Endtown by Aaron Neathery for May 25, 2012

oh that’s not a good sign

Famous last words…

After all he has heard about Flask he still thinks that he can get the better of him. I don’t think so. AM pull up your pants your assism is showing. Yes that is a word, I just invented it.Blessed Be.

The ship seems visible from the ground Has Flask taken the cloaking feature down? Aaron Marx has been shown rather shy of a clue But he’d now predict what that kitty can do? Determined, propelled by an anguish inside With merciless anger along for the ride Philomena Flask, minus the love in her name Is off-screen advancing her own deadly game =|====/ Level Head Vote for Endtown 2.0 And for Doc Rat, too The Endtown Forum Charter member of the Consortium to get Aaron a Tablet

Psycho Alert:Guess who left me a little message on the Alley Oop comments?“A message to you and the Endtown posters….I’m returning….very sooooon.”That’s right, JOSH! [Not only a Bedbug, but a Psychopath Bedbug].Night-Gaunt had a nice reply for him [which I quote in full:] “Whatever for? You defecated on that bridge before you burned it didn’t you?”

The only time I have heard a guy refer to a woman’s rear, the way Aaron referred to Flask’s that way, is when the guy had a thing for her. I wonder if Aaron has a thing for Flask?

We’re coming to the exciting climax!

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE and VOTE SOME MORE!!!Both Endtown 2.0 and Doc Rat are in good places (#37 and #40 respectively), and about 50 more votes each than the competition will advance them two positions.This is the last strip before a holiday weekend and with a little extra effort from everyone who can vote will raise Endtown 2.0 and Doc Rat to previously unseen heights in this voting at topwebcomics.com/ . Maybe think about how we can get more votes and better places in the competition. We have done great so far, but maybe a little brainstorming could come up with some brilliant idea to increase readership and voting participation.On an unrelated note, in just a few months I have really come to appreciate the nearly familial aspects to the comments section here and over at Jenner’s forum at the CrossTimeCafe.. Among other things I really appreciate the absence of political discourse here. Aaron is drawing a very plausible strip outlining a possible result of continuing to pursue the existing aggressive, dualistic political pardigm.. Thank you all for your consideration.NamasteJusSayin

Whispering is for the dittos, talking is for the non-dittos. Dittos have their own means of locomotion that we haven’t been privy to yet, including leaping, jumping, coating, oozing and looming. Do not try to second guess the dittos.

On a different note, try checking out today’s Cowtown.

Is it just me or do those irregular lines in the bottom left corner of panel #4 look a bit… buildingy?

I agree. I meant no offense to anyone.Endtown is one possible outcome of continued escalation of violence we are experiencing in real life. But every now and then politics arises in the comments, and I seriously believe the current real life politics tend to narrow the discussion of how to make the world a better place. Yes, I am an idealist, who sometimes resembles a fool, but I have quite a breadth and depth of “interesting” life experiences and knowledge.Yes Aaron tells a good story, but it is a post-apocalyptic story. I really like the stories but for me it was the detail and quality of the art.Namaste

Yes, those are Topsider domes. Will the ship crash into them and let in the infected air for all the non-mutated folto breathe, or will the others be able to stop Captain Flask in time?I don’t know. The only thing I do know is it’s going to be close!NEATHERIZATION ALERT!NEATHERIZATION ALERT!

Seems to me that it wasn’t that long ago that AM was “positively positive” about what was on the other side of a particular door. His assurances don’t engender much confidence at the moment….

Since Aaron’s buttons popped off whe Wally pulled down Aaron’s pants, what are the suspenders clipped to now? Extra dittos?

I think Flask is just going to sneak quietly into the dome by herself and give everyone inside wedgies.

it’s the inconsequential things that they should worry about

You know, this might be just the opportune time for Linda to rejoin the party and “get her koala on” in defense of her son. But unless they were travelling in circles for the several hours since the rescue, might this be a different TS outpost than the one originally targeted?

Hmmm… wonder what a tall glass of “good vibes” taste like…

Uh…guys….you might want to take a look see out the window there.

Ahh, “cat woman.” Whenever I hear that term used in any variation, it takes me back to 1966 when as a first grader, it really sunk home how different girls really ARE thanks to Julie Newmar in the Batman TV series (might’ve also learned about cold showers then, too). Lee Meriweather and Eartha Kitt may have filled the Catwoman role later, but neither filled that outfit the same way as Julie did.

JusSayin, I like the overall atmosphere on the Endtown threads, too. People generally make an effort to be civil and get along here, which is not always the case on other strips. I can think of one in particular where some posters seem to live to disagree with and “correct” each other although, to their credit, they rarely get political. It was entertaining to read for a few weeks, but it’s gotten tiring enough that I’ll just stick to reading the strip and skip the repartee below.

Marx is now doing a Baron Munchausen impression. “I assure you, we are absolutely safe…”

Hi Guys, I must apologize. I didn’t mean to start a political discussion, I had just heard something fox said about the president that made me really upset. I don’t like all the horrible things any side does to, or says about, the other.

This is not an excuse but I do have Asperger’s syndrome, which I have almost completely learned to master at my age. But I do still say things that are not appropriate. I get like parables, and sayings wrong and lots of things just go past me and I’m oblivious to. So I will NOT bring up my opinions on politics or the mediaq any more. OK? WE Good?

Good Afternoon, everyone!

Oh, and may I say… To Tee-shirts!

It arrived today.

Endtown #36Doc Rat #38We really need to push the votes this weekend and next week for a spectacular finish!

Vote for Endtown

Vote for Doc Rat

Well, I won’t do it again and thanks for your replyI like all of you guys a lot so Really didn’t mean harm..

“Posers” ,huh?Claiming a prank and still insuting people. Not a good sign.Please read today’s posts and see the level of politeness and mutual respect we normally experience on this site.We are truly like a family—we can disagree without resorting to name calling or pranks. We really do like and feel concern for each other and I for one would like this forum to remain a place of intelligent discussion, a few jokes and puns, great poetry, comraderie, and generally good fun.

I think ConstanzeN was agreeing with FENRISULFR and just sending out a TROLL ALERT to the rest of us :-)

I am new here and don’t have the honor of being considered family…yet. I hope to one day be one. I see way too many times people putting down words just to see how many people get upset. It is rude and it is wrong. There is no excuse for behaving like that. I hope with all my heart that you apologize and drop the subject and start over as a friend. As I have already stated, we can never have too many friends.

Dang… (wit) is susppose to be “with”. Also…I meant “APPROACHING ON STARBOARD SIDE”. I think? Am I correct DADOF3?.

Josh, it is what it is. . .hard feelings or not. Fact is, this is an open site. You and we have the right to feel the way we choose, form our opinions and say what we want to say in a manner of our chosing. We have a good group here and we genuinely like and respect each other. But most importantly, we gather here because of Aaron’s work. Your “prank” (and now “clones” and “posers”) was hurtful to us as a community, especially as it related to Aaron and his work. Personally, I’m finding it a little difficult to take your current words seriously. Instead of saying “psych!,” perhaps an “I’m sorry guys, I was just fooling around and it won’t happen again” would have been more appropriate. No hard feeling? Time will tell on that one. Stick around and be a decent, contributing part of the community and I say bygones are bygones. But that’s just me. The others will have to make their own decisions. In the spirit of concilliation, have a good weekend.

No…Sorry…I was agreeing with FENRISULFR. I was not saying he as a Troll. Sorry you misunderstood. I’d never call FENSISULFR a troll. My feelings are hurt now, that would think that. :o(

I’m sorry guys. I did not mean any harm.

Yes, I think we’re one step closer to the Flask backstory. . .can’t wait.

Yeah, Firday’s are either the start of a huge cliffhanger or the end of one. Either way, you can’t wait until Monday.

I believe he was making fun of himself.

Finder10030 was making fun of their own misspelling of Friday. >.<

You posted a Christian sentiment on one Catoon. That, plus your abhorrence of good, honest language, spoken in the way ordinary, everyday people speak it [oh, sorry, I meant Obscenities] leads me to conclude you imagine yourself to be some kind of Christian.Well, here’s a little verse from a book called the Holy Bible [You might have run across it once or twice in-between your perusal of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People]“As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?” [Proverbs 26:18-19] Or if that’s too difficult for you, here it is in the ESV: “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”” [Proverbs 26:18-19]

Meestah Zhosh is a Troll, but he’s an amusing Troll [at least, I find him so]. In fact, everything about him reminds me of John Boorman’s film ZardozArthur FraynI am Arthur Frayn, and I am Zardoz. I have lived three hundred years, and I long to die. But death is no longer possible. I am immortal. I present now my story, full of mystery and intrigue – rich in irony, and most satirical. It is set deep in a possible future, so none of these events have yet occurred, but they may. Be warned, lest you end as I. In this tale, I am a fake god by occupation – and a magician, by inclination. Merlin is my hero! I am the puppet master. I manipulate many of the characters and events you will see. But I am invented, too, for your entertainment – and amusement. And you, poor creatures, who conjured you out of the clay? Is God in show business too?"If instead of Arthur Frayn you substitute Josh you might get an inkling what I mean.Arthur Frayn: You see, our death-wish was devious, and deep. As Zardoz, Zed, I was able to choose your forefathers! It was careful genetic breeding that produced this mutant – this slave who could free his masters! And Friend was my accomplice! Don’t you remember the man in the library, Zed?It was I who led you to the ‘Wizard of Oz’ book! Ha-hah, it was I who gave you access to the Stone! It was I!I bred you! I led you!Zed: And I have looked into the face of the force that put the idea in your mind. You are bred, and led, yourself. Herr Josh, too, thinks he is clever and goes bragging about it. [PSYCH! He goes.] He thinks he plays a game with us, he thinks he’s so clever, a Manipulatore Magister. But really, when all is said and done, he’s nothing but an amusement. So let’s sit back, enjoy his little game, and smile to ourselves……Because all the while he’s sneaking around in the dark thinking he’s concealed, he’s unaware we see by infra-red heat seeking vision and he’s standing out like a beacon, with a tiny triangle of three red lights aimed at his back.

You sound so surprised we should respond to you “like villagers with torches and pitchforks after a monster in a really bad stereotypical horror movie!” Well, maybe that’s because you’re a really bad, stereotypical horror of a poster. I remember the monster at one point threw a little girl into the water because he thought she would float like the flowers. He didn’t mean any harm by it. But harm came. So, can you really blame the villagers for banding together against a rabid dog like you?

Yes, you did. But he was making fun of the way “he” spelled “Firday” in his previous post.

fernrisulfr, I do believe Josh has stopped trolling, therefor I think it only fair that you stop bagging on him.

Thank you for your support. I personally wish I didn’t feel blasting the Troll was necessary. I have no training in recognizing behaviors like “Passive-Agressive.” But little by little I’ve been learning to recognize the facades that people put on, and to see the True Face that lies beneath. To me, it’s just so obvious some of the games this Child is playing, and I admit it does infuriate me. I react as I do because I don’t want anybody else to be fooled, even for a moment and think he’s changed when he’s not. But I would more than welcome real change.Ragnarok, eh? Garm bays loudly before Gnipa CaveBreaks his fetters and freely runsThe Fates I fathom yet farther I seeOf the Mighty Gods the Engulfing Doom.[Voluspa 48]

I am JusSayin and I approve of Fenrisulfr’s last missive. I was a youth advisor for seventeen years and have seen just about every variant on the troublemaker passive-aggressive game.

Funny coincidence: One of my accounts at another site held the username Ragnarok. When I was sent to an account to tend to a troll, it was my mission to ensure no IP they ever used was allowed on Yahoo! A couple of times Universities were banned for a short time until they dealt with their miscreants.

I also am familiar with multiple accounts to try to defend trolls, or to stir up bad behavior. There are no secrets on the net, and foolish behaviors can come back later to bite one one the backside.

The funny thing here is the Norse Legend, which holds that Tyr or Twiz sacrificed his hand to bind the Fenris Wolf’s muzzle, and when the Wolf slips his bonds it heralds the beginning of the end of the World, or Ragnarok. OK, Two survive to start the world again.

My previous post should be two places back. I left it up while editing and Fenrisulfr was responding to my previous post, while I was finishing it. Justin Thompson over at MythTickle has a good MWF strip, and once he referred to Ragnarock n Roll as a type of music, and now someone uses the name Ragnarocker.

Josh’s profile reads like 20 something or younger but it is rally impossible to tell his true age.

I’m surprised that no one has mentioned “pzow” yet. “Pzow” is a funny word.

I have to say, I always find the skill of writers like Mr Neathery to be a good reference on how to do scripts and stories in a tight, condensed, manor. They have to act with precision in placing their lines whilst adding to the characters and never letting the illusion of reality slip for us readers who are invested in the stories on a daily basis.

To use Dredd as an example (yes, I know I’m obsessed with him) today’s one had a slight joke at the end from Dredd. It’s a totally un-Dredd line but adds a dimension to the character. After visiting his niece for tea, Dredd has to rescue her. At the end she comments that they never finished the tea. His reply? “And I bet you forgot to bring the biscuits?” It’s a line that adds so much more to the character because he’s trying to make his niece laugh.

It’s little, out of the blue lines like that that tickle the brain and make it laugh despite grim surroundings and Mr Neathery seems able to pull this off with aplomb in a much tighter way than most. “Caboose that won’t quit” and “nutball in a haystack” are wonderful turns of phrase that add a lot to the character of Marx who has gone from… quite annoying really… to a fairly lovable guy over the space of a few days. And you all noticed that? Well placed phrases. Made us laugh. Made us (or me at least) begin to like the character. And, unlike Wagner’s Dredd? Mr Neathery is trying to pull off a joke or a bode or a cliff hanger every four frames to boot!

A most excellent storyteller is Mr Neathery.

As for the Josh controversy? I am a believer that everyone tries a joke that bombs at least once – it’s why my username on City Of Heroes (and a certain cafe) is Welsh Halfwit (Only half as witty as i think I am.) I am willing to entertain the idea it was a joke by Josh this once and forgive as long as it does not occur again.

Uh, Fenrisulfr, TEATING him (a 12 y.o.) online like an adult would be tantamount to child pornography. Maybe we should think of something else? :-) :-P :-O

Hey all! I received Aaron’s commissioned piece yesterday (Friday). Wally and Holly holding hands under a street light, presumedly in Endtown. It’s in color and it is absolutely beautiful. Here we go, gotta get the picture out.

Finder, here you are. Looks really nice. Hopefully, my color corrections turned out.

TSOJ – Did I somehow wake you with my e-mail or were you just getting in at 3 a.m.? Thanks for taking care of it in the morning, but it already was morning (your time).

Love the cat in your avatar surfstuff! I had two tuxedos a while back, Fred and Derf (Fred backwards). They used to sit on the window sill back-to-back and look like a reflected images of each other. They’re both gone now. (Tumors took both of them, one thyroid and the other abdominal.) A lot of happy memories with those two though.

Thanks for your time!

Thanks. It’s a commission that Finder got from Aaron. I’m just posting it here for him.

More like a “Jungian Jerkin.”

SEARCHING FOR THE CAPTAINTo the tune of: “Dancing with the captain” by Paul Nicholashttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBPrQ9r52zQIt was full steam ahead, maybe nowhere to go.I asked: “Where is Flask?” Mister Marx didn’t know.So he said: “Kiddos, send out the dittoes,‘Cause the captain’s taken total control.”I looked far away. The horizon was bare.The desert below, as we sailed through the air.Bearing is veering. Somebody’s steering.There’s a cat in the control room – Beware!Ev’rybody was searching for the captain.Ev’rybody was searching for the captain.All looking and searching for the captain.We’re headin’ for a private warAnd the ship sailed on.The captain’s composure was out of control.She’d settle old scores with the ship that she stole.Getting’ real nasty, real kamikaze,With the city of the men in her sight.Ev’rybody was searching for the captain.Ev’rybody was searching for the captain.All looking and searching for the captain.We’re headin’ for a private warAnd the ship sailed on.

Thanks for that one, Jenner!I don’t remember hearing this song before, and the dance routine was pure cheesh. Great parody.For me, the best part was the last line, which reminded me of “and the band played on”, enticing me to listen to Ball of Confusion again. Never realized just how great that song is.

(And how DO you get the spaces between the lines?)

Blame level, Jenner and the other poets for inspiring this(!)Writing on a fiction Uni Course

A tale of noble anthropomorph

Then told, I was, of a good comic site

A place of fun, desire and new delight.Endtown, I found, entranced my old eyes

The tale of those denied the sight of skies

Funny people, strange, angy and tolerant

(last would be needed to read THIS little rant(!)The stories inspire, the characters grow

(What IS Flask up to, does anyone know?)

The tension grips and wordage does crackle

A woman cunning; less cat, more Jackal.This strip I’ll see, to end and beyond,

(along with Docrat) that is my given bond.

Ta, Jenner!

Congrats to all! Your voting has helped Endtown 2.0 reach #32, and even though Doc Rat is still #38, he has collected a number of votes. There were some huge gaps in the upper 30s and our have helped significantly reduce those gaps. Keep voting, the race is heated at this level and this close to the end of the month. Please remember to vote for both Endtown 2.0 AND Doc Rat. I think there is a strategic advantage to keeping them close, so on strip does not battle Aaron and the later see Jenner rapidly approaching.Congrats to Jenner and Alan Rundle on their most recent contributions to lyrics or poetry, and of course, always to Level_Head for his works.

Also I would like to applaud finder10030 on their newest acquisition, and of course, the artist who created it. I have seen trees in Bracketville(South Texas) that kind of look like that lamppost. I do not know why I thought Wally’s dosimeter was red, I only hope the white on it is a reflection from the street candle, and not an indication of long term contamination. I do not know the half life of Amesworth radiation.Also gratitude is in order for TSOJ for helping share this with the rest of us.Namaste Ya’llJusSayin

Darn, it’s you’re – not your. Not a good day for posting already.

TSOJ: I just want to make sure of one thing with the code you gave me. Is it really: imageview.php?quickkey= or imageview.php/quickkey= ?

Thanks, surfstuff, for the kind words. You’re probably right about love being long gone by that time.

WTG Jenner, two good play on words in one strip: Chinese junk and disoriented! When the pharmacist said "stay with me, " I was like, “Yeah okay.” Loved it.

or maybe I won’t. It could be irritating him will only egg him on.

boy, nothing makes they weekend go by like a heated comic comment section debate.

yes. and I try to be a pacifist, and it’s a great idea, but a lot of the time it just doesn’t work. I still like to give it a try, though.

Uh guys, might I make a suggestion? This whole Josh thing is really out of hand. We’ve had 173 posts, make that 174 – I might as well count this one too – since Friday’s strip was posted. I’d be willing to bet that nearly half are regarding this guy who wanted to disrupt our little community. That said, I get the feeling he’s accomplishing what he started — without having to say anything more. We seem more interested in what a troll is, why this individual IS a troll and what to do with trolls when we find them, than we are with the actual purpose of this comment area. Can we please get back to commenting on the strip, Aaron’s work and, maybe even, the normal repartee we enjoy with each other. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t like what this guy did and I’m not lashing out. I’m just asking for a return to a sense of normalcy. I come here to relax and enjoy the conversations with people I like and admire. The last three days have been just a tad taxing. Like I said, just a suggestion.

….with Accordion music in the back ground. :o)

And saying to everyone, " Please, I’m an Artiste’." :O)