[Comic] Unlikely Society -- Chapter 37

[Joebot]

Sorry for the long wait, but the next chapter in The Unlikely Society is done and posted. This chapter concludes the current "Headbutt and Wrench" story arc, and also ... reveals the identity of The Benefactor!! I've been milking this story for about 20 chapters now, but I figured it was time.

I also finished the "special editions" of chapters 8 through 13, with updated special effects and word balloons.

And, along with that, I finished the Collected Edition #2. This PDF file collects chapters 8 - 13 (the second half of the N-Vasion story). It's available on The Illustrated Section for only a dollar. I also dropped the price of the first volume to FREE! You can't beat that deal!

As always, thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think!!

[CMP]

I KNEW IT! I knew there was only one reason to bring Hue Man back - to have him annoy the crap out of Monochromancer. This has been a hugely pivotal story arc, and I can't wait for the next one.

[zero1312]

Well, THIS really did surprise me.......

Edited April 29, 2011 by zero1312

[Capt. Redblade]

Wow. And here I thought Apathy Boy was the one behind the scenes.

Of course, it did become obvious right around the Benefactor's "Oh, God, no."

And yet the A.B. plot hole remains to be fixed. You might want to get on that, joebot.

[Joebot]

Wow. And here I thought Apathy Boy was the one behind the scenes.

Of course, it did become obvious right around the Benefactor's "Oh, God, no."

And yet the A.B. plot hole remains to be fixed. You might want to get on that, joebot.

Apathy Boy wasn't really a character; he was just a handy plot device. If I couldn't figure out how to end a story, just have Apathy Boy snap his fingers and resolve everything! That's certainly convenient, but it's also boring and a bit of a cheat. I guess what I'm saying is don't look for A.B. to show up again any time soon!

I know some people had guessed that Monchromancer was indeed The Benefactor, but I'm glad to see that I managed to surprise a few people.

[Capt. Redblade]

Apathy Boy wasn't really a character; he was just a handy plot device. If I couldn't figure out how to end a story, just have Apathy Boy snap his fingers and resolve everything! That's certainly convenient, but it's also boring and a bit of a cheat. I guess what I'm saying is don't look for A.B. to show up again any time soon!

And yet my obsessive-compulsive nature will not be appeased until the plot hole is fixed. Even something as simple as offhand dialogue that suggests he had a heart attack after the Pharaoh Phil incident would be enough.

[Zepher]

This is exactly why I've been demanding a longer story-arc for a while. Honestly, I think you could have mixed all the stories that had Commander Awesome and stuck them under one arc, that's most likely how I'll remember them. Also, I DEMAND that he at least make a cameo at some later date, he is too good to give up that easy.

The tie up was awesome. Hue-man and Olaf were used exactly as I wanted them to be. They got revenge on the killer of the only Super-Hero that would really talk to them. I hope to see more of them, and maybe (fingers crossed because I know you write the stories way in advice), but maybe a short arc focusing on them wouldn't be a bad idea. I want to really see them develop, they could be new and fun, and any comic becomes stale if you don't keep something fresh.

Continuing, after a detour, with my compliments on the wrap up. The Society gets some recognition. Good, it's sad when the team you're rooting for is ALWAYS on the down and out. Violet's story was concluded, again, something I'm happy with. Benefactor revealed, BAM, great next step.

So, here's my hopes/suggestions. Work on characters a bit again. I know it sounds silly, and I know I may not be "allowed" to say this, but I miss the characters. It's all fighting too much now. I want to just see them interact beyond making a plan of action. Chloe hasn't hit on anyone recently. Mr. Fister hasn't done anything other then punch forever. He does have his Dr. Jykell side too, don't throw it away. Joebot hasn't read sad poetry forever. The only characters that are developed anymore are villains who are captured in a three episode arc. So bring back people. Where is Star-fish head? Bringing him back, since he's already developed, would let you focus on the heroes instead of the villains. Same with Kroktor. Same with a number of others. Or don't even throw in a villain, give them a reprieve. Refocus on the major players. you have enough characters as both villains and heros, don't keep introducing more, let them grow by throwing different groups together.

Anyway, those are my suggestions and thoughts. As always, love the comic, please keep and it up, and hopefully you'll find something in my suggestions that you can use!

[Capt. Redblade]

Where is Star-fish head? Bringing him back, since he's already developed, would let you focus on the heroes instead of the villains.

Agreed. After rereading the classic comics, I realized I'm starting to miss S.H. and Death Pile Plié.

[Joebot]

Thanks for the comments, guys!

This is exactly why I've been demanding a longer story-arc for a while. Honestly, I think you could have mixed all the stories that had Commander Awesome and stuck them under one arc, that's most likely how I'll remember them. Also, I DEMAND that he at least make a cameo at some later date, he is too good to give up that easy.

He will be back in the very next chapter, although only briefly.

The tie up was awesome. Hue-man and Olaf were used exactly as I wanted them to be. They got revenge on the killer of the only Super-Hero that would really talk to them. I hope to see more of them, and maybe (fingers crossed because I know you write the stories way in advice) ...

Normally that's true, and I will typically have the next 6 or 7 chapters written. For whatever reason though, I've fallen behind in my writing, and I only have the next 3 chapters written. I need to get going on that!

So, here's my hopes/suggestions. Work on characters a bit again. I know it sounds silly, and I know I may not be "allowed" to say this, but I miss the characters...

That's a very insightful critcism, Zepher. Writing is always a balance between plot and character, and I have probably strayed too far into the "plot" side of the equation lately.

As for Starfish Head and Death Plie, I totally agree! As I've been redoing the special effects for the N-vasion story, I realized how much I miss those guys (especially Death Plie). I also realized that Starfish Head never called in that favor that Anemone owes him (last page of #13). I have some ideas in that direction ...

I'm excited about the next few chapters, but I have to build some sets, and order a couple of torsos off Bricklink. That Speed Racer torso with the "R" on the chest definitely looks like a superhero costume to me!!