I hate to admit it, but I kinda have to admit some begrudging respect to him for leaning allllll the way into his role as Amber’s personal supervillain. It’s an admirable level of dedication to an unadmirable role.
Yeah, I’m not sure how I feel about this. As much as I enjoy both Amber and Amazi-Girl, I’ve always had a problem accepting a costumed hero character in a ‘slice of life’ comic. This may be farther than I’m able to stretch my sense of disbelief.
Hugo Bedward
Judging from Joyce and Dorothy’s latest character refs, they might also become costumed heroes for revenge.
Rartorata
Blaine just got beat up by some girl dressed like a superhero like last month; Ross followed only a couple of weeks later. Blaine buying off-the-shelf body armor (probably intended for motorcycle use by the looks of it) in anticipation of a rematch doesn’t seem THAT unreasonable.
The domino mask is kinda extra but there’s a definite psychological utility to putting on a “supervillain” persona, especially if he has suspicions as to AG’s secret identity.
Banzo
I think it fits really well for Blaine though, he’s a specifically abusive dick who thrives off finding the specific thing that’ll twist up Amber and validating her superhero Amazi-Girl delusion may actually lead to her finally taking some time to snap out of it (or it may lead to worse, but here’s hoping).
Also that being said, this could be someone pulling the “realism” tag and we just in it now.
Bicycle Bill
Mr. Spencer, may I recommend you check out this article? The comic is just reflecting real life.
He was expecting it, but the panel gives no indication he actually prepared for it – he doesn’t appear to be bracing to keep upright despite the impact, or rolling with it sufficiently to mitigate the impact.
Right, but…physics…flying kick…momentum? Unless you can fly (i.e. will yourself forward), strength can’t keep you from losing balance unless you have a foot adequately far back as a pivot point
Exactly. From how he seems to be standing, all he appears to have done is unbalanced himself, and thus guaranteeing he’d topple when AG (who isn’t really a small girl – I’d guess she’s ~130) hit him.
but is AG actually strong enough to knock Blaine down like that or would the impact on his chest/lungs/solarplexus been the actual point of the kick or at least what would’ve made a difference to get him to more crumple than knock over. How much momentum could she have actually built up before jumping.
She threw her entire weight at him. Assuming she’s not incredibly tiny, she probably weighs between 110 and 150 pounds.
It doesn’t matter how strong you are, you’re not taking over a hundred pounds to the chest at 8-15 mph without falling down.
I mean, unless you’re literally braced for that, and catch it. Which he doesn’t look like he was.
WalkerOfSorrow
@JetstreamGW, thank you for finally explaining this concept better than I could.
A lot of buffness fans (or buffbuffs) seem to think if you’re just STRONK enough, then these poor, pathetic, weak little girls can’t do anything to take you down. It’s just impossible. -eye roll-
Amber is clearly of a solid build and very athletic. Muscle is quite heavy. It would be one thing if she tried to punch him flatfooted, but she just threw her entire weight into that. Best he could have reasonably done is dodged, and let her hit pavement. Tanking a hit like that is just comical.
thejeff
I do think it’s partly that she was thrown off by recognizing him and didn’t hit as hard or as well as she’d intended, but as others say, just the physics of momentum should have been enough.
OTOH, comic book super-hero tropes. 🙂 Even super heroes without specific relevant powers often ignore such laws of physics.
Amber’s played enough RPGs to know that just means she gets to keep that stuff after she wins.
Also I’m pretty sure a little domino mask isn’t gonna stop your nose from getting broken no matter what it’s made of. Simple matter of force to surface area. So go for the face.
There are actually a lot of areas that would be vulnerable… the throat as you said (although it does appear to be partly covered), but also the jaw, ears…plus, she could go after the joints (hyper-extend the elbow or the knee.)
His body armor makes it a lot tougher for Amber to win, but not impossible. It depends on both his skill level (if he has any real fighting experience against competent opponents) and Amber’s (if her training involved targeting joints at all.)
Tacos
I doubt he has any fighting experience. If he had any then the mob wouldn’t have used him as just a stooge.
Alanari
He was beaten into the hospital about a month ago, I think. Acquiring fighting skills (especially fighting with an armor that hinders your movement) requires years of practice. Ag has to adapt to the armor and target unprotected areas but the outcome should not change.
If a witness says “Yeah, he was wearing a goofy mask and hockey pads,” and the fuzz notice Blaine is currently wearing those, there’s not gonna be much room for doubt.
334 thoughts on “Convention”
Ana Chronistic
You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see your Dad’s cosplay
auroki
The absolute madman. He figured it out! Crazy can only be countered by crazy!
Now if Mike and Toedad are packing masks then it’s gonna get wild!
Icalasari
Nah, Mike has the biggest superpower of them all:
Having likely called 911 before all this happened and was more hoping for Amazigirl to help minimize his time in hospital
Icalasari
Least I hope he did, he’s usually the most genre savvey from what I recall just because he NEEDS to be for his level of assholery
auroki
Pretty sure he haa an active call going to the police right now knowing Mike
PB
Mike, please be the crazy-prepared asshole
we need you to be.
Pablo360
I hate to admit it, but I kinda have to admit some begrudging respect to him for leaning allllll the way into his role as Amber’s personal supervillain. It’s an admirable level of dedication to an unadmirable role.
Deanatay
The word you’re looking for is ‘nemesis’, and Blaine’s been that for Amber for a looong time.
Now, choosing to become Amazi-Girl’s nemesis as well, that is impressive devotion to one’s role in life.
merbrat
cosplay… as The Hammer?
“The hammer is my…” NO.
purblebirb
WHAT THE FUCK?!
Clif
Hm. I may have misjudged how specific Amber’s fiction was. It may have contained technical details.
LeslieBean4shizzle
Big Daddy’s gone evil. Be afraid.
Kim
I actually gasped audibly at this strip
vitalProximity
Same!!!
Eromer
I did too!
butts
that was my reaction too, yeah
not someone else
I… yeah.
What?
foamy
Blaine has *no right* to rock that look that hard.
Tan
100% this, yes
Suet
Turntables… table.
OH COME ON, BLAINE
Frank
There is no Blaine.
ONLY AMAZI-DAD!
S.R.
More like AMAZI-FUCKHEAD.
(Wait, no, that’s Mike. This guy’s just scum.)
K. Ivan Ruppert
…The fuck?
shadowcell
The Killing Dad Joke
Lars Nelson
Just wanted you to know someone appreciates this dual pun/reference.
Deanatay
Wut u did thar
I see it
And I love it
Nep
What
Hugo Bedward
Shark jump moment?
Charlie Spencer
Yeah, I’m not sure how I feel about this. As much as I enjoy both Amber and Amazi-Girl, I’ve always had a problem accepting a costumed hero character in a ‘slice of life’ comic. This may be farther than I’m able to stretch my sense of disbelief.
Hugo Bedward
Judging from Joyce and Dorothy’s latest character refs, they might also become costumed heroes for revenge.
Rartorata
Blaine just got beat up by some girl dressed like a superhero like last month; Ross followed only a couple of weeks later. Blaine buying off-the-shelf body armor (probably intended for motorcycle use by the looks of it) in anticipation of a rematch doesn’t seem THAT unreasonable.
The domino mask is kinda extra but there’s a definite psychological utility to putting on a “supervillain” persona, especially if he has suspicions as to AG’s secret identity.
Banzo
I think it fits really well for Blaine though, he’s a specifically abusive dick who thrives off finding the specific thing that’ll twist up Amber and validating her superhero Amazi-Girl delusion may actually lead to her finally taking some time to snap out of it (or it may lead to worse, but here’s hoping).
Also that being said, this could be someone pulling the “realism” tag and we just in it now.
Bicycle Bill
Mr. Spencer, may I recommend you check out this article? The comic is just reflecting real life.
Needfuldoer
AEUUUHHH?
Meanwhile, Mike and Ross are just watching from the sidelines, bewildered at the spectacle.
Go for the head, Amazi-Girl! It’s full of rocks but unprotected!
LibertyRazor
That is possibly the worst typographical rendition of the phonetics of “ahwueh” I’ve ever seen.
Needfuldoer
It’s an entirely glottal sound, there’s no ‘W’.
JetstreamGW
… That should have worked, yes. He should have at least fallen down. Kevlar doesn’t cancel momentum 😛
Foxhack
He was expecting the kick.
He may also be much stronger than he lets on.
DailyBrad
At least, Blaine’s demonstrably a big dude, and a total thug.
DarkoNeko
like, a mafia brawler
Kamino Neko
He was expecting it, but the panel gives no indication he actually prepared for it – he doesn’t appear to be bracing to keep upright despite the impact, or rolling with it sufficiently to mitigate the impact.
auroki
To qoute a certain villian
“You should’ve gone for the head”
Insanenoodlyguy
No, but superhuman crazy does. He actually became stronger the second he saw her, because he transformed into a supervillian.
Tomorrow, taking that hit will make his back and legs hurt like a motherfucker. But that’s a normal human problem. Tonight, he feels nothing.
gkheyf
Right, but…physics…flying kick…momentum? Unless you can fly (i.e. will yourself forward), strength can’t keep you from losing balance unless you have a foot adequately far back as a pivot point
Kamino Neko
Exactly. From how he seems to be standing, all he appears to have done is unbalanced himself, and thus guaranteeing he’d topple when AG (who isn’t really a small girl – I’d guess she’s ~130) hit him.
Peter
Yeah. That’s not how body armour works.
Clell A Harmon
Having worn body armor I can 100% agree. It does nothing to absorb angular momentum. If anything it makes falling over easier.
Questionor
but is AG actually strong enough to knock Blaine down like that or would the impact on his chest/lungs/solarplexus been the actual point of the kick or at least what would’ve made a difference to get him to more crumple than knock over. How much momentum could she have actually built up before jumping.
JetstreamGW
She threw her entire weight at him. Assuming she’s not incredibly tiny, she probably weighs between 110 and 150 pounds.
It doesn’t matter how strong you are, you’re not taking over a hundred pounds to the chest at 8-15 mph without falling down.
I mean, unless you’re literally braced for that, and catch it. Which he doesn’t look like he was.
WalkerOfSorrow
@JetstreamGW, thank you for finally explaining this concept better than I could.
A lot of buffness fans (or buffbuffs) seem to think if you’re just STRONK enough, then these poor, pathetic, weak little girls can’t do anything to take you down. It’s just impossible. -eye roll-
Amber is clearly of a solid build and very athletic. Muscle is quite heavy. It would be one thing if she tried to punch him flatfooted, but she just threw her entire weight into that. Best he could have reasonably done is dodged, and let her hit pavement. Tanking a hit like that is just comical.
thejeff
I do think it’s partly that she was thrown off by recognizing him and didn’t hit as hard or as well as she’d intended, but as others say, just the physics of momentum should have been enough.
OTOH, comic book super-hero tropes. 🙂 Even super heroes without specific relevant powers often ignore such laws of physics.
Sunny
Maybe he took one or two steps back or something?
Doctor_Who
Amber’s played enough RPGs to know that just means she gets to keep that stuff after she wins.
Also I’m pretty sure a little domino mask isn’t gonna stop your nose from getting broken no matter what it’s made of. Simple matter of force to surface area. So go for the face.
JetstreamGW
Throat. At this point I’d recommend going for the throat.
segnosaur
There are actually a lot of areas that would be vulnerable… the throat as you said (although it does appear to be partly covered), but also the jaw, ears…plus, she could go after the joints (hyper-extend the elbow or the knee.)
His body armor makes it a lot tougher for Amber to win, but not impossible. It depends on both his skill level (if he has any real fighting experience against competent opponents) and Amber’s (if her training involved targeting joints at all.)
Tacos
I doubt he has any fighting experience. If he had any then the mob wouldn’t have used him as just a stooge.
Alanari
He was beaten into the hospital about a month ago, I think. Acquiring fighting skills (especially fighting with an armor that hinders your movement) requires years of practice. Ag has to adapt to the armor and target unprotected areas but the outcome should not change.
Dave
To quote Jhonen Vasquez (warning: cartoonish gore)
https://imgur.com/bLHoVxA
DarkoNeko
pepper spray
James
It’d add enough doubt to any IDs people might make on him to dodge actual legal consequences.
Assuming he can walk away from this.
And assuming no one managed to get a good look at him while he was in a slow-speed chase with a screaming Mike across campus.
Delicious Taffy
If a witness says “Yeah, he was wearing a goofy mask and hockey pads,” and the fuzz notice Blaine is currently wearing those, there’s not gonna be much room for doubt.
woobie
Is she genre savvy enough to know that when you level up, so too does your nemesis?
Lemon Wolf
That’s arguably not Amber though, given how MPD is depicted in this strip.
ValdVin
Doe the armor cover Blaine’s crotch?
JetstreamGW
An athletic cup is the easiest thing to acquire, so if he’s not a complete moron, yes.
Doctor_Who
Take a look at the last panel there and tell me if you think “not a complete moron” is a given.
JetstreamGW
I mean, he showed up in body armor. That’s not stupid.
Tacos
All his other actions say otherwise.
Wizard
Just showing up was stupid. Preparing first gets him one or two “not stupid” points, but he’s still pretty far in the hole.
m-m
_that_ was unexpected.
Aubrey