Page Commentary No. 272

Psu: Honestly? Low key one of the best looking strips in the entire comic. The lighting and the top two panels were EXACTLY what I wanted them to be.

Gunwild: Sometimes a single image is broken up by panel borders in comics, to show time passing or characters 'acting'... or just because the artist thought it looked cool. This one shows Penny moving through the scene so it lets her do all her talking without just holding still and exhibiting a super-long chain of dialogue balloons.

Psu: Penny is one of those characters that should probably constantly be moving or fidgeting in a scene. Sometimes that's hard to get across in a comic that's made up of still pictures or has fairly limited space to get to tell it's story. But when you can have her in multiple places in one "shot" then I'll take it. It helps draw the contrast between her and Minx, who in very cat like behavior likes to sleep most of the day until action calls for her to pounce.

Gunwild: It's all good blocking, as they say in performing-type situations. Say, do you own a waffle iron?

Psu: Nope! I need more counter space actually. I'd love to get a toaster oven first but I don't even have one of those available to me right now. I have a rice cooker. It doesn't make burny bits though... hey don't we have the same rice cooker?

Gunwild: Pretty sure we have almost-identical ones based on the recommendation of that Technology Connections video. It's simple, but effective tech - as I bet the waffle maker is. Even in the space-future, I imagine it will be desirable to have a hot shaping mold to put your breakfast batter into.

Psu: I'm pretty sure waffle makers don't have an automatic off function. I don't think I ever operated one of those self serve buffet waffle irons correctly...

Gunwild: Ah yeah, I have a tip about those electric Belgian waffle makers with the handle you turn... little off-topic for this commentary. But hey, if you leave the waffle in just until the steam stops, you may get a better result than trusting the standard directions.

Psu: I think our best commentaries go off the rails. I'm pretty sure we could spend some time talking about Zeke's t-shirt. I don't remember the band you said it should be.

Gunwild: Not sure it was my idea and it's not their exact logo, but I believe that's one of the symbols for Buckaroo Banzai's band. Note the "BB" motif!

Psu: I don't remember if that's an official design or a fan made one... I do know I worked it into the image and "weathered" it a little bit. That's fair-ish use. Right?

Gunwild: Fair use, pure and simple from the doctrines of United States Copyright Law! 

Psu: It's not like we're trying to sell Zeke's shirt. Or waffle irons.

Psu: Hey, we should also discuss some of the tech in the first panel. We spent some time discussing just exactly what level of tech Cassiopeia has at home. And just how exactly someone as industrious as Penny might use it, without going totally mad with power.

Gunwild: Cassiopeia has probably stolen some really amazing stuff, like the robot controller device. And also some silly things... including what looks like an old iMac or eMac. Sentimental for the 2000s kids.

Psu: I think we're ready to bring back the transparent plastic shell aesthetic. Gimme that iPhone, Apple and you'll have my money.

Gunwild: Won't be a chunky rounded-off cube, but I see your point.