He’s clumsy, but sincere and saying good things. I think he’s doing pretty well, actually. And I’m impressed he’s willing to grab Shelly on her bulging biceps – and risk getting a swirly – to get her to stop pleading and listen to what he’s saying.
I AM concerned about why he’s saying it, though. Is he warning her strange girls might be stalking him and she’ll have to deal with a lot of insanity being with him? If so, he’s way ahead of Shelly, who has plenty of insanity in HER life and might be warning him of what he’ll be getting into becoming involved with her. Except he’d probably not believe her until one of the GGG lifted a car abover her head one-handed, or Monica “Poit”ed in front of him…
MUCH better than the more common alternative for this sort of thing.
You know, mostly in TV, wherein any show that focuses on a mainly female cast, what few guys who appear have to be portrayed as neanderthals, bumbling idiots, or just total pig-headed creepazoids.
I much prefer any guy in touch with his brain enough to actually articulate what’s going on in there. It sure as stink makes things easier 😛 Maybe Pablo should start a Wapsi Guys project…
I don’t think he can be attracted to a girl who isn’t at least a little off-kilter, and I’m sure the converse applies, making Shelly his best option, and vice-versa.
Awww. I’m gonna be a romantic here and say he was destined to date those other weird chicks so that they’d pave the way to Shelly! Or something like that.
Well, his approach is a bit klunky, and he could have been a bit more considerate in phrasing. He might be trying to warn her that she might hear a few things once the relationship becomes more public. And to be wary of who tells her these things.
I REALLY like this guy. He may be perfect for her. I love how vulnerable she looks in the last cell. If she can do that without hurting her then he is the one.
She may be about to jump his bones again in a flying tackle move.
From a story telling POV, having him be a cop is an easy way to later eliminate him from the scene should Paul decide Shelly needs a new love interest. No one will be surprised if he dies in the line of duty. Plus there is lots of good plot in Shelly’s devistation and rebuilding. Morbid? Nope, just good story line. I once read a leading writer telling about how he forms his plots. He said to think of the worst that can happen to the main character (short of his/her own death, unless it’s the end), then make it so.
Yes, that is how Bujold plots. She picks a character, asks, “What’s the WORST that can happen?” Then she does it to them, and spends the rest of the novel with said character picking up the pieces.
I’m not sure. The way we were introduced to this pseudo-relationship left a bad taste in my mouth. This is the first male character we’ve seen Shelly show an interest in in a very long time and I’m not sold on him yet (of course if it means comparison to other past characters who might then get to make cameos, I’m all for it). He has good intentions, but speaking from experience, viewing yourself as a “-magnet” is another way of saying that you are an excitement junkie. That’s not a guy mature enough in his self image to settle down with a woman who is actually good for him. My worry alarm is going off.
It depends. It doesn’t seem like he’s WILLINGLY a psycho-chick magnet. A lot of people end up in bad relationship after bad relationship, without having any clue why they always seem to fall for losers. I’m sure these people aren’t all just seeking to be dumped on by losers.
What I see is he recognizes it, and he’s recognized how it can mess his life up. I get the impression he’s been through a lot of crappy relationships and has fought his natural tendencies for a good long while to get to the point where he’s found somebody that he’s both attracted to, AND that doesn’t show signs of being a psycho chick.
I have a challenge for you all. I see that Waspi Square is only #60 on the TopWebComics web comic ranking. For shame. We can do better. I’m betting that with a little effort, maybe a bit of flag waving, we can hit top ten on a regular basis. There’s no prize except that we’ll expose Waspi to people that otherwise may never enjoy such a well rounded, engrossing and creative work by such a super artist.
So Vote Here and don’t forget to bookmark the page and/or put it in your startup folder so you don’t forget!
It’s already on my Favorites Bar (good as a home page). I may consider “cheating” if this can’t pull in fast enough, and I agree it’s better than any comics in the initial list on that page…
Voted. 🙂 Actually I try to remember to vote for Wapsi Square at least once a week. Yeah, I can do more (and will) but I don’t always check my comics every day. :-/
About the comic; Shel’s face in the last panel (excellent art-work as usual, btw) — he’s saying “… you’re a good person …” she’s waiting to hear “… but you’re just not my type” or something like that.
Love Shelly’s expressions !
ditto. she looks so sweet and a bit worried.
I love that expression on her face, too.
Ya know, Officer Buns, you could work on your phrasing there…
He’s clumsy, but sincere and saying good things. I think he’s doing pretty well, actually. And I’m impressed he’s willing to grab Shelly on her bulging biceps – and risk getting a swirly – to get her to stop pleading and listen to what he’s saying.
I AM concerned about why he’s saying it, though. Is he warning her strange girls might be stalking him and she’ll have to deal with a lot of insanity being with him? If so, he’s way ahead of Shelly, who has plenty of insanity in HER life and might be warning him of what he’ll be getting into becoming involved with her. Except he’d probably not believe her until one of the GGG lifted a car abover her head one-handed, or Monica “Poit”ed in front of him…
Uh oh…. what if one of those “strange girls who might be stalking him” is Jin??
He is definitely a keeper. Do no screw this up Shelly, he is the best thing to happen to your life.
d’awwwwwwwww
Ditto!
Double ditto!
Triple ditto!
I’m gonna go with
WHEW!
C-C-C-C-Combo breaker!
Oh.
Snap.
God damn, any guy who comes into this strip is golden standard!
MUCH better than the more common alternative for this sort of thing.
You know, mostly in TV, wherein any show that focuses on a mainly female cast, what few guys who appear have to be portrayed as neanderthals, bumbling idiots, or just total pig-headed creepazoids.
True, I much prefer this version of male casting.
I much prefer any guy in touch with his brain enough to actually articulate what’s going on in there. It sure as stink makes things easier 😛 Maybe Pablo should start a Wapsi Guys project…
“I’ve pinpointed warning flags. You don’t have those. Or at least you didn’t until that last explosion of words”
If honesty (even ill-timed) is your warning flag, I guess psycho chicks are your type.
I’m sorry, but that came off less as honest, and more as neurotic mess.
Different strokes then. [shrug]
Hey, even a neurotic mess can be an HONEST neurotic mess.
I don’t think he can be attracted to a girl who isn’t at least a little off-kilter, and I’m sure the converse applies, making Shelly his best option, and vice-versa.
I think he was going good then stuck at least both feet in his mouth with the ‘it’s all show’ part………
he is perfect for shelly 🙂
they both have a way of saying things that people automatically think the worst of 🙂
Okay, you’ve said the right thing, now STOP TALKING (and kiss her).
No, then this would be an episode of Star Trek.
Oh, yeah. Good point.
I can imagine Shelly bursting into tears after being called “a good person.” She already looks as though she’s about to do just that, in fact.
Oh–OK.
Love the lip-biting. Utterly charming bit of vulnerability for a very powerful woman.
Whoa! Shelley caught herself a good one! Totally love both the arc development and the art, as usual.
LOL! “What we have heah… is a failuah to c’moonicate…”
Awww. I’m gonna be a romantic here and say he was destined to date those other weird chicks so that they’d pave the way to Shelly! Or something like that.
Long time reader, just haven’t posted in a while!
Well, his approach is a bit klunky, and he could have been a bit more considerate in phrasing. He might be trying to warn her that she might hear a few things once the relationship becomes more public. And to be wary of who tells her these things.
I wonder if he has a restraining order , on any of his past girlfriends ?
*sing song voice*
Shelly’s in trouble,
Shelly’s in trouble,
She’s got a keeper
Who isn’t going to let her
Screw this u-up
Yep Shel, you’re stuck with this boy and you’re going to like it *feral grin*
I REALLY like this guy. He may be perfect for her. I love how vulnerable she looks in the last cell. If she can do that without hurting her then he is the one.
She may be about to jump his bones again in a flying tackle move.
From a story telling POV, having him be a cop is an easy way to later eliminate him from the scene should Paul decide Shelly needs a new love interest. No one will be surprised if he dies in the line of duty. Plus there is lots of good plot in Shelly’s devistation and rebuilding. Morbid? Nope, just good story line. I once read a leading writer telling about how he forms his plots. He said to think of the worst that can happen to the main character (short of his/her own death, unless it’s the end), then make it so.
Then either said writer wrote miserable pieces of emo crap, or he had a very weak imagination.
If he was a leading writer, I’m betting on a weak imagination.
Have you SEEN the stuff on the top-ten best-seller list? Just as long as you don’t actually read it.
I think I can write off at least half of each list as the former.
That’s Lois McMaster Bujold. She’s quite adept at it–look at her “Miles Vorkosigan” books.
Yes, that is how Bujold plots. She picks a character, asks, “What’s the WORST that can happen?” Then she does it to them, and spends the rest of the novel with said character picking up the pieces.
She is an EXCELLENT writer.
Hmm, yet another capable, handsome, understanding guy. I need to get my ass up to Minneapolis!
Um officer… this is when you walk up and hug her while you finish explaining what it is that makes you like her so much 🙂
Whoa, dude, you hit the nail on the head with this message.
I’m not sure. The way we were introduced to this pseudo-relationship left a bad taste in my mouth. This is the first male character we’ve seen Shelly show an interest in in a very long time and I’m not sold on him yet (of course if it means comparison to other past characters who might then get to make cameos, I’m all for it). He has good intentions, but speaking from experience, viewing yourself as a “-magnet” is another way of saying that you are an excitement junkie. That’s not a guy mature enough in his self image to settle down with a woman who is actually good for him. My worry alarm is going off.
It depends. It doesn’t seem like he’s WILLINGLY a psycho-chick magnet. A lot of people end up in bad relationship after bad relationship, without having any clue why they always seem to fall for losers. I’m sure these people aren’t all just seeking to be dumped on by losers.
What I see is he recognizes it, and he’s recognized how it can mess his life up. I get the impression he’s been through a lot of crappy relationships and has fought his natural tendencies for a good long while to get to the point where he’s found somebody that he’s both attracted to, AND that doesn’t show signs of being a psycho chick.
or he uses psycho as an alt for magical since the mystic often seems wierd or crazy to normal people
Romance aside, it’s good to know that Shelly still keeps her bass around…
I have a challenge for you all. I see that Waspi Square is only #60 on the TopWebComics web comic ranking. For shame. We can do better. I’m betting that with a little effort, maybe a bit of flag waving, we can hit top ten on a regular basis. There’s no prize except that we’ll expose Waspi to people that otherwise may never enjoy such a well rounded, engrossing and creative work by such a super artist.
So Vote Here and don’t forget to bookmark the page and/or put it in your startup folder so you don’t forget!
It’s already on my Favorites Bar (good as a home page). I may consider “cheating” if this can’t pull in fast enough, and I agree it’s better than any comics in the initial list on that page…
Voted. 🙂 Actually I try to remember to vote for Wapsi Square at least once a week. Yeah, I can do more (and will) but I don’t always check my comics every day. :-/
About the comic; Shel’s face in the last panel (excellent art-work as usual, btw) — he’s saying “… you’re a good person …” she’s waiting to hear “… but you’re just not my type” or something like that.
Personally, I’d call a chick you just met spouting off at you about not wanting to be ‘abandoned again’ a psycho-chick warning flag.
That last panel had me tearing up…
He’s certainly salvaging the sitch…
That’s three! Kevin, Alan, and now this chap.