“Some kid forgot it there” pretty much is the dockless scooter distribution model.
Someday I want to build an electric Honda Goldwing. When that day comes, you’d better believe Jetsons car sounds will be an option.
Chris B
A friend of mine from Oregon Tech actually modified a Goldwing with a series wound motor, and had a successful electric bike. Though 6 Group 27 MDC batteries made it way too heavy. Better to go the R/C hobby turbine route, and make it a turbine-electric hybrid.
But those scooters are wonderful in concept, but in practice they’re a nightmare. In Portland, people just toss them in the Willamette (along with all the raw sewage and used needles), riders (like cyclists) ignore all traffic laws, and except for the Moped and scrapper bicycle gangs, they’ve made the downtown area more like Mad Max than the ideal future.
Needfuldoer
I’m aiming more in the “Chevy Volt battery modules, Nissan Leaf motor” direction. Basically treat it like a small car conversion, since it’s “a V6 Accord on two wheels” already. (To quote Regular Car Reviews.)
The funniest part of this is Ross swiping his credit card.
They don’t have card readers. Ross thinks that the box on top is somehow a card reader, but it’s not. This is like two orders of magnitude of technological illiteracy.
They do have card readers, Blaine swiped his then saw he had to download an app
Marsh Maryrose
This may be true in the diegetic world of DoA. If panel 4 Ross is actually reading an error message about his card not being read, it is definitely true in the storytelling world of DoA.
But in our world they don’t, and why would they? Card readers are expensive, and everything’s controlled through the app so they are also unnecessary.
King Daniel
Isn’t Mike swiping in the first panel? In the second panel, Blaine and Ross are still a fair distance away from the scooters.
Sdrainbow
I wouldn’t put it past Mike to swipe a card through a pointless groove just to imply that a swipe is needed.
Neither would I, but I think KD’s correct about this one.
Felian
Incredibly good point!
CJ
Yeah, the card reader astonishes. I‘d rather expect an app and the need to scan the QR code on the scooter. Or maybe the Scooters are part of a larger public transport concept and read the cards you use in busses?
(Histerical laughter- were I live, I see one person to use those things to get somewhere to 10 joyriding i.e. driving around the block with two or three per scooter or racing each other).
Needfuldoer
Maybe they’re sponsored by the school and Mike swiped his ID?
And if you pay attention to panel layout, Mike is just internationally doing a loop around them to taunt them instead of speeding off. That’s so very Mike of him.
Might be to taunt them, but also to keep them focused on him. If he speeds off and leaves them in the dust, what’s to stop Blaine from barging in to the party and killing everyone there?
It’s nice to have the reminder that neither of these men are actually competent. One was blackmailed by a twelve-year-old and the other got tricked and derailed for a whole day by Dina, who is not one for social subterfuge. (Stealth is a different story entirely.)
Well, we have to figure money laundering is easier than running the USA.
TachyonCode
What’s difficult about money laundering? Throw it in the machine, add detergent, set the cycle, close the lid, press start… wait, that’s too many steps for these guys isn’t it?
Agemegos
I don’t think Blaine is the financial engineer who carries out the money-laundering. I think he is just the stooge who is the owner-of-record for a firm through which they do some laundering. In the strip he has only ever been described as a stooge: a person who allows himself to be used for another’s profit.
thejeff
Which generally translates into running a failing business propped up by Mob money. Often this career starts because your business was failing and you turned to them for support.
Jhon
Millions? I think Mike was exaggerating for effect.
211 thoughts on “Bird”
Ana Chronistic
ok, I just remembered these things, they’re always left around in random places, making me wonder if some kid forgot it there
showler
For reasons a few people might know I associate them with Jetson car noises. And tow trucks.
Needfuldoer
“Some kid forgot it there” pretty much is the dockless scooter distribution model.
Someday I want to build an electric Honda Goldwing. When that day comes, you’d better believe Jetsons car sounds will be an option.
Chris B
A friend of mine from Oregon Tech actually modified a Goldwing with a series wound motor, and had a successful electric bike. Though 6 Group 27 MDC batteries made it way too heavy. Better to go the R/C hobby turbine route, and make it a turbine-electric hybrid.
But those scooters are wonderful in concept, but in practice they’re a nightmare. In Portland, people just toss them in the Willamette (along with all the raw sewage and used needles), riders (like cyclists) ignore all traffic laws, and except for the Moped and scrapper bicycle gangs, they’ve made the downtown area more like Mad Max than the ideal future.
Needfuldoer
I’m aiming more in the “Chevy Volt battery modules, Nissan Leaf motor” direction. Basically treat it like a small car conversion, since it’s “a V6 Accord on two wheels” already. (To quote Regular Car Reviews.)
Aaron L Granger
If he hears drumbeats, he should start to worry…
Zellgato
Nope they’re rentals. They’re also GPS tagged adn such.
Alan Lafond
And according to South Park, they multiply too! The Scoots is all about these scooters.
AeromechanicalAce
…yeah, Mike isn’t in any Immediate danger from these Buffoons, Is he?
May this only be the beginning of the humiliation of the bad dad duo.
Doctor_Who
A full on Home Alone style shelacking of the goons by the blonde kid would be the best present ever.
Merry Christmas, you filthy animal.
Mollyscribbles
And a happy new year!
Marsh Maryrose
The funniest part of this is Ross swiping his credit card.
They don’t have card readers. Ross thinks that the box on top is somehow a card reader, but it’s not. This is like two orders of magnitude of technological illiteracy.
Icalasari
They do have card readers, Blaine swiped his then saw he had to download an app
Marsh Maryrose
This may be true in the diegetic world of DoA. If panel 4 Ross is actually reading an error message about his card not being read, it is definitely true in the storytelling world of DoA.
But in our world they don’t, and why would they? Card readers are expensive, and everything’s controlled through the app so they are also unnecessary.
King Daniel
Isn’t Mike swiping in the first panel? In the second panel, Blaine and Ross are still a fair distance away from the scooters.
Sdrainbow
I wouldn’t put it past Mike to swipe a card through a pointless groove just to imply that a swipe is needed.
ValdVin
Neither would I, but I think KD’s correct about this one.
Felian
Incredibly good point!
CJ
Yeah, the card reader astonishes. I‘d rather expect an app and the need to scan the QR code on the scooter. Or maybe the Scooters are part of a larger public transport concept and read the cards you use in busses?
(Histerical laughter- were I live, I see one person to use those things to get somewhere to 10 joyriding i.e. driving around the block with two or three per scooter or racing each other).
Needfuldoer
Maybe they’re sponsored by the school and Mike swiped his ID?
Charlie Spencer
Okay, for the benefit of those of us who have never seen one of these, if it isn’t a card reader, what is it?
Ryek Hvek
the key that locks the door to hammerspace
Marsh Maryrose
It’s essentially the scooter’s smart phone/control box.
thejeff
With a slot for card swipe and some form of display to tell Ross it can’t read his card and Blaine he needs to download an app?
Seems pretty weird if it isn’t a card reader.
Marsh Maryrose
I was answering Charlie’s question in the context of real-world scooters.
In the context of DoA-verse scooters, yes, it has to be a card reader.
Yet_One_More_Idiot
If there’s one thing that Toedad can’t abide, it’s things not being or happening as straight as they can. xD
Merry Christmas toe all, and toe all a good night!
merbrat
Those are *everywhere* in Austin. Some wonderfun person printed stickers for them: “Voice activated” for the lulz.
Proxiehunter
And if you pay attention to panel layout, Mike is just internationally doing a loop around them to taunt them instead of speeding off. That’s so very Mike of him.
Opus the Poet
I was about to say the same thing. Do they even notice he came back?
Terah
Might be to taunt them, but also to keep them focused on him. If he speeds off and leaves them in the dust, what’s to stop Blaine from barging in to the party and killing everyone there?
DarkoNeko
Exactely
Wraithy2773
You mean, besides that his only weapon is a tiny hammer?
Azhrei Vep
Yeah, he’s just circling from country, to country, to country…
Doctor_Who
Mike isn’t back near them because he’s trolling, it’s taking so long that he encircled the earth.
foamy
How’d these idiots even *get* to this party
NelC
Toedads have a homing instinct.
Nono
Okay this is kind of a perfect strip?
Sharkfin Bangs
Thank you for this Christmas gift, Willis, as this truly is a GIFT.
Lily
For sure.
Regalli
Sweet, sweet comic relief.
Either we’re about to hit a scene change or this won’t last.
Tacos
I hope the next strip is Mike just doing doughnuts around these two idiots as they continue struggling to get the scooters to work.
Marie
Mad giggling over here. THANK YOU Willis!
King Daniel
I guess we’re seeing that Mike…runs circles around his competition.
Stephen Bierce
*plays ZZ Top’s “Double Back” on the hacked P.A. speakers*
Stephen Bierce
He’s gonna ride that Bird like a Cadillac.
Keulen
I’d say Yakety Sax is more fitting for this strip.
Alan in DC
Everything is funny when the Benny Hill is used as underscore.
Alan in DC
Benny Hill THEME that is … Xmas hangover, sorry.
Dr_D
Beat me to it.
Lily
It’s honestly pretty cathartic to see how ridiculously they’re failing at something
Stephen Bierce
It’s Tex Avery-esque in its brilliance.
Regalli
It’s nice to have the reminder that neither of these men are actually competent. One was blackmailed by a twelve-year-old and the other got tricked and derailed for a whole day by Dina, who is not one for social subterfuge. (Stealth is a different story entirely.)
DarkoNeko
He’s competent enough to launder millions of dollars for the Mafia..
Solarn
So is Trump.
Delicious Taffy
Well, we have to figure money laundering is easier than running the USA.
TachyonCode
What’s difficult about money laundering? Throw it in the machine, add detergent, set the cycle, close the lid, press start… wait, that’s too many steps for these guys isn’t it?
Agemegos
I don’t think Blaine is the financial engineer who carries out the money-laundering. I think he is just the stooge who is the owner-of-record for a firm through which they do some laundering. In the strip he has only ever been described as a stooge: a person who allows himself to be used for another’s profit.
thejeff
Which generally translates into running a failing business propped up by Mob money. Often this career starts because your business was failing and you turned to them for support.
Jhon
Millions? I think Mike was exaggerating for effect.
shadowcell
Dumbing of Age Book 10: …I Have to Download the App?!
Kelli217
(y)
I second the nomination.
Keulen
DoA Book 10: I’m Swiping As Straight As I Can
Renadt
Funniest coming from Toedad.
Amelie
Okay, I may have predicted Mike was going to harshly confront his mortality but now I just wish he has an app that plays Yakkety Sax.
Kensou
For some reason that has me hoping Willis will work in a Scooby-Doo Doors gag, but that’s probably asking too much.
Opus the Poet
I have that app, it’s called YouTubeMusic. You can put a song on endless loop if you want, but you have to have the paid app, not the free one.
Amelie
No I mean an app that just plays Yakkety Sax, so he can a) play it with about two thumb operations and b) rub it in Blaine’s face.
BBCC
Hooray for technological illiteracy!
BBCC
Merry Christmas to everyone who’s celebrating today.
Marsh Maryrose
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., an’ Kalamazoo!
Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley,
Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!
Don’t we know archaic barrel
Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou?
Trolley Molly don’t love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!
hof1991
Thanks I needed that, though I didn’t need to be reminded that I may have read that when it came out.
Needfuldoer
You’re thinking of Mayor Walsh on St. Patrick’s Day.
Merry Christmas, everyone!