Apparently the “Max” setting would only get used for a large crowd. But “Max” and “Large” are only useful terms on washing machines. The potential lethality could be one of Smith’s reasons to bury the project.
When this arc was on the Plainclothes site, I could only download some of the strips. The recent strips only showed up as a red X inside a square, so they’re new to me.
Good characterization on Flyface; it figures he’d run rather than be a hero. And that it would take the Fifth’s use of his nickname to provoke him.
Potential snark material in panel #2: the names on the door. It looks like everyone who knows what will happen is getting out. (As snarks go, that reaches the Min or Itty-Bitty setting on the dial.)
Sigh. I was hoping this storyline would be fleshed out a bit from the Plainclothes site version but alas…last few weeks (aside from Sun mostly re-caps) have been play x play. Where are the FBI in all this? Find it a bit ludicrous Fifth & Flyface are given such free reign esp. w/ Jim Trailer voicing reservations.
Well, at least getting ZAPPED by Thor’s Hammer should get rid of all the flies…..
Thor’s Hammer is LETHAL!?! If I were Diet Smith I’d 86 the project also. Because even at the MAX. setting it shouldn’t be lethal, And I thought being Tased and OC spray sucked. In the words of comicbook guy…
” Worst crowd control device EVER!”
Constantine500, it would have been good to see a bit more detail; I want to know how the Fifth got Lizz out of the tanning salon undetected, and why Smith’s warehouse is so security-deficient. The absence of FBI involvement makes sense, though. The Fifth and Flyface had immunity, which they didn’t violate until they got involved with Thor’s Hammer. If Dick Tracy calls the FBI about their actions, it will end up with the government learning that Thor’s Hammer works. That runs counter to what Diet Smith wants.
Dick Tracy might break his deal with Smith if he knew that Lizz has been abducted, but so far nobody in the police department appears to know about that crime. It wasn’t even until 15 April that Dick learned of a connection between Ed Garcia and Flyface, and that was only because Junior was watching Garcia.
scuttlebutt99, it’s the dilemma any creator faces–speed versus detail. I could have used a nod toward how the Fifth abducted Lizz without any notice, or why security appears so lax at the warehouse. And I don’t see where an in-progress abduction is a slow thing. But given a choice between what we have here and the Reign of Error, I’ll take this team’s work any day. The story moves along and the artwork is great.
BB, your pic covered up 1/2 of your post. Mike, you just answered one question I had for you a few days back. Back in the old days, when the “L” word was doing the strip, we’d snark the strip to pieces. All the way from horribly drawn hands to no plot and a wimpy Tracy. We were called “Magpies” by a poster who got pretty violent. The site actually served as more of a social thing than a comic strip that had been butchered. Hence, Magpies. A lot of them are still here.
One of the quieter magpies here, but proud magpie none the less and fanboy of Bassman and the long running Dr. Magpie series.
As for on the potential lethal effects of Thor’s Hammer, I‘m betting the dials go all the way up to 11.
And while you voice concern for Flyface getting zapped, I think there’s fair sized forshadowing in the warning to Fifth about the ceramic that insulates the battery casing…
Everyone notice that FlyFace has his hand firmly on the doorknob of a steel security door. I wonder what would happen if he gets hit by a large bolt of electricity.
FlyFace is trying to run
Is it his last day under the sun?
His doubts are well founded,
while he is well grounded.
Where is he pointing his gun?
Does Thor’s Hammer fire continuously when the button is pushed, or does it need to recharge between shots? If it needs to charge up a capacitor, there might be enough time between shots for Lizz to attack the Fifth.
ah, we need more of the old “shock em” mentality of the Gould era. Today could have had the Fifth turning the machine on Liz in panel one, her face shattering or whatever that machine is supposed to do to it, in panel two, her “lifeless” body lying there in panel three…….and then tomorrow, have it had been Flyface i-m-a-g-i-n-i-n-g that scenerio, and departing for the door……a “shocker” for the fans to try and digest for a day, like Moon Maid and Model Jones were, for real…….
I suspect, based on the verbal Chekov’s guns, that Flyface’s gunshot will crack the ceramic battery casing (MUCH to the chagrin of the Fifth) and that (consistent with the machine’s design as a crowd control device) the charge fired at Flyface will be distributed evenly among the crowd of flies in front of him and Flyface himself, allowing him to survive.
FlightSuit: almost any device that projects significant amounts of energy can be lethal under the correct conditions (anybody remember the Therac-25?). I’m assuming “Thor’s Hammer” is a prototype, not a production device, and that a production version would have the necessary interlocks and safety devices to keep it from being used tight/close enough to cause death.
One thing about level of detail….the reader can use their own imagination if the detail is written well enough to flesh things out, i.e. how The Fifth managed to get Lizz out of the tanning salon.
FLIGHT SUIT almost 13 years ago
It’s a crowd control device and it’s lethal? What kind of monster is Diet Smith?
margueritem almost 13 years ago
Trubble is a brewin’.
Bill Thompson almost 13 years ago
Apparently the “Max” setting would only get used for a large crowd. But “Max” and “Large” are only useful terms on washing machines. The potential lethality could be one of Smith’s reasons to bury the project.
When this arc was on the Plainclothes site, I could only download some of the strips. The recent strips only showed up as a red X inside a square, so they’re new to me.
Good characterization on Flyface; it figures he’d run rather than be a hero. And that it would take the Fifth’s use of his nickname to provoke him.
Potential snark material in panel #2: the names on the door. It looks like everyone who knows what will happen is getting out. (As snarks go, that reaches the Min or Itty-Bitty setting on the dial.)
thejensens almost 13 years ago
Wake Up Vista Bill -
There’s Trouble a-Brewin’
Lassie, Go Get Help
jonahhex1 almost 13 years ago
Looks like it will be FlyFace and not Lizz who becomes the first guinea pig for Fifth’s newly found super-weapon.
60sFan almost 13 years ago
No doubt. Flyface is about to get the bugs zapped out of him. Unless he shoots the Fifth first–or they shoot each other at the same time….
Constantine500 almost 13 years ago
Sigh. I was hoping this storyline would be fleshed out a bit from the Plainclothes site version but alas…last few weeks (aside from Sun mostly re-caps) have been play x play. Where are the FBI in all this? Find it a bit ludicrous Fifth & Flyface are given such free reign esp. w/ Jim Trailer voicing reservations.
Det.DanDone almost 13 years ago
GOOD MORNING, VISTA BILL!
Well, at least getting ZAPPED by Thor’s Hammer should get rid of all the flies…..
Thor’s Hammer is LETHAL!?! If I were Diet Smith I’d 86 the project also. Because even at the MAX. setting it shouldn’t be lethal, And I thought being Tased and OC spray sucked. In the words of comicbook guy… ” Worst crowd control device EVER!”
Thanks for the excitement Mike!
peteatkinson almost 13 years ago
Where’s Vista Bill?
Oh, and i’d like to point out that the movement in the third panel is like reading an actual action comic! Imagine that.
Who can’t love fly faces bring the gun over? And his HANDS!!! They’re the correct size! GLORY BE!
coratelli almost 13 years ago
Wow, a cliffhanger with villains is coming!
Morrow Cummings almost 13 years ago
Good one, BB! And yes, Dakota Jones, you ARE one of the original Magpies! We wear red sweaters and hair shirts to distinguish us!
MikeCurtis Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Who are the Magpies?
Bill Thompson almost 13 years ago
Constantine500, it would have been good to see a bit more detail; I want to know how the Fifth got Lizz out of the tanning salon undetected, and why Smith’s warehouse is so security-deficient. The absence of FBI involvement makes sense, though. The Fifth and Flyface had immunity, which they didn’t violate until they got involved with Thor’s Hammer. If Dick Tracy calls the FBI about their actions, it will end up with the government learning that Thor’s Hammer works. That runs counter to what Diet Smith wants.
Dick Tracy might break his deal with Smith if he knew that Lizz has been abducted, but so far nobody in the police department appears to know about that crime. It wasn’t even until 15 April that Dick learned of a connection between Ed Garcia and Flyface, and that was only because Junior was watching Garcia.
Bill Thompson almost 13 years ago
scuttlebutt99, it’s the dilemma any creator faces–speed versus detail. I could have used a nod toward how the Fifth abducted Lizz without any notice, or why security appears so lax at the warehouse. And I don’t see where an in-progress abduction is a slow thing. But given a choice between what we have here and the Reign of Error, I’ll take this team’s work any day. The story moves along and the artwork is great.
Dr. Midnight almost 13 years ago
Why, Flyface! What a lovely shade of green your hair is today!
Morrow Cummings almost 13 years ago
BB, your pic covered up 1/2 of your post. Mike, you just answered one question I had for you a few days back. Back in the old days, when the “L” word was doing the strip, we’d snark the strip to pieces. All the way from horribly drawn hands to no plot and a wimpy Tracy. We were called “Magpies” by a poster who got pretty violent. The site actually served as more of a social thing than a comic strip that had been butchered. Hence, Magpies. A lot of them are still here.
I Go Pogo almost 13 years ago
One of the quieter magpies here, but proud magpie none the less and fanboy of Bassman and the long running Dr. Magpie series.
As for on the potential lethal effects of Thor’s Hammer, I‘m betting the dials go all the way up to 11.
And while you voice concern for Flyface getting zapped, I think there’s fair sized forshadowing in the warning to Fifth about the ceramic that insulates the battery casing…
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ almost 13 years ago
safeway674 said, “Wake Up Vista Bill”
I’m awake now, safeway674. Off to a very late start today!
Good afternoon all…
Tarry Plaguer almost 13 years ago
Everyone notice that FlyFace has his hand firmly on the doorknob of a steel security door. I wonder what would happen if he gets hit by a large bolt of electricity.
FlyFace is trying to run Is it his last day under the sun? His doubts are well founded, while he is well grounded. Where is he pointing his gun?
I’ll leave the poetry to wndrwrthg.
Bill Thompson almost 13 years ago
Does Thor’s Hammer fire continuously when the button is pushed, or does it need to recharge between shots? If it needs to charge up a capacitor, there might be enough time between shots for Lizz to attack the Fifth.
sharkcity almost 13 years ago
ah, we need more of the old “shock em” mentality of the Gould era. Today could have had the Fifth turning the machine on Liz in panel one, her face shattering or whatever that machine is supposed to do to it, in panel two, her “lifeless” body lying there in panel three…….and then tomorrow, have it had been Flyface i-m-a-g-i-n-i-n-g that scenerio, and departing for the door……a “shocker” for the fans to try and digest for a day, like Moon Maid and Model Jones were, for real…….
sharkcity almost 13 years ago
CERAMIC battery casing? Bet that’s gonna matter, and be what takes the Fifth down somehow………
ScipioGarling almost 13 years ago
I suspect, based on the verbal Chekov’s guns, that Flyface’s gunshot will crack the ceramic battery casing (MUCH to the chagrin of the Fifth) and that (consistent with the machine’s design as a crowd control device) the charge fired at Flyface will be distributed evenly among the crowd of flies in front of him and Flyface himself, allowing him to survive.
puddleglum1066 almost 13 years ago
FlightSuit: almost any device that projects significant amounts of energy can be lethal under the correct conditions (anybody remember the Therac-25?). I’m assuming “Thor’s Hammer” is a prototype, not a production device, and that a production version would have the necessary interlocks and safety devices to keep it from being used tight/close enough to cause death.
jonahhex1 almost 13 years ago
One thing about level of detail….the reader can use their own imagination if the detail is written well enough to flesh things out, i.e. how The Fifth managed to get Lizz out of the tanning salon.