SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLES FEATURE pt.6
First of all, I hope everyone out there appreciates the fact that I didn’t title this story “Double Trouble”. I would never have forgiven myself.
In the original thumbnail drawing the Miras were just hard at work (like any Japanese person), before I got the weird idea of them all doing karaoke (like any Japanese person). Just goes to show you that any idea can be pushed, no matter how ridiculous.
For those of you who recognize the lyrics, there’s something of a ‘musical pun’ for you…
Hey, never put yourself down for zagging instead of zigging. I can name many webcomics that have become predictable and boring, but your weekly excursion into the absurd sure ain’t one of them (and no, I won’t name names).
I think the title is pretty much ideal for this story, although part of me wishes the clones – oops, dupes – had been all singing “Let’s do the time warp again” to wrap up the Rocky Horror reference package with a pretty bow.
I easily recognized the song they are singing (SPOILER: Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself”, which is one thing dupes can do without being actually ALONE). And as cheery as Dr. Aneewa and her copies perpetually are, it’s almost obvious that she worked her way through mad scientist school as one of the members of Pink Lady (is that too ancient a reference? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Lady_%28band%29 )
I love the way Scap is peering through the door & the look on his face when he says “Dear Lord”.
Karaoke just makes the world a happier place!!!
That is one creepy karaoke party, even for something as inherently creepy as a karaoke party.
@CraigL Nice to meet ya and thanks for the comment! Now let’s see if we can figure out what on God’s green earth you’re talking about:
No worries about keeping the guilty boring comics nameless; we know who they are, they know who they are, and someday we’ll all come to terms with it and stop having old ladies clip them out and post them on the fridge (and if that ain’t the mother of all conversational tangents then I need to try harder!).
A Rocky Horror song would have been very tempting; the problem is I think I’ve referenced Rocky Horror so much in this comic that people are bound to think I’m some obsessive freak with a poster of Frank N. Furter above my bed (nothing could be further from the truth…it’s actually Columbia). I prefer Phantom of the Paradise, but not enough people seem to know that movie. Too bad.
You gave away the song! Now the surprise is ruined! You’re just like the guy who goes around telling the secret ending to “Psycho”!
And finally, I confess I am unfamiliar with Pink Lady, but I shall look on YouTube for some of their videos. If nothing else, it might makes some nice reference for Mira Mira and her shenanigans.
Thanks for playing!
@TonyMcGurk Scap’s look is saying, “I’m spooked by karaoke, but dying to try it”. I think that’s most people’s true reaction towards it.
Karaoke is like alcohol; it makes the world a happier place…but at what cost?! Also, you need one to make the other work. Maybe. Forget it.
@ToCoWu It’s creepy if you think about it too much…or if you hate Mira Mira. Then it’s awful. Otherwise, maybe it’s not so bad. There I go again.
I gotta say, Billy Idol’s Dancing With Myself gave me quite the laugh. /inside joke with girl friend. 😛
I don’t know why, but I’ve always had a thing for crazy chicks. I like this one, especially the way she can portray so many varieties of insane. 🙂
You do a great job of rendering full-crowd scenes, and I love the energy they exude. Keep me jealous, why don’cha?
HAHAHAHAHAHA! That was good, all those copies dancinga round and everything.
Heh funny but fun looking as well!
Ha! Dancing with Myself! Snap! … but um… where’s the disco ball?
And because I am a stickler for detail… and I love to know what artists are thinking… what’s the painting in the hallway there? Real or imagined? Smiles!
I’m just glad that Scap didn’t get the opportunity to join in the Karaoke!
What’s worse than an hysterical girl ? When this girl is cloned.
By the way, I’ve saw this Billy Idol for the first time at YouTube , I must say without using negative words that it’s a very “virile” style.
I think Scap was hoping for a date. He does Crazy well.
@Encoyroaba Oh-hooo, what’s this, young man? Passing notes in class? Care to share your little story with the rest of us, a-hmmmmm?
@George Lordy, it comes with a price: drawing and coloring all those loonies in the crowd takes a few minutes longer than forever. I’m just glad everyone enjoys.
And who doesn’t love crazy women? Why, crazy women make the world go ’round! (that’s a song cue…anyone want to type an on-the-spot song here? It’s got to be impromptu!).
@Diablo2000 Well, what are you waiting for, buddy? Get in there and cut a rug! Wooot!
@SquidRowMommy A disco ball? In a scientific laboratory? Preposterous! Not to mention, SILLY!
The paintings in the hallways (see the previous page, too) are all paintings from legendary Japanese artist, Hokusai.
@JerryBenedict What would he have sung? Probably Boy George…he looks the type.
@mehdi I’m not a huge Billy Idol fan (don’t hate him, don’t love him), so say whatever you want…just don’t say it around all of his fans. And don’t show them this cartoon, either!
@Bearman There’s so many Mira Miras there he must have a chance with at least one of them…maybe. Actually, maybe not.
i eat a sammitch during my lunch break…
@BarbaricBob I’m just glad to hear someone else use the term “sammitch”. For those of you who bothered to read the character profiles you might have noticed Knuckle Sam’s real name is Samantha Mitchell…or “Sam Mitch”.
Okay, it’s not funny, but whatever. I had to call her something.
UPDATE: to Craig L, I’ve checked out some of Pink Lady’s videos…very interesting. I wish I had seen these before I started this storyline; Mira Mira’s design would have been more ostentatious.
“and no, I won’t name names”
Friend, you would have to name the webcomics that do trip over that pitfall for the sake of brevity!
HA!
I’m a bit surprised they were able to drop their glow-sticks long enough to pick up all that fire-power! 🙂
How many clones did she need?
Yeah……. don’t mind me. I’ll be over here getting sick into this handy bag. Karaoke is the worst invention ever as far as I’m concerned, plus I hate Mira Mira.
Having actually been to a number of japanese karaoke bars in my life (because japanese buisness jerks won’t talk shop anywhere else), I can officially congradulate you. They are generally colored in ‘exploding clown’, and full of atonal nimrods who thing ‘spasm’ and ‘dance’ mean the same thing. So, good job! Now pardon me whilst I bleach my brain hun.
@SomeBloke Oh no, no, no, no, no! One lesson I’ve learned the hard way: you never know who carries brass knuckles until they come after ya. I don’t know how many webcartoonists carry them, but I don’t want to risk finding out!
@SpilledInky Woooo! Rob, sounds like you’ve been to a few raves; too bad there aren’t more with duplicated Japanese women!
@Oldskoolguitar As many as she needs to GIT FUNKY!
@LadyJenn I don’t know if karaoke goes beyond most means of torture; I guess I’d rather hear some butthead warble through “Hungry Like the Wolf” instead of getting bamboo splinters under my fingernails…but it’s a pretty close call.
If nothing else, you can laugh to yourself at the sight of high-class businessman trippin’ balls like they were on something from Owsley’s bathroom cabinet. I know I’d laugh!
I just found another comic that’s completely different in tone, but also about failed supervillains (in briton). http://www.deathboycomic.co.uk/?id=1
The main character has a remarkably similar costume theme to scapula.
Where da Partaaaaaaay at?!!!!! 😉
@myself I checked it out; sadly, I don’t hold the trademark on villains with skull faces (and if I did, hoo boy, the royalties would be SWEET!).
@alecho Da party’s right heeeah! Wooo! Git drunk naaaow!
It’s only funny watching the freakshow until they start to get drunk hun. Then people start to get grabby. As a lady, I don’t tolerate that. It’s a good way to have your finger bent back to your wrist!
Plus most of them just CAN’T sing. I like music. I don’t like hearing it tortured. *sad panda*
Hey I’m totally new to your comics! Just read this series from the beginning, looking forward to seeing part 7!! Love your style and I can tell you put a lot of thought and work into the story boarding =)
@LadyJenn There’s a world of difference between watching a tiger from afar and having one bite open your chest cavity. Remember that sacred rule of Nature: look, but don’t touch!
@Jenn Great, ANOTHER Jenn! As if the last one wasn’t nutty enough…
Thank you for your nice comment and for enjoying the show; it looks like you have a really great webcomic going on for yourself! Keep up the good work!
Ah, the old “distract-and-sneak-up-behind” trick! And what a distraction it is. Really well done, Aidan. So many unique poses, awesome party light effects. The play on words on so many levels… masterful!
Ah, ah, dancin’ with herself, oh oh dancin’ with her-se-elf! Looks like Karaoke is no Jokie for Scap and Knuckles! Love Scap’s saucer-eyed reactions, even Knuckles gets into the act there in the last panel.
scap makes the greatest faces when he fears his insides will be torn out of his throat by a masculant woman. wich brings me to another topic why are most woman in this comic so *ahem* curvy * mira mira being the exeption….
and where the hell does a person get jumpsuits in the 100’s? the day she started duping some company out there earned millions on glasses and jumpsuits
@Jande Looks like someone’s enjoying the party! Let’s hit the dance floor, Jande, and show those Mira Miras how to REALLY get down!
Now THAT’S a real distraction.
@MarkStokes If he had the chance, would he ask a Mira Mira to dance? Karaoke is no laughing matter, Mark! Especially for those of you who are terrified at the thought of singing in front of strangers (and none of that “private room” stuff…have some courage, people!).
@BarbaricBob They’re pretty much the exact same faces I make, only with a bit more positive anticipation on my part (heh heh heh).
You can order anything in bulk these days; I wouldn’t be surprised if Costco sells those slick blue jumpsuits by the crate.
You know hun, the more I talk to you the more I realize that you are gifted with surprising levels of common sense for a cartoonist! Why can’t more guys be so gifted? I might not have to hurt so many if you all were.
I still would. I just wouldn’t HAVE to.
I feel I haven’t praised your art style recently, so let me once again note I’m impressed with your artistic versatility. In this case, your ability to blend color quite impresses me hun. And stuffiness aside, Mira Mira certainly ends up looking goofy enough on a dance floor to convince me you’ve at least seen a few japanese people dance!
you know i like the way you think lady jenn 🙂
people who deserve it should get hurt…just to the right level so that they’ll never do it again.. you know like… being a douch, shoot him/her in the knee caps 🙂
just untill common sense is used again
@Lady Jenn
Of all comments catching my attention, yours (excluding our favorite cartoonist) continued to catch my attention. Might I say that you are a very disturbing personality, yet somehow I am able to relate to you in many senses. I will not even begin to describe what I imagine you as.
@DadyHyena As to you, I would gladly compliment you again for your work and the fact that you have kept to schedule ever since I started reading. I read all your work on this website, and was disappointed at not a single point in time. Scapula- Prepare to get your ass kicked.
Also: Obviously the Mira Mira’s are planning another Pearl Harbor attack. Although I hope they’ll target Guantanamo Bay first.
Just a quick word from your friendly neighborhood cartoonist: I don’t mind you readers poking fun at myself (I can take it), but please go easy on one another. Right now it just looks like harmless ribbing, but the moment someone gets hurt feelings and starts an argument I’m going to have to start screening comments. Again, just a head’s up. Be nice to each other; pick on Scapula if you must.
Okay, back to answering your rants…
@LadyJenn Aw, shucks! Wait, have you hurt a lot of guys or cartoonists? Because I need to know how safe I am.
Happy to hear you enjoy the art, although I have to say I’ve never seen any Japanese person dance around me. They could be graceful like swans or spastic as zombies for all I know.
@BarbaricBob I’m glad you and Lady Jenn have found one another. Now just don’t go off hurting too many people; if the sheriff calls me one more time about my readers causing a ruckus I’m going to blame some OTHER webcartoonist for having such a bad influence!
@Kinare Be careful baiting Lady Jenn. Not only in regards to my previous statement about being nice to other readers, but because she sounds like she could do some real damage.
Glad you appreciate the punctuality (and I’m proud to say I haven’t missed a deadline…my editor, who is me, would never have forgiven it!). And, of course, Scapula is in a ton of trouble.
Mira Mira planning Pearl Harbor?! Good Lord, no! She’s Mira Mira, not Tora Tora!
I agree with your query to @LadyJenn as to whether her penchant for pain is aimed at men in general, or men who are cartoonists? Either way, if she comes calling, do I wear my assless chaps, or nothing but a helmet! o.O
Sorry Aiden, I couldn’t resist! [smirk] … love that last panel BTW!
@jynksie People…don’t poke the tiger. The tiger will bite you. Don’t poke the tiger.
Regarding the assless chaps, you can always go back and relive the joy of seeing Scap in leather regalia in SINISTER MONSTER DOOM LEGION.
Incredible awesome! Love Scapula squeaking out the words “…I Guess.” Panels 5, 6, 7 & 8 are all perfect.
tigers dont just bite 😮 they go straight for the throat
but enough about tiger facts
im looking forward to the next comic 🙂 i hope the evil plot will be explaind 😀
becouse to be frank. i dont get why the hell you would need a (enter large number here preferably rounded off sothat the sentence will make some sence) dupes of mira mira….. exept if they are making a deathstar, than it would all make sence
Why isn’t my workplace more like that? Maybe it just takes a bunch of clones. All we have is a bunch of clowns.
@FrankMHansen I have to say, it’s pretty awesome having someone else in the animation biz to critique my work. But dude! Be brutal if you like! C’mon, those background Mira Miras in the final panel are pretty awful! Feel free to nitpick, amigo; we never improve unless if we have a mean ol’ director to tear us down once in a while.
Actually, that’s not true at all. Compliment away!
@BarbericBob Y’know, I never realized you were spelling your name “Barberic” (as with an ‘e’)…and all this time I’ve been calling you “Barbaric”. Boy, am I embarrassed.
They need a lot of Mira Miras because Mira Mira has no other friends besides Mira Miras.
@ChrisWatkins Send in…the clones…don’t bother, they’re here!
Chris, you can always clone yourself and overpower them…until they clone themselves…then you end up with (sigh…) Clone Wars. UGH!
@Barberic Bob I appreciate the support, sadly our legal system isn’t so forgiving. One of a few reasons I will never, ever set foot in america again. Seriously, just report the smack dealers. Breaking their jaws is a crime apparently.
@ Kinare; Hey, I’m just your traditional blend of hillbilly dad, new york gold digger mom, bodybuilder, lesbian and chocoholic…… I box, I do judo, and I’m a card carrying sadist and professional domme. What can I say? A girl’s gotta have hobbies, but thanks for noticing!
@ Dadahyena Oh don’t worry hun…… I wouldn’t break your fingers, you need those to draw. At best maybe dislocate a few toes. You’re in a very safe zone….. the ‘Keeps Jenn Laughing’ category!
@jynksie Sorry hun, I only get kinky with women. So just wear clothes you don’t mind getting blood on! And hey, it’s not guys or cartoonists….. it’s everyone equally! I’m a sadist, not a sexist!
Why do I suddenly feel like I’m usurping the job of our darling host? Gah!
wow i spelled my name barberic? i thought i actually spelled barbaric
wel can’t take offence to somthing i didn’t even knew myselff 😛
and besides i have people caling me marcel…. thats not even my name
and yeah jen the law is f*cked up 🙁
burgler tried to rob a place, and it just so happens to belong to a guy who kickboxes on professional level. he kicks his ass all over the rainbow and when the cops show up they take him into costody aswel =___=
sometimes the dark ages realy seemed to have the awnsers to evrything.
you stole somthing? wich hand did you do it with? that one? *grabs sword* ok now stand still this may sting a little. the general public behaves better when torture and los of limb is the punishment for petty crime. not like here kill a man and be out in 20 years :/
P.S. just noticed my name changes O_o must have something to do with the alcohol levels in my blood on the weekends 😮
next week im barbiric ben
More of that evil mastermind Scapula and his brilliant planning!
And my memory must be coming back–I remember this karaoke scene. To make a bad joke (why not?) Send in the Clones!