Annotated 48-21
Penk’s signal flare is a nice bit. It’s a natural expansion of his Tectonicus-blessed powers, and a natural thing for him to have planned out as field commander.
The visual punchline here is almost too subtle. I’m pretty sure I missed it on my initial reread. From the script: Goblaurence is now sparking another blunt as he shows off his highly flammable objects, the irony being either completely lost on him, or sardonically embraced. You never really know with him.
FB: “Step 1. Do not blow up self or friends. Step 2. Blow up thing. Step 3. Repeat.”
Always kinda wondered, is there any significance to the box the two elves are opening on deck?
Box, or hefty tome?
Don’t know! It’s not mentioned in the script, so I’d have to say “not much,” at least.
I always loved this page, even though i could never decide whether the crew was shocked at seeing the bombs, the flaming joint near the bombs, or the idea that they themselves were the ones that were going to use them.
I’d say probably a combination of the last two, though the exact admixture changes between individuals.
Irony lost on Goblaurence? Never.
The man merely is on a constant scarcity of fucks to give. Ever.
I thought making it even less subtle would be too much. Especially since the word “responsible” is in bold, when it alone, in Gob’s mouth, should give everyone pause.
Also, how did he manage to light another one, while issuing orders, and pointing, and getting over to the asplosives box?
And what are these wooden airships using to stay afloat?
Gob might not be the most socially-competent person in this place, but at least he’s not trying to pretend otherwise.
I think “avian whose name I can’t be arsed to remember” should still rank above “you!” [awkward pause where nobody figures out who he means] “the Avian!”. At least he implicitly admits that it’s his own failure.
I quite hope that his crew has adjusted to that kind of tone by the time this scene happens …
I dunno. I think if he just said, “You! Avian dude!” it might sound like he really just didn’t bother to remember that guy’s name. After all, there seems to be only one avian on board, so that’s actually a valid identifier. Stretching that out to nine words makes it seem like he spent a lot of time thinking about how little he cares about that guy’s name, which is more insulting than just not caring.
This is, hands down, one of my favorite pages.
Gobby is like any other senior NCO. When it’s time to get the job done, it’ll get done. It maybe the way we planned, although we may have to do it my way.
I’d already identified with Goblaurnce well before this. As an engineer formerly involved with the defence industry, I endorse his language and approach wholeheartedly.