Book 2 – Page 62

[Chit Rule Railroad]

"Here comes the Sun" possibly?

That seems more like a regular phrase, whereas most spells have a word that is meaningless in Erfworld but references ours:
"Scruby" - Summon Perfect Warlord. Jack Scruby manufactured war game miniatures, and Scruby is a packet-sniffing utility: combined, "sniff out a wargamer".
"xyzzy, aybabtu", etc. - Fire spells from the tower; spell words were cheat codes, internet memes, etc.
"Pozzolana" - Repair golems: Pozzolana is a type of cement
"de Graaff" - Summon Lightning (Arkenhammer ability): Van De Graaff generator creates that kind of effect
"Lol Hayhurst, etc" - Cure Scroll : all spell words were Cure band members
'Here comes the sun' doesn't match the pattern.

But don't forget "Mind the gap".

"Here comes the sun" doesn't logically fit into Jojo's banter and otherwise seems to be there only to confirm that Jojo is a reference to George Harrison as well as Jeftichew.

(By the way, I'm wondering if Jojo will also prove to be a reference to a certain "Jeff" or "Geoffrey", given the doubling of his "f".)

[MarbitChow]

But don't forget "Mind the gap".

Good call. I'd still expect to see an immediate effect after the casting, though - sparkles or something. Jojo's banter continues for a bit before we see Parson turn and draw. I'm not seeing any evidence of spell-casting, but then, Carnymancy's spells could certainly be more subtle than other schools.

[Psyra]

Reading Jojo's lines in my head a few times, I can almost see him (or, er, hear him) sounding like Dr. Dealgood from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome...

[boegiboe]

But don't forget "Mind the gap".

Good call. I'd still expect to see an immediate effect after the casting, though - sparkles or something. Jojo's banter continues for a bit before we see Parson turn and draw. I'm not seeing any evidence of spell-casting, but then, Carnymancy's spells could certainly be more subtle than other schools.

Yeah, lack of sparkles was important for me, too. Also, no spellcasting has ever had an exclamation point. It's a small thing, but not even "... AYBABTU. AGGRO." I had noticed that before and always felt it represented the focused mental state needed for casting.

But again, there's no reason for a spell to get Parson's attention or his interest: He can't not listen to a strange caster (who has just gotten into melee range) who says he can send him home. He might be able to refuse the offer, but he cannot turn off his curiosity.

[Valwryn]

Is it just me or does Parson switch the arms his equipment is on mid panel (bracer and staff in the right hand as he's running then they switch to the left as he draws his sword).

Normally I would say it's an art error, but with the introduction of a carnimancer and with the odd art for when Parson draws his sword, anyone think maybe some funhouse-amancy or something during that scene?

[Jinren]

Is it just me or does Parson switch the arms his equipment is on mid panel (bracer and staff in the right hand as he's running then they switch to the left as he draws his sword).

Normally I would say it's an art error, but with the introduction of a carnimancer and with the odd art for when Parson draws his sword, anyone think maybe some funhouse-amancy or something during that scene?

The bracers are on the same arms the whole way through. Pretty sure he passes the staff from his right hand to his left just off the edge of panel three so he can draw his sword.

[Housellama]

Okay, am I the only one who read this and thought that maybe Jo Jo was sent by someone (I suspect Charlie) and decided (much like Jillian) to exercise his free will and make a different choice? I suspect that maybe there's a different agenda at work here.

Back on point. Parson has plenty of reason to be suspicious, but I don't think he loses anything by hearing the man out. Sizemore's within shouting distance, and as long as he keeps his sword up, he could probably skewer the caster before he did much. There's an inherent risk, but a potentially sizeable gain. Casters are the game winners in Erfworld, and Parson knows that. He's also in the MK, which means he really has incentive NOT to kill a caster.

In addition, Parson has an interest in that topic anyway. He wants to know if he has free will. I doubt he's forgotten that he was more or less FORCED by Erfworld itself to blow up GK. He didn't like that a lot. Now, this guy's in front of him, making cryptic rhymes and saying that a man might be able to control his own fate in a place supposedly ruled entirely by Fate? I'd be listening too.

[ftl]

Okay, am I the only one who read this and thought that maybe Jo Jo was sent by someone (I suspect Charlie) and decided (much like Jillian) to exercise his free will and make a different choice? I suspect that maybe there's a different agenda at work here.

Hmm, I like the idea.

Back on point. Parson has plenty of reason to be suspicious, but I don't think he loses anything by hearing the man out.

Disagree entirely. He loses TIME.

The battle is going on at Spacerock, with or without him. His bonus or his tactics may be needed there.

Here in the MK, casters now know that a warlord just appeared and then went into a tunnel. Who knows what's going on on the surface? Any moment some *other* caster can walk into that tunnel and swing things around. Maybe even figure out where the tunnel leads and walk in the other end. Or some other dirtamancer can just collapse the tunnel. Remember how powerful casters are? Parson wants to get out of the MK, fast.

Sizemore's within shouting distance, and as long as he keeps his sword up, he could probably skewer the caster before he did much. There's an inherent risk, but a potentially sizeable gain.

Is there any gain that could be had by talking now that *can't* be had with "I'll have Maggie send you a thinkagram next turn" or even "next turn, come through my Portal and we'll talk"?

Casters are the game winners in Erfworld, and Parson knows that. He's also in the MK, which means he really has incentive NOT to kill a caster.

I agree with that. He doesn't really want to kill an unknown caster. He's sort of stuck - the best-case is either to disarm him, or force him to walk in front while Parson also gets to the exit and gets out of there.

[Krennson]

Okay, am I the only one who read this and thought that maybe Jo Jo was sent by someone (I suspect Charlie) and decided (much like Jillian) to exercise his free will and make a different choice? I suspect that maybe there's a different agenda at work here.

Back on point. Parson has plenty of reason to be suspicious, but I don't think he loses anything by hearing the man out. Sizemore's within shouting distance, and as long as he keeps his sword up, he could probably skewer the caster before he did much. There's an inherent risk, but a potentially sizeable gain. Casters are the game winners in Erfworld, and Parson knows that. He's also in the MK, which means he really has incentive NOT to kill a caster.

In addition, Parson has an interest in that topic anyway. He wants to know if he has free will. I doubt he's forgotten that he was more or less FORCED by Erfworld itself to blow up GK. He didn't like that a lot. Now, this guy's in front of him, making cryptic rhymes and saying that a man might be able to control his own fate in a place supposedly ruled entirely by Fate? I'd be listening too.

Personally, I suspect that Jeftichew wants to defect: He was ordered by Queen Bea to not to assist Gobwin Knob forces, but he plans to join them instead, possibly because of the anti-charlie campaign.

[splexis]

How on earth does his identity reference the Beatles? "Jojo" was the real Jeftichew's stage name.

Are you one of those folks who has difficulty with both/and type duality thing-os? But to answer your question:

His outfit is George's from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Not kinda, but precisely. (Also, Sgt' Pepper's was a marching band, note Parson's comment in panel 8.)

His face is is a very good representation of Harrison's during his bearded moments. And doesn't look at all like the real world Jeftichew (who didn't simply have a beard, but had hair all over his body, including his brow, around his eyes, etc.)

"Here Comes the Sun" was was written by George Harrison

"Jojo" references both the real life Jeftichew, but also the song the Beatles' "Get Back"

[Housellama]

Disagree entirely. He loses TIME.

The battle is going on at Spacerock, with or without him. His bonus or his tactics may be needed there.

Here in the MK, casters now know that a warlord just appeared and then went into a tunnel. Who knows what's going on on the surface? Any moment some *other* caster can walk into that tunnel and swing things around. Maybe even figure out where the tunnel leads and walk in the other end. Or some other dirtamancer can just collapse the tunnel. Remember how powerful casters are? Parson wants to get out of the MK, fast.

You're right, he does want to get out of the MK fast. However. Let's look at this from the other position. Right now, the one thing Parson knows is that this guy in front of him wants to talk. And as long as this guy's in front of him, Parson can let him talk and still have time to react if he tries something. So either he listens to the guy talk, or he tries something else.

Alternatives:
A. He kills/attempts to kill the caster. This is bad all the way around. For a lot of reasons. Too obvious and numerous to go into the detail.
B. He takes the guy with him. Bringing an unknown Caster into the center of his defenses where they could take out his entire leadership corps in one go. Not to mention the political implications. I think this one is probably best left alone as well.
C. He turns and hoofs it, either leaving a business card/invitation to talk later or just hauling boop away. This leaves an unknown caster with an unknown scroll at his back. He can't make it out of the tunnel before the caster casts. He's defenseless. Yes, I know he's covered in magic items, but he has no idea what the caster can do and what the scroll is. He has to assume the worst. He also loses out on whatever opportunity this caster might represent. Even if this caster isn't a direct threat, he still might represent a potential gain. If Parson runs, he'll never know. And not taking advantage of an easy gain is just as bad as a loss.

Sparing a few moments to listen to this guy isn't going to change the tactical situation at SR very much. Not much more than sparing a few more moments waiting for Sizemore's go/no-go. What it does do is give the MK more time to react to him, but he does have Sizemore up above who can at least give him some form of heads up if the worst happens. Taking this guy with him, or leaving this guy either dead or at his back is unthinkable. Yes, time is a factor. However, in the long run, spending the time to listen to this guy, at least for a little bit, makes much more sense than simply making a snap decision one way or another.

[Chance Gardener]

seems like the mathamancy bracer is still on the same arm throughout
as noted, it is a matter of visual perspective in how we are seeing Parson

upon review, I am reminded once again that the bracer itself is glowing red, somewhat similarly in how the Sword of Ruthlessness was glowing red.
could be mayhaps that it's glowing because it is either being activated by a spell and is in some form of protect the wearer mode, or maybe it is being attacked by a spell and is being shorted out.

that bracer is worth almost as much to Charlie as Parson is and if Charlie can't have it, then why should Parson be able to benefit from it?

[Radagast]

The Mathamancy bracer could also be indicating personal danger to Parson - perhaps he even set it to indicate if there is ever a >1% chance of him dying within the next 60 seconds.

[fjolnir]

The mathamancy bracer is on the OTHER arm. That is the shredder bracelet he strapped on before heading out.

[The.Healing.Mage]

The Mathamancy bracer could also be indicating personal danger to Parson - perhaps he even set it to indicate if there is ever a >1% chance of him dying within the next 60 seconds.

That is a subtly brilliant idea, and one he totally could have gotten from that conversation with Charlie back in the Summer Updates.


On an entirely different note, one that may be a bit of an epileptic twee, I'm going to posit that Jojo is going to offer to give PGLH the scroll. Parson is going to answer the free will question, and then Jojo is going to rock his world with some insight, after which Jojo may give Parson the Charslecomm-esque scroll (which incidentally inverted its colors since the last two comics we saw it in) and convince Parson to use it.

[Lamech]

So carnymancers? That is slight of hand-stuff right? Like pickpockets? Maybe he could steal something? Bogroll's precious gift perhaps? Maybe his glasses? Hmm... mathamancy bracer?

[Housellama]

Oh, so completely forgot to mention.

TOTAL props to Xin for absolutely NAILING the expressions in this whole strip, especially the last panel. The eyes, the eyebrows, the mouth, all of it, DEAD. ON. That is the self assured smirk of a salesman who has just found a customer, or more appropriately, a conman who knows he has just hooked his mark.

Bravo Xin. Bravo. Keep up the EXCELLENT work.

[Housellama]

Did anyone else notice the dirty little pun in the last frame?

It almost slipped by me the first time around. I caught it on the second read.

[danielkaplan123]

My guts says the question, "do you believe in free will", is the trick/trap (naturally a pun on "a trick question")

I can be anyone but then I forget who I really am
And only when I forget everything am I what I am

..and (possible spoiler) perhaps offer Parson a one way ticket home (win win very Charlie-esque) I wonder if (Dorothy and Wizard of Oz style) the scroll requires Parson to believe...then again if he stays, then he will have had a choice changing a key characteristic of the story so far...whatever it is, I'm sure it will be interesting.

[Zeku]

Duke nukem coming out
The world failing to end (last week)
And now something has happened in erfworld!