To Quote Wendy Bagwell & The Sunliters:
“Take it eeeeeeeasy, don’t panic. N-now just look around quietly for the back door.”
“I already did, and there ain’t one!”
“Well, reckon where do they want one?”
At this point, I would wet myself. Or run for the door. Or wet myself, and then run for the door. Or make my own door in whatever bit of wall happened to be closest to hand. And flee, screaming, into the light of the morning, leaving damp footy-prints behind.
Oh please. Monica has seen Phix. And Demons of all sorts. And clay golems that contain the essence of the Chimera. And the time-munching computer box that breathes that was the calendar.
There’s probably a second of shock, but then she yawns.
…and I’m probably going to walk around with one eye closed today. Just in case.
This is some sweet artwork. Nudge seems altruistic, and in a demonic sense, looks quite regal. This would also explain the blackness in the eyes when Nudge speaks.
I’m reminded of a story (forget the name) where the adventurer comes face-to-face with an enormous, muscular, maroon-skinned female complete with horns and hooves. She says, “Do you know why angels introduce themselves by saying ‘Fear not!’? It’s because people really don’t know what angels look like!”
Tina may not be an angel, but she gets a good night’s sleep!
Yes, I think it is a western meme to naturally assume that something inherently good will appear beautiful, while something inherently fell will appear greusome…what of the vast shades of grey?
I wish I could remember but, maybe something to do with her almost getting hit by the bus. I know she was injured during it, maybe that eye or side was injured more? Completely not sure on that, I can’t remember the date for it to go back through the archives and pick it out (without having to go one by one)
Stupid answer I just thought of: Monica’s wearing glasses. People with glasses are called 4-eyes. Closing one eye would make it ’3-eyes’. In both Western and Eastern Traditions, the “3rd Eye” is open to enlightenment and a higher perception of reality, thus her third eye saw Nudge.
Yes, it’s a horrible answer, but it was my first thought and I had to share.
I really like Nudge! and I am totally envious that quasarmogul got that avatar! Lucky dog!
I think she can see her with one eye closed because your depth perception is altered with only one eye, and therefore your dimensional perception can also be altered. Tina is multi-dimensional from all the demons inside. maybe this is the only way to see her (nudge) in this visual dimension.
I love the drawings on the counter as well and wonder why they showed up now…maybe Nudge’s dimension encompasses the whole room…?
I certainly hope that doesn’t apply to everyone. Then again, maybe that’s why Tina’s coffee shop only has about 7 customers total (M, Shel, Jin, Bud, Kevin, Heather, Vickie).
Now that you mention “getting” an avatar, that reminds me:
First time I commented here: “Oh, hey, it gave me an avatar. is that random?”
Second time: “Woah.. same avatar. Guess it’s not random, but probably involves cookies or something since I haven’t registered any kind of account.
Third time: “Hm. All my stuff has been cleared since the last time I posted, but same avatar again… guess this is tied to email somehow..”
Fourth time: “Now that I think of it, it picked me out a fitting icon. I mean, I didn’t get one of the girls or something. Is that a coincidence?”
So, someone fill a newbie in here. How DOES the avatar assignment process work?
Calendar, not calendar machine, if that’s what you are thinking. BTW, Kukulcan (a minor character here) is essentially the same thing as Quetzalcoatl. Jin wasn’t terribly impressed by him.
For the record, I didn’t see your comment before replying to myself below.
Apparently, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli is the more common spelling. I suppose the “Lord of the Dawn” would be appropriate for a coffee shop. It looks as if he wasn’t a very nice god, though.
He ain’t nice at all. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli is the chaotic/evil aspect of Quetzalcoatl. (And he’s my partner, like him or not, for thirteen days in the tonalpohualli.)
No, prob’ly not. His usual attribute is an atlatl dart, although here he appears to be carrying an obsidian axe as well. From what I can see, he has his left hand clenched with the thumb sticking upward. (Paul, which codex did you use for your source? I haven’t been able to identify it.)
Huuh, this reminds me of some Chinese movie I saw before, where a girl gets into a car accident or something and damages her left eye. Then when she closes her right eye, she could see ghosts. o___o
Hoe-ly friggin bovine! Those horns must be hell to keep manicured. Being her hairdresser must be no picnic either. Does she tend to knock other demons down when she turns her head? I guess horns like that are strictly for show.
Why does she cast a shadow? Isn’t she a sort of spirit being? Apparently not everyone can see her so it would seem like the light would not cause a proper shadow to be cast. The shadow would still be in a normal Tina shape. Which, to me, would make it all even creepier.
Closing one eye is one of a number of ways one is supposed to be enabled to see supernatural beings. Others are looking through your fingers (or a comb) and bending over and looking through your legs. At least with the latter, you’re already on a good position to kiss your ass goodby should you see something horrific coming your way.
Why does this reveal alarm any of the above readers?
Furthermore, why is it not instead a pleasant surprise? It seems like Nudge’s reveal is a gesture of trust and sincerity, which is a pleasant change when it comes to our mysterious barista. S’not to say Nudge isn’t someone to gauge carefully, but honesty goes a long way with me, so I personally would feel emboldened and intensely curious rather than freaked out or nervous.
Furthermore I find this form to be quite beautiful, actually, even if rather… different.
Agreed. Revealing her Self is a big gesture of trust on behalf of Lady Nudge. I certainly wouldn’t refer to her as a “dog” mostly out of general respect. But “Guardian” will fill the bill as a proper definition of title.
On the kingklash Sliding Scale of Pulchritudinal Splendor, she rates a well-deserved “Hubba-hubba!”
I enjoy how strange this comic is, and yet how grounded many of its characters remain. Great work!
Speaking of: visually, you have the best strip out there these days. I’m a massive Sinfest fan, and enjoy the graphic storytelling of The Princess and the Giant, Punch & Pie and Striptease, but you’ve got the best gig going here with Wapsi Square. Thanks!
I wonder, do demons get tattoos? Or was she born/created with those facial markings? Those pointed teeth would indicate that, at some time in their evolution, they would have been very carniverous. That’s assuming an evolution existed and they were not simply created whole in their present form. If the latter, it must have been done by the same being who designed the duckbill platypus and politicians.
Nudge is the most amazing character design I’ve seen. God, she would be awesome as a little statue. I don’t even care how much shipping I would have to pay for Germany… I WANT IT
Nice, I like how it came out. The hair even seems to be like an organism of it’s own due to it’s organic shape. And the horns are not overwhelming the composition, even with that awesome texture.
In Egyptian lore, the left eye is synonymous with the moon. It belonged to Horus, who fought with Seth to avenge the death of his father Osiris. In the battle, Seth tore out Horus’ left eye and broke it into pieces. Later on, parts of the eye were retrieved from across the world, infused with magic, made whole, and then given back to Horus. This is commonly called the Wadjet Eye, and is largely viewed as a symbol of order wrought from chaos, picking up the pieces kinda thing.
M closing her left eye makes her blind to things belonging to an orderly universe, leaving only Nudge, who ostensibly is not.
Anyone else think Tina’s diary will be the latest incarnation of Chekhov’s gun? And what will it have to do with Jin’s “voices” and the sudden appearence of Nudge??
Paul, I just gotta save, love the art work. And at the same time, I want to strangle you. I have been going through and coloring the more artistically striking pieces (I do not publish these anywhere, I just do it for fun) and this one I have no IDEA where to start, even if I were to work on it. Just…Keep up the good work. And make a statue of it, it’d be a big seller.
I like how things are similar, but not symmetrical- the horns, for instance, are craggy and each is unique- and I love it. Wonderful effect. Brilliant, as usual.
Paul’s demon design is, as usual, breath taking and awe inspiring. The creature is, indeed, fetching in a fetish kinda way. I would be concerned about those bony projections on her body during a hug. It could be her appearence is designed to strike fear as well. By contrast, Here is one I found a while back I thought was fetching, yet not frightening. For purposes of a good story, however, frightening is better.
(transcript of conversation between me, as DM, and one of my D&D players when they were confronted with an eleven-foot-tall demonic mackaw in a wizard’s tower)
Sweet .
That also explains the gray text… I guess it isn’t whispering after all…
Kinda makes me think of something from Pan’s Labyrinth . I would so buy a Tina statue .
Except she’s not eating raw faeries!
Heheheh . Yet . ;^)
And that is EXACTLY what I was thinking, raw fairies, the only way to get em down!
I would jump on that sculpture so hard if one was made. (Not literally though.)
That’s what I thought!
YIKES!
To Quote Wendy Bagwell & The Sunliters:
“Take it eeeeeeeasy, don’t panic. N-now just look around quietly for the back door.”
“I already did, and there ain’t one!”
“Well, reckon where do they want one?”
At this point, I would wet myself. Or run for the door. Or wet myself, and then run for the door. Or make my own door in whatever bit of wall happened to be closest to hand. And flee, screaming, into the light of the morning, leaving damp footy-prints behind.
agreed!
…and now Monica knows how Katharine felt at the Library…
Oh please. Monica has seen Phix. And Demons of all sorts. And clay golems that contain the essence of the Chimera. And the time-munching computer box that breathes that was the calendar.
There’s probably a second of shock, but then she yawns.
…and I’m probably going to walk around with one eye closed today. Just in case.
Waiter, Check Please! *prepares for mad dash out*
I like the pictures on the counter top.
Also… MEEP!
Love the horns .
OK, I’m gonna go hide under the bed now. Later.
This is some sweet artwork. Nudge seems altruistic, and in a demonic sense, looks quite regal. This would also explain the blackness in the eyes when Nudge speaks.
Ditto on the artwork!
I’m reminded of a story (forget the name) where the adventurer comes face-to-face with an enormous, muscular, maroon-skinned female complete with horns and hooves. She says, “Do you know why angels introduce themselves by saying ‘Fear not!’? It’s because people really don’t know what angels look like!”
Tina may not be an angel, but she gets a good night’s sleep!
That is an awesome quote.
Yes, I think it is a western meme to naturally assume that something inherently good will appear beautiful, while something inherently fell will appear greusome…what of the vast shades of grey?
And what of the subjectiveness of beauty? I actually quite like this ‘form’ of Tinas…
Tough to give her a neck rub tho, that’s 3/4 of my flirting skills.
…Yikes!
Okay, I will bite. Why does Monica have to close her left eye in order to see Nudge?
I wish I could remember but, maybe something to do with her almost getting hit by the bus. I know she was injured during it, maybe that eye or side was injured more? Completely not sure on that, I can’t remember the date for it to go back through the archives and pick it out (without having to go one by one)
Errrrr make that the right side. I need to go learn my left from right again…
Stupid answer I just thought of: Monica’s wearing glasses. People with glasses are called 4-eyes. Closing one eye would make it ’3-eyes’. In both Western and Eastern Traditions, the “3rd Eye” is open to enlightenment and a higher perception of reality, thus her third eye saw Nudge.
Yes, it’s a horrible answer, but it was my first thought and I had to share.
That’s a pretty clever interpretation, actually. *thumbs up*
I really like Nudge! and I am totally envious that quasarmogul got that avatar! Lucky dog!
I think she can see her with one eye closed because your depth perception is altered with only one eye, and therefore your dimensional perception can also be altered. Tina is multi-dimensional from all the demons inside. maybe this is the only way to see her (nudge) in this visual dimension.
I love the drawings on the counter as well and wonder why they showed up now…maybe Nudge’s dimension encompasses the whole room…?
I certainly hope that doesn’t apply to everyone. Then again, maybe that’s why Tina’s coffee shop only has about 7 customers total (M, Shel, Jin, Bud, Kevin, Heather, Vickie).
Now that you mention “getting” an avatar, that reminds me:
First time I commented here: “Oh, hey, it gave me an avatar. is that random?”
Second time: “Woah.. same avatar. Guess it’s not random, but probably involves cookies or something since I haven’t registered any kind of account.
Third time: “Hm. All my stuff has been cleared since the last time I posted, but same avatar again… guess this is tied to email somehow..”
Fourth time: “Now that I think of it, it picked me out a fitting icon. I mean, I didn’t get one of the girls or something. Is that a coincidence?”
So, someone fill a newbie in here. How DOES the avatar assignment process work?
Is it wrong that I think Nudge is really hot?
No .
I’m just glad nobody said she seems pretty horny herself .
she is so cute !! like, totally devilvine !!
Please tell me I’m not the only one thinking “handlebars.”
Yes. Yes you were.
(That’s my story and i’m sticking to it.)
Why , I have no idea what you mean . ;^)
eeeeeeasy, fellas…
I feel better now knowing that finding a scary demon chick hot is not something I suffer alone
Well I wasn’t until you mentioned it
That…is….bloody awesome…
Call you, “Nudge?” I’ll call you anything you want! *GULP*
Is that Huitzilopochtli drawings on the counter?
No, it’s Tlahuizcalpentecuhtli, an avatar of Quetzalcoatl.
Ok, why does Tina have images of the Aztec god responsible for the invention of the Calender on her counter top
Calendar, not calendar machine, if that’s what you are thinking. BTW, Kukulcan (a minor character here) is essentially the same thing as Quetzalcoatl. Jin wasn’t terribly impressed by him.
For the record, I didn’t see your comment before replying to myself below.
I realize. It’s still just too weird to dismiss though
Apparently, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli is the more common spelling. I suppose the “Lord of the Dawn” would be appropriate for a coffee shop. It looks as if he wasn’t a very nice god, though.
He ain’t nice at all. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli is the chaotic/evil aspect of Quetzalcoatl. (And he’s my partner, like him or not, for thirteen days in the tonalpohualli.)
So is the Lord of the Dawn flipping everyone off? Is that how he normally appears or did Paul plant a subtle joke here?
No, prob’ly not. His usual attribute is an atlatl dart, although here he appears to be carrying an obsidian axe as well. From what I can see, he has his left hand clenched with the thumb sticking upward. (Paul, which codex did you use for your source? I haven’t been able to identify it.)
And if she closes the other eye…?
Then she wouldn’t see anything!
Badumdumdish?
Huuh, this reminds me of some Chinese movie I saw before, where a girl gets into a car accident or something and damages her left eye. Then when she closes her right eye, she could see ghosts. o___o
EEK! I think I’m going to head to Nightmare City.
Jumpin’ Johasaphat!!! Damn…where did I put that silver crucifix?
Hoe-ly friggin bovine! Those horns must be hell to keep manicured. Being her hairdresser must be no picnic either. Does she tend to knock other demons down when she turns her head? I guess horns like that are strictly for show.
Why does she cast a shadow? Isn’t she a sort of spirit being? Apparently not everyone can see her so it would seem like the light would not cause a proper shadow to be cast. The shadow would still be in a normal Tina shape. Which, to me, would make it all even creepier.
Closing one eye is one of a number of ways one is supposed to be enabled to see supernatural beings. Others are looking through your fingers (or a comb) and bending over and looking through your legs. At least with the latter, you’re already on a good position to kiss your ass goodby should you see something horrific coming your way.
Not the scariest of her looks. This one bothered me more. http://wapsisquare.com/comic/realsweetie/
At least we know Nudge isn’t allowed to harm or mislead Monica…
http://wapsisquare.com/comic/timewouldstopdead/
Actually, Tina’s demons hurt Monica. Nudge probably won’t do it again, though.
… and time is already standing still for her.
I don’t think they hurt Monica.
I think they hurt one of two people: Tina herself, or Jin.
ti…
ti….ti…
hooooleeyy SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII—!!!!
Why does this reveal alarm any of the above readers?
Furthermore, why is it not instead a pleasant surprise? It seems like Nudge’s reveal is a gesture of trust and sincerity, which is a pleasant change when it comes to our mysterious barista. S’not to say Nudge isn’t someone to gauge carefully, but honesty goes a long way with me, so I personally would feel emboldened and intensely curious rather than freaked out or nervous.
Furthermore I find this form to be quite beautiful, actually, even if rather… different.
~D.
Agreed. Revealing her Self is a big gesture of trust on behalf of Lady Nudge. I certainly wouldn’t refer to her as a “dog” mostly out of general respect. But “Guardian” will fill the bill as a proper definition of title.
On the kingklash Sliding Scale of Pulchritudinal Splendor, she rates a well-deserved “Hubba-hubba!”
This is the first time she has actually looked demonic!
i mean her previous looks have kinda looked either just freaky or mostly dead.
Eeeek.
By the silken breast of Mogg’s mother, I’m glad Iooked at this in the morning instead of before going to bed! Holy flapping scrith, that’s amazing!
Nudge, huh…
You ever been “nudged” by a ram?
I’m guessing this demon is just as… discreet.
Boy, if that had been what Bud saw the first time she walked in, the crater where the neighbourhood was would still be smoking…
I know what the choker is for!
It’s an elastic brace to help that slender neck hold those massive horns straight!
Does anyone else remember the French/British film The Brain, starring David Niven and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
“Who’s got a computer for a mind . . . who’s got an IQ like an Einstein?”
YOW! That’s pretty much what I feel like before my first coffee. It’s worse on Mondays………
I just noticed – Nudge’s facial markings sort of call to mind the … Odd … makeup Tina wore for the night out at Club Cerberus…
My first thought was: “Wow, time to get a new coffee house.”
My, what big horns you have, Grandmama!
THE GOAT.
No WONDER Bud got the willies around her.
Wow. Just wow. Now what is with the left eye thing? Is that just because Monica is Monica or could anyone do that and see Tina like this?
Tina is my favorite character. But this just is just…. Wow.
Lovely character design! However, if I were Monica I’d definitely let out a squeek … okay, and then I’d probably wander up and poke Nudges horns lol.
Squee!
That’s all the commentary I’ve got here.
I’m changing my pants now for the next three months.
I think I have a new love. I ADORE nudges character design.
If you ever think of making a Wapsi Square movie get Guiliemo Del Torro to direct
Word.
Am i the only one thinking how friggin sweet it would be to see those black wings on ‘nudge’?
Fatuncle: Uh, when you flew under the bed? Yeah, could you please wriggle a bit to the left? You’re lying on my foot. No, the other left, dude.
Yeah, I was under here first…
Quit shoving.
she looks BAD AZZ!
Am now longing for the spider-in-the-eye-socket comic again…..
On the other hand, now I can show people an example of the Mask and the Mein (from Changeling: the Lost)
Oh, just WOW!!!!!
Now, this is brilliant! This kind of artwork, plot line, and innovation is exactly why I read this strip every week day. Wow. Well done, Pablo!
Oh. My.
Lovely.
I enjoy how strange this comic is, and yet how grounded many of its characters remain. Great work!
Speaking of: visually, you have the best strip out there these days. I’m a massive Sinfest fan, and enjoy the graphic storytelling of The Princess and the Giant, Punch & Pie and Striptease, but you’ve got the best gig going here with Wapsi Square. Thanks!
…..
That’s it.
I want Paul to design my back tattoo.
Good god, man….WHY AREN’T YOU WORLD FAMOUS???!!!
I wonder, do demons get tattoos? Or was she born/created with those facial markings? Those pointed teeth would indicate that, at some time in their evolution, they would have been very carniverous. That’s assuming an evolution existed and they were not simply created whole in their present form. If the latter, it must have been done by the same being who designed the duckbill platypus and politicians.
Nudge is the most amazing character design I’ve seen. God, she would be awesome as a little statue. I don’t even care how much shipping I would have to pay for Germany… I WANT IT
That is an incredible character design. Wonderful textures. How many variations of this design did you go through before you came to this one?
I think about 7, but 3 of them were variations.
Great job !
A Tina statue , normal look , would be awesome . (hint hint) : )
Nice, I like how it came out. The hair even seems to be like an organism of it’s own due to it’s organic shape. And the horns are not overwhelming the composition, even with that awesome texture.
HOLEE KRAP IN DA CRADLE!!!
In Egyptian lore, the left eye is synonymous with the moon. It belonged to Horus, who fought with Seth to avenge the death of his father Osiris. In the battle, Seth tore out Horus’ left eye and broke it into pieces. Later on, parts of the eye were retrieved from across the world, infused with magic, made whole, and then given back to Horus. This is commonly called the Wadjet Eye, and is largely viewed as a symbol of order wrought from chaos, picking up the pieces kinda thing.
M closing her left eye makes her blind to things belonging to an orderly universe, leaving only Nudge, who ostensibly is not.
That’s my take on things, anyway.
Ohh i only knew the first bit of this (ann rice ^^). Who won in the end? Horus or seth?
Ooo … Fanservice! A horny demon in a low-cut dress! Woo-hoo!
(Nudge … Wink …)
Anyone else think Tina’s diary will be the latest incarnation of Chekhov’s gun? And what will it have to do with Jin’s “voices” and the sudden appearence of Nudge??
all i have to say is “WHOA DAMM!” (pardon my french)
Ok, show of hands, how many of you closed your left eye?
*hand*
Paul, I just gotta save, love the art work. And at the same time, I want to strangle you. I have been going through and coloring the more artistically striking pieces (I do not publish these anywhere, I just do it for fun) and this one I have no IDEA where to start, even if I were to work on it. Just…Keep up the good work. And make a statue of it, it’d be a big seller.
I like how things are similar, but not symmetrical- the horns, for instance, are craggy and each is unique- and I love it. Wonderful effect. Brilliant, as usual.
I just realized something, the horns kind of remind me of those snake tablets you can get during 4th of July after you’ve lit them.
Mmm. Lovely design. Now I want to draw.
Paul’s demon design is, as usual, breath taking and awe inspiring. The creature is, indeed, fetching in a fetish kinda way. I would be concerned about those bony projections on her body during a hug. It could be her appearence is designed to strike fear as well. By contrast, Here is one I found a while back I thought was fetching, yet not frightening. For purposes of a good story, however, frightening is better.
I want that last panel as a desktop wallpaper
me too. Second time I’ve wanted a Tina wallpaper =[ I never got my first one though.
Oddly enough, I think she bears a strong resemblance to Shelly!
I can see it.
Cool do, doll. Who does your horns?
oh sweet buttery jesus–they have scones!
Every demon I meet has bigger horns than mine.
*pouts*
It’s not the size that matters, it’s…
…wait…
Nudge is absolutely excellent!
I actually caught myself saying “Wow, she’s beautiful!” out loud.
“Is there a window?”
Yes…
“I’m out it.”
You’re on the tenth floor.
“I don’t care, I’ll take my chances.”
(transcript of conversation between me, as DM, and one of my D&D players when they were confronted with an eleven-foot-tall demonic mackaw in a wizard’s tower)
Ha! I walk around with one eye open more than my wife cares for, now I have a reason.
Ooh. I LIKE her!
Heh heh, demon women; cool. heh heh
Is it bad that I still think she’s hot as hell?