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"Sign Of Weakness"
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Sign Of Weakness
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Sign Of Weakness

by Paul Taylor on July 14, 2011 at 12:00 am
Story: Wapsi-Archive
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Discussion (76) ¬

  1. Tristan
    July 14, 2011, 12:44 am | # | Reply

    Definitely a more mature Shelly!

    • Casey
      July 14, 2011, 12:53 am | # | Reply

      One of the surest signs of strength is to lose your fear of weakness.

      • JeffEpp
        July 14, 2011, 1:08 am | #

        Actually, Tristan was commenting on the fact that she didn’t put her head THROUGH the steel re-enforced concrete wall, this time.

  2. My2Cents
    July 14, 2011, 12:45 am | # | Reply

    Poor kid, she is losing arguments with herself.

    • illiad
      July 14, 2011, 4:02 am | # | Reply

      I dont think she can resist the sweet hunk… 🙂
      http://wapsisquare.com/comic/zombie-apocalypse/

    • bmonk
      July 14, 2011, 10:37 am | # | Reply

      Some arguments are worth losing. Especially when we try to convince ourselves we are not worthy of love, or of being loved.

      • thedutchdevil
        July 15, 2011, 3:42 pm | #

        to bad we somethimes lose that discussion with ourselfs

  3. Joe Minotaur
    July 14, 2011, 12:46 am | # | Reply

    …and the pendulum swings back in the other direction.

    • Atomic
      July 14, 2011, 12:48 am | # | Reply

      The light is on, and somebody is home!

      This can only get better….

  4. Tigerbitten
    July 14, 2011, 12:50 am | # | Reply

    had to read back a few pages…but holy crackers! nightmares just took on a whole new aspect!

  5. stjen
    July 14, 2011, 12:53 am | # | Reply

    Good — she’s coming around to a more sane & sensible position. Hopefully that will lead to new positions with Justin. 😉

    • Kramegame
      July 14, 2011, 9:31 am | # | Reply

      *slowly tilts pun jar to hear coins sliding around*
      ehrm
      *slowly tilts it back*

      • stjen
        July 14, 2011, 12:17 pm | #

        What? That wasn’t a pun — it wasn’t even “punny”. It’s more of a double entendre, if anything…

      • Analyst
        July 14, 2011, 1:36 pm | #

        Glances Meaningfully at the Innuendo jar, sighs and drops in a quarter. (c8

      • SoWhyMe
        July 14, 2011, 2:08 pm | #

        It’s come to the point where we now need a jar for jar jokes/references.

      • Dave
        July 14, 2011, 6:07 pm | #

        SoWhyMe – if you’re making a Jar Jar reference, that’s an entirely different fictional universe whatsoever (and a reference best left buried in a deep pit somewhere).

      • FatUncle
        July 14, 2011, 6:30 pm | #

        With a large sign reading PUBLIC URINAL pointed down the path to the pit.

      • bmonk
        July 15, 2011, 12:30 pm | #

        If we drop coins in the Jar jar, do they make “binks”?

        (slips a folded dollar in the pun jar.)

  6. Ari
    July 14, 2011, 12:56 am | # | Reply

    UGH! It’s also not weak to decide you don’t want a relationship because you have so much going on. Seriously?!?!

    • SonicThunder
      July 14, 2011, 1:11 am | # | Reply

      See how this plays out. While I agree I do not think Shelly ‘needs’ to be paired with OTB, her current status is just trying to grasp at every semblance of her original, non-supernatural life. She’s reached out to Heather, not OTB.

      She could still realize she doesn’t want a relationship with him once she actually sees him again.

      Course, if this is the path Shelly’s taking (reaching out to those unaware of the Masquerade), maybe we’ll get a future scene in Darin’s Bar or Jacqui’s Punk-Yoga hall!!!

      • eschmenk
        July 14, 2011, 9:20 pm | #

        Did Shelly reach out to Heather? I took Monday’s strip as confirmation that Shelly was just sleeping the whole time. She had a dream about a spider after a dream about Heather, as far as I can tell.

        I’m still thinking the the inconsistencies in the bottom three panels here are hints that she was dreaming. By inconsistencies, I mean the lack of the signs around the phone to the missing phone cords.

      • SoWhyMe
        July 14, 2011, 9:40 pm | #

        Interesting theory. The whole Heather meeting had a surreal quality to it. Is she still dreaming even now and dreamed the turning into a sphinx again as well?

      • eschmenk
        July 14, 2011, 9:47 pm | #

        Unfortunately for that theory, I just noticed that Shelly was clothed on Monday, but she was naked before calling Heather.

      • eschmenk
        July 14, 2011, 9:50 pm | #

        … but even if she had dreamed about Heather, I’m pretty certain the sphinx part was real, as well as the current conversation. It lacks the dreamy quality that was present earlier.

      • SoWhyMe
        July 14, 2011, 11:18 pm | #

        Yes, but we often are naked or partially clothed in dreams. She may have been dreaming of sleeping in the nude.

      • Ari
        July 15, 2011, 5:27 am | #

        Wouldn’t mind hearing from Darin sometime soon!!!

    • MerchManDan
      July 14, 2011, 1:12 am | # | Reply

      Easy, Ari, easy. Shelly hasn’t made a decision yet; and as far as I know*, nobody has called Shelly “weak” for wanting to stay with Justin.

      *I’ve yet to comb through the past 2 days worth of comments.

    • Julie
      July 14, 2011, 3:02 pm | # | Reply

      If I remember correctly, Shelly had a serious fear of being alone, and sought relationships purely for that reason before. Needing people around her probably made her feel weak.

      Looking at this page in that context, Shelly may simply be admitting that it’s okay to want people in your life…if you have them there for the right reason.

      • Ari
        July 15, 2011, 5:27 am | #

        Hmmm…okay. I suppose. I’d like to believe that’s what she meant. Thank you. That was most helpful.

  7. SonicThunder
    July 14, 2011, 1:00 am | # | Reply

    Pff. Give Shelly 5 minutes with Amanda. She’ll have her hating every sentient being in existence, especially those of the opposite sex, in no time.

  8. ShadOBabe
    July 14, 2011, 1:06 am | # | Reply

    AWWWWWWWWWW!!!
    I’m happy now…

    • Nina
      July 14, 2011, 5:59 am | # | Reply

      Hi, thanks for the welcome yesterday, to Paula and Ratcatcher too 🙂

  9. Francisco
    July 14, 2011, 1:13 am | # | Reply

    I get the impression that “old” Shelly (i.e. before she realised she was a Sphinx) masked her fear of loss by pretending that she didn’t need anybody. She’s had lots of issues around intimacy.

    It’s clear that, in today’s strip, she’s finally realised the question is: Does she want to break it off because it’s the right thing to do or is it because she’s scared of intimacy? Their relationship can’t stay the same so is
    the right thing to break it off or take it to the next level?

    Add to that that police officers have to deal with horrible things all the time — so he might have a measure of understanding for her situation and the answer is not so simple.

    • FatUncle
      July 14, 2011, 2:26 am | # | Reply

      And besides, if she tells Justin the simple truth, and demonstrates that it is true, and he can’t handle it, she can always kill and eat him. Win – win!

      • SoWhyMe
        July 14, 2011, 2:51 am | #

        Unless, of course, Justin can transform himself into a big hairy spider. Then it’s goodbye home sweet home, hello parking lot.

      • FatUncle
        July 14, 2011, 2:59 am | #

        At the least, a large hole in the roof, and Shelly testing her sphinx form’s performance envelope for altitude.

      • Eee
        July 14, 2011, 9:42 am | #

        Suddenly visualizes the discussion. Shelly has just told Justin everything, transformed to prove it, and is anxiously awaiting his response.

        He says nothing, but takes off his clothes and glasses.

        “What are you doing?!?” she gasps.

        He concentrates… and suddenly there are two Sphinxes in the room.

        “A lot of us go into police work. It’s the guardian thing,” he says. And looks around. “We’re gonna need a bigger place…”

      • bmonk
        July 14, 2011, 10:39 am | #

        Lovely projection of the possibilities.

        I totally agree–with one exception. After they both transform to sphinxes, there would no longer be a need to break through the ceiling, since the ceiling would no longer be above them. . . .

      • TheDoctor
        July 14, 2011, 10:42 am | #

        RATS! I was thinking the same thinas you, Eee. By the Way, Eee, is that the Male or Female Pronunciation?

      • Xiutecuhtli
        July 14, 2011, 4:53 pm | #

        Doctor–I think you pronounce it with an Omnian accent. Although then it sounds more like Ee.

    • Paula
      July 14, 2011, 12:17 pm | # | Reply

      Glad you worked it out cuz I haven’t a clue where Shelly got that from

      *grabs muffin and settles into confusion corner…again*

      • Francisco
        July 16, 2011, 9:39 am | #

        It’s easy to forget if you haven’t read it for a while but you’ll find it easier to understand “old” Shelly if you re-read the whole of the Heather-Shelly storyline. Through her interaction with Heather we learn about her fears and the ways she got around them.

      • Francisco
        July 17, 2011, 3:25 am | #

        The Heather story begins here:
        http://wapsisquare.com/comic/01052004/

  10. NOTDilbert
    July 14, 2011, 1:24 am | # | Reply

    Gee, all she needs in panel one is a cape and a breeze, and a rooftop at night…. 🙂

    • JeffEpp
      July 14, 2011, 1:42 am | # | Reply

      She got better than capez. She got wingz and klauzuz.

      Forget the whiny guy in spandex frightening those cowardly and superstitious criminals. A three ton man eating cat with wings will do the job mo’ better.

      • SoWhyMe
        July 14, 2011, 8:36 pm | #

        If it bleeds, I can kill it.

      • Yamara
        July 14, 2011, 10:06 pm | #

        For Shar-Teel Dosan of Baldur’s Gate, opportunity knocks.

  11. DJ
    July 14, 2011, 1:34 am | # | Reply

    So go get some fer cryin out loud!

  12. AvengerReloaded
    July 14, 2011, 1:46 am | # | Reply

    She misses him. When it comes to being fair to everyone, you still have to be fiar to yourself.

    • FatUncle
      July 14, 2011, 6:18 am | # | Reply

      Just keep a fiar extinguisher near to hand. Wouldn’t want to get burnt.

      Where’s that pun jar … ?

      • AvengerReloaded
        July 14, 2011, 9:13 am | #

        It’s not fun being lysdexic.

      • bmonk
        July 14, 2011, 10:45 am | #

        Remember: when life gives you melons, you may be dyslexic.

      • stjen
        July 14, 2011, 12:21 pm | #

        Dyslexics of the World: Untie!

      • bmonk
        July 14, 2011, 12:34 pm | #

        Lysdexics are teeple poo!

      • Analyst
        July 14, 2011, 1:42 pm | #

        AHAHAHAHAHAH. THat’s great! I’m totally going to steal that! So Monica might be dyslexic? Now where did that Innuendo jar get to…

      • Eee
        July 14, 2011, 10:30 pm | #

        I am Dyslexia of the Borg! Prepare to have your ASS LAMINATED!!!

  13. NOTDilbert
    July 14, 2011, 1:51 am | # | Reply

    More proof that great minds think alike – check this out:
    http://www.collectedcurios.com/Portfolio_Chara_028.jpg

    and look at his other stuff, too. Caution: some NSFW

  14. Jay-Em
    July 14, 2011, 2:06 am | # | Reply

    Aha. NOW we’re getting somewhere. *puts on shrink glasses* Now, what else do You realize by now? Try -for a change- to be honest towards Yourself. There is no weakness in admitting that you need other people. it’s in our nature….

    I believe that Shelly is only now starting to re-arrange all that’s whizzing and tumbling through her mind after popping back into “the real world”

    I have to admit that I really, REALLY like storylines like this. It makes one care for fictitious characters even more…

  15. Silver C.
    July 14, 2011, 5:09 am | # | Reply

    I pray that police tight buns does not leave Shelly when he finds out the truth, please, please, pretty please!

    Well granted Shelly does talk to him.

  16. Yamara
    July 14, 2011, 5:43 am | # | Reply

    A good relationship is never a sign of weakness, but it remains a social vulnerability– leverage in the hands of a third party. Even if Justin is 110% loyal to Shelly after learning her secrets, it will threaten to compromise his loyalty to his fellow officers.

    This may not occur to Shelly (being a loner for so long, though Creepy Conscience may help) but she “”should”” first make a firm decision to keep or let go of Justin, and then summon a round table of all the Lost Girls (+/- Kevin, Alan & Jin) to discuss the future of their Gentlemen’s Auxiliary.

    In short, her relationships are her decision, but their ramifications have to be discussed by everyone affected.

    • illiad
      July 14, 2011, 4:22 pm | # | Reply

      there is only one problem with that… If he lets slip about shelly, he has a good chance of either being sent to a madhouse or losing all his credibility, depending on how good his relationship with his fellow officers and bosses are…

      • Sheik
        July 14, 2011, 4:44 pm | #

        Naw, the first time he lets it slip they’ll just assume he’s engaging in hyperbole. After all he doesn’t *really* think she’s a sphinx does he?
        After a lot of ribbing OTB will be a lot more cautious.

      • Yamara
        July 14, 2011, 7:15 pm | #

        Oh, I don’t think Paul is going in the direction of having a Riley from BtVS sour the group; Wapsiwould lose its whimsical slice-of-life side if it went all Bourne Identity. (Although the series is evolving–we’ll see.)

        I was only assessing Shelly’s Choice within the dramatic parameters already set: http://wapsisquare.com/comic/plans-in-place/ This is what she is measuring in her 80,000 year old divided mind.

        Paul never ignores the murderous side of the real world in his work: the burning of the Serapeum, the Nazis… and the extension of this kind of violence into the reality of Wapsi world: the gang in Cairo who killed Tepoz’s friend, and Tina’s father, who is presumably still at large. This violence hasn’t been allowed to intrude much on our heroes’ suburban peace and fun. But he has always acknowledged that with one wrong move, it can.

      • SoWhyMe
        July 14, 2011, 9:21 pm | #

        Fortunately he keeps it to a minumun, unlike most comics which feature it on a continual basis.

      • eschmenk
        July 14, 2011, 9:27 pm | #

        The other thing is that they already probably think he’s weird. He said he was a psycho chick magnet, so they will hear anything he says through that filter.

      • illiad
        July 15, 2011, 12:25 pm | #

        hey, good one! 🙂 so if he starts blabbing, they just say “oops, girlfriend… :P”

  17. Yamara
    July 14, 2011, 5:52 am | # | Reply

    Also, nice reference in panel 3 to the old MAD magazine Starchie Standrews slamming his head in prison for having let his high school babe go.

    Jerk. Fool. Idiot.

  18. Eee
    July 14, 2011, 9:59 am | # | Reply

    Holy cow, Shelly is THINKING! And thinking her way out of trouble! Or maybe into it… Either way, good for her!!!

  19. TheDoctor
    July 14, 2011, 10:56 am | # | Reply

    and after that Dramatic “I really missed him”, Shely pulls her nhead back to reveal…. A HUGE CAVITY IN HER WALL!
    To which she looks at it, and thinks “Aw Sh*#!” I love the way this strip switchs from Tragedy to Comedy.

  20. kingklash
    July 14, 2011, 11:26 am | # | Reply

    At least she’s discovered the difference between being by yourself, and being alone.

    • Fairportfan
      July 14, 2011, 12:20 pm | # | Reply

      Yep. Good place to link this, again.

  21. HarukoHoshiko
    July 14, 2011, 3:02 pm | # | Reply

    awww, our little Shelly is growing up, and it only took 80k years. /sniff

    But really, I’m happy for the girl that she seems to be getting her head right finally.

  22. Miamistax
    July 15, 2011, 12:28 am | # | Reply

    Aaaaaand, this is the page that I have to stop at and wait for the next page tomorrow after finding this site, starting at the 2005 beginning and reading one page after another. Wow. What a ride. Deepest. Storyline. Ever.

    • W.
      July 15, 2011, 8:30 pm | # | Reply

      Hitting the end of an archive blitz is always bitter sweet. Glad you’re here.

  23. dakabn
    July 15, 2011, 12:36 pm | # | Reply

    Awww! SEE! YAY!

  24. Centaur71
    July 16, 2011, 12:20 pm | # | Reply

    One never realizes their values until they don’t have them anymore; If you can’t see the forest for the trees, you might see the trees with out the forest. Ergo, sometimes the only way to win an argument…is to lose one

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