Websnark

Comment from: Ooka posted at April 30, 2005 6:32 PM

The problem is, to use your slope analogy, we as his viewers might be inadvertingly pushing him off that slope. I know I would get a little gunshy with the funny if my loyal band of sluggites started complaining about what I was doing.

This is not to say we shouldn't withhold our opinions, just might explain what's going on...

Comment from: Ooka posted at April 30, 2005 6:32 PM

The problem is, to use your slope analogy, we as his viewers might be inadvertingly pushing him off that slope. I know I would get a little gunshy with the funny if my loyal band of sluggites started complaining about what I was doing.

This is not to say we shouldn't withhold our opinions, just might explain what's going on...

Comment from: Obdormio posted at April 30, 2005 6:50 PM

... I've missed bun-bun since the Holiday Wars...

Comment from: TheSporkWithin posted at April 30, 2005 6:52 PM

I also missed Bun-Bun... I gave a little squeal of glee when I saw him in his pirate hat. I also missed Bun-Bun... I gave a little squeal of glee when I saw him in his pirate hat. I also missed Bun-Bun... I gave a little squeal of glee when I saw him in his pirate hat. I also missed Bun-Bun... I gave a little squeal of glee when I saw him in his pirate hat.

Comment from: Tangent posted at April 30, 2005 7:15 PM

Ironically... I found those last few strips to be amusing. Considering I quit Sluggy a bit ago. Won't officially Tangent them either due to journalistic integrity (my ending with Sluggy was public and messy (well, all I intended to say was "You Had Me and You Lost Me - here's why" but seems that's considered a nono on the Sluggy Boards and that post was edited out and my forum account banned... in fact, I still can't log into the Sluggy forums to read comments, that's how much I upset them)). Though that doesn't keep me from giving it to a second party to Tangent... hmm, wonder if The Video Store Guy would be willing to give it a go...

Anyway, you are right. Recent Sluggy strips lack energy or excitement. There's no real movement there. Just punchlines. And while the punchline was worth a chuckle... it's not worth taking Sluggy out of my "Unlikely to Read" folder.

Ah well. Saturday Sluggy's still superficially splendidly silly. Though this Saturday was a little lackluster.... :/

Robert A. Howard

Comment from: Alexis Christoforides posted at April 30, 2005 8:44 PM

This particular stript actually made me laugh. But yesterday I thought of the same thing: Hey, wasn't Torg supposed to be really angsty-bitter right now?

Yes, I know it's Torg and Torg's silly like that, but there have always been unresolved questions and emotions driving the more serious side of Sluggy, and the current emotional conflict seems completely abandoned for now. Still, I tend to cling to the highs and lows of everything I like, so I'm not leaving Sluggy anytime soon. It's been too fun a ride for that.

And I agree that the Saturdays are awesome.

Comment from: DanShive posted at May 1, 2005 12:10 AM

I HOPE Pete's not being overly influenced by reader complaints. Trying to pander to the audience is a surefire way to lose one's sense of direction. That, and people are more likely to speak up when there's something to complain about. A vocal minority does not necessarily mean there isn't a quiet majority.

Comment from: TheNintenGenius posted at May 1, 2005 1:02 AM

I definitely saw this snark coming. I've been a huge follower of the strip since 1999 and my loyalty to it has almost never wavered.

Except now.

For one thing, the whole Bun Bun arc was terribly ill-timed and not especially interesting, especially since it re-introduced Bun-Bun (who I've steadily grown to like less and less). That Which Redeems was excellent, and the storyline directly preceding the Bun-Bun one was also very interesting as it, as has been said, showed a much different, more mature Torg. I know some fans called foul at this, but it really was something to consider and I thought it was fairly well done.

Now we're back with the gang and... I don't buy it. There are funny moments, yes, but what happened to Torg's change in emotions? How has Zoe suddenly gone from hurt to bitchy? What, exactly, is going on here?

I'm actually considering doing the same and giving Sluggy a couple of weeks to iron itself out. I really don't want to give up Sluggy, after all. It was my first webcomic and the one I've usually always turned back to when all else has failed. To finally stop reading now would just seem somehow sad.

Comment from: Ooka posted at May 1, 2005 1:30 AM

I don't think he's being influenced by complaints so much as discouraged.

Think of a person rallying a mob in one direction, they build up speed and head in that direction full force. Now that person is trying to turn the mob to a new direction, the mob nearly tramples him still trying to go the old direction. He settles for slight changes of direction here and there. He wants to try to get to the new direction he was trying to get to but is hesitant in fear of another trampling.

That's how i'm seeing it anyway.

Comment from: AndrewWade posted at May 1, 2005 7:21 AM

... and then the mob gradually tramples itself...

Comment from: quiller posted at May 1, 2005 2:05 PM

I'm not really that worried. Pete has acknowledged he's having writing problems lately, and while some part of me wishes that Torg would stop being a git and sit down and talk with Zoe about his experiences I can't say that it seems like a very Torg thing to do, really.

I wonder if Pete is being influenced by the Saturday stuff? He seems to be trying to bring back a little bit of that early comic feel, and I think the contrast between them was one of things (but far from the only thing) that was hurting the Time Pirates storyline.

Comment from: Shadowydreamer posted at May 1, 2005 6:49 PM

I think if he'd had BunBun hop in, kick Riff and Torg off the couch and started watching Baywatch declaring he's back "nerdboy!" It would have been better. No explanation, nothing. Just BunBun being BunBun.

Instead we got dragged through a storyline that even Pete got confused by and into one that's just .. blah.

Maybe Pete needs to get a post-it-note, write the word "Hijinks" on it and stick it to the wall behind his art desk.

Comment from: Christopher B. Wright posted at May 1, 2005 7:46 PM

Well, I'll tell ya -- there hasn't been a single Sluggy Freelance storyline that I've actually hated. Bun-Bun the Pirate hasn't been my *favorite* storyline, I'll admit -- I prefer ones that focus on Torg, for the most part -- but I still found I liked it.

The current storyline is a continuity break as far as Torg's new moodiness goes, but so what? Continuity exists to be broken at the whim of the author. Torg is easily distracted by gadgets. The Playstashun has allowed him to forget his worries for a time -- I can identify with that. :)

I suppose this (and the fact that I don't think GPF ever slipped into first and ten, not once) simply underscores the difference in tastes that Eric and I have, since the only problem I have with the story at the moment is that Pete is going to have to bring out some filler strips next week, which means there will be days when I don't get to see what happens next.

Comment from: jrleek posted at May 1, 2005 11:25 PM

Remember that, to Torg, this whole storyline is in the course of one day. He decalares that (basically) he's going to stop being moody to save the house. He tries, and fails, is kicked out, and goes to Min's house. When did he have time to get back into moody? Not to meantion that being goofy is a habit to Torg. Did you expect the lepord to suddenly change his spots because of one big experiance? People return to their habits faster than you may think. Did you expect him to sudden work things out with Zoe? I don't think that makes sense for anyone, let alone Torg.

And Zoe, she's hurt by Torg, and angry at Riff for losing the house. Why shouldn't she be "bitchy" to Riff?

Comment from: Shadowydreamer posted at May 2, 2005 12:25 AM

Okay - today's made me giggle. :)

Comment from: chaos cricket posted at May 2, 2005 2:39 AM

I think I still read Sluggy because I invested such a huge chunk of time and energy into reading through the archives in the first place. At this point, dropping the comic would be like admitting that I wasted my time reading the archives, and while it may not be wowing me, it's still pleasant enough.

I think that's what it is--Sluggy's become one of those comics that I don't love or hate, I just sorta...like. It's decent, but not as good as it was or as bad as it could be. Sorta how I thought of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, actually.

Comment from: Doc posted at May 2, 2005 6:17 AM

Creepy cloner geeks.

Sluggy has its ups and downs, and yes even its character inconsistencies (I really haven't been fond of Gwynn since about the Evil Aylee period) but I still read, and really its for stuff like Creepy cloner geeks.

Beware of yon Hitchhikers semi-spoilers below:

Not to threadjack but Chaos Cricket regarding hitchikers I know what you mean. It was like they made the movie perfectly (or near enough) then put a half arsed love story in randomly, one of the worst examples of 'oh and by the way now there in love I've seen'. And its picky, but they changed Zaphod's motivation and the original involved a conspiracy and therefore was tastier to me.

But thats not what we're here for.

Comment from: Wednesday posted at May 2, 2005 10:44 AM

That's right, people. We're here for boobies. Never forget that.

Comment from: John posted at May 2, 2005 11:37 AM

Wait. We're where for boobies? Cause I need to be there for that.

Comment from: 32_footsteps posted at May 2, 2005 4:17 PM

Wait, that's why we're here? Well, that explains why I'm not getting any candy around here.

I just wish Pete didn't insist on explaining every little thing in Sluggy. You can gloss over certain things if you can't make them constantly entertaining. He tends to forget that.

That said, I also applaud the phrase "creepy cloner geeks." Having followed in Wednesday's footsteps and becoming roped into doing the newsletter for Anime Boston 2005 (she ended up contributing to AB2004's newsletter), and having seen half the con dressing up as the main character from Naruto, I'm really wishing I had seen the 5/2/05 comic *before* the con.

Comment from: Tim Tylor posted at May 2, 2005 5:58 PM

I actually like the time-pirate storyline. It's got a well-constructed sci-fi setting, and it's had some pretty god jokes. Bun-Bun's one-dimensional (or maybe a point), but he makes a decent villain; not my favorite character, but I like him.

Comment from: Tim Tylor posted at May 2, 2005 6:00 PM

Good jokes. Ick. Teach me not to preview. I hate comment-systems that don't let you edit or delete.

Comment from: Fu-Child posted at May 2, 2005 7:18 PM

I dont know, BunBun has never sat well with me.

I know its a comic and everything but I cant grasp the concept of a villian rabbit. Seriously, any self respecting hero who can KILL DEMONS would have no trouble stuffing a brick and tiny bunny in a bag before throwing them in a river. BunBun is a cliche overload and in lamens terms I think he sucks outright.

I mean if we take a look at 'That which Redeems' we have some pretty awesome villians (in the demons), an ordinary man hero with an enchanted sword just trying to get home and the love thing with alternate Zoe (hey ho, she isnt a bitch!). The drama was all there and it was milked.

Then Torg comes back and has to confront the alternate of someone he saw die, and who he cared about. It had potential, broadway potential!

And then BunBun. Oh. Uh, joy! Right ? Everyone likes the angry bunny that hasnt changed since day one. Hey the Horse just twitched! keep flogging! yeah.

So Im sort of glad were at the current storyline. BunBuns not here and theres still a possibility of conflict and resolution! As well as the whole impending doom involving one gestating alien and two creepy cloner geeks. It really does have potential. Broadway potential.

Comment from: Fu-Child posted at May 2, 2005 7:23 PM

Wait.

Boobies ?

Comment from: Chris Anthony posted at May 2, 2005 7:58 PM

I know I'm going to get lynched for this, but if it's boobies we're here for, might I suggest IndieTits, where a few excellent specimens have been appearing lately?

Comment from: Shadowydreamer posted at May 2, 2005 10:13 PM

Seriously, any self respecting hero who can KILL DEMONS would have no trouble stuffing a brick and tiny bunny in a bag before throwing them in a river. BunBun is a cliche overload and in lamens terms I think he sucks outright.

So you never watched Bugs Bunny cartoons, right?

Comment from: Fu-Child posted at May 3, 2005 12:28 PM

So you never watched Bugs Bunny cartoons, right?

Pshaw. Bugs Bunny was a cross dressing, carrot weilding rabbit that exploited all of Elmer Fudds idiosyncrasies to seize the day.

Elmer did not fail in his hunting of Bugs Bunny because Bugs was just too darn much for him, rather that he was in all aspects a really bad hunter. You see that racoon hat he wears ? I garuntee he bought that, the guy can barely make fire without blowing up. No way did he shoot, skin and sew that hat.

He is the wacky son of an investment banker, packaged with all sorts of emotionally crippling issues like being sexually attracted to anything in a skirt remotely resembling a rabbit.

Anyway, Bugs Bunny was the good guy.

Comment from: Shadowydreamer posted at May 4, 2005 3:10 PM

..and there's those out there that would think the defender of Baywatch, destroyer of Christmas is a good guy. It's all perspective.

Some of us like watching this small furry object fly across a panel to latch itself to someone's throat.

Some say BunBun isn't funny 7 years later.. but then go and watch the Holy Grail for the 15th billion time.

It's all a matter of perspective. ^_-

Comment from: Fu-Child posted at May 4, 2005 4:32 PM

You misunderstood, I meant to put across the point that Bugs Bunny was not succesful because he was super powerful or incredibly violent/intelligent but rather that his foe (Elmer Fudd) was incredibly stupid and quite possibly as blind as a vole.

Anyway, I havent attacked your opinion so theres really no need to defend it. From my perspective, up here in this blimp with Frank Sinatra and Jesus sipping martini's, BunBun isnt funny or believable as a villian.

Comment from: Shadowydreamer posted at May 4, 2005 7:37 PM

Bugs Bunny was INCREDIBLY violant.. typically towards Daffy! He was also unbelievably strong and quick. After all, he could change into full dress and make-up in 2 seconds, that's gotta be a superpower.. :)

BunBun by himself isn't funny, you're right. It's his interactions that make him funny. A vorpal rabbit is boring when it's sitting gnawing on a skull. Maybe that's what Pete's forgotten..

There WERE funny BunBun bits in the pirate storyline, just not as many as the storylines of ole..

Comment from: Robotech_Master posted at May 11, 2005 12:13 PM

Oddly enough, Bugs started out as the bad guy. About the only traces of this that remain are the old tortoise-vs-hare cartoon where a very different-looking Bugs is a member of the mafia. But the audience liked him so much that he got his own starring role.

I like Bun-Bun, in a "J.R. Ewing" kind of way. Yes, he started out as a joke, and he could have remained just that, a cardboard cut-out who existed only to be violent. But subsequent storylines revealed bits of his backstory, and who knows, there may be more of them yet to come. Maybe someday we'll find out the whole story behind his violence, boozing, and interspecies lusts.

I liked the pirate story, and hope that Pete can get it all sorted out so that he'll be able to resume it and wrap it up soon. Of course, the nice thing about it taking place in timeless space is that there's not exactly any hurry for that.

Comment from: Robotech_Master posted at May 11, 2005 12:14 PM

Oddly enough, Bugs started out as the bad guy. About the only traces of this that remain are the old tortoise-vs-hare cartoon where a very different-looking Bugs is a member of the mafia. But the audience liked him so much that he got his own starring role.

I like Bun-Bun, in a "J.R. Ewing" kind of way. Yes, he started out as a joke, and he could have remained just that, a cardboard cut-out who existed only to be violent. But subsequent storylines revealed bits of his backstory, and who knows, there may be more of them yet to come. Maybe someday we'll find out the whole story behind his violence, boozing, and interspecies lusts.

I liked the pirate story, and hope that Pete can get it all sorted out so that he'll be able to resume it and wrap it up soon. Of course, the nice thing about it taking place in timeless space is that there's not exactly any hurry for that.

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