BONE CHINA pt.22
While the supervillains in the series may not exactly be the best of friends I still like to show some sense of comradery amongst them, usually in their mutual likes/hates. They’re not be fully trustworthy, but can still enjoy the benefits of working together, namely the money, booze, and cheap harlots.
With his romance come to an end, it looks like Scapula has chosen to do what a lot of heart-broken folks do: throw himself into his work. He seems to be getting dead serious about being a true criminal menace.
…and what about Bone China? Tune in next week for the very end of this story.
Can Hypnausea drink from a martini glass without getting his nose wet?
See, this is why clubs need to start giving out those neat bendy straws. Why should they exclude the nasally impaired?
Is this a few weeks past Scap’s confrontation with Bone China? Toxsick’s comment regarding personal vendettas threw me off a bit, as did Scap’s need to specifically specify which wax museum he meant, though I suppose it’s extremely feasible that Scap had several warehouses’ worth of grudes backlogged. And though Hypnausea has been involved in Scap’s new success, I shouldn’t think only one caper would get him as much respect as the three of them are showing him, however snidely it may be.
Surprised they didn’t try to spring Tigadactyl. At the very least, expert special effects combined with Scap’s knack for disguises could prove very potent.
Last note, interesting to see that Toxsick’s headgear consists of a hood and mask only. Always thought he wore a Smurf Cap-looking piece to complete the ensemble.
This is probably not too long afterwards (maybe the following night, a week later, doesn’t matter). The crew here may not have known about Bone China, but the last time they all worked together a psycho-emotional battle ruined things (DarkEvilHellDeath-Man got VERY personal). I think they’re with Scap, as long as he keeps the money coming in and the melodrama out.
We’ll be seeing Tigadactyl and the other missing SMDL member, Babirus, at the beginning of 2013.
Both Toxsick and Hypnausea were redesigned slightly in the last year. Hypnausea’s former ‘body sock’ is now a bit more of an elaborate ensemble, while Toxsick’s outfit more closely resembles an actual hazmat suit (namely the hood).
So we’ll see the end of Bone Ch… whoah nice thighs … er what was I saying? Oh yeah, the end of the story for Bo… wow that dancer has some hips on her … uh, wha? Um …
Feh. I’ll be in my bunk.
(if only Dada did wallpapers, I have an idea what request I’d make, hehehe)
Wallpapers, eh? Hey, if you mean for your computer, sure…hell, if you mean go hang up wallpaper in your house, why not? I could use some extra income!
Hmm, well, if Scap does the plans, at least he won’t be tripping over his feet every two steps anymore. Dare I think he may be learning a thing or two about how to be a real criminal? After so many royal stuff-ups?
Yeah, being the guy who’s miserable in a strip joint isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Sooner or later, you hit the threshold on whatever thrill that cheap sleaze can provide and it seems meaningless, especially after a break-up. Good on Scap for ignoring that silicone-powered bombshell!
From here, it looks like he’ll need new resources. I often wonder how these pro-criminals do their research…reliable information would probably be scant for guys like them.
I sort of figure this is like any business: reputation is everything, do your homework, pick good (or at least reliable) people to work with, and prepare for the worst. It’s taken Scap an awful long time to get things right, but considering he hasn’t gotten himself killed or permanently injured he must have some sort of chance to succeed!
Strip joints are probably no place to go after a bad break-up; you either don’t care what’s in front of you or desperately try to get anyone there to be a substitute for your lost love (…uh, not that I would know…). Scap is just trying to win over his impressionable troops with the criminal equivalent of buying ice cream for your kids.
Poor guy. Amazing the way you can make a villain so sympathetic. Also, love how you do backgrounds. Minimalist but established the scene in multiple panels.
Hey, thanks Michael! Like a lot of cartoonists I’m not always crazy about drawing backgrounds and environments (perspective…grrr!), but I try to do what I can to establish some sort of scenery. It can get confusing if too many comics just have a blank wall for a background in every panel, so I try to at least work in SOMETHING.
“While the supervillains in the series may not exactly be the best of friends I still like to show some sense of comradery amongst them, usually in their mutual likes/hates. They’re not be fully trustworthy, but can still enjoy the benefits of working together, ”
Sound like every job I ever had…though unfortunately without the money booze and harlots.
Ha! It probably sums up a lot of offices, classrooms and other places where people try to eke out a living. If only they had booze in water coolers…
Scapula is way too serious. I’m waiting for a punch line.
Maybe he’ll punch someone in the street.
Looks like Toxsick shaved his chin
Jim
I still don’t know why I gave him that stupid soulpatch that one time. I guess Toxsick had the good sense the shave it off when I wasn’t paying attention!
Slightly disappointed Toxsick isn’t snuffling his beer down via his gasmask.
…Just because it would be ‘dorbs.
Hm. Now what could be bothering Scap.. Surely not guilt?
I like the Watchmen feel to the second to last and last panel. Not gonna try to second guess whether that was intentional or not. 🙂
Actually that would be a funny sight. If he can smoke through that damned thing he can probably drink and maybe even eat with it, too! Well, if it’s soup, maybe.
I didn’t have Watchmen in mind when I drew this, but now that you mention it, yeah, I sort of see it too. Maybe it was a subliminal influence, or maybe Watchmen just had a really identifiable style.
“Scapula’s Journal: July 23, 2012…rotting dog poo in sidewalk…stepped in it…someone will pay…”
That sadly serious walk I have seen many times hun. And the no bull ‘my life is shredded’ attitude is expertly conveyed!
Plus, bimbos. BIG fan of bimbos!
Looking forward to the end. I’m curious how she feels now. It’s the emotional bits I like best, for all that I enjoy the stomping!
Y’know, I haven’t had too many bimbos in SCAPULA; the last ones I could remember were waaaaaaaay back in the Gangway storyline. Of course, that all depends on if you count Mona Naware as a bimbo.
Glad you like the emotion, Jenn. It’s a perfect cover-up for my other comic-making flaws!
Flaws? Like what? Too much attention to detail? Proper light sources most of the time? Interesting characters?
…or lots of SCREAMING AND RUNNING AWAY!
Well, maybe not in this particular storyline.
Strip clubs are excellent places to hold, um, supervillain staff meetings. Well, better than a coffee shop, I guess.
You’d be surprised how many executive types hold business meetings in strip clubs. Well, at least they do here in Hollywood!
Ohhhh, Scap, how do you say no to a woman who’s bedazzlers have tassels ready to swirl on the word -go?!? [blinks]
He must be in a really, really, really, REALLY bad mood….really really!
Grotesque hoodlums most foul, bathed in the torchy glow of pole-dancing light have never been more gorgeously rendered! Especially love that last panel!
Mark, you must be one of those great, classical poets or wordsmiths! “But soothe! Yonder sissy Scapula doth hear the zephyr wind call out thine name!”
…and clearly, I am NOT.
Thorgar’s stripper is definitely thinking “I am NOT getting paid enough for this.”
“Throgor.” Jesus Christ, more coffee is needed…
I can only imagine what goes on through a stripper’s head whenever the fugliest of customers comes through the door….especially when they have scaly skin and sharp, sharp teeth.
Maybe they’re like doctors, and get desensitized the the repellant wonders of the human body after a while. That’s right, folks, I just compared strippers with doctors. Draw your own conclusions!
She’s just working hervway through medical school.
This is probably the only place where these guys would ever meet a group of med students!
…where I’m sure she’ll specialize in euthanasia!
And Jerry, you can find all sorts of successful financial types in strip clubs. When you’ve got gobs of disposable cash you may as well live it up a little!
That last panel. The perspective, the body language, the dramatic shift from the raging hot colours of the rest of the strip (except the small establishing top panel) to a colour that is cooler yet still saturated. Just. Brilliant, Aidan!
Part of me want to rush ahead to have this arc resolved; part of me wants to relish what seems to be an eye-of-the-storm moment. I know I have to wait and see. And for once I don’t mind at all. Feeling the anticipation.
Aww, thank you Jande! I’m glad you enjoyed it…of course, you can always appreciate the plight of a miserable comic character, eh?
No need to rush; the story ends Sunday, and once it’s over you can breathe a heavy sigh of relief. And then we start on the next tale!
More comics need to take place in strip clubs.
There must be at least one webcomic out there that takes place in a strip joint. I don’t really feel like looking for it, but maybe some of you more adventurous readers can go snooping around.
Just make sure your boss isn’t in the room.
As opposed to more comics being *drawn* in strip clubs?? Just imagine the quality of art drawn in hazy, smoke-filled, low-lit conditions like that!
After a day of viewing cutesy comics, the strip club was a refreshing change XD. Bone China’s my fav
What’s wrong with cutesie comics? Especially when they star wacky CHINCHILLAS!
I am LOVING this new Scap! Heartbreak combined with a sound ass-whuppin’, and just a smidgeon of revenge, can help transform a mediocre villain until a leviathan who ain’t takin’ no mo’ shit. I think Scap’s finally reached that point.
He appears to be finally taking command of his crew, and perhaps his next scheme isn’t merely a pipe dream. I also respect the fact (although i was fully expecting) that you didn’t have Scap run begging to Bone the first minute he discovered that he may have overreacted regarding her involvement in his current misery. She’s just making his life hell in that regular, general, run-of-the-mill female way that those “dames” have perfected over the eons.
I’m kidding, ladies.Don’t hate me cuz you’re beautiful.
Scap is still growing up, so to speak, or at least learning. It’s funny how you can only run away from the world (or the dangerous people in it!) for so long and not grow much. Winning and losing is what changes us, educates us, blah blah blurtty blurp blurp. You get the point.
You can interpret Scap’s emotions here however you like, which is why I don’t use internal monologues very often these days. Insert your own thoughts, readers!