A good step for you
This is the last page of 2021, as Steeple (the comic) is taking Christmas week off. I myself could be doing anything during that week. I’m writing this in late September. I could be flying to the moon on a rocket sledge for all I know, dressed head to toe like George Jetson. I hope you are able to spend the festive period dressed as the Hanna Barbera character of your choice. See you on January 3rd.
COLOURS BY SAMMY BORRAS
I’m sure David will be greatly relieved to discover that he’s not actually cracking up- his dead friend has simply been brought back as a hideous undead thing by unspeakable black magic. Much less worrying.
But, you know, maybe undead mer-Jason will be charming.
Zombie Shelley was well-mannered and pleasant, at least until she finally bit part of a guy’s skull off.
Aw, she was still well-mannered and pleasant even then
Yep. That is WAY BETTER! What a relief!
That is until the undead converge towards your sofa, gain control of the remote and watch channels you don’t approve of. Not to mention scattering gore all over the items in the fridge and keeping you busy prying your beer bottles out of their cold dead hands. Been there, done that. There is docudrama “The thing that wouldn’t leave” one can find on the Internets.
At least Jason is no fighter.
Billie is the curate for all that ails him.
Tsk tsk, Mary, don’t you know that uncharitable thoughts about others are almost always due to your own personal shame?
Foxes coughing indeed. We all know it’s her D.I. Renwick photo collection keeping her up at night.
Don’t you just wonder if there was a time in Mary’s history that she didn’t wear knickers for a fella too?
I mean, don’t you?
She and Maggie are two different year models of the same gal
I am telling you: MARY IS THE RIGHT AGE TO HAVE BEEN AN OCCULT SUPER-SPY IN SWINGING MOD LONDON.
And we appreciate that.
I’m wondering if we’ll ever see young Mary, possibly in a flashback or Destroy History cross-over.
That would be amazing!
Dibs on Dick Dastardly.
I’ve been trying to figure out which Hanna Barbera character to dress as, myself. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much overlap between “My favorite Hanna Barbera characters” and “Hanna Barbera characters whose fashion sense I admire”. Maybe… Top Cat? I dunno.
If I can’t be Dick Dastardly, I’ll be Muttley!
Magilla Gorilla.
I’m going for those deep lore cuts. I want Falcon 7 from Birdman and the Galaxy Trio. You know, that dude with the eyepatch.
Going with a classic – Shaggy from Scooby-Doo.
Tom Slick with his Thunderbolt Grease-slapper!
There’s no such word as quit in racing!
But why would Billie be whispering that Mrs. Clovis isn’t wearing knickers?
Well if she knows, why wouldn’t she?
The face Billie is doing when Penrose said he’s seeing his death friend around… Pure gold! It’s like “Yep! I’m sorry, but you’re insane”. That after the emotional hug with great speech and a message of support. Sure, Maggie and Mrs. Clovis can only see her big gestures towards him, that now look so vulnerable… I hope Maggie is just curious and not jealous of their strong relationship..
After everything she’s seen so far, why would Billie balk at the existence of ghosts? In Tackleford, ghosts barely qualify as third-year material. OSLT.
Has Billie ever been to Tackleford?
Dunno, but Tom has.
Many of them are naked animals – apart from the occasional hat and/or collar and tie – who also usually walk on their hind legs. I may go as Choo-Choo.
I, too, will be dressed as a favorite Hanna Barbera character- Yogi Bear.
In a hat, collar, and tie.
And nothing else.
Dang it, that’s what I was going to wear. I guess I’ll have to settle for Boo Boo’s attire and just wear a bow tie.
Anyone else guessing that it’s Jason who recently emerged from the sea on Maggie’s bike?
I think the only question was – was it the result of Bob Warren’s dark ritual – or has it been brought forth by forces secretly allied to the Reverend? I thought the latter; I think most thought the former.
With the Reverend’s revelation, I’m a lot less sure of my interpretation.
My current theory is that it’s an accidental result of Bob Warren’s dark ritual. My guess is that at some point in the past Jason and David switched crucifixes (possibly by accident) and Bob’s attempt to lay a curse on the Reverend caused this instead. Although, if that were the case, I’d think John would have left us a hint. So maybe not.
Been trying to figure out just what a “rocket sledge” is myself. A big-ass hammer with a jet engine strapped to it? Maybe 4 sisters from Philadelphia and Elton John form a R&B band?
Either way, or no way, Merry Christmas to all.
“Rocket-sled”?
“Sledge” is another word for “sled”.
The Americas and The Isles do not share the same language, contrary to what we think.
Sledge evidently is is a heavy sled, drawn by draft horse or ox in the fields. A sledgehammer is used to pound on a sledge.
Still standing by you are going to strap a rocket to a sled, although now I’m liking the idea that is how Santa gets around in his sleigh.
“Sledge” as in “hammer” is from Old English slecg, “hammer”.
“Sledge”, “sled”, and “sleigh”, as a vehicle that slides over snow or ice, are the result of English stealing the same word from Dutch repeatedly, at various stages of the evolution of both languages.
If you’re not familiar with rocket sleds, you need to watch more Mythbusters.
I was thinking Santa’s sleigh… although I really like the Elton John/Sisters Sledge mash-up. Hope they got together to do a song somewhere along the way.
Turns out they at least appeared together in a picture you can find on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/384301204867
Okay, time to step away from the google machine. EJ and SS indeed got together for a song: This Town (“Chances are you’ll never leave this town…” seems like a possible motto for Tredregyn). https://youtu.be/XwcNS0McGT4
Couldda done with one of those today meself.
Also drove through Steeple village the other day, Essex though, not Kernow.
As for Hanna-Barbera characters, I’m halfway to being Race Bannon already. Just need to shave and lose 50 pounds.
Space Ghost?
Nah.
Is it just me, of are we seeing clues to a future crossover? John dressed as George? Can Paul and Ringo be far behind? Already mentioned in the comments, Zombie Shelley…I feel a strong converge forming…or a bit of undigested beef.
“Your guilt over Jason is [the] reason you’ve been driving yourself like this…but he died fighting your crazy war on the deep.”
Meaning that your guilt is 100% justified, so, wait, that sentence didn’t at all work out the way I intended.
As Ronald has noted, there’s a missing “the” in this speech balloon. Hopefully, Mr. A. can correct that before this sees print.
Honestly, Billie’s cassock game would be completely ruined by any form of elasticated under garment.
THIS! Let’s admit it. Underwear are little pieces of fabric ridiculously expensive and able to ruin nice things. Go commando is the best thing to do.
Weird confession
Cassocks usually are thick enough that lower undergarments don’t show up.
On the other hand, cassocks weren’t made for women originally so I can’t vouch for what a bra would do.
I mean, if they’re gonna make em for ladies should just sew in support and be done with it.
Eh, it’s probably just post traumatic stress, you’ll be fine, Padre.
Well, that’s a line to end the year on.
Knickers will not be worn again until next year.
Brain is a bad influence on Mary.
I mean, that too. But I actually wanted to write “Brian” here.
That Brain is quite the rouge.
Brain has definitely broken his Brian.
Under-appreciation of the wax-burn risk Mrs. Clovis is enduring for the sake of the vigil. You can see some dribbling on the side; doubtless there is a draft.
Fortunately the candle is pretty big; probably at least a whole day in that thing.
Hi John, hope you’re having a great Christmas break. Also hoping you enjoyed the Get Back documentary… I certainly did, but it has had the side effect of inducing me to re-read NEMS this evening and then come here and ask you – might NEMS part 2 be on the slate for 2022? I know you’ve got a lot lined up but I hope it comes out in its own good time!
NEMS part two is halfway written – hopefully I’ll finish it off and put it out this year.
It’s a twixtmas miracle! Thanks old sport.
Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I’m cracking up!
Tell me am I just paranoid
Or uh HUH HUH!