bank safe. Even an ancient vampire lord can’t hold a candle to her in terms of raw power. Of course one does not become an ancient vampire lord if their first thought when meeting a being like Maxima is to try and arm wrestle her. They have lots of other tricks which is what makes them dangerous. They do have moderate super strength and moderate super speed – it’s just not “stomp a tank flat” strength or “outfly Firefox” fast.
Maxima is correct however in the 4th panel when she suggests that even if something can copy her powers, that doesn’t necessarily make it as powerful as her. If you could copy Cyclops’s eye beam, but could only generate enough energy to output 1/10th the beam, then all you could really do is distract cats. This golem is already strong and armored, so copying her powers may or may not have a big effect on it. Though it might be able to fly afterwards too, which wouldn’t be great. But again as Maxima pointed out, her blood is weird. Still, it’s probably foolish to chance it, but for all anyone knows, it can absorb energy blasts in addition to being able to deflect them, and it was just waiting for a big burst damage to break out the ability.
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Uh oh….
So I wonder what this is.
Hypnosis? Sleep hypnosis? Mindreading/copy through that? Just pure damage?
I’m going with a combination of damage and copy.
I yhink mesmerise belongs in the “flavors of stun statis effects”
This is why you should always wear a ribbon.
Most OP accessory ever. I really should re-play the old FF games
The text under the comic says “Remember vampire blood? Mesmerize!” so, I’d guess probably hypnotic effect. Hopefully it’s the “dazed and helpless” sort of mesmerizing and not the “Enthrall and give commands” sort. The team would have a hard time not bleeding if Maxima switches sides on them.
Does this mean its a manbot instead of a fembot? Seems like Vampiric mesmerism always works better on the opposite sex.
Well the blood came from a male vampire.
https://www.grrlpowercomic.com/archives/2364
Him also, sounded like she had drained several vamps into either this thing or several versions of this thing.
Something else that no one has yet to speak of…The “killerbot” has already said that it’s NOT a robot.
“Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in there?”
~Young Frankenstein
Some of its normal powers might not be from mere vampire blood…
Of course, there could be “parts” from several different supernormal beings incorporated in there.
Umm, no, Vampiric mesmerism works on everyone, not just the opposite sex, it was changed to the opposite sex to appease the males who weren’t ‘secure in their masculinity’ (and were most often secretly gay but didn’t want their sporting buddies to start looking at them weird)
I don’t even want to know how many sentences its gonna take to name the ones that made them sparkly.
Just one: hack writer
A slight problem with those…
or it only works on the opposite sex, or only the same sex, or it doesn’t work at all. they don’t exist. they have whatever abilities the author feels like.
You seem to have missed the ‘lesbian vampire’ sub-genre. One which I hope that Hollywood will come to realise is an under-exploited genre that could support a profitable franchise.
If any studio producers are reading this, I could provide a mine of useful ideas, or even turn out some scripts, that would save them wasting time trawling through the porn industry attempts for inspiration!
Psst Also available to assist with casting.
I’ll know shortly if you ever win a large lottery as half my media will become an orgy.
Heh. Actually my lottery win fantasies are mostly altruistically focused. And some of the concepts I have, which I firmly believe can significantly improve the world, would need a lot more financing to encourage change, than even the biggest lottery win could sustain. So large scale squandering of a precious resource would not be on the cards.
Although I would like a vanity housing project that created a bug-free waterfall forest-like indoor environment. Ideally using something like natural hot-springs to power it all and provide appropriate choices of hot and cold springs to have a dip in. With one waterfall being my optimal hot shower temperature.
The Eden Project giving some indicators as to sustaining an indoors habitat. But aesthetically I would want more of a natural cave (with windows) feel than a dome overhead one. Even though the latter would actually be a key part of it, I would want to de-emphasise its presence. Hence the canopy to help in keeping it out of sight.
Mine fantasy is getting hounded by family and strangers for random investment ideas, having friendships destroyed while having my health fail due to stress. I would then find myself bankrupt in five years after blowing the winnings on a huge house that I forgot came with taxes and maintenance and debauchery. I will then find myself cursing the government for mandating that I pose for a photo with my real name on that novelty check so all the scammers knew who won. I’ll then live out the rest of my days on public assistance trying to rebuild a semblance of my old, broken life.
In other words, I fantasize living like nearly every other lottery winner and save my $1 for Taco Bell, because I know that bad decision will only last an hour.
Heh. You are totally right.
Fortunately European governments respect privacy and allow winners to remain anonymous, if they wish to. Should there be an option provided I always check the ‘no publicity’ box. Celebrity status for myself, especially when associated with great wealth, is something I find totally abhorrent to contemplate!
Useful tip: Just buy the one and don’t check whether you have won or lost until a couple of weeks before the last date to claim it expires. That way you can get months and months worth of fantasising, for a minimal cash outlay. Not to mention the improvement in quality of life of having some hope.
Contrast that to the regular disappointments guaranteed from buying such often. I only get disappointed a couple of times a year, so minimise both the financial and emotional losses, from this form of therapy.
Or you could just put the money into diversified investment portfolio and avoid all that crap.
Never could understand how people manage to blow through $150 million…it’s much easier just to save it.
Most of that would be lost to ‘Taxes’, and not just one tax either
I was thinking of $150 million post-tax (a $300 million powerball payout less 50%).
You would, of course, have ongoing taxes on capital gains, dividends, and interest, as well as real estate taxes (if you buy any) and good old-fashioned inflation– but even so, you should still have a sizable chunk of change when you die of extreme old age.
For reference, an average person with a college degree earns only $2 million in a lifetime–and most of them make it to old age without living in a cardboard box. The only possible conclusion is that typical lottery winners are unusually stupid.
What do you think investing money into media is, throwing it out?
You’d get returns on it. HUGE returns, if you’re successful. Then invest that money, then that money, then eventually you have enough to successfully fund one of your altruism projects.
Yea. At the risk of getting too absorbed in the pursuit of wealth, and having principles fall by the way-side. I have known a lot of millionaires in my time, and know that is a risk not to be taken lightly. Hedonism and the power that money brings are corrupting.
It is easier to avoid corruption when not immersed in it. Which is what would be necessary if dealing with global finance. It is embedded deeply within it. Again something I know from having worked within it.
Even as a worker, and trying to steer clear of it, you find it swilling all around you, if you know what to look for. Whereas if you are diving in, in the pursuit of great wealth, you will be up to your neck in it!
But *sigh* money is necessary to do all too many things. One can only eschew it for so long, if wishing to change things. So, lacking a lottery win, I have come up with a cunning plan to start my altruistic projects, but in a way that allows me to make some money to keep going, in the process.
All dependant on whether my ‘cunning plan’ is a series one or subsequent series Baldrick plan.
How would you like your turnip prepared?
As long as it looks like a thingy I’m happy
Whereas my lottery-fantasies usually center around better CPU’s & better display-screens, (& yes, a significant structural re-vamp of my living-space).
For your housing-design, “forest-like indoor environment” sounds as though you want a greenhouse, but made somewhat more cave-like, for privacy. Any such greenhouse design would benefit you by providing passive solar heating, but would be at-odds with the cooling effect of the irrigation system needed by the plants.
I’d imagine not so much windows (which can be VERY hard to insulate properly) as much as large thick crystals, optically pure & smooth-sided, set into the walls to act as passive “light channels”. Frosting the inner surface (completely or partially, your choice) will provide privacy. A similar trick was used on older (pre-electricity) sailing ships, to brighten the lower decks, Venting air through your waterfall-design will provide all the cooling you might need, with no additional electric bills.
The most efficient design for your “hot shower” might be to have a manual valve to adjust how much of the cold water is mixed with the hot water (or vice-versa) before reaching you. That way, a change in your preferences won’t require a call to the plumber. If it runs in a continuous cycle, then you’ll never have the initial awkward period where the temperature of the pipes alters the temperature of the water flowing through it.
Ah, lottery-dreams…
My lottery fantasy is finally being able to afford the ludicrously high adoption fees in order to adopt a child, and the down payment for a home that is basically required to get approved during a home visit in my state.
Even though statistically I’ll never win, like you mention elsewhere in the ticket I get to keep the fantasy alive until I check if I’ve won or not.
Yea, harsh reality makes even much more modest aspirations that much more poignient. In the UK I used to figure I would need a million pound win to be able to live comfortably, for the rest of my life.
Now, having spent over a decade living amongst some of the poorest people in Europe, I am happy trying for things that have a much, much, lower potential yield.
But I still like to dream big, for the odd time that I can afford a bigger ticket. And those fantasies are a lot less introspective and therefore more fun!
Depending on how risk averse you are, I can offer a suggestion. Use what savings you may have to move to a country with a really cheap cost of living. Stay there long enough until you qualify for their adoption rules (five years being a typical period for citizenship, although I have no idea about adoption regulations).
This is especially viable if you earn a living that would allow you to carry on doing so over the internet. That way you can have a very high salary by contrast to the locals and the low cost of living (even if in your home state it is only a modest salary). This also allows a higher proportion of income to be saved. Especially useful if plan A fails. Always have a plan B for high-risk ventures.
However, assuming it all goes well, once you have completed whatever monitoring period may be required, move back with your new family. Unless, of course, you find that you actually prefer it there.
Not that most folks would consider such a massive change in lifestyle. Personally though I would opt for getting the family first, rather than watching too much of life slip by, whilst waiting to have enough money to do so. Being uncomfortably far down the wrong road myself.
*gives tail a lonely wag*
Get the pickaxes!
For lesbian vampire movies there is Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
LOL!
RiffTrax, anyone…?
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1020885/
Took me a while to find as it is missing the first word of the title on IMDB…
Yeah, tried watching that once, it was rubbish, POO
Indications are: the golem had some preloaded blood stores and this is someone else’s powers.
As to what: Spirals and the zonked expression suggest hypnosis.
I wonder if it can separate into a cloud of batdroids and fly away then reassemble into the larger mech again. (I smell a toy line DaveB! )
Methinks Scifright may have predicted this type of situation.
So, what do we think are the consequences of this? Unconsciousness? Full on mind control? Mild nausea and a peculiar desire for asperagus?
Whatever will make her less cocky next time and gives Sydney a chance to shine is all right by me.
Bonus if it involves drool and googly eyes and somebody with a sense of humor gets there in time to take a pic.
Dabbler: Okay, what did I miss? Oooh, this has possibilities. Let’s see, where did I put my camera?
Sydney: Quit standing around and get her off of me! She’s stronger than my Lighthook and just keeps pounding on my shield. She even ignored it when I used it as The Violator.
Dabbler: Well, that explains the change in wardrobe. I like. So the carpet matches the drapes after all.
Sydney: Will you do something to get her off of me?
Dabbler: So why is she so mad at you? What did you do this time?
Sydney: No, she got hypno-zapped by that walking tank over there.
Dabbler: [ Looks around for a few seconds ] Okay, I get it. This should take care of it, but first … [ takes a few indiscreet photos of Maxima ]
At the end of this story one or more of them dies…
Dabbler: Ah, that was my favourite camera! [Thought bubble] Good thing I already swapped out the memory cards.
I like the dialog.
+1
And the scenario is credible and in character too.
with one exception: Word of Dave already stated there’s no carpet for the curtains to match…
Point.
So you are saying it is linoleum?
Well it’s not hardwood flooring, that has to be waxed.
*Volunteers to give Maxi’s hardwood floors a thorough polish*
Somebody call Omar. He’d love too add a drooling Max to his gallery.
Max fell victim to the same conceit Sydney did, thinking this was a dumb robot.
Difference is that Sydney was under an invincible force field.
You are allowed to make mistakes when you’re under an invincible forcefield.
I wonder if the mesmerize would work through forcefield though since golemroid didn’t try or even if it did try we didn’t see that effect (which means even if it tried Sydney didn’t realize it since we are mostly looking this from Sydney’s point of view)
Since golemoid paused and thought about how attack sydney, either a> mesmerize doesn’t work thru shield and it knew already that; b> it was saving mesmerise for its real target or at least a more important target; and/or c> it already knew that everything it already had including newly stolen pixel’s powers weren’t gonna cut it with Max. C> implies knowledge of Max and thinking ability I’m guessing are way beyond a “golem” level.
Scry knew about Maxima. So we can assume she planned some strategies with Maxima in mind.
After Maxima’s little ‘Rumble In The Desert’ press conference, any supervillain worth their salt is going to build a ‘What If Maxima?’ caveat into their evil plans.
It will take until at LEAST Round 2 for these guys to start developing ‘What If Sydney?’ plans…
I am sorry, but two rounds is not nearly enough time to develop a What If Sydney plan, because even Sydney doesn’t have that kind of plan.
You can’t plan for Sydney.
Not even Batman could plan for Sydney.
Like the time that Midnighter, who can think through his opponents’ likely moves from their stance [or whatever] before they actually start to act, ran into a “dreamed-up” copy of the Joker… and just stood there, trying to make sense of what he perceived…
It is also the principle of ‘drunken martial arts’.
1. Appear to be foolishly incapable, despite being fully compos mentis.
2. Fight in an erratic and unpredictable way.
I wouldn’t be so sure about that. A LOT of Batman’s enemies are insane to varying degrees, which means he has experience making plans that account for an individual’s insanity. In fact, I happen to have a copy of his plan for dealing with Sydney right here:
https://i.imgur.com/CZYcyjl.png
The fiend, weaponizing cake!
Er, hate to pedant, but ‘genre savvy’ definitely belongs under ‘Strengths’.
So would ‘adaptive’. But a cunning bat might see ways to turn strengths into weaknesses. A normal human having to fight supers would need to be good at that, after all, given his ‘is he still not dead yet?’ status.
They are weaknesses because he can manipulate what she adapts to, and take advantage of genre expectations to get her to act in a predictable manner. (Theoretically, anyway)
Sydne’s field stops magic effects too (remember Vehemence?) so it likely wouldn’t have worked. I also wonder if the robot can copy multiple blood samples at the same time, or if it must give one up to gain another, and just has some blood vials stored internally with specific powers for it to draw from.
Depends: is hypnotism the same as an aggro aura? Just how ‘clever’ is the Bubble-filter in determining how dangerous a look is? o_O
She also didn’t get affected by “hypno-boobs” – I think? Although that could be because she knew it was going to happen, and deliberately didn’t look at them.
Sydney was affected by Dabbler having her dial up above ten (‘not a lesbian, not a lesbian’). Likewise subsequently when they were in the bathroom, at the steakhouse. Badly enough, in the latter case, that Dabbler had to physically turn Sydney’s head to break the effect!
But those were instances where Halo did not have her shield up. It is clearly that which protects her, as she was unaffected by Vehemence’s aggro aura, whilst it was up. Yet, when she lowered it, moved close to him and raised it (with her inside with him) it was everybody on the other side of the shield who was being protected.
Whereas Sydney was having a very hard time trying to resist the effect, even knowing that it was messing with her volition.
Most worryingly, which nobody has pointed out yet, is that Sydney does not have her shield up at the moment (count the orbs above her head, in panel 4, if you doubt that).
So Maxima may not be the only one under vampiric mesmerism, at the moment!
I was refering to the instance of “hypmo-boobs” during the fight with vehemence – where everyone except Sydney was affected… It was while Dabbler was playing skip – it was Sydneys idea, so she might have been protected by being prepared, rather than by her shield.
I should imagine that being prepared would allow some degree of mental defence. So agree with you in that respect. We do see Maxima literally fighting Dabbler when she is using her wiles, after all. And both Vehemence’s aggro aura and the hypnoboobs are emotion influencing powers, rather than absolute control. So even limited protection can help to reduce an effect.
However Sydney is an extremely emotionally sensitive person, who cannot hide her feelings, even when she tries (she is a very bad liar, for example). In that scene she was quite clearly totally unaffected. At a point when Dabbler had cranked up her dial to “weapons grade” appeal!
Had Sydney been using force of will to fight that off, I think we would have seen it. We certainly did when she was trying to resist Vehemence, without the shield’s help. Therefore I read it as being the shield which was instead granting her a total resistance.
So, combined with the points from my previous reply, I remain pretty confident that Sydney needs the shield for such protection.
Yes, but Maxi had to be ‘snapped out of it’ when she turned her head to see what was going on
I don’t think so. It appears to be more of a ray or a beam instead of a cone. So unless their opponent focuses on each of them in turn, then I would say she is say for the time being.
Yea, that is likely.
But, just to point out the less likely options, there is not reason why a ray has to stop when it affects the first target, especially as it is a mental effect, so there is no reason why it would be blocked. Assuming that Maxima has positioned herself in between the construct and her subordinates, to shield them, which seems to be the case, then they will actually be in the path of that ray.
Further what we see above is Maxima very close to the construct. Which means that could just be the initial stage of a (fairly narrow) cone attack. Meaning that the whole group could be at risk, as they are standing close to one another!
Sydney’s one advantage being that Maxima is tall, and the construct is aiming at her head. So, of them, Sydney has the best chance of not being in the beam/cone attack’s path.
You are right about the beam possibly piercing through Maxima and hitting anyone behind her, however it appears that she was above their enemy, about to strike downward at it, so only flies that are behind her would be hit by anything passing through.
That really depends on how deep of a hole Anvil dropped NotBot into: Maxi may be above it but still on the same level as the rest of the Scooby Gang
Maybe it can’t compel action, so unless it can get Sidney to drop the ball it won’t help. Also, can this thing move after the stun or does it now have to keep staring at max? And shouldn’t they send superhero to chase down the target with the funny name?
But it also has vampire blood and vampires gain strength from blood? So the more it gets the stronger it gets perhaps?
Plus its a total unknown so if it actually keeps each power it has stolen for a while those powers might interact in odd ways. Like it has vampire abilities apparently, and some of Laser Kitty, maybe adding Maxima into the mix would give it the ability to control its power distribution amongst all other powers it steals or has stolen allowing it an even spread or the ability to super charge one at the expense of the others until it refocuses. That could be bad if used intelligently. ( Kinda doubt Maxima’s powers would translate that way but it makes for a nice example of ‘what if’ )
Mindcontrolling the hero leader? An expected trope by the time you get into the 2nd battle…
I’m calling “lady in distress tied up on an unnecessarily slow death trap” next.
We’ve already met Distress Damsel
https://www.grrlpowercomic.com/archives/1735
…& Maxima’s already been mind-controlled by “Cosmic Hitler”:
[https://www.grrlpowercomic.com/archives/533]
NON CANON!!
(Altho Squirrel Sydney was adorable)
Everyone knows a squirrel-based superheroine could never beat anyone though. Especially not any cosmic-powered space-hitler level villain….
*innocent look*
So, who are you expecting to show up, Squirrel Girl, Grace or Scarlet?
Squirrel Girl is the one who usually takes on cosmic-level villains. Although I am not familiar with Scarlet.
I was waiting for someone to post that (well not really waiting, more reading through the comments wondering when it would show up).
I’m waiting for Arianna to have to fight a Kodiak bear.
I am sure Suzy Wen would fly in on the news helicopter, and rescue her damsel in distress!
Wow you must have felt totally foolish when the second battle had come and gone, without Maxima getting mesmerized then! This is their third battle (the attack on the Council chamber was the second).
And, yea, this is a super hero genre story. We expect things that happen in that genre to occur. Plus people bitch like hell when other elements get introduced. Vary too much from ‘the formula’ and he gets damned. Stick to it too much and he does likewise.
By the way you are not the only one who knew this was a risk. Maxima and Ingsol had the discussion about this at the end of the second battle. It is the reason why Sydney is here, on this team, rather than being sent back to the other rookies to carry on her training.
Another thing that people can’t stop whining about, by the way.
And, meh, not in the mood to edit the post and make it more diplomatic. A truth is a truth and I shall speak it if I want.
This is the second boss battle though.
I don’t think the Megazord mannekiller really counted as a boss battle.
No mention of ‘boss’ was made, other than in the context of the hero leader, who has been present at all three battles now. Not that this is a boss fight, yet. It is a ‘giant monster’ or ‘sub-boss’ at best.
Although we can keep our claws crossed that the ultimate mastermind will come out and Sydney can turn her PPO on the furry varmint! Mmm. Wow, it just struck me that maybe he already has had his fur singed by it. He does prefer hanging round in trees, at a ‘safe’ distance, to observe the action!
Well done Halo! Even if you did not spot him, that counts as ‘suppressing fire’ and on an Arch-Villain at that! Extra experience points for you.
Opps. Forgot to consider: Who else’s blood it might have had access to.
If its Gumby’s she’s toast.
It’d be stronger and more flexible than Gumby and Hercules combined!
Gumbercules? I love that guy!
seems fair, Gumby’s blood is strawberry jelly
Gumby has displayed acts of courage & bravery numerous times…At least his spine isn’t jelly.
that kind of seems to be implying that mine is.
I’m pretty sure you didn’t mean it that way, but it does…
Okay, Now I’m hearing Eddie Murphy’s voice, back when he was funny…
“I am Gumby, dammit! I am a big name in this town!”
Are you saying that he is an ass now? How can you disrespect one of your fellows?
A vampire, Pixel and the two (that we saw, possibly more) others she was strung up next to and a blood Mage no doubt has more sources arranged in advance including their own.
So here’s an interesting thought:
If this beam can somehow also copy Maxima’s powers, or something else can, will it only copy her super powers?
If so, we get to find out which of Maxima’s powers are from her alien egg, and which ones are natural born.
Spirals indicate hypnosis. Possibly powered by Elder Vampire blood.
Unless elements of the symbiote are in her blood as well then it would be all mixed up again.
That would depend on how the power copying works exactly.
Halo, front and centre, you were assigned to this team to counter these kinds of attacks!
Good luck!
*ears droop anxiously*
Yeah…and Shinji was made a pilot to stop the end of the world. We all know how THAT turned out.
No he wasn’t. He really, really wasn’t.
Maybe that’s what the vamp wanted.
Maxima thought it was the least likely to get her into trouble team/mission that would still keep the undead politicians happy.
Affronts her.
Confronts?
I thought he was going for a “They be front’n” kind of thing as in a facade.
Facade: noun
2. a superficial appearance or illusion of something:
They managed somehow to maintain a facade of wealth.
Ahh, yes, a localised version of ‘confronts’ or ‘challenges’.
*adjusts monocle, and gives it a polish*
DaveB did say it was a term that hasn’t been relevant for 20+ years, so, if you don’t know what it means, don’t worry, either you are not old enough to know, or you weren’t ‘hip’ enough to know :P
Old Hip people represent! :D
LOL
Or I come from a place where that was not considered hip it was just one of the funny things people in movies said. (at least that far back. Now we just copy what we see in media/online and have less and less culture of our own) Honestly not sure if my example is 20+ years old but its probably closer to that time then the present.
Could be that it means “in front of.” If that’s the case, then Max’s own boobs could be her worst enemy because, for all practical purposes, she can’t get them to be not in front her…
Turns out most women can’t get their boobs to not be in front of them.
I dunno about the facade part, but I promise I heard this in some rap songs at some point.
Acting like you are more, or you have more than what really exists.
Confronts her
Hello great ninja mind!
Still, it’s probably foolish to chance it, but for all anyone knows, it can absorb energy blasts in addition to being able to deflect them, and it was just waiting for a big burst damage to break out the ability.
…. I pointed this kind of thing out in the last page’s comment section too…. this is where paranoia sets in now. Also have to point out that it could potentially just have Max or any other super hand it their blood.That or have Max hand it their blood… you know, which ever comes first.
If it already had that ability, why not use it earlier? Or try to use it on Sidney through her barrier?
Why use such a powerful weapon on such a small target? o_O
Clearly it was instructed to hold this back, precisely for Maxima: The bosses were pretty impressed with her performance against the SWAT-dummies.
Because such an attack only works as a surprise. So if you use it on something before Maxima, you runt he risk of it failing (especially with that shield of unknown power), or just someone else seeing it and reporting to Maxima.
Yes.
The best targets are the unwitting ones…
;)
Sid’s shield blocked the fight aura so chances are it’d block mezmorays too.
+1
Darn it Max. Okay, after this Sydney is going to have to sit her superior in front of tv tropes and show her the worf effect. As the most powerful member on the team, she needs to know that having her taken out slash turned against the team is a easy way to raise tension, like what happened last time when big V kept her pinned for the entire second half of the fight.
If nothing else, it should be easy to convince max to wear protection from mind control gear if you remind her it migot work against succubus spells as well.
Cyclops’s power involves access to an extradimensional source of energy (well, concussive force, but you get what I mean. Thinking about it, he’s opening a portal to the Punch Dimension). If you have Cyclops’s power, it seems to me that you by definition have the same level of power that he does.
Yes, this is true. But even the series’ writers often forget this fact…
Depending on the Series. In the first cartoon series it was all done from solar power. Not sure what the source was in the X-men: evolutions series.
A direct interdimensional link to Saitama then…
They might not be able to open as big of a portal though.
Heh. That’s the most recent explanation. Wait a few years, it’ll change again.
I am so loving this arc.
Que Maxima wiping the floor with the rest of Archon.
She would have trouble beating Sydney and possibly Anvil. Especially Sydney.
Probably just ignore Sydney till the end when she’ll be about out of air again.
Yea, I don’t think Maxima could beat Anvil. Not without going nuclear at least.
And Anvil even has tricks against explosions, as long as she’s fast enough.
Yeah, “going nuclear” is what worries me. Depending on what the golem knows and what kind of control this is (there’s “running your body like a puppet” control and “my goals and priorities become your goals and priorities” control, the latter of which is considerably more dangerous), there’s a chance Maxima will *open* by punching a hole through Anvil’s chest with an energy blast.
I’m really hoping this is less mind control and more “you’re going to stare at nothing for a few minutes while I make my escape”.
Maxima can beat Anvil by grabbing her and either wrestling with her (instead of beating on her) or flying her into the ocean.
Maxima probably knows ALL their weaknesses. Sydney would be the hardest to beat as she’s the least predictable and has a shield. However we don’t know if what would happen if Maxima actually attacked with full power…
Sure, but I have no doubt the most elite of Archon’s officers, 2 of which are also on site (Hiro is second in command), have trained with Maxima to the extend that they know her strengths and weaknesses.
Yup, Super Hiro would be the next in the chain of command, with Maxima being compromised now. Although it is also possible that there is a specific contingency unit for just this circumstance. Dabbler has ‘X’ following her around everywhere. Maybe Maxima has ‘Y’?
Armed with specific anti-Maxima capabilities, needless to say. Hopefully ones that might break her free from mind control, or incapacitate her. But less-less lethal options are available.
However that would imply that the government had actually done preventative planning. Which seems unlikely, based on past experience of governments worldwide. So my bet would be on Halo playing a key role, under Hiro.
Err so to speak.
You hope. Max never used her most powerful shots against Sidney’s shield.
Also Dabbler, if she can get there fast enough.
I thought during the press conference (I can’t find it right now) Maxima said that if she were to go rogue, that the rest of Archon was there to stop her. It may come to that now.
Queue is a word for line.
Cue is a signal.
Que is an interrogative word in several languages that aren’t English.
q, in physics, is the symbol for charge.
q is also a hypothetical lost manuscript of the sayings of Jesus.
Q is Captain Jean Luc Picard’s arch-nemesis.
Q is the 17th letter of the English alphabet.
Queue is a data structure that adds elements to one end and removes elements from the other end. The elements could be numbers (in a computer) or people (in physical space).
Supervillain 101. What to do if you’re attacked by a flying brick (or tank)? Easy, go for the mind.
There’s a reason why Xavier trained ALL the X-men in case of mental attacks.
Back during the press conference one of the threads after Max’s demonstration was ‘let’s hope nobody succeeds in hypnotizing Maxima.”
Thanks guys for giving Dave the bright idea.
Wasn’t there already a Doomsday Scenario page where Space Pope controlled Maxi and turned Sydney into a hamster? o_O
Cosmic Hitler. And it was a squirrel.
I miss her. The reader with the squirrel avatar. Ooh, the name “Amy” just popped into my head.
Sadly that probably has no connection with the subject matter, knowing how my brain works.
*slams head against forelegrest*
Also a reason Magneto and Juggernaut wore those helmets.
Cue one of Halo’s “strongly-worded” outbursts?
Looks like that thing has put a spell on Maxima!!!
Something like this?
Entertaining performance. Bugged the hell out of me though, due to one thing…
wonky tusks!
I just wanted to get him a tissue, for those ‘mega-boogers’ on his face.
The problem with line of sight weapons is that there needs to be a direct link between user and target. If Sydney has noticed what is happening, her best move would be to pick up some object with her lighthook and just hold it between these two.
And every time we get a new power for this thing we have to come up with a new name for it. The tentacles and mesmerism now has me going with ‘vampire squid’. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_squid
People are probably going to hate me for pointing this out (or have already said something similar earlier on in the comments but Cyclops doesn’t actually generate his eyebeams.
According to the old description of his powers I read ages ago he basically makes tiny portals to the eyebeam dimension and just lets some of that energy leak out, that’s why he couldn’t control his powers.
So copying Cyclops *would* more or less literally give you a direct line to Hoover dam…
Further more: Scotty-boy has no control over it, it’s a power that is always ‘on’, the ruby lenses allow him to see without blasting everything (makes me wonder how he figured out it was ruby lenses that worked, and does it have to be actual> rubies or just ruby-coloured? and even small rubies are expensive, hate to think how much it would have cost to get one big enough to make a pair of glass lenses)
It’s ruby quartz (aka comic book phlebotinium). But, it has been determined that red-tinted lenses are helpful for people with chronic migraines (specifically FL-41 tint). So… life imitating art perhaps?
And what are rubies? Just fancy red coloured quartz crystals, similar to diamonds
Mmm, sorta. Ruby is weird in that it is actually a type of aluminium oxide. ‘Weird’ because that is what we usually associate with being used in the production of aluminium metal. The type that has a red tinge is ruby and the blue sapphire.
Likewise various types of glass have aluminium oxide in them. And, if I recall the names correctly, a transparent version of the oxide is the stuff they refer to in Star Trek as ‘transparent aluminum’ (or is made using it).
So a lot more expensive than quartz, but also very much stronger.
Actually, any colour of this mineral apart from red is ‘Sapphire’: they can be green, yellow, purple, ‘white’, or even pink, instead of blue…
The reason why I said ‘sorta’ above, by the way, is that a rare type of rose quartz, known as crystalline rose quartz, may gain its colouration due to trace amounts of aluminium. Giving it its pinkish hue. Which is where I imagine you made the connection.
* A.k.a. crystalline rose quartz.
Nope, just plain thought rubies were a type of quartz
Maybe there’s some kind of similarity between ruby quartz and Scott’s own mutant flesh, as we know his own body (not just his eyelids) absorbs the energy that he and Havoc both use.
No hate for providing pertinent and interesting information. I love seeing comments which do that.
Plus I always envisage the power (i.e. scale) of a super ability to be an integral part of a super power. If you can make gravity work up instead of down, there need be no magnitude involved. Likewise if you ‘detect super powers’. Yes, if you want to you can build in mechanics to make ‘stronger’ powers work at greater ranges. But if a power is stronger, and you copy it, I would expect the recipient to have a stronger power.
So it will take me some time to feel comfortable with separating out the ‘base power’ from the ‘increased levels’. Even though I can see the logic Dave is applying in his blog.
Interestingly though it does run counter to the debate held at the gaming table, at the beginning of the comic. Where the emphasis, on copied powers, was that the recipient would lack the skill and any developed power stunts. Whilst this blog is extending that to also assuming that the power reserves that a super has are separate to the super power itself, so that one is copied without the other.
It is doable but not what I would consider an intuitive mechanic.
Further continuity error: after Maxi got buried in the tunnel, it was only the side straps that were ripped, when Dabbles turned her Twilight Vampire, the shoulder straps were still intact, but then when you had her floating above the crater of lights, you had the shoulder straps broken
#485 Two visible intact straps and two broken straps on her right side. Three visible intact straps on her left.
#486 Two visible intact straps and Three broken straps on her right side. Three visible intact straps on her left.(though this time her hair is right where one of the straps of the future would be)
#488 and #490 can’t see enough to determine any change for sure but in #490 a strap is placed where it would indicate that things have progressed to the four strap arrangement we will eventually see in future strips.
#505 Zero visible intact straps and signs of two broken straps on her right side.(rest covered by her arm but I’m assuming that shoulder is bare) Four visible intact straps on her left.
#507 Can’t see much but a strap seems to have regenerated on her right side though I can be nice and say that it just blew across in the wind and merely looks intact because of its position.
#519 Zero visible intact straps and signs of two broken straps on her right side. Four visible intact straps on her left.
So it just looks like between #490 and #505 she suffered some more battle damage on the right side. The continuity issue would be the sprouting of an extra strap on her left side at some point. But I wouldn’t have noticed that if you hadn’t mentioned an issue with the straps.
To quote Luke…
“Your overconfidence is your weakness”
It surprises me that this is a flaw of Max’s, yes, justified as DaveB says, but given that Max was quick to point out Sydney’s genre blindness, it surprises me that she falls into the same trap. Particularly post her fight with Vehemence, who proves that some very strong and very lucky supers can take her down in certain instances.
While Sydney may not know as much about Max’s powers, she at least recognises certain threats (based more on fiction than fact, but that at least keeps her mind open to possibilities), like the blood. And I’d be surprised if Sydney is not expecting some super strong alien warlord who may be able to match Max to suddenly appear on earth to fight Max.
To quote another Jedi, “there’s always a bigger fish”.
To quote that very selfsame Jedi: “Summon Bigger Fish.”
Yea, and it has multiple applications!
I hate you guys. Now I have another comic to read.
And then there is “One Punch Man” which nobody takes seriously, then again he also doesn’t take things seriously very often.
I loved that comic, might have to go on an archive binge again.
Grrlpower science corner:
Both of the people we have seen getting mind controlled have had quick pupil dilation as a visual effect (Vehemence and Maxima). A science type could rig up a pupil measurement device as a mind control indicator. Maybe even a preventative measure – if the person’s pupils start enlarging too fast, put opaque lenses over the eyes quickly.
Brilliant parallel thinking!
And it can also detect if their eyes turn into cross-shapes, to warn if they have died!
*wags tail scientifically*
Erfworld reference? You on the Erfworld boards?
Nope. Order of the Stick reference. Although it is also a wider convention, that OotS parodies. So it was indirectly a reference to the other examples too.
This is the only gravatar I use online. If it ain’t a doggy called “Yorp” it ain’t me. And if it is not on ‘Mansion of E‘ or ‘Dungeon Grind/a>’ then it is an impostificator pretending to be me. Those are the only places I post nowadays. Both only pretty infrequently, and the former not on their forum (because it requires registering) so only using the in-comic version.
Sadly Dungeon Grind is relatively quiet. But the main reason for that is that it emails the comic out to subscribers. So none need to actually go to the website to read it. Very good for retaining readers long-term mind. Even when I am away on holiday I get to see those popping into my in box, despite not having the time to keep up with my other favourite comics much, if at all.
You mean… Peril Sensitive Sunglasses? I APPROVE OF THIS!
Of course, you’d have to have a way to screen out false positives every time they walk into a dark room/look away from a reflective surface/whatever.
You’d also need to watch for the opposite effect–the “Plateau Eyes” power in one of Niven’s Known Space novels is a mind control effect that causes pupil constriction with its primary effect. (Spoiler for a very old novel: It causes people to be unable to pay attention to the user, to the extent that they forget he’s there, maybe even that he exists.)
And something to monitor the pulse and respiration, in order to detect arousal, and thereby eliminate false readings from Dabbler walking in or out of the room.
Yeah, the “whatever” would have to include that, and, in fact, pretty much any time they see something interesting. Lots of things affect pupil dilation–light levels, interest in what you’re looking at, fear, even the difficulty of a mental task you’re engaging in. (It’s been suggested that one reason dim lighting like candlelight is considered romantic is that the resulting dilation makes the other party look more interested in you.)
Yup. But all of these things have other tell-tale effects that can be monitored. It is exactly the same with any medical monitoring device. You program in all the routine responses that happen, and the things to cross-reference that to, to ensure that they are within normal parameters.
Then you identify the key elements that differentiate the warning signs you are measuring. The pupils going beyond a normal response for instance. Or the flattening out of signs of emotional response, whilst getting a potential positive result.
Having various people wearing them, for an extended period, will then allow further calibration. Finally it can be tested against any mind-control that the good guys, or their allies, can do. Most of the vampires are part of the Council and thereby allied with Archon, as one example of those who can help with the testing.
But if the mesmerism/mind control works by exploiting one of those natural mechanisms, and the pupillary response is part of the mechanism, it might well be indistinguishable from a normal reaction to a stimulus that triggers that mechanism. Biometrically distinguishing between “I just saw something really interesting” and “I’m magically fascinated by the thing I just saw” might not be reliably possible.
Then, too, simply collecting measurements to monitor is hazardous situations is likely to be problematic. Recall that the tactical glasses, for example, didn’t fare too well in a super-brawl. (That’s a separate issue from false positives in the monitoring, though.)
Both solid points. The former is again a normal limitation on medical and warning devices. They will be able to help with certain problems that fall within the devices capabilities, but fail with others. But being able to detect 60% of problems is better than 0%.
Plus you have the possibility that other devices will cover the aspects that this one does not, so you can use a multi-system approach to get it closer to the 100% ideal.
The latter Archon have already begun to address. Investigating more durable goggles, rather than the flimsy glasses. So hopefully ruggedized ones will be available, in due course. But, even without those there are advantages to being able to detect possession in non-combat situations, so there is still potential benefit to be had.
Plus there is the alternative route of incorporating it into building security. Combine it with facial recognition, and other identity confirming security, and you can even have it calibrated to each authorized person’s biometrics, to ensure an optimal success rate.
I’ve heard some speculation on the effects of mesmerize. I’d imagine its effects are not on the scale of dominate and more on a suggestion/stun scale. I think it might be something like the standard LARP skill:
https://reference.l2fury.com/index.php/Mesmerize
I think this is more in line with what it actually was.
Aha, see! See! Cone!
*wags tail cheekily*
Is Anvil taking a selfie in panel 1?
Gotta keep that Instagram active
She could be checking (however unlikely ) for a scratch. If all this thing needs is a small sample things could get interesting.
On second thought I think she just pulled a brick out of her cleavage. Much funnier!
yup, brick from cleavage. irony. she’s built like a brick house, and was just used as a mortar.
*covers Anvil’s ears, with paws*
Shhh, don’t listen to such body-shaming!
I never thought of “brick house” as a negative thing. Just that they are solid.
There is a derogatory term that it only just avoids duplicating. But, that aside, it is not exactly a complimentary turn of phrase, even as is. Whilst a guy dressed to intimidate might find that complimentary, I do not think that Anvil would enjoy it, if it were said in her presence.
She wore clothes, in the restaurant, designed to soften her look. Plus has commented on how hard she finds it to find the right guy, because she is so intimidatingly big. Likewise, even above Anvil has clothes that are enhancing her femininity.
So whilst Anvil might be used to it, I think she would find such a term to be hurtful. Likewise any other big girl.
perhaps if i had your great command of the language, i could find a way to phrase it so there were no negative connotations. Maybe instead of drawing attention to the aspects of the phrase that i left out IN ORDER FOR IT TO NOT BE DEROGATORY, you could perchance offer a better alternative to the phrasing that only showed positive context?
I should first emphasise that my initial comment was mostly intended as a gag. Albeit one using a fair excuse to do that. I would not want you to feel that you were being criticised. Especially as your turn of phrase was necessary for the play of words you were attempting.
Plus it worked and was funny. I simply could not acknowledge that, whilst attempting my gambit.
I say this because this comic is a haven from over-political correctness, and people should be able to let their hair down. On the other paw though, if someone focuses on the serious side, I will respond accordingly. Discussing such things is good. So, in that vein…
I did contemplate a number of alternatives. Whilst you can use language that carries with it positive connotations ‘as tall as an oak’, it still carries with it the subject that the target is sensitive about. Therefore I opted for the ‘avoid the subject’ as being the safer route. So did not explore the other paths.
These should only be taken if there is a good reason. Otherwise one is just using flowery language to conceal something unpleasant. Which is a tactic of verbal bullies, not the compassionate. I emphasise that you do not fall in this category. You were making a harmless joke and there is not an actual person who might feel wounded by it.
One good reason might be to pay a compliment, with the intent of helping her to overcome her negative body image. I do something similar with my frequent compliments to the members of the A team. Which was a very clever turn of phrase that Dave came up with, in that it has very positive associations (the ‘top team’, as well as the TV series).
So an aspiring boyfriend, who wishes to do that, with Anvil, to show that he likes tall women, would need to find something similarly clever. And it is not easy. Analogies are open to interpretation and therefore misinterpretation too. So it is probably best, if wishing to use those, to incorporate a superlative, to ensure that there is no way of doing the latter.
‘As tall as an oak’ does go somewhat in this direction, to clarify the intent. Or try ‘as mighty as an oak’, if trying to convey her power, along with her size (as per the kinds of points you list in your comment below).
However, for your particular phrase, perhaps “she is built like a magnificent house”? This can then inspire an alternative with a built in superlative (at the risk of emphasising the size even more): “she is built like a place”.
she is very well built, has a strong foundation, and is warm and inviting. I don’t see how that is shaming in the least.
You are a good person, and said that with innocent intent. And those are fine ways it can be taken. Sadly, if people do not know that, or just see the phrase in isolation, it can be read as having catty intent.
Such a person may have been wanting to convey ‘she is built like a brick shit-house’, as the worse case example. That, and variants on it, are sadly all too commonly spoken. So it is all-too easy to see that as a ploy to omit the bad word, in order to have the vernier of respectability, whilst still conveying the meaning.
Again, a problem of communicating on the internet. We cannot pick up tone of voice or facial expressions, to help us distinguish between innocent and hostile intent.
Which I fell foul of too, in failing to emphasise the joke more than the implied criticism, in my own reply. In my case doing a winking emoticon might have helped convey that. Sadly, it might actually do the reverse, for yours. As a wink, in that kind of context, could be used to convey ‘note the hidden meaning in what I said’.
Finally it is not very complimentary as ‘brick house’ is not an intrinsically feminine thing, that girls would want to be associated with normally. Hence, adding the kinds of positives you listed, would help to defuse such issues.
Not that it is necessary when doing a one liner gag, of course. In fact it would just lessen the impact of the joke.
But in doing that you are making an invite for a return joke.
I applaud your grasp of the logical, as I am most often incapable of seeing that particular aspect, but most often seem to see and/or sense every other possible angle.
When you come to an idea like ‘think outside the box’, I am the person who needs to have the box pointed out. So, thank you for pointing out the box in this case.
Big Egos = Big Murder. DONT ATTACK THE UNKNOWN ENEMY BY YOURSELF TILL YOU HAVE AL THE INFORMATION!!!!
Maxima had all the relevant information. She weighed the options carefully and made a sound judgement call.
Which did not pan out.
Nobody present however knew that it had mind-control powers, so delaying would not have earnt her more information by having a more in-depth report. Clearly the construct has been withholding this power until Maxima (or a similar top-tier threat) appeared. So, again, delaying would not have allowed her to learn that either. It would just risk it gaining more super-powers from the less-protected heroes.
There is also the fact that Sydney doesn’t even have all of the information that’s relevant anyway. The only blood that Sydney knows was used belonged to Pixel. No one on the ArcSWAT side knows anything about the vampire blood that was already used in the golem, Therefore they could not predict the use of any vampiric-related powers.
Going in solo though, yea, that is the ego part, and you are right. But the only other individual who is relatively safe from this is Sydney. Maxima is mothering her, and trying to keep her safe, until she has been trained enough to improve her survival chances.
So her emotions (ego and protective instincts) are interfering in her decision making process. To her detriment for the former. The latter though does actually make her a better commander. She needs to have Sydney here, as a back-up, but should be protected unless it is necessary to deploy her.
That time has come.
They didnt know about the regeneration and power copying wither. We didnt know about its possible growing intelligence or the possibility that there might be a sentient being inside that thing controlling it. There are way to many unknowns with this thing and attacking it alone is not a good strategy, especially for someone who usually is the strongest hero. Its the “bad powers”/”Claiming Superiority and immediately challenging someone to a fight” problem.
If you are the “strongest super in the world” then you will meet someone who can get stronger, also I think Maxima should use the resources she has. There are multiple people there with different abilities that could help probe this thing further. I just think that Maxima’s strategy to “finish this” by herself was not thought out well enough.
Also, if Maxima really is worried about Sydney, then she could order Halo to fallback and keep her distance.
Side note: Do you think Maxima relates to Sydney sense Sydney also found her powers?
Relates to? Absolutely (see the bottom row of panels). As powerful supers, they are unlike normal people. And Maxima is deeply touched, in that scene, by how Sydney is touched in an almost spiritual way by her responsibility.
Plus Maxima found a way to connect with Sydney via being a former nerd (and hopefully now proud of it).
The fact that they both stumbled across their powers may contribute to that, although I think if it does, it is because they were both older when it happened. Contrast that to Harem, who was much younger, and they both got to live a normal childhood, so will have various things in common, from that perspective.
Although the fact that Maxima was a sports enthusiast, then went career military, whereas Sydney has clung onto her inner nerd, does serve to set them significantly apart too. Maxima has a tough balancing act, between keeping her objectivity and distance, as a commanding officer, and keeping the connection that helps her keep Sydney from turning to the dark side.
Seemingly, no one has yet caught on to the implication that, if Sydney does happen to go rogue, it’ll be up to Max to stop her. Sydney is already too powerful for just about anyone else.
But then again, I think the reverse may be true too; it’s probably crossed the mind of General Falk at least, that if Max ever went rogue (or came under control of hostiles — Like right now; Wink, wink, nudge, nudge) it would probably be left up to Sydney to stop her! But to do that, Sydney needs more training & experience…If that’s what might be happening right now, Sydney has power, but she’s still ambiguous on how to best use it.
In the long term it would likely be Maxima, yes. As Halo will get too powerful for almost everyone else. However do not discount the others at this stage. Whilst Sydney is still inexperienced most of them could take her out.
At this very moment even Peggy, could do the job, for example. Sydney has let her guard down, and is exposed to attack.
But, if you check out their ratings, both Dabbler and Math are higher than Halo at the moment. They can consistently beat her under typical conditions.
Once Halo learns to always keep her force field up, when in any potential danger, then Math will have a harder time. Dabbler though may well be able to advance at the same pace as Halo does, with her and Maxima to provide the stimulation and interest to apply herself to that end. Not to mention the combat pressures that comparable enemies will do to encourage the same.
Plus Archon do have allies. Krona has even more potential than Sydney. In computer terms, Sydney is just a user. Whereas Krona is a programmer. Similarly Dabbler is an inventor, so can create things like anti-shield weaponry (and she has snagged one for study!)
Dave has provided Krona with some powerful restrictions, so, for her, it all depends on whether Krona gets to study Halo’s skill tree. If she does, then Krona has the edge, long term. Right now though she will have to learn more than Sydney, before she can trust herself to do any advanced world-reprogramming. And Dave did indicate that the checkpoint is her top power.
That is of course, at the moment. Potential wise she could advance further, especially if she gains insight from the orbs and their use of the machine code of the universe!
Might be time for some contact lenses.
If this fight is being broadcast back to the Council, someone in the Olympian section just said “See. This is why you always carry a reflective shield with you.”
And a Gorgon made a snide comment about Medusa simply being a vain so-and-so.
Dammit, Max! Going up against this thing one at a time is incorrect, tactically! Going in without planning is also not a bright move. It had just proved it was capable of thinking, and therefore we wouldn’t know the extent of its powers.
Distracting it until Halo comes up with something impressive isn’t all bad, but leaving all planning up to Sydney is just poor tactically.
Awww, Anvil broke its helmet. It is not a unicorn anymore. Not that anybody on the team had the qualifications to tame it anyhow (with the possible exemption of the main protagonist nrrd-grrl).
Krona has quite an innocent air about her. Albeit with a mischievous twist, when interfering in other’s underwear and personal plumbing.
Max: “Hunris! My one failing!”
Seriously though, Max is more than a little over confidant. If Max can win 95% of direct confrontations, then most of her opponents who aren’t morons are going to focus on attacks that aren’t direct confrontations. We’ve got limited examples so far, but she doesn’t seem to handle those terribly well.
Yup. Such is the nature of character flaws though. The sadistic, the greedy, the gullible, they all do things that others do not find sensible. And we all have our share of flaws, of one sort or another, and to a greater or lesser extent.
And those few who don’t? “Mr Perfect” can be hell for others to live with!
Max: “Hunris! My one failing!”
“…Well…”
“…hubris & a lack of spell-checking…”
“…& maybe I could practice counting…?”
Wake up feeling a bit Monty Python did you, ne?
“Echi!” – “Echi!” – “Echi!” – “Echi!” – “Echi!”
“Dinsdale?”
“Di-I-I-I-I-I-insdale!”
Ah, mental attacks. Classically the biggest weakness of the “Tank” super. It’s why the Juggernaut wears that stylin’ “Upside-down soup tureen” on his head.
Heh. He’s even gone so far as to bolt it down, weld it in place & even make a smaller helmet to wear underneath of it…Just because some strong brick kept ripping it off for the Psi-power to knock him out.
Well OF COURSE something like this was going to happen. It would be much of a story if the fight ended just because Max shows up.
Ahh, she got glitter bombed!
Meanwhile, in Maxima’s mind : ”
– Aya ayaaaahh…. *oh no, the Pilar Men, my only weakness !*
I’m late to the party. This is ‘the good guys’ running up against the Super Adaptoid / Amazo, isn’t it?
AND has the ability to mesmerize (one of) the strongest supers on the planet. Oh look; a new battle royale!
And…..wait, is that the winslow ?
He can be found anywhere. Much to the annoyance of many governments and religions.
Yup, galactic class annoyance, yurkh. Enough of that ! I don’t remember if Maxima already faced mind control ?
Yea, she did, against Vehemence. Albeit technically emotion control, more than strict mind control. And it was getting the better of her, if you examine the scenes with the benefit of hindsight. Likewise Maxima clearly had no defense against Dabbler’s sexy aura, other than getting madder at her than she felt attracted.
I think Maxima fares better against the lust aura than the anger one because she has a notoriously short temper, so it takes less to push her in that direction. Whereas her prudishness doubtless makes it harder for Dabbler to overcome her (assuming similar baseline strength attacks).
Upon rereading I have to ask, is Anvil pulling a brick/ piece of rubble out of her cleavage in the first panel? If so, kudos to Dave B for unexpected humor! The expression is great! Okay, back to lurking for me before I get into trouble!
You are not the only one to have interpreted it that way. Although I did not get that impression on my first read through, now that I have spotted how she is holding her shirt, yea, that seems likely.
:-)
Stupid crumb shelf. :)
Heh. Nice call-back.
It’s been upgraded to a ‘rubble rack’ :P
…or maybe, ‘Cleavage Cornucopia’…?
…’Sweater Scoop’…?
…’Brassiere Basket’…?
And if there were some kind of wormhole or dimensional portal there, it could be called the Boob Tube…In a barely-related call to the Boom Tube transportation used by Darkseid.
Spathic Receptacle?
:D
If Mind control = the planet’s doom.
Sydney’s frettful heckling in the middle of this battle to settle if Max’s mental, grapple mettle can nettle the meddling, metal kettle, is a little disrespectful.
That…
*glances at avatar*
… is very interest…
[was that a digital bunny?]
… ing.
*licks lips*
…or perhaps an ‘Enderman’ from Minecraft…?
They should always bring Achilles and throw him at the enemy just to see what happens and then plan their attack accordingly.
“Hi honey, what did you do today?”
“Cannonball.”
“Oh dear, not again! Can’t they ever find another role for you? Do you want me to speak to Maxie again?”
“No, its OK. Kinda fun I guess.”
“Here, let me take your bag. Will I need to wash blood and brains out of your uniform again?”
“Not much left of my clothes I’m afraid. Anvil used me as a bludgeon again. Yes it was Mr Maso again. I suspect that he is setting himself up for being beaten this way.”
Wouldn’t it be faster to just toss him in the molten lava, or the sulfuric acid showers, then rinse-off the remaining ashes & hand him a new wardrobe?
Yes. But not cheaper. Especially with today’s price for hot running lava and cold sulphuric acid showers! Mostly due to health and safety regulations being concerned with avoiding the deaths of plumbers.
Plus Maxima gets through too many smart phones. They have to make savings somewhere!
I wonder if daveb got an offer right now to have a show based on grrl power would he take it and add more story arcs between the beginning and now or would he hold off till he had more story
There are two seasons worth of material here already. And any company that thinks there aren’t clearly would not do justice to the enterprise and Dave should show them the door!
You could probably find out if you had enough money to hore a production crew.
*hire
tuh-MAY-toh / tuh-MAH-toh
Just don’t try to do a kah-MAY-ha-May-ha.
kah-MAY-ha-May-ha GLITTER BOMB!
These comment boards teach me stuff. Y’all are like walking talking TVs.
…Which is a bit weird, since I gave up watching any TV quite a few years ago…
The Anime version translates to ‘giant turtle wave’. Not to be confused with the Hawaiian King Kamehameha.
His full name is Kalani Paiʻea Wohi o Kaleikini Kealiʻikui Kamehameha o ʻIolani i Kaiwikapu kauʻi Ka Liholiho Kūnuiākea. If you tried to insert that into a battle move the fight would be over before you got half way through.
Compare the first set of lyrics here: https://www.flashlyrics.com/lyrics/flanders-and-swann/songs-for-our-time-15
^_^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BXKsQ2nbno
Now that is a community with an ancient origin.
The people of Thailand laugh at your short Welsh names:
https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=M3ssj_XDl1o
On a more practical note, how does he fit that on a business card?