The obvious question
Shelley, Esther and Lottie have been having a ten-year battle to deliver the most grisly puns in my comics. Arguably Esther cleared the field in Giant Days, but that comic was set up for mirth. Shelley remains the old, wise master.
Don’t the mermen worry about their sunk costs?
What really matters is having enough liquid capital.
They knew how to keep a business afloat.
And they’ve been making waves in the industry.
I see none of you are practitioners of dry humor.
Now, now. Don’t dampen the mood.
I wonder about their pay scales…
I dunno, something about their business model seems fishy to me.
I would murder you all if I had your addresses.
I think you mean… “mer-der”?
And “shad-dresses”?
Relax man, not all humour needs to be deep
Why are you so salty?
You’re just fishing for information about us!
Best SEAquence of comments ever.
They got away just as Penrose was about to liquidate their assets.
I gotta be honest, I was kinda hoping Shelley had unleashed some kind of monster that they would then have to fight, drawing the story put for another month. This looks more like Penrose gave Charlotte a tour of the town while Shelley saved herself.
It may help to think of this story as a taster rather than the main course.
Leading to a clotted crime, perhaps?
Aww, yay!
I’m really hoping that’s an implication that we’ll see more of Lottie and/or Shelley in Tredregyn.
The real monster was the friends we made along the way.
WHAT WAS THE WORD???!!!!!!!
Grease is the word.
“Bird” or so I’ve heard.
It was good.
Everybody knows that The Bird is the Word.
Shelley clearly wants a piece of that.
Judging by the size of him, probably several pieces.
On April 28th (apparently), I wrote; “I wouldn’t worry too much about Shelley. She’s been kidnapped before. She has a history of charming her captors. Reverse Stockholm Syndrome.” I feel that I now can justly claim to have “called it”.
I, too, called a shot on this one, calling out Shelley’s captors as merpeople as early as May 7th.
But I’ve been told I shouldn’t do that anymore, as it lessens the suspense.
As bets go, it was among the safer ones you could have made.
So glad to see Lottie happy after so much anxiety about finding Shelley. And ummm, Shelley? I’m glad you’re making the Rev’s acquaintance but don’t forget Tim and Peggy are waiting back home for you.
Well, Peggy is.
No, say it ain’t so! Did I miss something that says Tim and Shelley broke up again? Or did they never get married after the time twists in Hard Yards? Argh!
I killed Tim off panel, he blew himself up, this is canon.
It was inevitable.
An alternate Tim could up via his time-travel teapot, though. I’m certain that won’t happen, but it’s not as though it’s impossible. 😉
Sigh, Tim never could never invent something that didn’t backfire on him.
Don’t play with our hearts this way John
Last panel. Shelly likey the reverend!
Local temperatures rising!
And thus a new super-team was formed. The “Ginger Avengers”.
The Avengingers?
Let’s hope Warlock Brian won’t see how smitten Shelley is with Penrose, he’d be heartbroken!
So Shelley’s “trance”-inspired Codex has resolved matters and probably would have done so regardless of Lottie and the Rev’s intervention. Anyway, it’s probably for the best that that Axe didn’t get swung about too much.
Yeah, Penrose and Lottie are basically like Indiana Jones in the first movie. Lots of action that ultimately didn’t affect the outcome at all.
But won’t the Tibkins Codex get wet and blurred? The depths are inconvenient that way.
Given that the paper (and presumably the writing implement as well) were fetched by the mer-folk at Shelly’s request, it seem plausible the might have brought her waterproof paper and a waterproof writing implement. I’m thinking of the sort of thing intended for taking field notes i the rain. Given their perpetually damp nature, it seems likely the mer-folk would keep a supply of such things on hand.
Paper made of kelp, ink humanely harvested from startled squid
Desmond can squirt ink!
Maybe it’s stone paper…?
In the rough of this page, the Purley patriarch is putting the codex in a plastic sleeve. There was a reason I didn’t use that layout, but it was 2+ months ago and I don’t remember what it was. But I’m sure the putative plastic pouch was used.
So sweet seeing Lottie so happy ♡♡♡. Penrose running an aquatic business is really weird to think. Maybe that would be a good thing for him. Shelley seems really pleased to meet him.
“But won’t the Tibkins Codex get wet and blurred? The depths are inconvenient that way.”
So, to those who have accused me of “challenging the author on his own writing”, does the above remark also constitute “challenging the author on his own writing”? Seriously, I can’t venture to guess. I’m hoping someone will metaphorically fax me the rules to their little game. 😉
Don’t axe me. I’m just here for the donuts. You DO know about the donuts, don’t you?
“Don’t axe me.”
So, don’t respond as the Vicar would, then. Can do. 😉
This is a space of friendship and mutual respect; obviously yes Ronald some days you send me to the headache pill drawer but I know you are just enjoying the comics, not trying to drive me mad on purpose. I love that you comment here and long may that continue. That goes for everyone who takes time to write their thoughtful comments.
What about the rest of us who just spout rubbish off the top of our heads?
Here for that too Joe.
That’s why we love you!
Thank you. 🙂
Seriously, that means a lot to me.
check your telex for the terms and conditions
I must say, Jon has raised many philosophical questions here. This strip is a Deep One.
I think Lottie should stay and run the shop until someone else comes along. She clearly has a love for aquatic life that exists there and I don’t see the good Rev. taking the time to keep them alive.
My guess (as this is not resolved at any later point) is that the Purleys will sneak back up the hatch at night to maintain the fish, while the shop is looking for a new owner.
That’s lovely. My mind is at ease
Is Billie still in need of a paying gig? Running a small business is hardly part-time but I think she would love it anyway.
Ah, the penultimate installment. Such mixed feelings. Sadness that this story is ending, excitement that we’re about to learn about the “heretofore unconnected plot elements”. This has been an incredibly fun story. I hope we see Lottie and/or Shelley in Tredregyn again, and/or we see some or all of our Steeple friends (using the word “friends” loosely enough to include Tom) in Tackleford someday (not just in background cameos).
Antepenultimate, I think. Tomorrow will be the penultimate and Thursday the … ultimate, I suppose.
I’m guessing Thursday will be the cover image for Clotted Crime.
Last page Thursday, Clotted Crime pt1 cover on Friday – by Julia Madrigal!
Ah! So we get a little more story first! Yay!
There is a Friday page to be the cover for Clotted Crime, but who can tell?
Oh, John can tell.
Has Shelley finally met her match??
I’m in discussions with a Star Name to explore that question further.
Betelgeuse?
Isn’t she married to Tim?
Maggie Warren, voluptuous silver haired fish shop owner. I can just see it now.
Des might be able to keep that operation afloat.
Nah. He’d sink it in a matter of days.
Hours.
I daresay he might consume the inventory.
Wasn’t Billie in need of work as of the last Steeple story?
Prepare to see this matter dealt with in extreme DEPTH.
I hear there might be positions opening up at a local aquatics shop.
Are those HORMONES fizzing their way off Shelley?
Ay, Caramba!