It’s plain that the Fifth intends to kill all three of them.
Lizz killed his brother, is a cop and knows his plans. She’s a threat.
Ed, being an idiot, has given the Fifth the prototype, the plans, and everything short of an instructional DVD. Ed is now pure liability. He might demand more money from the Fifth or threaten to rat him out. He may be a computer wiz but until now his only criminal experience comes from listening to his aunt and, most likely, from playing on-line games. SetZ(score), Ed, because the Fifth doesn’t have time to teach you the rules of his game.
I don’t know how useful Flyface is to the Fifth. He’s a source of legal advice but if he hasn’t been disbarred already, he will be now. He’s obviously not eager to get directly involved in crimes and he’d probably sell out his client for immunity from prosecution.
Diet Smith could be the winner here. It’s obvious that Thor’s Hammer works, but if the Fifth uses it, Smith could say that the results prove it’s unreliable. (“It’s lethal. You don’t want that for crowd control. And it wrecked a lot of valuable equipment in the warehouse. Using it in an urban setting could cause more damage than a mere riot.”)
Flyface ain’t moving, I think he’s sick of the Fifth callin’ the shots. Nor do i think he wants to do any harm to Lizz. I know he has in the past, but that was the past. Also, I can’t see THOR’S HAMMER killling anyone, sounds more like a incapacitation device, like a TASER.( I know, a couple people died in taser incidents, some extremely rare cases.) Not saying they won’t get hurt, BAD, especially since it’s used for crowd control, but if the fifth wants ‘em dead he’s gonna have to get his hands dirty. I don’t know, I think Flyface is gonna try to save Lizz. Her knight in not so shiny armor!
This is really a great story. And I don’t mean just comparing it to the last couple of Locher products. I think it ranks up there among the best since DT started.
If “Thor’s Hammer” is like some of the other devices the military/industrial complex has developed to keep the peasants in line (e.g., the annoying sound machine deployed during the protests at the Pittsburgh G20 a couple years ago, or the microwave projector that’s supposed to produce a “harmless” sensation that your skin is on fire), then it’s designed to deliver a relatively low-intensity beam over a large area. Why Diet Smith would build it so that it could be focused into a narrow beam eludes me… unless that’s the reason he deep-sixed the project.
Of course, it’s hard to tell what will happen when a wide beam is focused tight. Sometimes it does what you expect (gets more intense); sometimes it interferes with itself (that was the problem with Ronnie Reagan’s “Star Wars” missile defense lasers); sometimes it reflects back on its operator… who knows what the Hammer will do? (Well, to be fair, I do, because I read “Plainclothes.” But I’m not telling…)
puddleglum1066, Thank you for not spoiling it for those of us who didn’t see the “plainclothes site”. By the time I found out about it, the site was already down.
This story is as amazing as the artwork! Again, GREAT JOB Mike and Joe!
And while I’m giving “pats on the back”, whoever does the coloring for GOCOMICS, it’s been improving and I for one am grateful. Good Job, everyone!
Mike, don’t ever do Liz(z) in “mandibles” for a hairstyle! She looks so good now that she could step off the page and into my lap! My wife wonders why I sit at the computer all day!
Again, guys, GREAT STORY and the presentation is unbelievable! Speaking as one of the original Magpies, I can’t help but think that if you had been reading this site back yonder, we had a tiny bit of input as to what NOT to do in a strip.
Thank you for the link btmosely. Although I have visited that site many times over the past several years and downloaded every Annie strip they have there, other Annie fans may not have been aware of it.
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ about 13 years ago
Good morning all…
FLIGHT SUIT about 13 years ago
I think some people called it already: Fifth is getting tired of Flyface, and may well turn the weapon on him next.
margueritem about 13 years ago
Lizz, captive in nothing but a short robe, is highly remeniscent of the old pulps.
GM, VB!
OneUrantian about 13 years ago
Flyface seems to be frozen in his tracks. He’s pointing his gun away from everyone.
60sFan about 13 years ago
Good morning, Bill.
Maybe Flyface shoots the Fifth, and Thor’s Hammer goes off, killing the long haired creep?
Or Flyface refuses to move, and the Fifth uses Thor’s Hammer on him?
Maybe neither, but I look forward to finding out!!
Bill Thompson about 13 years ago
It’s plain that the Fifth intends to kill all three of them.
Lizz killed his brother, is a cop and knows his plans. She’s a threat.
Ed, being an idiot, has given the Fifth the prototype, the plans, and everything short of an instructional DVD. Ed is now pure liability. He might demand more money from the Fifth or threaten to rat him out. He may be a computer wiz but until now his only criminal experience comes from listening to his aunt and, most likely, from playing on-line games. SetZ(score), Ed, because the Fifth doesn’t have time to teach you the rules of his game.
I don’t know how useful Flyface is to the Fifth. He’s a source of legal advice but if he hasn’t been disbarred already, he will be now. He’s obviously not eager to get directly involved in crimes and he’d probably sell out his client for immunity from prosecution.
Diet Smith could be the winner here. It’s obvious that Thor’s Hammer works, but if the Fifth uses it, Smith could say that the results prove it’s unreliable. (“It’s lethal. You don’t want that for crowd control. And it wrecked a lot of valuable equipment in the warehouse. Using it in an urban setting could cause more damage than a mere riot.”)
Det.DanDone about 13 years ago
Flyface ain’t moving, I think he’s sick of the Fifth callin’ the shots. Nor do i think he wants to do any harm to Lizz. I know he has in the past, but that was the past. Also, I can’t see THOR’S HAMMER killling anyone, sounds more like a incapacitation device, like a TASER.( I know, a couple people died in taser incidents, some extremely rare cases.) Not saying they won’t get hurt, BAD, especially since it’s used for crowd control, but if the fifth wants ‘em dead he’s gonna have to get his hands dirty. I don’t know, I think Flyface is gonna try to save Lizz. Her knight in not so shiny armor!
Can't Sleep about 13 years ago
Love the turn the story’s taking - The Fifth itching to get back in the mobs, and Flyface - Flyface, fer cryin’out loud! - in a moral dilema!
I’m really enjoying this story, and hope it’s not about to end.
BTW, great art today, especially on panel 2!
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s strip!
davidf42 about 13 years ago
This is really a great story. And I don’t mean just comparing it to the last couple of Locher products. I think it ranks up there among the best since DT started.
puddleglum1066 about 13 years ago
If “Thor’s Hammer” is like some of the other devices the military/industrial complex has developed to keep the peasants in line (e.g., the annoying sound machine deployed during the protests at the Pittsburgh G20 a couple years ago, or the microwave projector that’s supposed to produce a “harmless” sensation that your skin is on fire), then it’s designed to deliver a relatively low-intensity beam over a large area. Why Diet Smith would build it so that it could be focused into a narrow beam eludes me… unless that’s the reason he deep-sixed the project.
Of course, it’s hard to tell what will happen when a wide beam is focused tight. Sometimes it does what you expect (gets more intense); sometimes it interferes with itself (that was the problem with Ronnie Reagan’s “Star Wars” missile defense lasers); sometimes it reflects back on its operator… who knows what the Hammer will do? (Well, to be fair, I do, because I read “Plainclothes.” But I’m not telling…)
Det.DanDone about 13 years ago
puddleglum1066, Thank you for not spoiling it for those of us who didn’t see the “plainclothes site”. By the time I found out about it, the site was already down. This story is as amazing as the artwork! Again, GREAT JOB Mike and Joe! And while I’m giving “pats on the back”, whoever does the coloring for GOCOMICS, it’s been improving and I for one am grateful. Good Job, everyone!
Morrow Cummings about 13 years ago
Mike, don’t ever do Liz(z) in “mandibles” for a hairstyle! She looks so good now that she could step off the page and into my lap! My wife wonders why I sit at the computer all day!
Again, guys, GREAT STORY and the presentation is unbelievable! Speaking as one of the original Magpies, I can’t help but think that if you had been reading this site back yonder, we had a tiny bit of input as to what NOT to do in a strip.
Morrow
CougarAllen about 13 years ago
I hope the experimental weapon turns Liz into Super Electric Girl. I don’t expect it will, but that would be cool. :D
-Cougar :{)
P.S. Especially if Super Electric Girl adopts that little robe as her costume…. :>
borkmoney about 13 years ago
Wow, this is the FIRST time since the Spiderman strip from the late 70’s that I’ve WANTED to follow a strip so much! Great job!
dakota_jones about 13 years ago
Not sure I qualify as a Magpie, only Matthew can answer that I guess, but I am loving this new era of Tracy!
marvee about 13 years ago
Welcome back, Bassman Bob. I’m enjoying DT, and now with a bonus.
davidf42 about 13 years ago
Yes! I echo Marvee’s comment. Welcome back Bob, and thanks for the story!
btmosley about 13 years ago
Have you Annie fans seen this?
http://www.stuartliss.com/loahp/
Featuring the original Mr. Am continuity from 1937!
davidf42 about 13 years ago
Thank you for the link btmosely. Although I have visited that site many times over the past several years and downloaded every Annie strip they have there, other Annie fans may not have been aware of it.