|
|
Post by csj on Sept 10, 2014 15:12:45 GMT
Hrm, now I feel like we were SUPPOSED to be inclined to write Jenny off as nothing at first, so we could be surprised by this page. Still I feel a bit cruddy having jumped to conclusions about her being some bobblehead solely based on her association with Jack. On the other hand, hey, maybe Jack actually legit likes her. At least I hope so. If he's just using her as some kind of weird rebound/replacement girl, that'll suck even harder since she'll seem like she deserves it even less. Not that anyone deserves that at all... Anyway lets not alchemy anybody's limbs off. I would be somewhat surprised if Tom didn't expect that reaction though personally, I've seen my criticism as a way of encouraging character development. Introducing a female character only via association to another male character is typical of less uh, renowned pieces of fiction. Even if he always intended to provide some depth (it's not that much yet, other than drawing on the floor and winking, but it's an improvement), it's a bit of a lazy intro so I'll be damned if I don't tease Tom over it a little. |
|
mb
New Member
Posts: 2 
|
Post by mb on Sept 10, 2014 15:16:15 GMT
It took me some time to find a good image. The circle is nearly identical to the one from Fullmetal Alchemist, but the symbols are different. There are also some lines missing in the center. Other than that it's identical.  And yes, this is the one they try to use to bring their dead mother back to life (which fails horribly). This can't be good. |
|
|
|
Post by todd on Sept 10, 2014 15:40:04 GMT
What I find interesting is that these abilities don't seem to be tracked by the robots, and that they don't seem to be considered a threat, when they most certainly are. At least if used smartly. Then again, they didn't thingk Paz's ability to communicate with animals was any trouble, whilst being on a ship, an enviroment legendary for its huge number of stowaway animal passengers. We also don't know how far her powers extend. Is there any kind of "commanding" aspect to it. Can she talk to bugs? The robots probably hadn't realized that Jack and Jenny had left the dance room; they just slapped the stickers on the students there without thinking to look for any who might have left early. As for Paz, they might assume that she can only talk to the animals in the manner of having a conversation with them, a la Dr. Dolittle, rather than commanding them. (And for all we know, that may be as far as Paz's abilities extend.) |
|
QuotePilgrim
Full Member
Behind my door, there are twelve other doors.
Posts: 142
|
Post by QuotePilgrim on Sept 10, 2014 15:40:21 GMT
What Tom used here is actually the human transmutation circle from Fullmetal Alchemist (with different symbols). Being a huge fan of the anime/manga, I noticed it immediately. It was a very pleasant surprise when I saw it. Well, I've never seen the show, but I knew I had seen that thing around a few times. As I said, most of what google spew out this morning was about FMA, but I thought I had seen it in some other contexts. The symbol must just have permeated the internet to a degree that it became recognizable even to those who don't know the show. It's a really neat design and a nice Easter Egg. Well, "magic" circles have been around in real-world philosophies/religions for a really long time. A Google image search for “magic circle” will show thousands of images from a lot of different sources. It might be useful to know that Fullmetal Alchemist is highly inspired by hermeticism. And I also found this. Here is high-quality image of the Fullmetal Alchemist circle Tom used, made by someone on deviantArt: solarifur.deviantart.com/art/human-transmutation-circle-172610508 |
|
|
|
Post by eyemyself on Sept 10, 2014 15:49:45 GMT
Anja seems the obvious choice, but especially if Annie thinks the Court may be compromised...my long-shot would be on Ysengrin. Edit: Or go for the comic-ending apocalyptic option and send it to Jeanne Edit2: Yeah, I know it's not summoning an individual, but sending the stone...but it's funny to think about. Kinda... My first thought after Anja was also Ys. I suspect Jones can't receive the sending spell for the same reason she can't use the blinker stones and Annie may or may not be somewhat annoyed with her after finding out she had a role in Mort's original death. Annie has turned to Ys for support in the past. She has described him as her friend and he has become more and more of a mentor for her as she's grown up. Parley and Smitty are more like peers to Annie. I don't think they will be her first choice. |
|
|
|
Post by Daedalus on Sept 10, 2014 16:01:10 GMT
It took me some time to find a good image. The circle is nearly identical to the one from Fullmetal Alchemist, but the symbols are different. There are also some lines missing in the center. Other than that it's identical. And yes, this is the one they try to use to bring their dead mother back to life (which fails horribly). This can't be good. That may well be the most common image for an alchemic circle on the internet today, which suggests that: a) Tom googled 'alchemy circle' and used what he found. b) Tom is a fan of FMA and used this as a shoutout. Either way, I find it interesting that he chose not to make it a perfect match. Perhaps there is some legal/ethical restriction against using the intellectual property of FMA's creators, or perhaps it was too complicated for today's page layout... |
|
|
|
Post by Lightice on Sept 10, 2014 16:17:44 GMT
What Tom used here is actually the human transmutation circle from Fullmetal Alchemist (with different symbols). Being a huge fan of the anime/manga, I noticed it immediately. While it's quite similar, it's not the same exact pattern. The symbol on one of the three inner circles that we can see does not match those in the human transmutation circle. Unlike in the anime, the text on the outer rim also isn't English; it looks vaguely like Hebrew that was a common choice for the real life occultists. Either way, I find it interesting that he chose not to make it a perfect match. Perhaps there is some legal/ethical restriction against using the intellectual property of FMA's creators, or perhaps it was too complicated for today's page layout... It's certainly just as complicated. I suspect that Tom lifted it from common source material, rather than from the manga, itself. |
|
|
|
Post by eyemyself on Sept 10, 2014 16:21:17 GMT
It's certainly just as complicated. I suspect that Tom lifted it from common source material, rather than from the manga, itself. This is my suspicion as well. |
|
QuotePilgrim
Full Member
Behind my door, there are twelve other doors.
Posts: 142
|
Post by QuotePilgrim on Sept 10, 2014 16:29:21 GMT
What Tom used here is actually the human transmutation circle from Fullmetal Alchemist (with different symbols). Being a huge fan of the anime/manga, I noticed it immediately. While it's quite similar, it's not the same exact pattern. The symbol on one of the three inner circles that we can see does not match those in the human transmutation circle. Unlike in the anime, the text on the outer rim also isn't English; it looks vaguely like Hebrew that was a common choice for the real life occultists. Yeah, of course Tom edited the circle a little. It doesn't change the fact that is the circle from Fullmetal Alchemist. Even if he didn't take it directly from the manga or one of the two anime. |
|
QuotePilgrim
Full Member
Behind my door, there are twelve other doors.
Posts: 142
|
Post by QuotePilgrim on Sept 10, 2014 16:43:59 GMT
That may well be the most common image for an alchemic circle on the internet today, which suggests that: a) Tom googled 'alchemy circle' and used what he found. b) Tom is a fan of FMA and used this as a shoutout. Either way, I find it interesting that he chose not to make it a perfect match. Perhaps there is some legal/ethical restriction against using the intellectual property of FMA's creators, or perhaps it was too complicated for today's page layout... I think Tom was probably aware that the circle came from Fullmetal Alchemist when he used. Even if he's not a fan. As for the reason Tom changed the circle, I think it was just to put a Gunnerkrigg Court flavor to it. Using the circle as-is might consist copyright infringement, but I really really doubt there would be any consequences, so it would be pointless to change the symbol to avoid it. |
|
|
|
Post by warrl on Sept 10, 2014 17:30:57 GMT
And yes, this is the one they try to use to bring their dead mother back to life (which fails horribly). At that sort of thing, it's better to fail horribly than to succeed horribly. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My bet on whom the message will go to: Reynardine. Why? Because George and Andrew would try to fix things themselves. And the adults wouldn't include George and Andrew in their efforts, or reach out to the Forest. And the Forest probably wouldn't reach out to the Court - and if they did, would be ignored. Reynardine can - and would - go to George and Andrew, and Jones, and Eglamore, and the Donlans, and (at least if appropriately instructed) Coyote and Ysengrim. And they all would listen to him. (Although, come to think of it, George and Reynardine could solve the problem completely between themselves, if Antimony and maybe some suitable representative of the Court permitted it. How? Well, George is needed only to get Reynardine TO the ship. Which has eyes.) |
|
|
|
Post by wynne on Sept 10, 2014 17:49:51 GMT
So does this collaboration make Jenny and Jack the new Anja and Donald?
Also couldn't Annie contact Lindsay? Her own powers with the blinker stone are limited, which might hinder distance, Lindsay's close by and in position to help immediately, and we know she's psychically capable (and at least powerful enough to give Bud a very sloppy ether kiss). My vote's on Lindsay.
|
|
|
|
Post by aaroncampbell on Sept 10, 2014 17:58:38 GMT
I'm surprised to see Jack use a twin rotor design rather than a quadrotor, but considering he knocked it together out of whatever he could find on the ship, I'm VERY impressed! I found a forum with some others who are doing some similar designs. Check this one out (image is also a link to the original post in that other forum)"  I've seen a couple of videos showing these guys fly and VTOL which confirms they can be stable, though it looks like it takes alot more work than a trirotor or quadrotor. Two points don't make a plane, after all. (heh, sorry for the geometry/avionics pun) |
|
|
|
Post by Daedalus on Sept 10, 2014 18:10:34 GMT
Gotolei has confirmed multiple times on the IRC that he has a terrible internet connection. I have a connection high enough that I can (and do on occasion) compete, but I prefer to enjoy the comic for a couple of seconds first. This is getting extensively off topic, but I actually also always take some time to read every sentence to pick what I feel is the best title phrase. Sometimes I end up hesitating, unable to pick the right one and hating the idea of picking a wrong one (I have sometimes regretted the line I picked) and then inevitably lose it. I recall now that Gotolei has said that he has awful connection, and I recall also that Daedalus posts a lot from his iPhone which can't be the fastest way. But when they're at it, they can be crazy fast, particularly the latter. Or at least that's my experience. Often (maybe more like "sometimes") the thread comes out in less than half a minute. My internet connection's usually not particularly good, but I can usually post within 40ish seconds. @thoth can beat me easily though  once he posted within 14 seconds of the page being posted. However, I doubt I'll be competing as much - I recently moved to a time zone where the pages come out at 2am rather than midnight, making it harder to be awake at that time regularly. Two points don't make a plane, after all. (heh, sorry for the geometry/avionics pun) Interestingly, the fact that two points do not determine a plane is why these are more unstable than a 3-rotor design - there is an axis it can rotate over, leading to instability. It was also established rather early that Jack is pretty savvy about technology. Not on Kat's "hypergenius" level, but pretty darn good all the same. His more recent growth of magical abilities has somewhat overshadowed it, flying is pretty cool after all, but from the start he's been presented as gifted in the tech area.? We have found a consort for the divine RoboKat! |
|
|
|
Post by zimmyzims on Sept 10, 2014 19:19:42 GMT
So does this collaboration make Jenny and Jack the new Anja and Donald? Also couldn't Annie contact Lindsay? Her own powers with the blinker stone are limited, which might hinder distance, Lindsay's close by and in position to help immediately, and we know she's psychically capable (and at least powerful enough to give Bud a very sloppy ether kiss). My vote's on Lindsay. Great, I just made the poll and didn't put Lindsey in. |
|
|
|
Post by keef on Sept 10, 2014 19:58:21 GMT
Who will Annie send her blinker to? Smith and Parley
Should? Ysengrin. A ship full of robots to break, he would be so happy.
|
|
|
|
Post by fwip on Sept 10, 2014 20:01:18 GMT
Jones can't use blinker stones, so I doubt Annie could communicate with her through the ether. Jones would have to guess what this flying contraption with someones bliker stone was all about. My money is on Anja. Where did Jenny find chalk or a pen with a colour that conveniently matches her own... lipstick... waaaait a minute!  Ah, thanks for the infos, guys. I'd agree that directly contacting Jones would be impossible. Getting Anja would be the most rational thing to do, but I'd put my money on George and Smitty. You guys are forgetting, Annie was able to contact Kat despite her lack of etheric powers here.
Edit: Although a good point was made by whoever pointed out that the seeking spell may be limited to living beings. My bet's on Reynardine, but I think that Ysengrin would be a much, much more interesting direction for the comic to take. Especially if this is all a setup like in Residential. Wouldn't the Court be pissed...! |
|
|
|
Post by zimmyzims on Sept 10, 2014 20:13:48 GMT
Who will Annie send her blinker to? Smith and Parley Should? Ysengrin. A ship full of robots to break, he would be so happy. I think these are the two best options. If she sends it to Parley and Smitface, I just can't see any other course of events but a serious kicking of robutts. I think she will send it to Anja, though. And that may be a less good option. |
|
|
|
Post by Toloc on Sept 10, 2014 20:19:28 GMT
You guys are forgetting, Annie was able to contact Kat despite her lack of etheric powers here.This isn't about the blinker stone, it's about Jenny's spell. It apparently needs a strong magic user. That's why I wrote 'directly'. Nothing stopping them from sending the stone to Parley or whoever and telling them to get the stone to Jones. What about Bud, he is a 'powerful psychic' and he would have quote the personal interest in the current situation. (As would Kat's parents of course, but they have been mentioned) |
|
|
|
Post by Brother_Spartacus on Sept 10, 2014 21:03:52 GMT
As much as I hate to say it, I think that circle might be from the Simon Necronomicon. Though I sincerely hope Tom didn't read that terrible scam which shat on the entire mythos.
|
|
|
|
Post by sebastian on Sept 10, 2014 21:05:06 GMT
Why nobody mention Bud?
(he is my choice, BTW)
|
|
|
|
Post by zimmyzims on Sept 10, 2014 21:13:56 GMT
Why nobody mention Bud? (he is my choice, BTW) My apologies to the crab people, I would love to put Lindsey and Bud on the list, but can't anymore. Poll has already been opened and people have started voting. To your comfort, let's just say that if it's Bud or Lindsey, the cookies are on me. |
|
|
|
Post by todd on Sept 10, 2014 22:25:25 GMT
One potential drawback with calling in anyone magical - making certain that the Seraph robots won't simply slap more of those paper talismans on them.
Smith and Parley might be a good candidate because of Parley's teleportation - at least, I don't know how else the rescue party could get there in time. The Court might have other boats, but it would take time to get one to the scene. And as Jack points out in the last panel, they don't have much time.
(Whoever comes, I don't think it'll make much difference; from the title page, I have the suspicion that Zimmy is indeed going to snap, and the results will make the robot takeover seem like a game by comparison. Though if it happens, I'd still like to see the Seraphs discover what Zimmy's reality-warping powers really mean, the hard way. As in:
*lots of robotic screaming, clanking, clattering, shredding, etc.*
We hasten to assure the forum that we did not feed any actual Seraphs or crew-bots to the horrors of Zimmy's world to produce those sound effects. We fed Boxbot to them.)
|
|
|
|
Post by fwip on Sept 10, 2014 22:25:31 GMT
How's the bicopter going to make it through the storm? It could easily simply disappear into the waves, unless Jenny's spell keeps it in the air through the storm, in which case there's not much point in the copter at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by thedoctor on Sept 10, 2014 22:28:15 GMT
Okay, my first thoughts: 1) Anja would be the obvious one, except that it would very likely get the whole of the Court into this, and I have a feeling that Annie has some reservations about that. 2) Coyote seems like a bit of an overkill. Or, let's say, it might be like curing cancer by shooting at it. 3) Jones would be the one that Annie trusts, but can she even get there? 4) *bip* gets my vote. Prepare for some serious ass-kicking, robutts! wild card: "help me, dad!". And that might just work the best! Anja is the obvious choice for magic user, plus we then get mother-daughter tension with Kat when she sees what has happened. The fact that it's on a ship way out to sea almost seems like it was designed on purpose to prevent Jones getting there, we know she can't swim! Cayote? No, he'd probably just find it funny anyway that the robots are turning on the court. Parley, perhaps, but is she even a magic user? If she goes with her heart? Ysengrin. With her head? Smitty. Also, I take back everything I said about what'sername (the new girl). She seems pretty awesome! Won me over with the use of "love" in her dialogue |
|
|
|
Post by whitehawk on Sept 10, 2014 23:40:55 GMT
Jones can't use blinker stones, so I doubt Annie could communicate with her through the ether. Jones would have to guess what this flying contraption with someones bliker stone was all about. My money is on Anja. Where did Jenny find chalk or a pen with a colour that conveniently matches her own... lipstick... waaaait a minute! Better than using her own blood, which was my first thought. I wonder how easy it would be to smear or otherwise disrupt the lipstick patterns if occult forces were to be released. |
|
|
|
Post by ctso74 on Sept 10, 2014 23:53:42 GMT
(Although, come to think of it, George and Reynardine could solve the problem completely between themselves, if Antimony and maybe some suitable representative of the Court permitted it. How? Well, George is needed only to get Reynardine TO the ship. Which has eyes.) Nice! That would be a dramatic finish! I'm still kind of hoping for a moaning ship, crewed by flesh covered nightmare-bots, wandering the seas. After everyone gets off, of course. Parley and Smitty. |
|
|
|
Post by Jelly Jellybean on Sept 10, 2014 23:58:31 GMT
Will Smitty and Parley be together, or even at the Court at all? It is the start of the Summer holiday and they both may off visiting their respective families. Parley's *bip* is the only way to get to the ship quickly (that we've seen) and Smitty may be the only way for her to *bip* to the ship accurately. If they aren't at the Court, then it may be a long time before anyone else can help.
If Lindsey is anywhere in the area, then she may be underwater. I don't see the twin-copter being much use unless Lindsey is on the surface. But if Lindsey is anywhere near, I would think she would feel a disturbance generated by the etheric syphons and investigate on her own.
I assume Anja and Donald are at the Court, but maybe they are having their own vacation while Kat is on the cruise.
Rey is an interesting suggestion. He may be the only individual Annie knows will be in the Court. Annie could send him the stone, explain what has happened, and then get Rey to take the stone to other people.
|
|
Pig_catapult
Full Member
Keeper of the Devilkitty
Posts: 171
|
Post by Pig_catapult on Sept 11, 2014 0:33:37 GMT
I think it'll be Smitface, but I want it to be Ysenface, if only for the indignant look on his face re: Annie sending him her SOS via contraption.
|
|
Jota
Junior Member
Posts: 51
|
Post by Jota on Sept 11, 2014 1:02:27 GMT
I'm wondering at the significance of the wink Jennie gave Annie. It seems to mean a little more than 'what do you think?' in response to Annie asking 'You did this?' I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that! How sure are we that Coyote wouldn't disguise himself as a teen goth and start dating Jack just to spy on the Court and/or visit Annie? We're pretty sure, right? |
|
once he posted within 14 seconds of the page being posted. However, I doubt I'll be competing as much - I recently moved to a time zone where the pages come out at 2am rather than midnight, making it harder to be awake at that time regularly.
