The Gene Wilder Wonka was always darker to me than the Johnny Depp Wonka. Because we don’t see those kids again. We only have glib, lies-frequently Wonka’s word that they aren’t all dead.
It’s a reference to Roman history. Look it up, it’s a cool story in addition to being the sort of history people tend to expect you to know if you’re a guest at a fancy party.
It’s also worth noting that the insane emperor in question was trotted around as a child in front of the army in a miniature uniform, which kind of reminded me of this kid for some reason.
True. It’s not entirely surprising that Little Boot developped a god complex when, for a great deal of his childhood, he was treated like a miniature god.
Ha… hahaha! Oh man, that was funny.
Seriously though, that depends entirely on who you are. If you’re a jackass that bribes, cheats, steals and murders, then generally you don’t want people to know about it. If enough people know about it and have enough proof you might get investigated, or sanctioned, or summoned for trial, or waged war against or something. Even if they don’t have much proof a lot of people will go out of their way to avoid doing you any favours or being associated with you. On the other hand, if nobody knows you’re a troublemaker then they won’t know not to trust you when you offer yet another fake peace treaty or trick business proposal.
There is a notable exception to that: If you’re a thug operating in a primitive, low-rules environment. In such cases it could be very good to have a reputation for excessive violence against anybody that annoys you. Such a reputation is a double-edged sword though because that turns killing you into a stepping stone on the path to power for anybody ambitious enough to try, including complete strangers.
There’s something in tall, large, empity, marble filled corridors that makes me feel… opressed. I suppose it’s intentional. The artwork keeps improving all the time, specially backgrounds and architeture!
It takes a savvy, cunning, and intelligent person to be deft in the art of politics. It takes an even savvier, more cunning, and more intelligent person to be able to write deftly things involving the art of politics. I wish I were more eloquent a person to be able to express how I love how the political angle of the comic is making me squirm. So I’ll just say: UNF!
The fathers last line strikes a chord with me. It’s a far cry in tone from the rest of his speech and if taken at a wistful note… it feels like it could set up his whole motive. Perhaps he wants to conquer in the misguided notion that he can be the one to bring a sort of peace. Like he wants to give all children the chance to wait for war; a chance he never got.
This isn’t exactly a new theory, of course, but the Gastonians are really looking like the bad guys in all of this lately. Really, bad. How long till Our Heroes decide they have to join the other side … ?
I think it’s more that we have a Black/Black morality going here, or maybe just Shades of Gray. Neither the Gastonians nor the monster mash are particularly pleasant individuals; they’re all grasping for power, willing to use vile methods to do so, and unmindful of the harm they cause, even to their own people (see: Dwarven Mystic Pogrom). The group isn’t going to win by changing sides–they need to change the game itself.
I don’t see that happening.
Cause while they may not like Gastonia or it’s leadership, It’s still better than the ones burning, killing and enslaving everything in sight.
unfortunatly not. The gastonians are pretty bad, but even though they’re racist jackasses, they’re not pillaging and enslaving (though they’re far less civilized than the “savage” races) so they’re still the more moral side
Dark Grey versus Light Grey, rather than black versues white here really. No side’s really good, but one of thems better.
Violent doesn’t directly translate to evil. Yes we see the Savage Race slaughtering an pillaging villages, razing everything they cross. But that is exactly the difference between the Gastonian forces and the Savage Races. The Savages Races are upfront about their goals and what they are willing to do to achieve them. The Gastonian forces use guile to hide their true intentions and actions. If I recall correctly, wasn’t there a children’s book mentioning how the dwarves ‘chose’ to move from their ancient mountain home into the resourceless desert? This is one of the most potent weapons in the Gastonian armory, to paint a pretty picture so that when you rage and rant, you seem like the one being unreasonable. It’s a whole new level of slavery, controlling the very way people think and perceive the world.
Gastonians, by that consideration, are still slightly lighter gray, in that dead people stay dead (one band of adventures excluded), but slaves can be freed. I think that this conflict is a three sided grey morallity, with the Adventure Corp being the lightest, followed by Gastonian Council coming in a hair lighter than the Savage Races. Who knows where Frigg’s Deity fits into all of this…
Now, what gets interesting is if the Adventure Corp tries a coup on the Gastonians (possibly backed by the Elves/Gnomes), in order to enact some real change.
Hmm…Crusader standing behind the scene as the kid talks of making war out in the open, Lady Justice in the background, entering frame just as Evil Dad is talking about delicate balances in shows of power. I get the feeling that we’re being told something here…
Okay, so the comic artist in me wonders why three of the five panels contain statues in focal points of the image. Could it be that there’s a bandit hiding behind one?
I would so back Gravedust for President – I’d prefer Byron or Syr’jn for the VP slot though.
Seriously – send Byron on diplomatic missions. If the recieving nation is so bad that Byron loses it and slaughters their heads of state, we’d at least be able to say that they deserved what they got, and that the resulting war would be of some value.
You know, you’d think there’d have been more consequences to House Iwatani from the whole “his son has himself put in charge while all our children are to be sold into slavery” thing.
“But I want to rule the world NOWWWWWW!”
Oh yeah, this kids a charmer. I have a feeling if he takes over he’ll appoint a pony as senator or something.
Sounds like a certain spoiled brat who got put through the Bad Egg chute in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. :3
Gene Wylder’s the best Wonka forever, by the by. x3
Now imagine Gene Wylder’s Wonka dealing with this kid.
-picture of Gene Wylder-
I see you’ve gone to war with the other races.
Tell me all about how you’ve always fought for equality among the people.
He’d just be like “… This one’s crap.” then shank him and shove him in the recycling bin.
Next we’ll have a pissy Elvish kid being shrunk so he can take part in a mummer’s puppet show.
The Gene Wilder Wonka was always darker to me than the Johnny Depp Wonka. Because we don’t see those kids again. We only have glib, lies-frequently Wonka’s word that they aren’t all dead.
Oompa Lumpas are expensive to feed.
What senate???
It’s a reference to Roman history. Look it up, it’s a cool story in addition to being the sort of history people tend to expect you to know if you’re a guest at a fancy party.
Ahh yeah, a page from the book of one of my favorite insane Roman leaders.
It’s also worth noting that the insane emperor in question was trotted around as a child in front of the army in a miniature uniform, which kind of reminded me of this kid for some reason.
True. It’s not entirely surprising that Little Boot developped a god complex when, for a great deal of his childhood, he was treated like a miniature god.
Guess that buzzed by a little fast.
I was infering that there would be no senate in this kids government.
Perhaps implying?
+3 history points.
Even more loveable than best.
In some demented way, that was almost… sweet.
And I have to admit, the kid’s got a point about how coverups don’t really make things better.
Ha… hahaha! Oh man, that was funny.
Seriously though, that depends entirely on who you are. If you’re a jackass that bribes, cheats, steals and murders, then generally you don’t want people to know about it. If enough people know about it and have enough proof you might get investigated, or sanctioned, or summoned for trial, or waged war against or something. Even if they don’t have much proof a lot of people will go out of their way to avoid doing you any favours or being associated with you. On the other hand, if nobody knows you’re a troublemaker then they won’t know not to trust you when you offer yet another fake peace treaty or trick business proposal.
There is a notable exception to that: If you’re a thug operating in a primitive, low-rules environment. In such cases it could be very good to have a reputation for excessive violence against anybody that annoys you. Such a reputation is a double-edged sword though because that turns killing you into a stepping stone on the path to power for anybody ambitious enough to try, including complete strangers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uyc-qESNuo
I bet they play it at the palace all the time.
Entitled, stupid, dangerous, and wealthy.
It makes me want to do a terrible, terrible intervention.
It makes me want to help you with that…
I’ll bring the blunt objects.
and I’ll bring the sharp objects
You have my support.
AND MY AXE
err. no. silly gravitar. =/ can has edit butan?
Is politick in the same vein as magick?
I think he’s just making it sound more mystical or impressive for the benefit of his son who may not yet see the importance of it.
In that it’s an archaic spelling now mostly relegated to self-important people (and therefore perfectly fitting in this speaker’s mouth)?
Yes, yes it is the same.
At least to the extent that both include babbling nonsense that makes things happen the way you want, yes.
Yes it’s all sleight of hand
Well, let’s see. Magic tricks are about misdirection, distraction, deception, and making things seem greater than they really are.
Politics are about…
Politick is the Art of performing politics and not just minor negotiations, as Magick is the Art of performing True Magic and just sleight of hand.
ie: Politick is the difference between Machiavelli and your average city councilman
I’m voting this guy for Villain Dad of the Year.
Hmmm, I’d still have to go with General Tarquin from Order of the Stick on that one…
Me too…
This guy just doesn’t have Tarquin’s sense of drama. Tarquin would know better than to announce his plans while in scene.
— reads alt text —
I want ice cream!
Hnnngh, the kid’s got ambition, that’s not a bad thing… but the values are so -skewed-
I really wish he could mature and… I doubt he’d ever be ‘a good guy’ but… not a bad guy? :<
Anyone else really digging that architecture? Nice work.
Those pillars look sort of non-sturdy to me.
There’s something in tall, large, empity, marble filled corridors that makes me feel… opressed. I suppose it’s intentional. The artwork keeps improving all the time, specially backgrounds and architeture!
Of course visit any of the cathedrals of Europe. They were built to convay the same feeling.
Welp.
I didn’t expect them to REALIZE they were being assholes.
He reminds me of the old school Shredder.
“I don’t wanna conquer this dimension! I wanna conquer Eaarth!”
I express my love for your comment in the form of pieces of eight. Please to be recieving many thousands of eights of them.
Every time that kid shows up I just want to jump into the comic and…beat the crap out of his face…And now the dad too…
I love having characters I can hate! Yay!
It takes a savvy, cunning, and intelligent person to be deft in the art of politics. It takes an even savvier, more cunning, and more intelligent person to be able to write deftly things involving the art of politics. I wish I were more eloquent a person to be able to express how I love how the political angle of the comic is making me squirm. So I’ll just say: UNF!
Wow, I don’t think you could make me dislike that brat anymore. I’m praying the roof collapses on them.
did someone mention unstable pillars? Please say they did. let me keep my hope alive
The fathers last line strikes a chord with me. It’s a far cry in tone from the rest of his speech and if taken at a wistful note… it feels like it could set up his whole motive. Perhaps he wants to conquer in the misguided notion that he can be the one to bring a sort of peace. Like he wants to give all children the chance to wait for war; a chance he never got.
I took it more like “rich kids don’t have to fight in wars”
Let them eat war, let them eat war.
That’s how to ration the poor.
This isn’t exactly a new theory, of course, but the Gastonians are really looking like the bad guys in all of this lately. Really, bad. How long till Our Heroes decide they have to join the other side … ?
Yeah, the Gastonians are pretty bad, but the Savage Races are even worse. That’s how it goes sometimes.
I think it’s more that we have a Black/Black morality going here, or maybe just Shades of Gray. Neither the Gastonians nor the monster mash are particularly pleasant individuals; they’re all grasping for power, willing to use vile methods to do so, and unmindful of the harm they cause, even to their own people (see: Dwarven Mystic Pogrom). The group isn’t going to win by changing sides–they need to change the game itself.
I don’t see that happening.
Cause while they may not like Gastonia or it’s leadership, It’s still better than the ones burning, killing and enslaving everything in sight.
unfortunatly not. The gastonians are pretty bad, but even though they’re racist jackasses, they’re not pillaging and enslaving (though they’re far less civilized than the “savage” races) so they’re still the more moral side
Dark Grey versus Light Grey, rather than black versues white here really. No side’s really good, but one of thems better.
That is up for debate really.
Violent doesn’t directly translate to evil. Yes we see the Savage Race slaughtering an pillaging villages, razing everything they cross. But that is exactly the difference between the Gastonian forces and the Savage Races. The Savages Races are upfront about their goals and what they are willing to do to achieve them. The Gastonian forces use guile to hide their true intentions and actions. If I recall correctly, wasn’t there a children’s book mentioning how the dwarves ‘chose’ to move from their ancient mountain home into the resourceless desert? This is one of the most potent weapons in the Gastonian armory, to paint a pretty picture so that when you rage and rant, you seem like the one being unreasonable. It’s a whole new level of slavery, controlling the very way people think and perceive the world.
Gastonians, by that consideration, are still slightly lighter gray, in that dead people stay dead (one band of adventures excluded), but slaves can be freed. I think that this conflict is a three sided grey morallity, with the Adventure Corp being the lightest, followed by Gastonian Council coming in a hair lighter than the Savage Races. Who knows where Frigg’s Deity fits into all of this…
Now, what gets interesting is if the Adventure Corp tries a coup on the Gastonians (possibly backed by the Elves/Gnomes), in order to enact some real change.
About 4 1/2 years, it turns out.
Hmm…Crusader standing behind the scene as the kid talks of making war out in the open, Lady Justice in the background, entering frame just as Evil Dad is talking about delicate balances in shows of power. I get the feeling that we’re being told something here…
Your Insight serves you well.
Okay, so the comic artist in me wonders why three of the five panels contain statues in focal points of the image. Could it be that there’s a bandit hiding behind one?
Please let the murderization of the child be at the hands of Gravedust… that way, the dwarf will be the change we all want to be.
Gravedust for Prez! Frigg for VP!
I would so back Gravedust for President – I’d prefer Byron or Syr’jn for the VP slot though.
Seriously – send Byron on diplomatic missions. If the recieving nation is so bad that Byron loses it and slaughters their heads of state, we’d at least be able to say that they deserved what they got, and that the resulting war would be of some value.
Wow, those “ceremonial” guards in panel one have HUGE axeheads on their polearms. O.O
Given thier in the shape of a G Those axes serve as much as banners/decoration as weapons.
Anyone else notice that just as they’re talking about balance, they walk past the statue holding of all things, balancing scales?
sorta hard to miss
it’s probbably just a coincidence ;-)
Jeez. A little heavy handed.
Wait a moment! I don’ think that kids going to get punished at all…
I’m still rooting for the gnome using some money from that certificate to hire Bandit Keynes for a job.
the new payet best, but waaaaaaay less likely to become a somewhat close to be a good character, wonderful
Between this kid and Best, who do you hate more? -_-
You know, you’d think there’d have been more consequences to House Iwatani from the whole “his son has himself put in charge while all our children are to be sold into slavery” thing.
I’m kind of jealous of the dad. Raising a future dictator could be SO much fun.