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

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Brad Guigar

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.

Will female superheroes get their glory?

Posted on June 29, 2006 by Brad Guigar
A story in the Kansas City Star today raises a really good point. Will female superheroes ever get their glory?

[KANSAS CITY STAR:] Wonder Woman, we need you!

As it stands, nearly all female superhero flicks make our crime-fighting sistas look laughably pathetic. Consider these disasters: “Supergirl” (Helen Slater), “Elektra” (Jennifer Garner) and “Catwoman” (a hissably bad Halle Berry).

None won over audiences or critics, and the reason is obvious: All were rotten.

The only time we see female superheroes truly living up to their potential is when they’re lumped into an ensemble cast. “The X-Men” and “The Fantastic Four” are prime examples, with women matching brains and brawn with their male counterparts. Read more.

If anyone is capable of giving up a strong, capable superheroine, it’s Joss (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Whedon, who is reportedly developing a feature-length Wonder Woman. ‘Till then, it’s a really good question to ponder.