Endtown by Aaron Neathery for April 30, 2013

Oh wow! That’s the end of Spike. >:

One dead, one wounded (cat behind Spike).

Oh my Sweet Jesus! I did not see that coming! Now they are going to get it! R.I.P. Spike!

I’m hoping Spike survives, and with a sudden interest in local politics!

This is the genius of Aaron Neathery. Spike was only with us for a week and a half, and he’d already become a fully-rounded character. At least one of those rounds went through his heart – Doc Chase doesn’t have the facilities for doing transplants…

blood has been strewn. Now is the hour of true determination of need for freedom from what they are discovering is not a political freedom they thought they had.Who will throw the first blow. I vote on Alle. background is good with the broken radio. More real life rather than other cartoonists. Horray Aaron. Blessed Be

He looked stunned at 1st before crumbling to the ground.This might be the rat’s 1st kill! If so, I expect the rats are just as aghast as the rest of the crowd!! And then turn tail and run, scurry, skitter, out of there!!

I too hope that Spike survives, he wasn’t a bad dog, he was just one who didn’t want to make waves or have any waves to mess up his life.Rehabilitate.. that was the word I wanted when I posted late last night. Except for the one who fired the gun, shot, if they could re-learn to be sociable like-able, and productive citizens. I said last night they would be great with hair, rats love to give manicures, and they are natural rodentists.

Yes! Exactly. I couldn’t quite put my words to it. but you did! and Arron did,showed that plain as day.

Let’s see Allgood defend this!

Ah, Spike – we hardly knew ya. :(

Spike is gone. The bullets through the heartHave pierced him, and still nicked the gal behindSo now it escalates. A simple startGrows complex as the mob will lose its mindCan this be salvaged? Hardly seems a chanceCan it get worse? There’s ample room for that!Will cooler heads prevent a deadly dance?One side smells blood — the other smells a rat=|====/ Level HeadVote for Endtown 2.0And for Doc Rat, tooVote for Endtown ClassicThe Endtown ForumThe Endtown AuctionThe Endtown Books

I really hope I’m not the only person spotting this.I can’t help but notice that there are TWO holes in the radio (and in Spike’s chest in the 3rd panel).However the last panel of yesterdays strip showed only one shot fired.Me thinks there might be a second conspiracy afoot.

wow, i looked at the pictures again. he also showed the sense of total silence even when we KNOW the air is filled with cries and screams and anger

Also, looking back at the rat with the gun. It looks like he was lazy in that his trigger finger was probably resting loosely on the trigger and when he got konked on the head he would have had a tensed up, reflexibly his hand-paws would tighten and didn’t even mean to shot. That is what I see anyway.

I am pretty sure he is dead. You can look at the bloody shirt in two spots where the bullets stung. Right in his heart.And I don’t know how Aaron did this but he also dead. I mean really.Blessed Be

oooh the rats are going doooown, and he never got to use his Radio thingy.

" Ammonium nitrate isn’t as powerful as you seem to think." Tell it to the FBI. I cited Texas City because its destruction is seared into the mind of everyone in East Texas and Southwest Louisiana. I checked, and the highest report I can get is 4800 pounds, or 2.4 short tons of ammonium nitrate to blow up the Murrah building, or less than one percent of the amount the plant had and failed to report to DHS, which requires notification anytime someone or some plant or farm has more than one ton. Speaking of the Murrah building, West Fertilizer Plant blew up two days shy of the 20th Anniversary of David Koresh’s death near Waco, twenty miles away, a partial justification offered by McVeigh and Nichols to destroy the Murrah Building 18 years ago on the second anniversary of the end of the siege on Koresh’s farm. Fort Hood, Waco, President Bush 43’s ranch, the Metroplex and so many nearby targets cause concern, especially this time of year, when we have already sacrificed so many liberties in the past 20 years, or became aware of the illusions of personal privacies.I am genuinely touched by the losses the people in West have suffered in loss of life, injuries and trauma. I am from a refinery town, and when I was young, several of my schoolmates lost their fathers in industrial explosions. Nothing on this scale, but I recognize these are real people, very much like me. So corporations are people now. Is West Fertilizer Plant going to be charged with manslaughter.

I don’t know how to sign off. I genuinely feel for these people, but want to know why West had stockpiled this very large amount of ammonium nitrate when it does not seem to be a usual amount in prior years, and there a lot of fertilizer plants to supply farmers, who are generally required by the seed companies to use their fertilizer.JusGrieving

I apologize Aaron. Today’s strip is very powerful, and am beginning to suspect I have hijacked the comment board for a way off topic and am contemplating deleting every post of mine today that is not limited to the discussion of a very powerful strip. Given the word, I’ll delete all and would hope someone would remove their response. JusSayin

Shot through the heartand you’re too late.You gave Law a bad name.

But, seriously, poor Spike. To sleep, perchance to dream of his moving pictures.

So much for things being “boring and slow”. Today’s strip wouldn’t have had such a high impact if the impact of the leading strips wasn’t low.

Oh wow, I can literally feel the weight of this development. I could see a lot of myself in Spike, even after the few strips he’s been in. I think we’re about to see what happens when you throw a match into a powder keg.

Ah, the cost of willful ignorance…

A casual perusal of Mythbusters rerun episodes will rather contradict your statement. Remember the time they blew up the cement truck, causing it to effectively disappear? A bunch of ANFO, that was, and pretty effective.

Rubber bullets. Yeah, …..no.

AVENGE HIS DEATH!!!! KILL ALL THEM RATS!!!

Worst cops ever. This shouldn’t have happened. Fully automatic weapons are a bad choice, especially for something as simple as a barroom brawl. Bad trigger control, high power ammo that can punch through multiple targets, no Less-than-Lethal ammo or weaponry…

Welcome to the apocalyptic police state. This is why I support the Thunderdome-style of judicial decision-making.

Worked at a plant that produced explosive grade AN. The prilling tower was way off in the boonies from any homes.

Couldn’t find anything online to back this up—-but my search was short. But from the pictures I’ve seen, I thought Arvin put their full name on their radios, not just an “A” as it is here…

A very V For Vendetta moment. Fear often leads to the vulgar abuse of power, and when that power is already excessive beyond all reason, the results are rarely in any way pretty.

I hope Ben and his equally armed friend have made peace with their makers, because I foresee a meeting in the very near future.

And then…well…what of Endtown…

I don’t recall who, but someone called it right yesterday – Spike – right through the radio!

Additionally, this settles the issue on whether the bullets are lethal or not.

The rats will claim it was an accident. The gun went off after the rat was hit in the head by a bottle thrown by someone in the crowd. But that’s how these things usually get started.

The better comic book stories have this theme from time to time; a minor character is brought in-like Spike and the earlier Mr. Hopper-their brief addition adding further depth to the drama (or in Mr. Hopper’s case being a catalyst in starting a good story), and then dying. The late Will Eisner incorporated that theme (and did a masterful job) in many of his ‘The Spirit’ stories. Aaron Neathery has done this well.

I had an inkling that Spike would be the one shot.

Isn’t anyone else seeing the irony here? Spike was willfully ignorant of what really was important. The cost? He realized the significance of it too late. That’s a word too all among us who would prefer not to know what’s going on. “I have a good life! Why should I spoil it by concerning myself with that stuff?” Spike’s demise is why. That the bullets went through the radio in which he hoped to hide himself is no mere chance…

Spiked! The radio’s pretty much knackered too.

Rat pate comming right up

Did not see that coming.

I am a newcomer to Endtown courtesy of a shout out from Jenner of Doc Rat fame.

Mr. Neathery allow me, please, to say you are not only a fantastic artist, you are also an incredible storyteller. The Flask story arc haunted me for days and that’s the mark of a very good writer.

Will this be known as the Endtown Massacre???

Don’t be so sure the rats will get it. They have the machine guns and the high council on their side.

The “Boston Massacre” has occurred (British American Colonies, 1770, British Guards being harassed by the populace until a snow covered rock hit one of the soldiers and his gun went off). We have a trial going on about “what is correct”. I hope that now the revaluation does not begin because there is no France to help out in this case.

And the fecal material has impacted the rotary air impeller…

Too bad he wasn’t carrying a St Christopher’s medal instead of that radio, those things always stop bullets…

Also, welcome Heavy Horse to the Endtown family! If you haven’t already, be sure to read the archives. The only thing better than a daily dose of Endtown is MORE Endtown. Seriously though, as you said, Aaron’s attention to detail, in both art and story is what makes Endtown priceless. But do be aware, once exposed to the pathogens that infest this post apocalyptic wasteland you are incureably infected. ;-)

Looks to me like something is falling out of the radio in that 3rd panel….spyware?

The other question is what will the rats upstairs do? Will they choose to go down and start shooting to avenge their (soon to be fallen) comrades? Will they be so shocked both by their losses and the fallen civilian (civilians?) that they refuse to leave the attic? Will it make them question their behavior and loyalties?Veteran has often suggested that the situation with Holly, Linda and Maude might be solved by the rats refusing to follow the council’s orders. Ever since last Friday I have wondered if this incident would lead the rats to rethink things.

Two shots fired, and the Endtown Revolution begins.

And, silversummer, I’m sure Aaron appreciates the Spirit comparison. Eisner was a true master of the genre.

Stay tuned to the next exciting episo…oh, wait, the radio’s broke. You can’t stay tuned. Don’t think the warrantee will cover bullet holes either.

Just recently discovered this strip and I am VERY impressed! Fantastic on all fronts.

this is why cops don’t typically run around brandishing their guns all the time. Its also funny how in life this guy didn’t care about the current political situation, but in death (even if he somehow survives) he’ll be the prime example to show the corruption of the police force and the council that supports them.

“One dead, one wounded (cat behind Spike).”

Like what happen on that fateful day in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was shot and the same bullet went into the back ofTexas Governor John Connally.

The most apathetic to the politics helps start the shot heard round Endtown.No doubt people will say he had the radio to keep up with the trial he was VERY against.

I think those rat goons are in trouble.

This is just horriable. The poor little guy (Spike) and that liitle lady with the arm wound. Those poor people. I can see the stuff hitting the fan right now. After the shock of what has happened wears off…the stuff is going to fly. Those damn RATS! Damn Allgood and his dirty Council members. If this doesn’t get the Endtowners riled up, I don’t know what would. Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see what this genius, brilliant, most talented writer/storyteller/artist has in store for us. Thank you Aaron, for this wonderful rollercoaster ride of a story. Love ya! :O)

I am always amazed on days like this one where Mr. Neathery manages to convey so much without a word of dialogue.

I’ve been following Endtown since the end of the countdown arc. Haven’t posted until now.I think there might be some type of Elite group of rats that work for the council. These three seem to be like regular bear cops. The others that “arrested” Maude, Holly and Linda would not have been afraid of the crowd or been hesitant to start shooting at the slightest provocation.

The shot heard around Endtown

BTW, loads of comments by loads of new people. Welcome all of you.

Does Gocomics realize Endtown’s increasing popularity?

And just like villagers with torches and pitchforks, the End town citizens are going to go after every rat they see like a monster in a really bad stereotypical horror movie!

All I will say is who ever thought they use RUBBER bullets is WRONG. I never thought they would use rubber ones not practical in battle. Yes rubber ones can kill but at very close range. This was distance and passing through an object and still maintained velocity to pass the body and strike a bystander. (This is the reason I am not fond of our M4 5.56mm assault rifles for close combat. 3yards, 10 yards even 25 yards. Rounds go through and keep going.)But who will be blamed.The Rats for being who they are?Or the one who threw the bottle and started it?Riots start that way. And Thanks for the thoughts about the folks in West. I slept last night and that all that intruded on my dreams.It was no conspiracy or terrorist. It had nothing to do with Waco or Bush. West was and is just a quaint little town north of Waco. Childhood home of Willie Nelson. Czech settlement in the early days of Texas history. Nothing more than that.It was a fire that caused something in there to explode then magnified by the fertilizer increasing the blast.Poor Spike.He ended up as part of the show.And that look on his face.I am haunted by that face. I have seen it before on those I have shot.Beautiful in a very sad way. But beautiful none the less.

NOW the Rats need to “strategically” withdraw. ASAP

Went back looking for someone with long dark sleeves and white hands and didn’t see one. I think agent provocateur is a distinct possibility.

EGAD! I was right!Spike’s radio was indeed the first casualty.Quickly followed by Spike, leaving a wounded cat right behind him.There are times when I hate being right.

Poor Spike… I am pretty sure this was not the escapism he had in mind.

LET THE RAT EXTERMINATION BEGIN!!!

Here lies Spike – Shot in the woofer.

I suppose the Revolution is on and the Security Rats will wind up on the dustbin of history…but aren’t the Security Rats also the main line of defense for Endtown against the Topsiders? It’d be a shallow victory if the Endtowners get destroyed a few days later…

the shot heard round the world

NO !!!!!! Not the radio !! (wonder if the warranty covers bullets?)

I think there are going to be some skinned rats very, very soon.

Here we go. It’s on now.

What about a Bizarro multiverse, where this universe rhymes with another, down south.

I am still hoping the rats had other jobs before the war. I am a little curious that one of the three rats was named Ben. I am kind of hoping Ben is a Dr, and just so happens to have a saw and rib spreader and clamps and a full complement of medical equipment in his little black bag and saves Spike. Having just the right type of whole blood would stretch credibility, but all the Endtowners could bond by doing direct transfusions.JusDelusional

I can’t hardly wait for what happens tomorrow. I’ll try and chime in early around 5 PM eastern.

…♫ Sitting on a fence that’s a dangerous courseAh, you could even catch a bullet from the peace-keeping forceEven the hero gets a bullet in the chestOh yeah, once upon a time in the west ♫….

Posters…we’ve only knew him for a week an one day. ButSpike will always be….no, I can’t go on with it! Let’s justmove on… [somber silence].

Seeing the grouping of those shots, I’m surprised lady cat wasn’t more wounded as she was! Who else was hit I wonder? Is this about the beginning of an Endtown Massacre?

It doesn’t take ammonium nitrate to get a major explosion.

Check out http://www.csb.gov/imperial-sugar-company-dust-explosion-and-fire/

That site has a [truckfull of organic fertilizer] of other industrial accident reports.

Good grief, this strip gets better every day!