Dr. Muskiday unveils his latest breakthrough in workplace “crystal clear communication,” and the results are… illuminating.

Brooklyn Bowl in Philly

The Philadelphia chapter of the National Cartoonists Society had a small-but-mighty meetup at Brooklyn Bowl — and it was fantastic. I showed admirable personal courage. With a physique like mine, I was damned lucky no one threw a ball at me!

In attendance:

• Jamar Nicholas

• Dawn Griffin

• Tom Stiglich

• Terry LaBan

• And yours truly

Special thanks to Jamar’s buddy Charlie — who somehow secured us free lanes and shoes like a benevolent bowling wizard. In all seriousness, Brooklyn Bowl was a really cool place to spend an evening. If you haven't been there, you should check it out! 

[caption id="attachment_39868" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dawn Griffin and Jamar Nicholas[/caption]

The food was tasty. The pins were falling. The conversations were sharp. And for one glorious evening, supervillains and bowlers found something in common: Sometimes you just need good friends, loud crashes, and questionable aim.

Coming Attractions: Evil Inc After Dark

On the EiAD side of the empire, things are heating up:

• The latest Monster Girl Poll inspired one of my most ambitious pages yet

• MicroFics continue to expand the universe (sometimes explosively)

• And Valentine’s Day festivities are still echoing through the archives in the most… enthusiastic ways possible

If you’re not at an NSFW tier yet, remember: over 1,600 NSFW comics, illustrations, and stories unlock the minute you join. 

Transcript

Panel 1:
Jeremy (with a cloud showing a question mark and a small skull icon): “WHAT’S HAPPENING?!”

Dr. Muskiday, as he walks through the office, addressing his co-workers):  “It’s my greatest achievement! Micronanos are currently reading your emotional state, and transmitting it into a cloud above your head!”

Cassie Cruz’s cloud displays a skull and crossbones. (with a round bomb icon above her head): 

Desdemona’s cloud displays a bomb with a burning fuse. She’s looking at Catnip and Iron Dragon.

Catnip’s cloud displays a trophy icon in response to Dr. Muskiday’s statement

Iron Dragon’s cloud displays an eggplant

Giant Tess’s cloud displays jagged lightning-bolt shapes

Tempest’s cloud displaysa set of interlocking gears

Miss Match’s cloud displays an eyeroll expression

Count Spurlock’s cloud displays musical notes

Psy-Chick’s cloud displays an embarrassment expression

Lightning Lady’s cloud displays a freezing cold expression

Panel 2:
Dr. Muskiday: “I’ve reduced anxiety and guesswork in conversations by turning unspoken feelings into clearly visible data. Welcome to a new age of simple, precise communication!”

All of the co-workers are angry and their clouds reflect new emotions

Jeremy’s cloud depicts a large spider

Cassie’s cloud depicts a fly swatter

Desdemona’s cloud depicts a miniature guillotine

Giant Tess’ cloud depicts a bug zapper

Catnip’s cloud depicts a package of dental floss unspooling a length of floss that ends in a handyman’s noose

Tempest’s cloud depicts a frog licking its lips

Iron Dragon’s cloud depicts a fly strip (a/k/a sticky ribbon trap)

Count Spurlock’s cloud depicts a can of bug spray

Miss Match’s cloud depicts a rolled-up newspaper

Lightning Lady’s cloud depicts a venus fly trap

Dr. Muskiday (backing away, with his hands up): “See? I never knew how creative some of you were!”

Alt text

A busy office filled with desks, shelves, and coworkers in supervillain-style outfits.

Panel 1: Jeremy, startled, throws his hands up and shouts, “WHAT’S HAPPENING?!” A thought cloud above his head shows a large question mark. Dr. Muskiday strides confidently through the office, addressing everyone: “It’s my greatest achievement! Micronanos are currently reading your emotional state, and transmitting it into a cloud above your head!” Around the room, each coworker has a floating cloud displaying an icon: Cassie Cruz’s shows a skull and crossbones; Desdemona’s shows a round bomb with a lit fuse as she looks toward Catnip and Iron Dragon; Catnip’s displays a trophy; Iron Dragon’s shows an eggplant; Giant Tess’s shows jagged lightning bolts; Tempest’s shows interlocking gears; Miss Match’s shows an exaggerated eye-roll expression; Count Spurlock’s shows musical notes; Psy-Chick’s shows a blushing, embarrassed face; and Lightning Lady’s shows a shivering, freezing expression.

Panel 2: Dr. Muskiday declares, “I’ve reduced anxiety and guesswork in conversations by turning unspoken feelings into clearly visible data. Welcome to a new age of simple, precise communication!”

Panel 3: The coworkers now glare angrily, and their clouds change to hostile pest-control imagery: Jeremy’s shows a large spider; Cassie’s a fly swatter; Desdemona’s a miniature guillotine; Giant Tess’s a crackling bug zapper; Catnip’s a box of dental floss unspooling into a noose; Tempest’s a frog licking its lips; Iron Dragon’s a sticky fly strip; Count Spurlock’s a can of bug spray; Miss Match’s a rolled-up newspaper; and Lightning Lady’s a venus flytrap. Dr. Muskiday backs away with his hands raised, saying, “See? I never knew how creative some of you were!”