As much as I enjoy character development… this doesn’t seem like it.
More like character ‘reinforcement’. Which in itself isn’t so terrible, I suppose. Remind readers of things from time to time, so they don’t forget, sure. But this four-page sequence sort of seems like it could have accomplished everything it does in one or two pages without loss.
Let’s look at the past few strips.
Aug 30 – Satisfying: We see Shelly is still stubborn and muscle-headed. Her relationship with Justin is reinforced succinctly, which is a good development compared to her long previous sexual frustration. It’s a reinforcement of fairly fresh and uncemented character development.
Aug 31 – It’s Huge: Again, Shelly is a muscle-head. But, another reminder that she’s really a little girl deep down. Cute and humorous character reflection, so being a little repetitive is easily excused. Also highlights the conflict between who she was and who she wants to become.
Sept 1 – Over There: Again comedic, but basically just an extension of the previous strip. Still a muscle-head, still being a little girl. Only new thing is Justin showing he has a level head on him.
Sept 2 – Smiling At: A reminder of Justin’s misgivings about Shelly, using the exact same phrasing as the last time he expressed them. Shelly, in typical fashion, ignores him and instead thinks of herself and venting more of her sexual frustrations.
I dunno. I suppose I’m spoiled. I’m raring to get into more plot and conjecture and hocus-pocus and weirdness, and I’m getting laid back character reinforcement. Which isn’t bad. Not by a long stretch.
But I mean, we get it already. Shelly is disfunctional. She’s stubborn and selfish. And she’s trying to fix that while also not alienating the people she cares about.
I guess I’m just itching to see some of the more neglected characters in the spotlight lately. Shelly just gets a lot of stage time, and I’m being picky.
Granted I would love, love, LOVE (and did I mention LOVE!!!) to see Kath again and just follow her for a while since she intrigues me greatly, I know Paul has a rather large cast of characters and it would be impossible to give everyone equal story time. There’s only so much room in the limelight, and the others need to (for the time constraints and sanity of the author and even the audience) remain in the shadows… bit parts, supporting actors. The old adage of “Not everyone can be a star” applies.
As for the “character development”, well, Paul’s also telling a story. The camera had been focused on Monica and her new haircut. Now it’s turned and focused on Shelly and Justin at the moment and we’re able to see and enjoy their interaction. It’s a nice change of pace and we’re seeing the story of their daily lives, perhaps not -so- different from our own.
And I’m all for action and adventure, but sometimes, one needs to stop and just be in the moment and appreciate the simple things around them. I can’t count the summer afternoons I lost complete track of time, laying in the grass, watching the various bugs just meander past, or the shifting shadows of the trees, or listening to the wind and birdsong, or smelling the scents of grass and leaves and flowers while basking in the warm sunshine, or cool shade.
Then again, I tend to have a very simple philosophy: Stop rushing, stop thinking ahead to everything you think you need or should have, and take stock of what you DO have. I have food, shelter, and companionship… the rest is unnecessary and… oh! look! a dragonfly! *wanders off*
I agree with heartsong. This is a nice change of pace from the heavy drama. I’d like Paul to continue this a little more so we can see some of the others we haven’t seen for a while.
As for the haircut, Monica will still be Monica even if she was bald so it’s a non-issue for me. I can see why she did it as I used to have long hair myself and got tired of having to deal with it. besides, once you get used to it short hair can be incredibly cute on a woman.
You know, this strip spent lots of time just showing things that happened that I wouldn’t qualify as “character development” and I also wouldn’t call “plot movement.” It actually started out as a whole lot of “fun or funny situations in the lives of Monica and friends.”
Big plot arcs are great and all, but I like that we’re getting to see more of Shelly finally in a relationship. In my opinion we haven’t seen enough of them together yet to have the dynamics of their interactions down pat. We just know how Shelly will act. Thus, this could be viewed as character development for Justin.
IIRC, Paul said in an interview a year or two ago that he was concentrating on finishing the big arc since it had gone on for so long. I think Paul probably prefers having things less plot driven than it became.
I basically agree with everything you said, but still, there is something not very satisfying about this week’s strips. If this is character development for Justin, nothing much about his character was established. I wonder if that is basically the point, though. There may be very little to Justin or to this relationship, other than the sex and the fact that he thinks that Shelly is adorable, but scary. We will have to see how this goes in the future, I think.
Well, I do think that this strip being character development at all is a stretch. *shrugs* No matter. I like it either way. Story arc. No story arc. Character development. No character development.
As long as it makes me smile, I’m good. This one made me smile.
I might have read too much into him sidestepping Shelly’s question. I looked back and he came across better than I remembered the last time (I don’t think we saw him since) and on the pages leading up to that page.
Of course, this week probably resonated more with people who suffer from arachnophobia or who have to put up with someone else who does.
actually i think its about dam time shelly got some dammit! and officer sexy buns is adorable..how can you not like a guy willing to kill spiders and looks that cute in glasses. i enjoy the whole oh my god the worlds gonna blow up if we don’t do A,B,and C! but i also started reading wapsi square for the cute storey lines with monica and shelly and the rest of them. sometimes you just have to relax and not have the world blow up a bit..otherwise i would start to wonder just how much paul hates his own charecters by putting them through this. lol..i mean come on they still have to balance thier normal lives with saving the world and being golums and poiting about..they also have to deal with hair cuts and spiders…i am enjoying this immensely paul keep it up
Face it folks. This is padding. Filler. Stuff put out there to keep the comic going without having to present and draw complicated images involving all sorts of extra effort, as in the ones during the climax of the past arc. Or the ones showing demons and the like. These are simple jokes and simple art.
And that’s fine with me. I would hate to see this turn into Girl Genius with it’s non-stop action and constant screaming of every line of dialog with accompaning bearing of teeth, It has great art, but I stopped reading it some time ago because it got to where it never settled down. That got old.
This comic is what it is. One either accepts that or moves on as I did with GG. That’s not to say one cannot bring up criticisms in the plot or characters, but expecting the pacing to change is pointless.
What if it’s a supernatural golem-spider? One day, it will be back, and speaking in the voice of Beast Wars Tarantulas, or at least have his unnerving chuckle….
I acutally just learned that euphemism at work today, one of my coworkers is ex-military. It goes like this: “This is my rifle, this is my gun. One is for working, the other’s for fun!”
This is my rifle , this is my gun . . .
Augh, these two! Why do they even have jobs! X)
Uh, why does she want his firearm?
…not touching that AT ALL.
No. But I’m gonna guess SHE’LL be “touching” it.
Euphemism from a military cadence: “This is my rifle this is mygun.
Near-death experiences often lead to increased libido.
So, hiding somewhere nearby, there is a really horny spider?
Hah !
Hisss.
Shooting the spider would alarm nearby listeners. Would that make it an alarm Glock?
Ouch, that hurt.
The timing on that delivery was a real blast, thanks.
It seems we have a punslinger among us!
Good LORD, look at the hands on her… ^_^;
I’ve been noticing the hands (of several charaters) for more than 6 to 9 months.
They have changed (to what they are now) in the last year and half.
I’m torn.
As much as I enjoy character development… this doesn’t seem like it.
More like character ‘reinforcement’. Which in itself isn’t so terrible, I suppose. Remind readers of things from time to time, so they don’t forget, sure. But this four-page sequence sort of seems like it could have accomplished everything it does in one or two pages without loss.
Let’s look at the past few strips.
Aug 30 – Satisfying: We see Shelly is still stubborn and muscle-headed. Her relationship with Justin is reinforced succinctly, which is a good development compared to her long previous sexual frustration. It’s a reinforcement of fairly fresh and uncemented character development.
Aug 31 – It’s Huge: Again, Shelly is a muscle-head. But, another reminder that she’s really a little girl deep down. Cute and humorous character reflection, so being a little repetitive is easily excused. Also highlights the conflict between who she was and who she wants to become.
Sept 1 – Over There: Again comedic, but basically just an extension of the previous strip. Still a muscle-head, still being a little girl. Only new thing is Justin showing he has a level head on him.
Sept 2 – Smiling At: A reminder of Justin’s misgivings about Shelly, using the exact same phrasing as the last time he expressed them. Shelly, in typical fashion, ignores him and instead thinks of herself and venting more of her sexual frustrations.
I dunno. I suppose I’m spoiled. I’m raring to get into more plot and conjecture and hocus-pocus and weirdness, and I’m getting laid back character reinforcement. Which isn’t bad. Not by a long stretch.
But I mean, we get it already. Shelly is disfunctional. She’s stubborn and selfish. And she’s trying to fix that while also not alienating the people she cares about.
I guess I’m just itching to see some of the more neglected characters in the spotlight lately. Shelly just gets a lot of stage time, and I’m being picky.
*shifty eyes*
But serious, need more Katherine.
~D.
Granted I would love, love, LOVE (and did I mention LOVE!!!) to see Kath again and just follow her for a while since she intrigues me greatly, I know Paul has a rather large cast of characters and it would be impossible to give everyone equal story time. There’s only so much room in the limelight, and the others need to (for the time constraints and sanity of the author and even the audience) remain in the shadows… bit parts, supporting actors. The old adage of “Not everyone can be a star” applies.
As for the “character development”, well, Paul’s also telling a story. The camera had been focused on Monica and her new haircut. Now it’s turned and focused on Shelly and Justin at the moment and we’re able to see and enjoy their interaction. It’s a nice change of pace and we’re seeing the story of their daily lives, perhaps not -so- different from our own.
And I’m all for action and adventure, but sometimes, one needs to stop and just be in the moment and appreciate the simple things around them. I can’t count the summer afternoons I lost complete track of time, laying in the grass, watching the various bugs just meander past, or the shifting shadows of the trees, or listening to the wind and birdsong, or smelling the scents of grass and leaves and flowers while basking in the warm sunshine, or cool shade.
Then again, I tend to have a very simple philosophy: Stop rushing, stop thinking ahead to everything you think you need or should have, and take stock of what you DO have. I have food, shelter, and companionship… the rest is unnecessary and… oh! look! a dragonfly! *wanders off*
I got a feeling we’re gonna get a whole week of Shelly … and next week we’re gonna get a whole week of, maybe, Katherine…
And so on, for a while.
…UNTIL…
Mwa ha ha ha ha ha …
Until we get through all the side characters and then we start again until Paul has decided on a new story arc.
I agree with heartsong. This is a nice change of pace from the heavy drama. I’d like Paul to continue this a little more so we can see some of the others we haven’t seen for a while.
As for the haircut, Monica will still be Monica even if she was bald so it’s a non-issue for me. I can see why she did it as I used to have long hair myself and got tired of having to deal with it. besides, once you get used to it short hair can be incredibly cute on a woman.
You know, this strip spent lots of time just showing things that happened that I wouldn’t qualify as “character development” and I also wouldn’t call “plot movement.” It actually started out as a whole lot of “fun or funny situations in the lives of Monica and friends.”
Big plot arcs are great and all, but I like that we’re getting to see more of Shelly finally in a relationship. In my opinion we haven’t seen enough of them together yet to have the dynamics of their interactions down pat. We just know how Shelly will act. Thus, this could be viewed as character development for Justin.
IIRC, Paul said in an interview a year or two ago that he was concentrating on finishing the big arc since it had gone on for so long. I think Paul probably prefers having things less plot driven than it became.
I basically agree with everything you said, but still, there is something not very satisfying about this week’s strips. If this is character development for Justin, nothing much about his character was established. I wonder if that is basically the point, though. There may be very little to Justin or to this relationship, other than the sex and the fact that he thinks that Shelly is adorable, but scary. We will have to see how this goes in the future, I think.
Well, I do think that this strip being character development at all is a stretch. *shrugs* No matter. I like it either way. Story arc. No story arc. Character development. No character development.
As long as it makes me smile, I’m good. This one made me smile.
I might have read too much into him sidestepping Shelly’s question. I looked back and he came across better than I remembered the last time (I don’t think we saw him since) and on the pages leading up to that page.
Of course, this week probably resonated more with people who suffer from arachnophobia or who have to put up with someone else who does.
That’s called suspense. You just have to wait until the artist is ready to go into the next thing.
actually i think its about dam time shelly got some dammit! and officer sexy buns is adorable..how can you not like a guy willing to kill spiders and looks that cute in glasses.
i enjoy the whole oh my god the worlds gonna blow up if we don’t do A,B,and C! but i also started reading wapsi square for the cute storey lines with monica and shelly and the rest of them. sometimes you just have to relax and not have the world blow up a bit..otherwise i would start to wonder just how much paul hates his own charecters by putting them through this. lol..i mean come on they still have to balance thier normal lives with saving the world and being golums and poiting about..they also have to deal with hair cuts and spiders…i am enjoying this immensely paul keep it up 
Face it folks. This is padding. Filler. Stuff put out there to keep the comic going without having to present and draw complicated images involving all sorts of extra effort, as in the ones during the climax of the past arc. Or the ones showing demons and the like. These are simple jokes and simple art.
And that’s fine with me. I would hate to see this turn into Girl Genius with it’s non-stop action and constant screaming of every line of dialog with accompaning bearing of teeth, It has great art, but I stopped reading it some time ago because it got to where it never settled down. That got old.
This comic is what it is. One either accepts that or moves on as I did with GG. That’s not to say one cannot bring up criticisms in the plot or characters, but expecting the pacing to change is pointless.
Wheee! Pillow talk! Never a bad thing; if their relationship goes south, this’ll give us something to remember
Haaa, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaaa!
the last panel looks like she is going to reach and pull his gun out by the roots.
More like root around for his gun.
Hsssss
This is basically fan-service for ME.
Yeah yeah, but did he kill the spider or will it be back? For both their sakes, hope it’s a Brazilian wandering spider and it bites him!
What if it’s a supernatural golem-spider? One day, it will be back, and speaking in the voice of Beast Wars Tarantulas, or at least have his unnerving chuckle….
So nice to see Shelly enjoying a good relationship!
Who is the “Tarzan” in this relationship? I am pretty certain that it is not Justin, though I doubt he is complaining one bit about that.
LOL, He’s more like the rational grounded wife in a sitcom when the husband is off inventing a beer making machine that runs on beer.
I don’t really have anything to add to what has already been discussed, so I’ll just go back to my stock comment;
I LOVE BEER!
As long as Dora doesn’t fuck it up any more than … oh wait .. FUCK, WRONG WEBCOMIC! >_<
Dora’s got issues. Faye does, too, but at least she’s dealing with them. Dora just puts her insecurities in gear and stomps on the pedal.
Dear lord they’re sexy.
Doesn’t he mean her guns?
I acutally just learned that euphemism at work today, one of my coworkers is ex-military. It goes like this: “This is my rifle, this is my gun. One is for working, the other’s for fun!”