The backstabber also has a bucket of arms and legs. It seems to be some kind of process. You pour some blood into the bowl, they give you an autograph, and then somewhere in there you surrender a limb.
So I’m not the only one that noticed that. Groovy. Though, if you consider the artisan’s comment, I think you’re supposed to eat the painting while pouring broth (or maybe the blood of an infant) on it. True artistes like to add an extra layer to the classics, you know.
Ha that painting in the last panel is a reference to a real painting, “Saturn Devouring His Children” by Francisco de Goya. If any painter was an evil cultist of doom, it was probably de Goya.
The artisan’s, um, rant reminds me, oddly enough, of an anecdote from Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian. It seems that in 203 B.C.E., military leader Xiang Yu captured the father of his rival, Liu Bang, and threatened to boil him alive if Liu didn’t surrender. Liu’s reply: “Send me a cup of the soup.”
This is probably off topic but more regarding some earlier comments about how casual and borderline humorous the cult is.
Most everytime we have seen the Cultists, it’s been humorous. Our first taste when they were poisoning the water in Gastonia, they came off like they were at an office party, complete with small talk about how they became cultists and complaining about how adventurer’s barging in ruined the chance for promotion.
Even the first time we saw the Savage Races doing their cultist thing, the head Gnoll cultist was berating his underlings for taking his instructions for sacrificing kids too literally.
The main exception is the only notable cultist that got away, The Fortune Teller who was able to almost make Byron go berserk and slip away during the panic.
I really hope we see him again soon. He could be a bit like the Harky of the Cultists.
Hey, you know, what if the stuff the guy is gibbering about is actually the title of his piece? I mean, sure it doesn’t exactly match up with what’s going on in the painting, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Of course, he’s probably just insane. That works too.
Huh. Scaramucci never put “Armaggeda-con” on his C.V.’s list of “Work Experience.” Might be the real reason Trump’s administration fired him:
“You used to CHARGE for your front-stabbing??? That’s a WHOLE new level of douche-baggery. Gid oudda heer!!”
“No– wait! It was for autographs! Really! Ya gotta believe me!”
“Scram, ‘Mucci.”
“That– that’s not my— Ahhh, yer just jealous…”
OK, the first panel background is eluding me.
***h the Front-Stabber charges an arm and a leg for autographs.
The backstabber also has a bucket of arms and legs. It seems to be some kind of process. You pour some blood into the bowl, they give you an autograph, and then somewhere in there you surrender a limb.
Also I think the idea is that it doesn’t really matter which side you get stabbed from.
Ahhh. I should have figured that out: sorry, it was a long day.
Love how the painting is inspired by the famous image of Cronus eating one of his children. Fitting.
So I’m not the only one that noticed that. Groovy. Though, if you consider the artisan’s comment, I think you’re supposed to eat the painting while pouring broth (or maybe the blood of an infant) on it. True artistes like to add an extra layer to the classics, you know.
That reminds me – i need to buy memberships for DeepSouthCon…
What? No bags of free swag?
“Aw sweet dude! Mine has a limited edition child’s eternally bleeding tongue, with an engraving by Gash himself!”
“No fair! All mine had was the promise of eternal damnation.
Oh, and this t-shirt, so I guess it evens out.”
Suddenly all I can think of is the Bazaar at Deva.
Why? They are Cultists, not Deviants!
Wait, since when are the titles of Cultist and Deviant mutually exclusive? Some of us have a bit of an ecumenical approach to these things, mind you.
Dammit, it’s Per-vect, not Per-vert! Some people…
Hm. Probably better deals to be found here, but you can’t beat the Bazaar for people watching.
(Name-click for enlightenment, at risk of your free time)
Ha that painting in the last panel is a reference to a real painting, “Saturn Devouring His Children” by Francisco de Goya. If any painter was an evil cultist of doom, it was probably de Goya.
Damn you beat me, here: http://www.eeweems.com/goya/saturn_1000.jpg
Saturn looks like a homeless guy who mumbles as you walk past, “and then I ate them, I ate my children, spare a coin?”
I like how his eyes are bugging out like he’s just been caught in the act.
Much respect and admiration to you, MarshmallowRadiation (and to Jean-Luc), for that.
Really? I thought it was an original Pickman.
“Dammit Pickman!” Stop having your ravening ghouls pose for portraits! It’s unseemly…
The artisan’s, um, rant reminds me, oddly enough, of an anecdote from Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian. It seems that in 203 B.C.E., military leader Xiang Yu captured the father of his rival, Liu Bang, and threatened to boil him alive if Liu didn’t surrender. Liu’s reply: “Send me a cup of the soup.”
Is it weird that I find knowledge of obscure historical trivia attractive?
If so, that’s fine.
That IS an interesting tidbit! Thank you!
Gosh, Artoo … the Jawas on this planet are even weirder than the ones back on Tatooine!
These Jawas take no shit from anybody. But they still have barrels of spare parts for sale…
“THE PRICE IS OF THE SOULS OF A THOUSAND FALLEN ANGELS DAMNED TO BURN FOR ALL OF ETERNITY! CHALICE INCLUDED!”
GIFTWRAP INCLUDED!
VISION OCCLUDED!
The giftwrap is also cursed.
No, the giftwrap is ALSO made from people. And cursed.
Oh damn, I only ever budget for 700 souls to spend to at Con…
I cannot help but thinking… “But where the hell will I hang this?” its not exactly parlor art.
Since the guy is a cultist, he must have SOME kind of secret dungeon in his house, possible concealed with the classic bookcase door thing.
Nice Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son reference there. :)
I’ve only ever been to one con in my life.
That said, I find this a very accurate portrayal.
Indeed, GA is dangerously close to breaking the fourth wall with this.
which fourth wall? cause, yknow, sepiaworld.
One does have to wonder why they’re so quick to follow!
Something is wrong with me. I want to join this community. I want t be at this convention.
Don’t worry, we all do. Just watch out for Back Stabber and his friend Front Stabber.
This is probably off topic but more regarding some earlier comments about how casual and borderline humorous the cult is.
Most everytime we have seen the Cultists, it’s been humorous. Our first taste when they were poisoning the water in Gastonia, they came off like they were at an office party, complete with small talk about how they became cultists and complaining about how adventurer’s barging in ruined the chance for promotion.
Even the first time we saw the Savage Races doing their cultist thing, the head Gnoll cultist was berating his underlings for taking his instructions for sacrificing kids too literally.
The main exception is the only notable cultist that got away, The Fortune Teller who was able to almost make Byron go berserk and slip away during the panic.
I really hope we see him again soon. He could be a bit like the Harky of the Cultists.
Entertainment scheduled includes: Metallica, Motorhead, Fields of the Nephilim, Marilyn Manson, and the Osmonds.
All of them opening for Dethclock.
*DethKlock
Hey, you know, what if the stuff the guy is gibbering about is actually the title of his piece? I mean, sure it doesn’t exactly match up with what’s going on in the painting, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Of course, he’s probably just insane. That works too.
Nobody asked it yet, so:
Anyone here interested in a new con? we’re calling it ‘Soul-stice!’
Great Old Ones – is that who I think it is?
It appears to be a jade Cthuluhu.
Huh. Scaramucci never put “Armaggeda-con” on his C.V.’s list of “Work Experience.” Might be the real reason Trump’s administration fired him:
“You used to CHARGE for your front-stabbing??? That’s a WHOLE new level of douche-baggery. Gid oudda heer!!”
“No– wait! It was for autographs! Really! Ya gotta believe me!”
“Scram, ‘Mucci.”
“That– that’s not my— Ahhh, yer just jealous…”