Chapter 17 | Page 8a: Competition Breeds Innovation… and Aggravation

In the depths of Dr. Muskiday’s laboratory, he unveils his newest invention to his longtime companion — a holographic clone of Miss Match. Using micronanos he can read emotions using bioluminescent mood clouds! However, although competition breeds innovation, a comment from a humble lab rat proves that it can also lead to aggravation.

Evil Inc After Dark

Meanwhile, over in Evil Inc After Dark, readers have already witnessed the results of the long-anticipated Team-Up Talk between Lightning Lady and Angus. It was a heated conversation, to say the least — and it marked a genuine first in EiAD’s ten-year history. Longtime readers will know exactly why that matters… and why the ramifications are only just beginning.

Yesterday's bonus cartoon that explored a completely new kind of shopping experience. No spoilers, but let’s just say consumer expectations are about to be challenged in ways the Better Business Bureau definitely didn’t anticipate. There’s also a brand-new Evil Inc Erotica story inspired by the most recent Monster Girl Poll winner, along with a surprise bonus reward waiting just around the corner.

Wanna see what you're missing? Here's a -very- NSFW preview.


ComicLab

In this week’s episode, “Quietly LOL,” Brad and Dave dig into the many ways we react to humor — from full-on belly laughs to the silent internal “that was good” response. Along the way, they tackle some big (and surprisingly relatable) topics:

  • Patreon Quips was a case of "competition breeds innovation" — but are we actually going to use it?

  • Why you never stop building an audience, even when things feel “established”

  • And yes… being scared of Reddit comments is universal!

It’s thoughtful, funny, and quietly reassuring — the ComicLab sweet spot. comiclabpodcast.com

 


Transcript

Panel 1:
Dr. Muskiday, presenting excitedly:
"Behold! Project SMILE: It's my Synaptic Mood Indicator and Linguistic Emulator."

Panel 2:
Dr. Muskiday, holding a perfume atomizer, sprays mist toward a lab rat in a cage:
"I spray micronanos in a 'mood mist' that bond with the subject's synaptic receptors."

Panel 3:
Dr. Muskiday continues as a close-up of the mist forms a pink bioluminescent cloud above the lab rat:
"They translate the subject's emotions into a bioluminescent cloud emitted through the skin."

Panel 4:
Dr. Muskiday observes the glowing rat in the cage. A cloud over its head displays a padlock and a key:
"And now we know everything happening in the subject's mind!"

Panel 5:
Lab rat, standing and speaking from inside the cage:
"You coulda just asked."
Holo-Clone Miss Match, surprised:
"Wow! It can TALK?!"
Dr. Muskiday, resigned:
"~Sigh~ Yes..."

Panel 6:
Dr. Muskiday slumps, disappointed:
"That's the result of my transgenic intelligence transfer system. A total failure."

Panel 7:
Holo-Clone Miss Match, curious:
"Inconsistent results?"
Dr. Muskiday, irritated:
"There were about three hundred mad scientists ahead of me, trying to patent the same acronym."

Expanded Alt Text

Seven-panel Evil Inc comic strip featuring Holo-Clone Miss Match and Dr. Muskiday, a humanoid figure with a fly’s head, standing beside a small cage containing a white lab rat. In a scene that proves that proves once again that competition breeds innovation, Dr. Muskiday introduces “Project SMILE,” which stands for Synaptic Mood Indicator and Linguistic Emulator. In the second panel, he sprays a pink mist toward the lab rat. In the third panel, the mist causes the lab rat to emit a glowing pink bioluminescent cloud. The fourth panel shows the rat glowing inside the cage, as Dr. Muskiday says they can now know the subject’s thoughts. In the fifth panel, the lab rat speaks clearly, saying, “You coulda just asked,” to Holo-Clone Miss Match’s surprise. Dr. Muskiday sighs in response. In the sixth panel, Dr. Muskiday explains that this speech is due to his failed “transgenic intelligence transfer system.” In the final panel, Miss Match assumes the project had inconsistent results, but Dr. Muskiday bitterly says hundreds of other mad scientists were ahead of him, trying to patent the same acronym.

Wonder Woman turns 65!

Wonder Woman turns 65!
The Philadelphia Daily News has an excellent package on Wonder Woman today. It talks about how her mythos has lasted sixty-five years and previews the new WW book as well. It also features an illustration by Yours Truly, so if you’re in the circulation area, pick up a copy. 🙂 Click on the thumb on the right for a better look.

[PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS] “She is the first female superhero that has crossed generations and is important to everyone as a role model,” said comic writer Jimmy Palmiotti (“Painkiller Jane”). “And that costume… woo-ha!”

“She is empowering to women and irresistible to men,” opined comic and TV writer Christos Gage (“Law and Order: SVU”). “She embodies female strength, beauty and character.”
Read more.

Unfortunately, the story doesn’t spend any time with the most fascinating aspects of Wonder Woman — like the fact that she was created by psychologist William Moulton Marston, to appeal to young girls. The psychologist fell in love with his creation, writing the comics for six years. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Wonder Woman mythos is the predominant themes of bondage.