Endtown by Aaron Neathery for May 14, 2013

Oh come now.

If they really wanted to we know what would happen, gas flooding the street, and a horde of rats pouring off the lifts to mow down Endtown. I wish they’d do it, but the great high and might council said no :(

It isn’t clear the rats here have the gasAs beans to make the ricin go for foodBut Council folks above can’t let this passAnd Endtown has explosion in the mood=|====/ Level HeadVote for Endtown 2.0And for Doc Rat, tooVote for Endtown ClassicThe Endtown ForumThe Endtown AuctionThe Endtown Books

OK, this is freaking me. When I press refresh comments I get a full page commercial about pizza. What does Gocomics have against little ole me????Anyway, I am surprised that Wally could find the first aid kit., The rats threw everything else out of the window..

See, go comics doesn’t like my spelling. PFFP/Blessed Be.

Notice that Trace refers to the group as “the rats”, not as “security” or “the strong arm of the High Council”. It may be, as a few people have mentioned before, that the rats aren’t a human-normal byproduct of the mutations (too many identical members of one species). If this is the case, then perhaps there’s a class-struggle issue between the mutants, and whatever it is that the rats came from. This could give us 3 known distinct groups – unmutated human Topsiders, humans-turned-mutants, and rats.

Doc Chase will have his paws full tonight. Will these circumstances prod our favorite genius, Prof Mallard, into action? Only time (and Aaron Neathery) will tell.

Trace is right. Endtown is never going to be the same. Another increment in the loss of innocence.

I get the feeling he will get a real “why” sooner or later.

Not entirely sure how to reply to this, and I’m not trying to get anyone to respond to this, especially not try to influence the creator to do something. This is his strip, I just say what I’d like to see. Furthermore, this is a comment section where people can comment on the strip about thoughts, hopes, curiosities, etc. I like a little action and a little bloodshed, we’ve seen both, we both know the capabilities of the rats, we’ve seen death, we’ve seen much death in fact. I’m sorry if somehow I’ve upset you by showing interest in turmoil, it’s just what I dig.

Oh you! You’re going to make me blush.

See, I’m not such a bad guy. And again, I am NOT nor have I ever intended by my comments to ever influence anything that happened in this strip, nor do I believe anyone’s comments here influences anything in this strip. Some posted their hope of the Rats turning on the HC, some posted their hope of things resolving on their own, some wondered if Mallard would get involved, I just like to see the dark tone of it all. And I don’t like a LOT of blood shed, maybe more than is needed, but I don’t believe there is ever such a thing as having just the right amount.

“I got it, your an Interior Decorator, who holds with the notion that ever room needs a little Red!” Yikes, now who’s the cooky one =S All jokes aside, why do we watch action movies? Why do we play violent games, why are rough sports so popular. People are quick to turn their nose up at violent media, and yet it’s so engrained in our culture that I believe we should just accept it for what it is.

There’s been a lot of death in this comic, but typically it’s very singular, and the comic focuses a lot more at the very human response to the carnage than the actual event.

One person dying is a tragedy. A million people dying is a statistic.

I hope they don’t jump ship, topside. An influx of fresh mutant brains to harvest would not be a good thing.

What he said.

Please read the comic from the first strip.

Of course, long as the Security Rats sit atop Endtown, the other Endtowners can’t get out…

Some people may not be aware that at least one commenter here has been known to use different accounts to talk as different people while aggravating others. To aggravate others.

Speak of the devil! Must be hard to keep track of which account you’re logged in under, DD. How do you do it?

Hey… I think I know what we can do with any rat that shows up in town. I mean… Wally’s a cat and everything. I’m sure rat burgers sound num-num-nummy.

I would’ve thought Wally wouldn’t have left the couch halfway through the window all this time…

Sounds like LA area cops. Shoot up a truck with two asian women in it(That is the wrong color and model) while looking for a large black ex-cop.

Just read this. I think maybe Wally will act like Holly, being one who will listen to a rat, get his story. Maybe patch things up between the End towners and the rats. I hope!

You can see here how information can get all twisted. When Wally’s friend got him up what does he say? The Rats opened fired on a crowd. When Wally asked how. His reply those trigger happy monsters need a reason. Now the rumors spread. Does any one come forward from the Endtown Riot and say I caused this because I chunked a bottle which hit a Rat with a gun who accidentally pulled the trigger killing Spike? Its all my fault.I will bet here NO ONE comes forward to say that. It will be said the Rats just opened fired with NO REASON. DEATH TO THE RATS. Trigger happy bastards will be the cry.Happens a lot especially to police officers. News media do this a lot. Happened here in Dallas not too long ago. Officer struggled three times trying to take a suspect into custody. ON the last fight he felt due to his injuries and the suspect going for his gun he was going to die. He pulled his weapon and shot the suspect dead. Now the media comes up. Someone not even present on camera is telling everyone that he was shot in the back for NO REASON. And what does the media do. BREAKING NEWS PERSON SHOT FOR NO REASON!!!!Nearly turned into a riot. I know I was called to the area and put on gear to go in if necessary. We were out of range of cameras just to prevent violence.The truth came out in police reports. The suspect had nearly pulled the officer’s weapon from his holster while grappling on the ground on their last fight. They had already fought two times exchanging punches and grappling. The officer trying to restrain him and the suspect continually resisting. The officer recovered his weapon and fired twice at CONTACT distance. (The barrel into the body). The suspect fell back and again charged. The officer put one more round center mass and the suspect went down.You might ask where were the tasers, batons, pepper spray, less lethal force. Well you have to understand Dallas PD. Only Sgts and above carry tasers. Patrolmen do not. Batons are issued but they are long sticks and difficult to get in and out of a car with. Less lethal is carried by SWAT and Riot squad again not by standard patrolmen.Company policy dictates what you have available to use. We being who I work for have all the tools I need to resolve situations both with less lethal force and lethal force. That is a lot to decide on in a split second. Do I go taser or gun or spray or hands or language or………… I have less than a second to make a decision THEN get seconded guessed by people not ever there.The Rats were trained specifically to do a certain detail. They have what they have. We knew guns, now we know gas. They are trained to put down disturbances with force not tact.They come in with a show of force (guns presented) orders are given and expected to be obeyed. The crowd NOW does not obey instead they turn. Now you force hands to react.

Now we all know the Rats need some retraining. But first lets get to the real matter.What is this trial all about?What is the reason this was even started to begin with?Everything else is a side line to the plot.This is what makes great story telling.AND JENNER“I know what I am doing!” (That is so funny)

What I personally like is that the word rats is slowly turning into a proper noun. Good points though Vet, an unclear story is going to resound with the survivors. If the people in the front were killed, the people in the back probably only witnessed and heard the shooting kick off. Bad intel and its consequences.

Ok, here’s a thought. I mentioned this before, but it needs repeating. Remember when Jake mentioned schism syndrome? I think this is the key to everything.First, schism syndrome is when the human psyche starts rebelling against the mutant body it is within. In Gustine’s case, she viewed herself as being trapped in the body of a 500-pound rhino, with bad eyesight and the instinct to charge anything that frightens her. To overcome this syndrome, the idea is generally to come to grips with one’s mutation, which is what Holly and Wally did, and what Jacob teaches in his “seminars”. However…An alternative approach is to reject the mutation entirely and to maintain one’s grasp on the human you were before the mutation. This is what Allgood teaches and is striving for. What does this all mean?First, that Endtown itself is in the middle of a giant schism episode. One group wants to follow Allgood’s path towards human-ness, another is trying to become full-mutant under Jackrabbit’s guidance, and the third is ambivalent – classic schism conditions.When the HC spokesvoice said that “this has to be resolved one way or the other”, maybe he/she wasn’t referring to the trial, but to the schism. That is, Velda might be an Aaron Marx-variant, pushing the colony for the “greater good” to decide once and for all which side of the mutation to stand on. The trial is a catalyst to force everyone to accept the fact that they are mutants, and to live as such as a unit. If the colony fails to survive the treatment, it “goes feral” and everyone dies.There is one other possibility, though. This also relates to the HC spokesvoice’s statement about coming to a resolution, and it involves the rats as sacrificial pawns. I may write about that later.

MacEwanMouse,My point exactly.What is going to be interesting is the trial continuing without anyone other than the Rats and the High Council know what is going on below.

I hope to see a Cat turning the Rats and leading them in an assault on the courtroom and council chambers.

*Endtown is hanging by a bloody thread. If it falls apart they could all die."-Of which then this strip will “draw” to its end, and everyone will scream “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”Well, some of us will.

I like TSOJ’s comment about the schism syndrome. Yet I do see a lot of the people seeing themselves as “humans with benefits”. After several years most peope adapt, especially if they see everyone else had changed also. Yes, there would be regrets and frustrations at times, but most people get over it. I’m reminded of my uncle spending a lot of time at the VFW hall. I wondered what it was about until I came back from overseas. I realized WWII had changed him in a way he needed other people with similar experience to cope. He never told me or anyone else any war stories when he was in Europe. When I got home, I understood in a way why. The people of Endtown went through a great change. Most have seemed to adapt escept for Jake and Allgood. It would seem to me their extremism may be a cover for schism syndrome, not an adaptation to the change.

Where is the media in all this? I’m pretty sure they have a newspaper. I’ve been thinking a boy or 2 shouting; EXtra! Read all about it!:

The rats may not be able to set foot in Endtown again, but let’s hope the people remember that Holly is a mouse (as in, not a rat) who knows how to make cheese (as in, not beans)…

Trace-and-Wally’s recent, er, “choice of words,” (“For Godsake,” "God help…, along with yesterday’s “all hell has broken loose”) is as close as I can recall any mention of God or religion being mentioned. I was wondering if anyone conducted services…I can certainly see why all the Endtowners (and Topsiders) might feel, er, Godforsaken…

Sure the councils been hacked – get class warfare going inside the refuge. Anybody want to speculate on a “topsider” hack? Electronic control to make happen what they haven’t been able to do from the outside – destroy the place from “within” ?

I did do some research on my own. The truck was the same color just different mode. Bad output by dispatch. Get that all the times. Blue 4 door car driven by a black male. Drive over in Forest Hills there are hundreds matching that “really” general description. From what I read no shots were fired just run up with weapons drawn and ready. The windows were dark tinted so making it hard to see inside. Been there done that myself. Put a guy on the ground weapon on him because his car came back as stolen. It was his car, he had just recovered it in El Paso and was on his way back to Houston. The PD did not remove the alarm. Apologies and explanations were made. Situation resolved. This person followed all my instructions which is what you should ALWAYS do. It may be wrong in the end but let things settle down first. Just arguing right at the beginning when tensions are high is not good.

Velda’s involvement is not known. Her title in the beginning was the Police Liaison between Security and “Police”. We have seen Endtown Police in the past but they have been very non present in this arc. This suggests that power has been shifted behind the scenes. The Rats do not even know. They probably have no idea how involved Velda is. If they did she would not be as “trusted” as she is now.After all the call for the fight went to the “Police” Denise to be exact. Velda monitors the call and instead sends three Security Rats KNOWING how much Endtowners don’t appreciate or respect them. A set up to begin with. Three Rats against a Mob. It was a powder keg and the fuse was already lit. Now it has exploded with lives lost and a standoff going on outside. Inside the only ones who know anything are the Rats and the High Council.

Robert Norwall,Read back to an episode with Aaron Marx and Linda when he absorbed a Topsider Zero Missile. He remarked “Explodie”When Linda asked how could he do that he replied:“Because I AM YOUR GOD!” Very powerful expression on his face. Then he apologized he was a bit carried away with himself and they moved on. There was a wreath on the door of the Café when Linda went to work there. That suggests some sort of celebration for a holiday going on.Our author has said that the Endtown Universe is “similar” to ours but different when he has been asked at the shows he goes to.This may be one thing both universes have in common. We have seen a weeping Buddha like statue that was in Linda’s apartment.Things to think about.

To all readers:Concerning my last post. I take full responsibility for that troll feeding. If there are any repurcussions, I send my apologies. I still think it’s funny, though.

I’ll take that as a compliment.

For those interested.New Avatar as Veteran.I think it is one of the best works I remember from the past.Moebius (Jean Gerard) “Hunter”This was another author I remember who could tell some ripping stories. Many with no words just actions.Died in 2012 but his art does live on.Notice the gun. I would love to give that one a try.This is what Endtown’s author’s art and stories reminded me of. The attention to details the tales of heroes becoming villain. It took some mental digging to find it I hope Moebius does not mind. I was a big fan of Heavy Metal in its day.

Tekara thanks for that. Does point out how info can get a bit out of line. It is very edgy when you are looking for someone trained like you, who knows all your tactics, and your weaknesses.Do you wait to receive fire then fire back or preemptive strike first? That’s where more experience comes into play. Most officers involved either have too many or too few years on. Surprised at the TOO MANY? Yes someone with a lot of years on can overreact because they read MORE into it than what it is. That is why I have moved more into logistics and training. It came to a point where I knew one day I would seriously hurt someone going to the edge. I don’t want to hurt any one unless it is necessary. I can relate experience and skills to young troops to help them survive. Where my skills are sharp my age gives me away. Eye sight fades becomes less clear at the longer ranges so I am all about close distance.Oh yeah, lawsuits will be pending.I don’t blame the officers completely but still don’t dismiss all blame.

JanBicThanks it is even better when you google it (Moebius The Hunter) and see the full drawing. The details are just incredible. Some one would take that much time to do each line. Come to think about it he looks a little like our Aaron Marx. Even got the same smug look. Smaller nose however. Check out the anthro type behind the Hunter. I am still trying to figure out what “brew” he is drinking. Its a big can so I would guess “Fosters” except for the color. It is best seen on full screen.

The other one I remember was Arzach. Flew around on a bird like creature.

After a short research this could be from those series. Never knew there was that much. Character was known as the Major.Don’t fret I will not abandon Endtown. EVER (Don’t care what Dora says). Just marveling at something old yet new. Told ya I am in to that kind of art and story telling.

Off duty,going home,Hope others are safe and sound.Later.

Violence for its own sake is a human condition; let’s see what the new mutant race becomes…