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:
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Patreon Quips was a case of "competition breeds innovation" — but are we actually going to use it?
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Why you never stop building an audience, even when things feel “established”
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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.
Marvel vs. DC
There was a great piece in Saturday’s
Washington Post about the old “Marvel vs. DC” debate.
There’s nothing much new there, but the writer, Hank Stuever, uses some absolutely fantastic imagrey. My personal favorite was “DC was about younger kids in back yards, wearing bath towel capes, leaping from treehouses. Marvel was about older kids in basements, possibly stoned, deconstructing Thor.”
[Washington Post]
Of the great brand-loyalty debates — Ford or Chevy? John or Paul? Road Runner or Coyote? Newport or Marlboro? Orthodox or Reform? — only a very few people still sort themselves along one of the narrowest consumer dichotomies of all:
Marvel or DC?
Back when it mattered, you used to be certain. You would ally yourself and endlessly argue the merits in comic-book stores or at a convention at the airport Ramada. DC Comics, led by Superman, was for people who adored the fantasy, the Ubermensch triumphant. These readers loved skyscrapers and archvillains and sidekicks, billowing flags, unerring ethical strength. Read more.
Dare I ask? Marvel or DC? I started as an absolute Marvel zombie when I first delved into comics in the 80s. When I returned to comics a few years ago as a thirty-something prodigal geek, I was stunned to realize DC titles outnumbering Marvel titles on my reserve list by a long margin.
