August 11th, 2009
Page 298
Comics for August 11, 2009 - Page 298
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August 11th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Awesome page this one! I can feel Mentl’s anger all the way over here
Nice how he bitchslaps Pontagar, about time he stood up for himself!
I do like the glow in his eyes, but Tula will spoil his action i believe :p
Love the work still J.
August 11th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Ingredients: One small man whom has always, ALWAYS had the short end of the stick through life, and now has awesome powers; One large man that has seldom ever been told “no”, and is used to being feared and respected above and beyond all others. Instructions: Mix inside a complex multicultured setting where neither party will understand the other. Congradulations! You just made a magik enhanced testosterone powered mess! Serve over as many comics as possible, and enjoy.
August 11th, 2009 at 2:30 am
BTW, congrads on four awesome years, JD!
May the ones ahead always be bright!
August 11th, 2009 at 2:31 am
My only complaint with today’s comic is, my eyesight isn’t good enoguh to make out the expression of the twin in the background in the last panel.
Mentl looks SCARY in that last panel - and Zona’s got a look on her face that would make any man feel like he’d just gone to heaven.
Nice storytelling through facial expressions here ^_^
Loranna
August 11th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Awww Tula no! let him, he’s just going to calm the brute down until they part ways!!
August 11th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Nickelback- Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9DJ5ilPzi0
Good Choice. I can hardly wait for the next page.
August 11th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Mentl…don’t abuse your powers!
August 11th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Oo, looks like Tula is going to tell Mentl, he can´t use his magic in this.
But I think Mentls reaction is instinctive, it’s a situation he’s already seen and done. And his new found magic is to new to be part of his instincts.
I think he has one or two tricks up his sleeves to deal with Ponti without magic and I’m eager to see them ;D
August 11th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Oh and the look of admiration on Zonas face would be pure bliss for every man.
Very nice storytelling on this scene, full of emotion, conflict and charackter. Love it ^^
August 11th, 2009 at 3:36 am
I love, love, love the fourth panel, and Zona’s expression in the last panel is pretty awesome as well. Woot!
August 11th, 2009 at 3:53 am
Y’know, if Mentl beats him into a bloody pulp, magically or otherwise, I think Zona will be incredibly proud. However, it does make more work for Tula, so I can imagine she’d be a tad against that.
August 11th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Switchblade and a motorbike might be a tad overboard tho.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Oh I wanna see what happens next!
August 11th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Just two words, regarding that last panel…
Zona’s SMILE.
<3
August 11th, 2009 at 4:18 am
“You SLAPPED me!”
“You were being a bitch.”
“But you SLAPPED me!”
“I see we’re going to have to work on this…”
August 11th, 2009 at 4:44 am
IS there a rule that you can’t use magic in Erogenian cha-balancing? Sorry if this was answered before, or if it’s about to be revealed in the storyline.
I’m a bit confused.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Awesome page! Oh, Sentientcheese, Seeing how Mentl is singing “Saturday night’s all right for fighting”, I don’t think calming down is on the agenda. A right royal stomping maybe, but not calm.
Well over 100 posts on the last page, song after song suggested, yet we all missed this one. Kudos JED, one step ahead as usual
August 11th, 2009 at 5:00 am
I think saturday night’s all right for fighting has been suggested earlier… Could be wrong.
Okay, Pontagar… When the other guys eyes starts to have light around them and his hands starts to glow… that would be a good time to just back down gracefully.
And Zona is looking so lovingly at Mentl. ‘Aw, you are standing up for yourself and us.’
August 11th, 2009 at 6:14 am
Well let’s just hope Sir Elton John can help him BRING IT!
August 11th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Wow, Mentl’s look in this panel is damn scary!
Gremalkin agrees with Jean: Zona’s says it all !
Have to disagree with you Peregrin and say:
Mentl…DO abuse your powers, especialy against this jackass!
August 11th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I am not sure that Magick cannot be used in this situation per Erogenian standards, it is just that Tula has seen Mentl throughly control masses of women impulses with a song, as well as going ‘all-earth-scorched’ on the reptiles and then shotgun on their pets. It is reasonable that she would fear what kind of mess Mentl is capable of turn our red-headed friend into. It is wishful thinking probably, but I would like to see Tula failing to intervene in time just to have Mentl be able to deliver just enough punch without severe or permanent damage to the prince.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:28 am
I believe this is defined as an “Oh no you didn’t!” moment ^_^
Poor Ponty, again his mouth is writing a check I doubt he can pay. Let’s see if Mentl makes that check bounce
August 11th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Hmmm - I think Mentl is going to hand Pontagar his rear end, with or without magic.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:36 am
bounce? by the looks of things and the song chosen, I think he’s sending that check and it’s writer into orbit XP
August 11th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I thought Mentl had a bit more going on pec-wise due to his pin-up (which I must confess to be rather fond of).
Regardless, I can’t think of a reason he wouldn’t be allowed to use magick; that’s his strength while Pontagar’s is his size, and you can bet he’ll be using that. There are probably some rules to using it in a non-lethal scenario, which is hopefully the only reason Tula is butting in.
“No removing limbs, and no fireballs to the face or groin. Now you two have fun…”
August 11th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Cool beans! Mentl is going the self-enhancement route. Whack, crack, POUNDPOUNDPOUND!
Glowing eyes are never a good sign in a conflict.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:05 am
hmmm Looks like Mentl is going to use the song to give himself some fighting prowress (is that spelled right?). Can’t wait to see how the song will affect him either speedwise or strengthwise or both! Or am I Soooo of tetter on where this is going… we will see…
August 11th, 2009 at 8:10 am
This is gonna be good
August 11th, 2009 at 8:33 am
As others have said, I love Zona’s expression in the last panel. Both admiration and a hint of surprise, “Look at my man standing up for himself.”
I bet if we can see a bit of a glow in Mentl’s eyes and hands, Tula, with her mystical senses, can see small suns of magic building inside of Mentl. The lyrics of this song don’t seem very focused to me, so it really is all about Mentl’s intent this time. Looking forward to seeing what he does with it.
Great page JED!
August 11th, 2009 at 8:35 am
It is also interesting to note that according to the lyrics that I looked up, Mentl started this song halfway into it. That is very good for flexibility purposes.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Been away for a bit, but glad to catch-up with the story…Saw the build up to this and LMAO…I agree that Tula is more afraid that Mentl might go too far…Am a big fan of Sir Elton…awesome song choice in that it is subtle but appropriate…I think Nickleback covered it as well a few years ago…Over the last few pages I am also wondering if Tula is not wanting Mentl to show too many people his powers…lest he become a targeted commodity among the tribes…Pontagar is an arrogant elitist (traits of the fire tribe) but I am sure that even he could see the value of some one like Mentl (e.g. “great balls of fire”) to have in their camp. Just a thought…
August 11th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Good assessment, Soul. A guy with the raw magickal power of Mentl would definitley be a hot commodity around the Erogenian tribes, and with the sheer number of gorgeous women in each tribe, Zona might start to get a bit nervous about taking him back.
Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how a wild card like Mentl stacks in the Erogenian political deck.
August 11th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Nickleback? *GAG*
Here´s the proper version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YUresXICxE
Awesome song choice! Like the glowing eyes and fists very much. Zona´s dreamy “he sad MY GIRL” expression is so cute!
Will be interesting to see, if Tula manages to explain the ins and outs of Erogenian discourse in time.
My bet is “Somebody is gona get hurt real hard”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lQFee3A4Zw&hd=1
August 11th, 2009 at 9:06 am
“My Generation” by the Doors, I believe. Good choice, but has the potential to end badly. And they are right, Zona’s face looks proud and loving, but it also looks like she’s going to let her man make his own mistakes.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Do it, Mentl!!
August 11th, 2009 at 10:02 am
LOL! I have no idea how this will play out, but it may conclude with Tula saying, “Here, let me take care of that for you.”
August 11th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Even if it’s not allowed to use magic by Erogenian rules, Mentl is not bound by them. Erogenians do not seem to force their customs on anyone else. Mentl has only been following them for Zona’s approval.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Ok, I was wrong. I like being wrong because that usually means JED blew us away yet again. And he did! Two ways this can go, Tula gets a barrier between them just in time or Mentl hits Pontigar so hard he doesn’t land for several pages. (I’m thinking of the time Garfield kicked Odie into next week.)
It’ll be interesting to see what Mentl’s intent is. As others have said, the song is nice and vague so it’s up to what Mentl puts in to it.
Awesome as always JED.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Hmm, I’m wondering what the effects of this will be. So far magic in this universe seems to consist of manipulation, whether of energy of of emotions. Haven’t seen any transformation or summoming magic (’course only JE knows the rules cause he Da Boss). I’m guessing Mentl’s going to be doing some stat boosting. But I’ll confess, I would truly *love* to see him suddenly dressed in a leather jacket and biker boots. Bet Zona would too.
As for the twin as far as I can tell he’s once again showing that he and his brother are masters of the blank expression.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Actually the song was originally from Elton John back in 1973, so it’s well within Mentl’s exspressed date range on songs.
Love the facial expressions, especially Zona’a. She looks very happy with Mentl there in panel 5.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Ami: You left out ” - and any eyes gouged out have to be handed back when it’s over.”
August 11th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I suspect the results of this song are that Tula won’t interrupt… Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting? That sounds like “Don’t stop this fight!” to me. He is not actually buffing up, or throwing energy at his opponent, yet, he is just making sure no one gets in their way. Should be fun to watch the second play…
Mind you everyone else here seems to think I am wrong…
August 11th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I vote with Trick on this one. Mentl appearing on a motorbike in full leather with a switchblade could be pretty damn intimidating.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Dang, JED you done it again:) It’s good to see Mentl showing some confidence in himself and his newfound powers. I also find it interesting that Pontagar is not quite the shallow character that most of us assumed. He’s showing remarkable restraint having been bitch slapped and sassed back without unloading. Is this because he sees Mentl as an unworthy opponent or do Erogenian mores prevent the physical abuse of smaller and obviously mismatched person? A bit of both? Tula’s concern is obvious and the role reversal here had me grinning.
As to the music, I believe JED’s said (heh I like that “JED Said”as in So Mote It Be) the song is a mechanism for Mentl’s will and focus. How the power minifests itsself in a matter of his intent. I think. May be a bit hard to sing and fight though.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Ga’Tor, I think you’re overestimating Pontagar. I think it’s a combination of shock that Mentl would actually strike him and still being in the chest beating phase of things.
This is one of the few songs that I think would fit right into a fighting rhythm although it would be tough to maintain if he actually gets hit.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:43 am
“He’s showing remarkable restraint having been bitch slapped and sassed back without unloading.”
Zona introduced him as her lover. Unloading would be uber-unhealthy, because Zona would “balance” it if he seriously hurt the little guy. It wouldn’t just be a normal pounding, and he knows it. Laughing is just enough on the edge that he might escape a beating from Zona, while continuing his bullying. To his surprise, no such luck with Mentl….
August 11th, 2009 at 11:48 am
LOL I just got a ‘mental’ flash of Tula the Arbiter stopping the fight and suggesting another way to settle the dispute. She has both of them stand side by side and drop trou’. Then the girls can do a comparative analysis as to who is actually the ‘bigger man’ with the twin as impartial witnesses. Wanna bet that Pontagar has a ‘dinky winkie’?
ROFLMAO - sorry ppl but I just couldn’t help myself. Seriously JED, you really ought to consider this a concept for your “Hot Stuff” gallery.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I thought at first that Tula was going to stop Mentl because magic isn’t allowed in these contests, but then again, Jorge made the excellent point that she may be concerned about Mentl possibly killing ol’ Ponty, which would be a major mess in more ways than the obvious.
Mentl using his power to boost his own “stats” however, like strength, speed, endurance, etc., would be an excellent way to put himself on a level playing field with Pontagar, without skewing things too far in his favor. Friday’s page will be interesting, can’t wait for it.
And like others, I agree that Zona’s surprised and adoring expression in the last panel is definitely For The Win. It’s the kind of expression that makes men move mountains, conquer empires and pull the moon down from the sky itself.
August 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Well so far, Mentyl’s “combat magic” has been pretty deadly, so Tula may indeed be worried about over-doing the smackdown. But so far Mentyl seems like the type who can keep a cool head when it’s called for and not, say, Tear the guys head off.
I liked my “Hound dog” idea…but he seems to be going with Nickelback’s “Saturday Night”
August 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Ga’Tor may I have some of whatever you’re smoking and/or drinking?
From Tula’s perspective the problem is that Mentl’s magic is of a variety she’s not familiar with and the songs he uses as spells even less so. What she does know is that he’s relatively new to this and has lost control a couple of times before so a spell meant to just knock Pontagar for a loop could literally rip his head off. This could happen with this spell too, in fact. Something that boosts his physical attributes would probably do so through a sustained hyper adrenaline rush. Although the cases are very rare and extreme, relatively puny people have been known to rip doors off their hinges and overturn cars.
August 11th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I think nickleback’s song is a cover of another song, for some reason. not sure. Or maybe Elton John was doing the cover *shrug*
August 11th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
*Ga’Tor sents some spiritual smoke wafting through the ether towards Trickerson.*
Yah I quite agree. Mentl has the ‘will and focus’ part pretty well down likewise with intent (maybe). But control is another matter and when the old testosterone gets flowing, selfcontrol often goes out the window. Any good martial artist will tell you that that anger can lose a fight as well as any other factor.
A humans response to an andrenaline rush can vary wildly depending on if it’s caused by anger or fear. It’s in the fear state that time seems to slow down and one’s actions and thoughts become extremely focused. Events and surroundings take on an almost surreal aspect. As a retired Army vet I’ve been there done that more times than I find comfortable to remember. I’d say that was the state Mentl was in during the ‘Shotgun’ battle. The adrenaline state driven by anger on the other hand can be a major handicap resulting in bad decisions/actions and time can seem to speed up leaving one with sense of spining out of control, unable to keep up with events.
August 11th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
@ Adamzero - Sir Elton did the original of Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting. It’s been covered a few times (great songs get that) by various bands. My fav version is Flotsam and Jetsam metalling it up, but Nickelback do all right as well
Fantastic comic, story, and comments section - keep it up, y’all!
August 11th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Well the Chi is off balance as it is so it will be interesting as to what happens next…..
Very nicely done JED
August 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Oh jed, you killing me. waiting till friday (Gasp) oh, the pain (pant). Bravo on another wonderful page. Someday I hope you can figure out a way to put this all together in a few volume graphic novel. I really want to add this one to my Library. This will be great when my grandkids can read it, 15 or 20 years from now. Oh Zona look what your man is doing for you. WOW!! hehehe
August 11th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
No, the ELton John version is the original. it’s been covered by a number of people, not just Nickelback but also Roger Daltrey (I think it was a solo effort, not sure) and Queen.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Yeah I think Sir Elton did “Saturday Night” first and there have been several bands who covered it…JED gives Mentl a lot of options (including one to settle it peacefully) by using it…as opposed to something that would probably end up in JED’s “Bloody Stuff” Archive.
Sleepinin: Thank-you..I try… =) It is hard to make good points here as JED’s fan base is growing (and the ones who have been here since the beginning have always been pretty savvy). I still think that Tula is very concerned about the potential of Mentl’s magic…It is also clear that he is not unknown to the big baddie Shauch (sp) who referred to him as “the enchanter”…Your point is well taken in how Mentl could effect the political scene in addition to the “magical” one.
Tricksterson: “Ga’Tor may I have some of whatever you’re smoking and/or drinking?” Man do I second that! Also, you make an excellent point about Tula and her issues regarding Mentl’s control of his magic. He had come an extraordinarily long way from the scene in the campsite (where he showed them the magical tome) and promptly freaked out when he was informed about being a magic user…to his current level of confidence in a relatively short time…She has some reason to be worried…for both him and Pontagar…
Ga’Tor: I freakin’ cried I laughed so hard…”a dinky winky”….LMAO…Great commentary dude…
JED your sense of dramatic timing is as sharp as ever…great, great job…
August 11th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Heh, notice how the good author is keeping silent on our comments thus far. A wise decision; it will be difficult for him to say anything without giving away the next couple of pages.
August 11th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Maybe he’ll switch over to “Kung Fu Fighting” halfway through the fight, and show “Grasshopper” a thing or two…
August 11th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Somethings been eating at me since this morning, what if Mentl looses. I started wondering if Mentl might just be about to underestimate Mr. Jackass , Pontagar is an Erogenian champion after all. I think I started wondering about this because I’m still expecting some sort of problem that would keep our hero wondering about his new abilities or his place in this world.
Don’t get me wrong though. What I really want to see happen is Mentl turn to Tula and say something like, ” Don’t worry, I’ll leave enough for you to put him back together again “. That and I really want to see a parting shot of the twins trying to keep their laughter to a minimum while Pontagar limps off into the sunset.
I just can’t shake this feeling that Mentl is due for a setback…… Who’s working on that damn time machine again ?
August 11th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Yes, the twin looks like he’s got the good blank face on. He still seems out of place without some popcorn and a nice soda though.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Oh, forgot to say, Awesome work JED ! It’s been said before but I must yet again, not only are you a top notch storyteller, but an amazing artist as well. It’s the faces. When I saw the expression on Zona’s face in the last panel It made me start thinking of all the stupid things I had ever done just to see that look on my girls face (turns out that is a very long list, but worth every stitch when it worked, which was rarely). Thank you for the great story.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
What bothered me all week end is the quote:
“If you kill ‘im, he won’t LEARN nothin.” - Jim Cary (Riddler)
I’m enjoying the series immensely. I am shocked at my advanced age, (again) as I had no idea who Nickleback was, but knew that Elton John did the original in the ’70s.
It also occurs to me that Mentl has only shown us enchanting and energy projection. Id expect transformation in this case with a side order of conjuration. And yes, forty years of FRP is bad for your reality…
August 11th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
anyone notice that it isnt just his eyey glowing, his fists seem to be glowing a bit as well. I sense a smackdown coming
August 11th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I have to admit to wondering how this (Mentl+Zona) is news. Didn’t they sleep together last night? Not as in have sex, but share blankets, which I have always done when camping with my girlfriends/wife even when camping with others. Also, is Ponty so dense as to not notice the copper chains? I guess he must be…..
And Ben, you must not be reading other people’s comments. Several (including me) mentioned the glowing fists.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Glowy fists of DOOM!
August 11th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
@Hugh: either Ponty really is that dense that he hasn’t noticed the signs that Zona and Mentl are a couple, OR the couple has been hiding their couplehood status…maybe Zona wanted to put off the inevitable express of contempt that Ponty has expressed on this very page.
More likely though, that Ponty is just a cementhead-among his other flaws. Too bad he’s the only other high-level Erogenian Mentl’s met besides the princesses. After this lousy experience, Mentl may have trepidations about meeting the rest of the tribes. I know I would in his place.
August 11th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Once I saw what the song was, I checked the lyrics online. I’d like to differ with a number of you. I don’t think Mentl’s doing the stat-buffing thing with the song, since it really doesn’t talk about the singers abilities. However, he may intend to put himself into a good fighting mindset, no doubt having heard or been told that aggression and attitude can be a smaller man’s allies in a fight.
Also, I like how the song’s actually a bit identifying of Mentl, given the last two lines of the second verse. “I’m a juvenile product of the working class / Whose best friend floats in the bottom of a glass.”
I see the song as about ATTITUDE, not strength or speed.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Attitude alone won’t help him if Pontagar starts swinging. And Ponty’s not the type to be easily intimidated-if Zona herself couldn’t get him to back down before blows were struck, Mentl certainly isn’t going to be able to do it.
@JoeKisonhew; I’ve been thinking about Mentl losing, and I’m wondering if it may not be better for him if he did. Mentl has been having a pretty much unbroken string of clean victories since back in the cave with the Evil Critters, and while its good for building his confidence in his abilities, he may risk becoming arrogant and thinking he’s invulnerable if he beats Pontagar. And that line of thinking could get him, or someone he cares about (Zona) seriously injured or killed down the line. Especially considering that he’s STILL a rank amateur in terms of his magickal powers.
Perhaps, for the sake of keeping Mentl humble, he should lose this one. Zona won’t think any less of him for losing, he’s already gained MAJOR points with her just for standing up to Ponty over their relationship, the look on her face last panel shows that. Even if Ponty smashes him into the dirt, he’ll then gain sympathy points with Zona; “Aww poor baby. You were so BRAVE! Doesn’t matter that you lost.” Bet that’ll take a lot of sting out of any defeat.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
To continue my prior comment, since I realized I cut myself off early.
While his INTENTION may just to put himself into the mindset of a bar-room brawler, the EFFECT of the song may be some degree of direct magical physical empowerment.
I have no doubt that Pontogar’s highly accomplished with weapons and quite probably a formalized fighting style or two, such as wrestling, or perhaps boxing, but Mentl’s setting himself up to have the brawler’s mindset of fighting dirty and being willing to take some hits, so long as he can say at the end of the fight, “If you think I look bad, you should see the other guy!”
If this isn’t defused by Tula quick, Mentl’s likely to be very up close and fighting nasty, including foot-stomping, shin-raking (ever slam your shin against something? It’s surprisingly painful), and a number of other brawling techniques.
If he gets Pontagar down on the ground, Mentl MIGHT wind up stomping on his hand to break some bones, so that if Pontagar hits him with that hand after the stomp, he’s definitely going to feel it, and perhaps not use that hand again. I’m not sure that ANYONE would keep using a hand that feels like the bones have been converted into Maraca filling.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Zona does not strike me as the type to hide her relationship with someone she loves. I’m going with cementhead on that issue.
I agree that attitude means dick against 100 pounds of muscle PLUS years of fighting experience. Mentl is a lover, not a fighter.
I also think that this is not a buff song. I think JE is going in a different direction, but we will see.
I could see Mentl losing as being an okay result, but I am still rooting for him to kick Ponty’s ass.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
I am reminded of when I was a kid. My little brother was the shrimp of the family. I remember I saw him in a similar situation with someone twice his size and that much taller. This guy picked a fight with my brother and the next thing you know my brother literally climbs this guy to the top of his shoulders and then proceeds to pound this guys head like he is pounding a rock chisel until he goes down in a heap. I believe we are about to see a repeat of the error of judging a book by its cover. This is going to be gooD! More posts. More posts! MORE POSTS!
……whimper…Please sir? May I have some more?
Doc
August 11th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Wow - At this point there’s very little for me to add to what y’all have been saying. Naturally, some of the speculation is closer to the mark than the other, but only time - or a quick peek at the script - will tell what it will actually bring. One thing I can tell you is that Pontagar really is surprised at the unconventional pairing of Mentl and Zona for a couple of reasons. One, he went to bed first and got up last, so didn’t see them share their bedroll. Bear Tribe mead will do that for ya. Second, people of anything less than a Sherlock Holmes mindset are pretty much primed to ignore what doesn’t fit the normal pattern of their expectations. If, for instance, a person whom you know well in one environment shows up in another - especially if they’re dressed differently than you are used to seeing them - then it is very likely that you will look right at them and not recognize them, and vice versa. The reverse is true, as well. If you see someone whose appearance and dress matches that of someone you know, you may look at them three times before you acknowledge that they’re not the one you’re expecting. Pontagar expects Zona to be with her usual type - a tall, clean-limbed, lantern-jawed monster-killer. He literally made no connection between Zona wearing a copper chain and Mentl also wearing a copper chain because though he was looking right at them, he didn’t observe them.
And yes, this is a freaking record for posts. You folks have created a regular tribe, and it’s fun and outstanding. One thing I would encourage you to do, however, is if you want to have slightly off-topic discussions there is a thread on the Zona Forum precisely for that:
http://barbarianprincess.freeforums.org/off-topic-topics-f2.html?sid=71dc9fc62085e13bfd002ceb724724db
Please use it, because I want to make sure I get my money’s worth from the thing.
August 12th, 2009 at 12:32 am
My opinion is that Mentl knows exactly what he’s going to do. He knows that he can control emotions (i.e.love songs in the court and controlling the will of his captor before he killed her). He observed that Zona pounded Ponty only enough to set him straight and everything settled down after that and he decided he kind of liked that in a society. He also observed off the bat that he could sense that Ponty was bad news when they first met and he didn’t exhibit any fear about it. I also noted that when Mentl was saddling the horses and Ponty ordered him about, it seemed to me that Mentl was expecting something like this, expressed no shock, and had a response planned. Note that for a person with no fighting skills coming up against a person who could tear him apart just by looking at him, Mentl seems to show no emotional fear. My guess is that Mentl knows exactly what he’s going to do, and it will be in line with whatever social tradition he senses the Erogenians follow. I vote for Mentl using his abilities to control others’ emotions to bring Ponty emotionally to his knees without a single fist being thrown. Then after he’s been totally subdued, Mentl will proceed to lecture him on his attitude then help him up and carry on like nothing happened. An alternate scene I would like to see is for Mentl to completely subdue the guy, force him to ask Mentl politely to get his equipment, then have Mentl release him and say “That’s all I ever wanted you to do, to treat others with respect” and proceed to get Ponty’s stuff and secure it on his horse.
August 12th, 2009 at 1:16 am
I’ve been following this for a while after stumbling on the site from antoher. The story and artwork are awesome and I wait breathlessly for each new installment.
AS for the debate about the choice of song, I’m actually thinking that it’s a combination of things that Mntl is doing. The first would be definitely a mindset, the second, perhaps a little crowd control (it’s alright, saturday nights are alright for fighting!) but the buff portion will come from the second verse after the refrain he starts with …
Packed pretty tight in here tonight
I’m looking for a woman to see me right
I could use a little muscle to get what I need
I’ll drink a fifth of jack and scream out “She’s with me!”
This verse speaks directly to situation at hand, and his need to stand up for himself, impress his lady and back the arse hole Ponty off.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:35 am
I think that Tula is indeed NOT going to stop Mentl from using magic. If that was considered cheating I doubt that we’d see Zona smile at it like that…
August 12th, 2009 at 2:41 am
I don’t think Tula wants to stop him, but he is untrained and hugely talented making him very very dangerous. Just cause the magic is based of intent doesn’t mean in a rage he won’t kill this dude and thats a little extreme over a bed roll.
Also the songs lyrics go, ‘I use a little muscle to get what i need’ so I’m thinking along the lines of buff magic.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Um, guys. What about the Who? Wasn’t that the original? I mean, I’m not sure, I don’t know much about Sir Elton, but I suspect it may even predate him. *shrug*
August 12th, 2009 at 5:56 am
Seems like being around Zona does Mentl a world of good
he’s been making mucho progress in the manly department nowdays! Hehe.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Kaila, the Who covered this song in 1991. Elton John co-wrote it and did the original version in 1973.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:45 am
So Mentl is finally going MENTAL! Haha! Love it!
August 12th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Ooh, thought in head (I do have those from time to time).
How the hell is Pontagar’s father going to take a) Zona beating his son down for the umpteenth time, or b) this scrawny little magician handing Ponty his royal arse?
He’s lord of the Fire Tribe, this could end badly…
August 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I noticed a few people have mentioned balance, how Zona might step in to re-establish some cha balance. As I see it balance is a very personal thing, not something someone else can do for you but something you must do for yoursself. If Zona sees Mentl doing something that she considers has unvalanced his cha I belive she would mention it to him and hope/expect him to fix/balance it. If someone else like Ponty does something to Mentl I think she would expect Mentl to try to balance it himself, not try to impose balance herself.
Well, that’s how it’s come across to me anyway.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Hahaha, good choice and nice buildup. Too bad for Tula, it is too late for anything more than “Don’t kill him Mentl!”. The song is one of many, many good choices in this kind of magic system. It also confirms that Mentl has been thinking about his first two “sloppy” intentional uses of magic and that “Shotgun” was no fluke. After all, he has gotten some basic advice from Tula and Vito, plus he probably has done some gaming, especially the paper and pencil kind from his age.
Reading the comments, I looked up Nickleback and I agree, that is a better version than Elton’s original one, although I did start a number of Saturday nights a few decades ago with that song playing….
Ga’Tor : Brother, I know what you mean, but training and experience can focus it in the correct manner, riding the emotions and not letting them drive you, I think Mentl has got that. Mentl has always seemed collected, sometimes too collected.
Oh, parlor psych eval, that was probably a big problem of Mentl’s back in the World, he was too collected and calm. Not that he hasn’t been shocked or frozen here, but the stress level has been high and he does appear to be growing in a more mature manner.
The MacNut: Attitude is more than half the battle.
Always remember this picture. I think JED was projecting, even if unconsciously.
http://www.soulgeek.com/comics/zona/HTMLpages/LegGrabber.html
August 12th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I might be wide of the mark here – but I am beginning to suspect that Mentl embodies an entirely new school of wizardry.
I’ve sorta got the idea in my head that the songs are just tools. You can use a tool for any number of things, including some uses that aren’t really appropriate - ever use a screwdriver as a pry bar?
In most traditional sword and sorcery tales, the spell is a fairly precise recipe for the effects the caster wants – and a tiny mistake can have horrible results, at odds with the intent of the caster.
But in this tale, the songs appear to act as a focus for Mentl’s talent - not as a spell describing with precision - and limiting - the effects Mentl wants to use. The songs merely indicate a direction for the power unleashed.
For instance, Shotgun had gunfire coming out of his hands, not conjuring a shotgun for him to use.
He has also demonstrated that he doesn’t need the whole song to get results. So when Mentl starts a focus/song/spell, what’s important is his intent … and the associations the song triggers in his mind.
As a consequence, the results may not be anything that the lyrics seem to suggest.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Tricksterson, Kaila, the Who (not just Roger) covered Saturday Night on their “Thirty Years of Maximum R&B” collection. Not sure if the track shows up anywhere else except the documentary done on them in the eighties.
And I think you’ve a point, Fatuncle. The songs seem to help Mentl focus his intent, which then channels his power. His intent, not that of the music. After all, I’m pretty sure Jerry Lee only meant Great Balls of Fire as a metaphor.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I like your analysis, Fatuncle. I do agree that Mentl represents a different kind of magic in this world. Despite the focus and intent, which can help him to get the same results as another mage, the style of magic that comes out is very different from anything any other mage has done.
For example, Mentl does shotgun blasts instead of fire beams for, which function quite differently in combat–the projectile moves faster, but Mentl seems to have to fight in time with a song beat.
Furthermore, other than the shotgun thing, Mentl’s effects have taken longer to set up (he has to get the beat and themes of the song going!) but have in general been much more powerful and massive effects than other mages produce.
Of course, these unique qualities are getting him unwanted attention from a certain evil god…
August 12th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Moox; Raoul:
Actually, as it turns out, this is pretty well covered in the page JED posted on November 27, 2007: the conversation Mentl had with Vito. I should have gone back through the archives before I started typing!
But I did not understand, at the time, just how loosely the song and the result may be coupled. Needed the story between then and now to see that.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Test
Test
Test
Test
August 12th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Yes, for example, if he did “Kung Fu Fighting”, it wouldn’t necessarily affect everyone as the lyric suggests, but probably only him, since he’s the only one in this world who even knows what “Kung Fu” is
August 12th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Lictre: A good thought and you might even be right about his intent however the fact that his fist is glowing as well as his eyes indicate that it’s going to affect more than just his attitude, whether he wants it or not.
Let’s not forget that Tula is an accomplished spellchucker as well. I’m somewhat expecting one of her force fields of hers to pop up between them so she can explain to Ponty what Mentl is and to Mentl how that affects any fight between him and Pontagar. If this happens I expect that either duels between magicals and mundanes is forbidden or she will explain to Mentl whatever rules do cover it. Remember his using magic could be construed as the equivalent of bringing a sword to a fistfight.
August 12th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Tricksterson: …And Ponty’s fists aren’t the meaty equivalent of war hammers? *snerk*
August 12th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I’ve reread the comments, and I think most everyone’s off the mark. Mentl will son be as tall as Ponty due to the 2 foot tall platform boots that will materialize. The sun shining off Mentl’s long white sequined cape will blind him, and Mentl will now have super-frying vision due to the giant rhinestone glasses he’ll be sporting. THEN a candy-cane striped piano will drop from the sky, flattening Ponty while Mentl plays the rest of the song.
Or maybe not.
Re-reading the lyrics, the character is as big a blowhard as Ponty, who’s looking to get drunk before he fights. Ment’ls already acting swaggery. He could as easily have just said “Pffah” to Ponty and kept on moving. If Ponty attacked him, he could have done a few bars of Sounds of silence & rendered Ponty mute. Instead he’s showing his balls off too. Mentl’s looking for a fight, like the yahoo in the song. I kinda think they’re both in for a fall
August 12th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Hmmm, Captain Marsupial, you’ve got me thinking. What if the lyrics aren’t aimed at boosting himself but doing something to Pontagar? Not sure what, just throwing the idea out there for speculations sake.
August 12th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Clearly little sister has something to say but what? She is intent on stopping Mentl before he is clearly informed of what the options and consequences of this are. I remain spellbound (heh heh) to see what happens next, excellent writing.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Hmm….I’m betting Ponty’s ego’s not going to be in any good shape after this, having his ass whipped by Zona, followed by a second occurrence of the boot-to-rear ration supplied by Mentl.
August 13th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Professor 61771 ,
I think Tula’s reaction to Mentl’s spellcasting is mostly due to the fact that she knows him to be very powerful, but untrained. His magic does not only respond to his intent, but also his emotions, which could affect the result in unexpected ways. He might intend to simply put Ponty in his place, but with the frustration and anger in the mix he could end up vaporizing him instead.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:18 am
Excuse me, couldn’t Tula just be running over because she’s worried Mentl will be beaten to a bloody pulp?
August 13th, 2009 at 4:23 am
(on one more note: yes, her brain would KNOW that Mentl is capable of handling himself, but the reflex reaction of protecting a scrawny friend getting into a fight with a bruiser often overpowers the brain-knowledge, don’t you think?)
August 13th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Verdi, I’m with you on Tula’s intentions, but she’s going to have to be very diplomatic about it. If Pontagar gets the slightest hint that she thinks Mentl’s too powerful to face him he is going to feel really insulted. ‘The champion of the Fire Tribe does not need the protection of the MoonTribes little Priestess’ kind of thing.
On a not totally unrelated note, once Pontagar figures out that Mentyl is a high powered enchanter I’m guessing he’ll make some off the cuff a**hole comment implying that the only reason Zona gives Mentl the time of day is because he cast a spell on her. And that doubt is going to gnaw at Mentl big time.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:55 am
@demas”….once Pontagar figures out that Mentyl is a high powered enchanter I’m guessing he’ll make some off the cuff a**hole comment implying that the only reason Zona gives Mentl the time of day is because he cast a spell on her. And that doubt is going to gnaw at Mentl big time.”
Oh yes, I can definitely see this coming as well, particularly considering his earlier comments about Zona’s mother being under a spell. Those comments got him knocked into the dirt, and a similar comment about Zona herself may get him knocked into the dirt again-by Mentl.
August 13th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Demas, MacNut, the only counter to that reasonable argument is that when Mentl first sang those songs, he was just singing to entertain Zona. Putting some mild emotional intent behind them, but in a general “feel the words” sort of way. I doubt he was specifically and firmly intending to seduce Zona into loving him.
Mind you, I can see him *worrying* that he seduced her via his initial songs, but after some thought (and angst and time, etc), I think he’ll realize that while he may have influenced her with generalized romantic feelings, she didn’t have to fixate on *him*…particularly once they hit Normos and there were a whole bunch of men she could have fixated on.
Nope. Once they made love, THAT was what fixated her. *snicker*
August 13th, 2009 at 7:46 am
I think this my be another good song for Mentl:
FROM: “YOU DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM”
Well a hush fell over the pool room
Jimmy come boppin’ in off the street
And when the cuttin’ were done
The only part that wasn’t bloody
Was the soles of the big man’s feet
Yeah he were cut in in bout a hundred places
And he were shot in a couple more
And you better believe
They sung a different kind of story
When big jim hit the floor now they say
You don’t tug on superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don’t mess around with slim
August 13th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Deris: Then again, that particular song might have occurred to Mentl and been shelved as being too dangerous to use outside of a life-or-death fight.
Mentl has to realize that this is a fight to get some reasonable degree of respect from the musclebound bully that his lover just had to knock on his ass. He’s probably been thinking over what song would be effective but not overboard since the fight happened.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Darn, I hate when I think of more that I could have posted right after I submit a comment. If Mentl wanted the ultimate self-buffing song that had ENORMOUS air-play in the mid 80s, What better than R.E.M.’s 1986 hit SUPERMAN.
If Zona winds up getting abducted, this song has the perfect line to help him find her.
To Quote:
I am I am I am Superman and I know what’s happening.
I am I am I am Superman and I can do anything.
If you go a million miles away I’ll track you down girl.
Trust me when I say I know the pathway to your heart.
For a guy from a western culture on our world, how much more self-enhancement could you get magically than to essentially become SUPERMAN?
August 13th, 2009 at 10:32 am
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death”
Translation: … It’s taking FOREVER to get to Friday and the discovery as to which ( if any ) of us may be right.
whine whimper whine
August 13th, 2009 at 10:59 am
The other song I was thinking might work here would be ‘Tubthumping’ by Cumbawumba, if Mentl wanted to prove that he wasn’t a wimp.
“I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down…”
Ponte may beat on Mentl, but if he keeps getting up fresh each time sooner or later he’s gonna get worn out, especially if Mentl manages to land a few punches of his own.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:17 am
*shrug* I guess all we can do now is put our trust in the almighty JED and hope he comes up with something humorous, painful, and visually satisfying to warm the cockles of our black little critical hearts.
You know, like he does every week.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Maybe you could look for some Billy-Bob teeth models on Renderocity or something. Billy-Bob teeth on Pontagar…
http://www.faketeeth.net/servlet/the-template/hillbilly_album/Page
August 13th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Gracious, y’all are quite chatty, these daze! Also, it’s very wonderful to see so many newcomers! Welcome, offsides, Deris, demas, tgreatblueberry, RedBeardJim, Cmdrsausage, DaBear, Kuraimizu, Eranak - (and if I missed mentioning someone, please forgive me. I’m old and growing senile.) Welcome, welcome! And I am on schedule for page 299 this evening, and my only promise is that it will be a logical continuation of page 298. Using my own logic, of course, and make of that what ye will.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Continuing with the idea that Mentl might be aiming the song at Pontagar rather than himself and that humiliation can be the worst kind of defeat, maybe it’s *Ponty* that will wind up dressed like Elton. ;D
August 13th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I love the comments, suggestions, ideas and everything… But I am just going to wait and see what happens on page 299… and as I lie in GMT+9, it is like the middle of the day when the post goes up…
And JED great work as always… I went and got the DAZS3 package… and some content… now I need to sit down and learn it…
August 13th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
live not lie… I wish I could edit my post…
August 13th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
“Using my own logic, of course, and make of that what ye will.”
= “MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!”
I’m a writer myself; trust me, I can translate the writer-ese pretty accurately. (Man, you must be riding one heck of a giggling-author’s-high right now. Aren’t those the best??)
August 13th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting-by Elton John.
Excelent choice!!
August 13th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Man, over the hundred mark again!
August 14th, 2009 at 1:01 am
Thanks for the Welcome JE Draft
August 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Wow, JE, thank you so much! Your welcome made me so happy I finally decided to post. Thank you. ^_^
August 19th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Wow. Your facial expression are the most expressive that I’ve seen. They add loads on implications to the scene, keeping the dialog shorter. I ♥ your work.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:03 am
“Fuckin get it yourself… DICK!”
Bliksem hom Mentl
Awesome stuff as always JED, my favourite graphic novel. ♥ your work
wish I could get more.
May 15th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Just showing this one to a friend, gotta love the classics.
Hey JED I’ve been pimping your work brother, I REALLY like your story.