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Gusto's Achewood vs. xkcd September CHALLENGE

#1

Gusto

Gusto

It has become increasingly apparent to me that the fanbases for Achewood and xkcd seem to be pretty mutually exclusive. Certainly I've been an Achewood fan for nearly 9 months now, and I've never been able to get into xkcd that much.

HOWEVER.

I don't think I'm ready to give up on xkcd without giving it a fair chance. So here's what I'm proposing:

I've added xkcd to my daily-checked Webcomics Bookmarks folder. It will remain there until [at least] the end of September. For the next month, hopefully every time either xkcd or Achewood updates, I'll post in this thread with my feelings on that particular strip. I will TRY MY BEST to not be biased, and as far as I know, there's no real xkcd backstory I need to catch up on.

By the end of the month, I hope to be able to determine whether or not I can be a fan of BOTH strips, or whether they are just destined to be enemies forever.


#2

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

My question is, how can you find Achewood funny at all?


#3

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 1

xkcd: Time Travel

Eh.

I get the joke, but I didn't laugh or even smile. In fact, I was a little disappointed, because it's this kinda lame time travel joke that I originally suspected to be symptomatic of xkcd's archive, and I was kinda hopeful that I would be pleasantly surprised.

Eh.


#4

twitchmoss

twitchmoss

i like xkcd AND achewood...¬_¬


#5



Anubinomicon

twitchmoss said:
i like xkcd AND achewood...¬_¬
Click to expand...
this


#6

Gusto

Gusto

Huh.

Weird.

SO MUCH FOR MY CRACKPOT THEORY


#7

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

This isn't fair to Achewood, since even the most ardent fans are kind of lukewarm on this weird, shitty type of latest storyline that is 80% not good and 20% heavily relies on you knowing the characters.

edit: and XKCD 9/1 is not funny


#8

ElJuski

ElJuski

Shegokigo said:
My question is, how can you find Achewood funny at all?
Click to expand...
It's quite simple: Achewood is one of the best characterized, funniest comics that delves consistently into the pop-culture spectrum. It's an absurdist existentialist wonderland. Obviously geared to the more literary and abstract minded, but accessible to anyone with a decent bit of time on their hands to jump the learning curve.

What Achewood DOESN'T do, is ply for easiest common denominator jokes, about like, bagels, or something. Onstad's craft is about nailing his characters, making them breathe in world ten-times fucked up and wonky.

---------- Post added at 04:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------
Charlie Dont Surf said:
This isn't fair to Achewood, since even the most ardent fans are kind of lukewarm on this weird, shitty type of latest storyline that is 80% not good and 20% heavily relies on you knowing the characters.

edit: and XKCD 9/1 is not funny
Click to expand...

Psssssssshhhhh...I've been loving the Sapphic erotica! And I am eagerly anticipating what's going down with Cartiledge Head.


#9

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
It's quite simple: Achewood is one of the best characterized, funniest comics that delves consistently into the pop-culture spectrum. It's an absurdist existentialist wonderland. Obviously geared to the more literary and abstract minded, but accessible to anyone with a decent bit of time on their hands to jump the learning curve.

What Achewood DOESN'T do, is ply for easiest common denominator jokes, about like, bagels, or something. Onstad's craft is about nailing his characters, making them breathe in world ten-times fucked up and wonky.
Click to expand...
Yet I read through months and months of the archive and just sat there with a ":tumbleweed:" look on my face the entire time.... Also, "best characterized"? Really?


#10

ElJuski

ElJuski

Oh hell yes, really.

That, and, as much as I know about you, I can see how you wouldn't like it. Not meaning as an insult, but Achewood is never gonna have 100% FUCK YES rating. Nothing ever does.


#11

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
Oh hell yes, really.

That, and, as much as I know about you, I can see how you wouldn't like it. Not meaning as an insult, but Achewood is never gonna have 100% FUCK YES rating. Nothing ever does.
Click to expand...
I dunno, LICD, LFG and OotS never seem to let me down.... Life of Riley was also great with amazing characterization.


#12

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

Shegokigo said:
Also, "best characterized"? Really?
Click to expand...
Yes, there are distinct characters an not just interchangeable stick figures


#13

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Charlie Dont Surf;245455][quote=Shegokigo said:
Also, "best characterized"? Really?
Click to expand...
Yes, there are distinct characters an not just interchangeable stick figures[/QUOTE]
That quote wasn't meant to compare it to XKCD. I just meant that from the archives I read, I didn't see any character growth to speak of or anything really "new" in the "original character" department.


#14

Covar

Covar

be sure to read the alt text on xkcd.


#15

ElJuski

ElJuski

I mean, those comics are fine, and whatever.

Also, it depends on how deep you read. I always recommend newcomers to start at "The Party", because that's where the storylines, character development etc. got the ball rolling.

Reading the old stuff is like watching the Tracey Ulman Simpson shorts. They can be funny, but it doesn't even begin to describe the brilliant writing that comes later.

---------- Post added at 04:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------

also, my line about "or whatever" wasn't meant to be an insult; from what I read of those comics they're funny. I still think they pale in comparison to Achewood.

In the words of the Dude: "Well that's like, your opinion, and stuff."

---------- Post added at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 PM ----------

Also the alt text did about as much for me as the regular text for the 9/1


#16

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
I mean, those comics are fine, and whatever.

Also, it depends on how deep you read. I always recommend newcomers to start at "The Party", because that's where the storylines, character development etc. got the ball rolling.

Reading the old stuff is like watching the Tracey Ulman Simpson shorts. They can be funny, but it doesn't even begin to describe the brilliant writing that comes later.

also, my line about "or whatever" wasn't meant to be an insult; from what I read of those comics they're funny. I still think they pale in comparison to Achewood.

In the words of the Dude: "Well that's like, your opinion, and stuff." Also the alt text did about as much for me as the regular text for the 9/1
Click to expand...
I can understand about a comic not being good in it's inception, but most comics, even in their rough phases tend to at least keep me interested enough to get to the more fleshed out future versions.

Pale in comparison to Achewood? I'd really like to know how. I'd even be willing to finish the entire archieve of Achewood to see a comic that makes OotS pale in comparison.


#17

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

hey guys, I like the part of this thread where people are arguing about what comic is better based off their subjective tastes


#18

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Oh? I thought I was bringing into question the characterization main actors of the comics.


#19

Hylian

Hylian

I love XKCD but as for Achewood I haven't been able to get into it. I have started reading through the archive and I have read through a few months worth and so far I am not enjoying myself. I just am not finding them very funny.


#20

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

then you were not doing a very good job


#21

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Allen said:
then you were not doing a very good job
Click to expand...
Where exactly did I bring opinion into my post when talking about Achewood's characterization?


#22

ElJuski

ElJuski

Achewood and OoTS are very different breeds, and yeah, you'll go through Achewood's archives but it's going to be a very uphill battle. I don't think it's much of a stretch at all, but once again, Achewood is very literary-minded and absurd. If you can't read into that (which is a lot of people) or if it's not your thing, then it won't change your mind.

But, personally, it's well worth going through the extended archives. Remember, good characterization doesn't just come from epic battles and romances and adventures. Sometimes the best character development is between the lines, introspective, personal, and at first glance, insignificant.


#23

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

Shegokigo said:
Yet I read through months and months of the archive and just sat there with a ":tumbleweed:"
Click to expand...
Shegokigo said:
Pale in comparison to Achewood? I'd really like to know how. I'd even be willing to finish the entire archieve of Achewood to see a comic that makes OotS pale in comparison.
Click to expand...
for the parts about characterization, that appears to be more "these comics have (or had) better characterization" rather than "achewood has poor characterization"


#24

ElJuski

ElJuski

I'll give one example, though it will probably fall on deaf ears--Roast Beef contemplating Molly. That whole arc was awesome. It was Roast Beef at his best--

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=05312007

give or take a few comics before and after. I thought it was a great show of the dynamic between Beef and Molly, not to mention the rest of the guys, like Ray, trying to figure out his role as Best Man.


#25

Gusto

Gusto

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=05232007

I preferred the strip from a few days earlier. :)

---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:20 PM ----------
AmorousEyes said:
Hopefully you'll come around.
Click to expand...

That's what this whole experiment is about. :) If nothing else, I just want to have given it a fair shot.


#26

ElJuski

ElJuski

That's the one I was specifically looking for, but found the other one instead, haha. I mean, and those are just "BIG" moments of character development. Onstad's genius is scene in little things--like "a cute amount of money for a cute little guy"

---------- Post added at 12:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 AM ----------

Or, as I was scrolling through the marriage storyline, Phillipe, scared of the new bidet, hoping he's nice enough for it's approval.


#27

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

or the one where Lyle makes Phillipe a clown car that says "here comes a huge fag" every time Phillipe honks the horn


#28

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 2

xkcd: Anatomy Text

It took me a full minute to even guess at what was happening here, and then a couple read-throughs of the alt text to wrap my head around it.

Even if you're one of the 1% of people who will find this kinda joke funny, it should be a little more obvious what the hell is going on.

At this point, I think it's gonna be a long month...


#29

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

Should have waited until february to do this experiment.

That way, it is only 28 days of mostly bad comics


#30

Gusto

Gusto

:O


#31

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

that is a full weekend

a weekend to yourself

and your lady

that you could have had

if you waited

if you only waited


#32

CynicismKills

CynicismKills

As far as webcomics go, I think Achewood is the most subjective when it comes to taste. There's no middle ground with it, it's either you like it or you don't. I used to hate it, but after going through the archives I found I really enjoyed it.

I will also toss in here that I read Devil's Panties, PA, Dr. McNinja and Questionable Content every time they are updated. Different strokes, etc

Also I generally don't enjoy xkcd, maybe 3 of 20 strips I laugh at.


#33

phil

phil

I like them both! Though I actually don't regularly check either...hmmm.

Really, the correct answer is Dr. Mcninja anyway.


or wonderella


#34

tegid

tegid

phil said:
Really, the correct answer is Dr. Mcninja anyway.
Click to expand...
Listen to Phil, he knows his shit.

Also, I need to repeat it: do read the alt text after reading the comic. Always.

Aaand even though I'm a huge xkcd fan, the last comic did nothing for me either.


#35

D

Dubyamn

ElJuski said:
I mean, those comics are fine, and whatever.

Also, it depends on how deep you read. I always recommend newcomers to start at "The Party", because that's where the storylines, character development etc. got the ball rolling.

Reading the old stuff is like watching the Tracey Ulman Simpson shorts. They can be funny, but it doesn't even begin to describe the brilliant writing that comes later.
Click to expand...


I tried awhile ago to get into achewood when Crun started up a thread singing it's praises but I could never get very far into it because I just couldn't get into it.

I'll give the party a shot though since I am always willing to give things a second shot.


#36

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

Jesus christ, that anatomy text one is so fucking terrible.


#37

ElJuski

ElJuski

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Jesus christ, that anatomy text one is so fucking terrible.
Click to expand...
The whole humorless thing just kind of made my day a little more gray. (BURNNN)


#38

bhamv3

bhamv3

Yeah, 9/1 and 9/2 were some of the worst xkcd strips I've seen for a while. It's possible you picked a bad month to start this experiment.

Still, I applaud you for having an open mind and trying something new (or, rather, retrying).


#39

Shannow

Shannow

garfield


#40

Cajungal

Cajungal

I like em both. XKCD has a great amount of heart for a comic that's so simple. I can't understand a some of them, though.

I like Achewood because the creator wrote some great characters. It's hard to read the dialogue sometimes, but I understand why he does it that way. Also, Phillippe, damnit! I love that little guy so much.


#41

Gusto

Gusto

Shannow said:
garfield
Click to expand...
marmaduke


#42

Cajungal

Cajungal

Gusto;246447][quote=Shannow said:
garfield
Click to expand...
marmaduke[/QUOTE]

Ziggy


#43



Kitty Sinatra

Retail.

Wait, shit. I did that wrong. I like Retail - to the point of having a crush on Marla.

Also, I laughed aloud at the 9/1 xkcd and I like the anatomy one . . . once I looked up some anatomy pictures on wikipedia.


#44

Frank

Frankie Williamson

I wasn't a fan of Achewood until someone showed me the one where Ray had Trent Reznor's car. Then for whatever reason Achewood clicked and I really started to enjoy it.


#45

Cajungal

Cajungal

The fellow didn't like Achewood until I showed him Nice Pete. Now he imitates the guy... his calm face and hilarious matter-of-face gestures coupled with violent narratives....


#46

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

To get today's xkcd strip, you have to be familiar with genitalia pictures on wikipedia.

To get today's xkcd strip, you have to be familiar with genitalia pictures on wikipedia.

To get today's xkcd strip, you have to be familiar with genitalia pictures on wikipedia.

To get today's xkcd strip, you have to be familiar with genitalia pictures on wikipedia.


#47

Cajungal

Cajungal

With what?

---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------

(Sorry young Charles, I'm a bit deaf in one eye.)


#48



Kitty Sinatra

gentle kisses on spockipedia.


#49

Shannow

Shannow



#50

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

Garfield without Garfield is fucking hilarious.


#51

Shannow

Shannow

Agreed.


#52

drifter

drifter

I used to really dislike Achewood; the simplistic artwork threw me off, and the dialogue seemed too affected. Then I read this comic, and it totally cracked me up.



I wouldn't call this comic representative of Achewood, but it's what convinced me to give it another go, and I've been hooked ever since.
There's a lot of great story arcs, but I think one of the more immediately accessible ones is [URL="http://achewood.com/index.php?date=01252006"]The Great Outdoor Fight.[/URL]
This is something of a semi-spoiler, but the point in the arc where Cornelius feels the need to hide his trumpet is hilarious.


#53



Cuyval Dar

I do not like most Achewood strips the way other people do not like most XKCD strips. Not that there is anything wrong with either one, it is just that they are targeted to different audiences.


#54



Twitch

Achewood became my favorite comic with "The Mountain and the Motorcycle"


#55

Gusto

Gusto

The Notorious L.I.N.C.O.L.N. is what cemented Achewood as one of my favourite webcomics.


#56

Cat

Cat

Twitch said:
Achewood became my favorite comic with "The Mountain and the Motorcycle"
Click to expand...
:werd:



Alt Text: Poor kids love playing this game at the library


#57

Cajungal

Cajungal

Gusto said:
The Notorious L.I.N.C.O.L.N. is what cemented Achewood as one of my favourite webcomics.
Click to expand...
Same! And Phillippe + Liebot's "Saddest Things."

"Oh noooo!"


#58

Bubble181

Bubble181

I really like XKCD (though these two've been pretty meh), but Achewood's terribly hit or miss with me. I've gone through suggested parts of the archives, and it just doesn't click. Some one shopts are funny or make me think, but on the whole, I guess I'm in the XKCD crowd.


#59

ElJuski

ElJuski

The Mountain and the Motorcycle is what made me love Achewood forever. Its the funniest shit. EVER

---------- Post added at 07:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:17 AM ----------

also, is there a reason why I have to see you in a sexy topless pose Bubble????????...


#60

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 3

Achewood: My One Big Day Off

Hmmm..

Not necessarily funny, but this whole storyline has been about the suspense. It seems the RBK is alive and stuck inside/escaping from/destroying the Karma Machine. What the hell does this mean.

As an individual update, not that great, but it gives me a sense of hope to know that Roast Beef might escape from his fate.

Also, a little ironically funny that Beef is attempting to repair the machine that will kill him. Story of his life, I guess.

I will edit this post if/when xkcd updates. I'm not sure what their schedule is...


#61



Pojodan

I like xkcd for it's simple intellectual humor, something you simply have to be knowledgeable about scientific things to understand with the occasional ranting of the facts of life. It's not always laugh worthy, but almost always amusing on some level, though, indeed, the last two strips have been rather 'off'.

Achewood relies on too much pop-culture, which I tend to pay little attention to, with too little 'nerd humor', like the motorcycle one mentioned earlier, for me to ever manage to get into it.
It also employs too many words. I tend to start skiping over parts when this happens, and end up missing something that makes the whole strip not make any sense.


#62

Math242

Math242

I dislike both !


#63

Cajungal

Cajungal

Gusto: As per the xkcd schedule, it's MWF

...

right? I mean, I'm pretty sure.


#64

tegid

tegid

Yup, Cajun, you goy it right!


#65

Cajungal

Cajungal

^_^ Yaaay! I give myself a Fiberone toaster pastry as a reward.


#66

ElJuski

ElJuski

I love that, even on his "one big day off", Roast Beef is neurotically fixing the Karma Machine.

---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:17 PM ----------

I basically just ruined the joke. But I love it anyway.


#67

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 4

xkcd: Suspicion

Best of the three so far, but still fails to pleasantly surprise me. Somehow a comic about a nerdy male falling in love with a spambot online strikes me as a joke only xkcd would do, and probably HAS done several times by now. I don't know what I'm complaining about exactly...

Alt text was the best part of this update, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.


#68

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

The best thing I can say about this XKCD is that the joke is obvious, and not actively creepy or terrible or eye-roll-inducing. In fact, it is one of the best XKCD's I've ever read.


It is still not very interesting or funny.


#69

Gusto

Gusto

Charlie Dont Surf said:
The best thing I can say about this XKCD is that the joke is obvious, and not actively creepy or terrible or eye-roll-inducing. In fact, it is one of the best XKCD's I've ever read.


It is still not very interesting or funny.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's basically what I guess I was trying to say. While fairly well written and lucid, it didn't make me laugh, and my first thought was how it was completely through-and-through a typical xkcd joke.

And as a new reader I have a kinda biased viewpoint on exactly what that means. :p


#70

tegid

tegid

Gusto said:
Alt text was the best part of this update, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.
Click to expand...
Erm... That's normal. Sometimes the punchline is in the alt-text! You should expect this from xkcd and try to see the a-t as an integral part of the comic :)


#71

Gusto

Gusto

tegid;248010][quote=Gusto said:
Alt text was the best part of this update, and I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.
Click to expand...
Erm... That's normal. Sometimes the punchline is in the alt-text! You should expect this from xkcd and try to see the a-t as an integral part of the comic :)[/QUOTE]

Fair enough. Achewood does that too, sometimes.


#72

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

Maybe I'm a slobbering fanboy, but I can't recall an Achewood where the only funny part was in the alt-text. Again, I love the characters in Achewood so much that little throwaway lines in panel one usually make me giggle, so.....


#73

Gusto

Gusto

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Maybe I'm a slobbering fanboy, but I can't recall an Achewood where the only funny part was in the alt-text. Again, I love the characters in Achewood so much that little throwaway lines in panel one usually make me giggle, so.....
Click to expand...
Well yeah of course. There are bunch of little lines that are awesome because they make you think "Oh man that is so Pat" or something like that. I just meant that it's often that alt-texts add to the strip, or that the strip itself has no discernible punchline, but rather depends on the character humour.

And does it well. :)

And of course, there are the strips that aren't supposed to be funny (the Phillipe/Nice Pete arc, this current arc, etc.)...


#74

ElJuski

ElJuski

EVEN THIS ONE!?: http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=11252003

So many lulz in such a dark storyline.

Also, I giggled at the concept that XKCD was trying to pull off, but not the comic itself.


#75

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

I pretty much solidify the OPs thoughts:

I laughed at every one of the XKCD comics posted in this thread, and didn't even crack a slight grin at any of the Achewood. Not even slightly.


#76

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

Well, I feel a lot more justified in calling XKCD terrible now.


#77



Kitty Sinatra

I didn't find Suspicion funny, it's the worst of the 3 xkcd this month to me. By far.

Perhaps your sense of humor is just different Gusto. Perhaps you're looking for something different out of a webcomic than 15 seconds of entertainment (comics or intercourse, my expectations are the same)


#78

Gusto

Gusto

If I could get 15 seconds of entertainment out of any of this week's xkcd strips, I'd have called this experiment a quasi-success.

Today's came closest.

Honestly, if I get to the end of the month and my opinion is still anti-xkcd, at least I can say that I gave it MORE than a fair chance. I'd be satisfied with that.


#79

Cajungal

Cajungal

How many people here insist that audible laughter is required for a comic to be really funny?


#80



Kitty Sinatra

I do, CG. IF the comic doesn't laugh at my jokes, it has no sense of humor


#81

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Charlie Dont Surf said:
Well, I feel a lot more justified in calling XKCD terrible now.
Click to expand...
I agree completely.


#82

Cajungal

Cajungal

Gruebeard said:
I do, CG. IF the comic doesn't laugh at my jokes, it has no sense of humor
Click to expand...
:rofl:
That's why I still read Marmaduke. When I tell it a dirty limerick, it always chuckles.

(i don't really read marmaduke)


#83

Gusto

Gusto

Hey Garfield.

Fuck you, Garfield.


#84

Fun Size

Fun Size

I like XKCD most of the time (this month thus far notwithstanding), but Achewood is preferred. It took a few tries though. The first few times I attempted the archives, I just couldn't get into it. It wasn't until someone posted the comic from the party where Todd farted that I knew I had to persevere. That one comic made me laugh out loud at least twice, and anyone who can master bathroom humor in that manner is an artist worthy of my attention.


#85



Lally

I used to be crazy about XKCD but I think that was as a result of doing an archive trawl and seeing all the good strips all at one time. Now I'm just kind of ambivalent to it. It's very VERY hit or miss.

As far as Achewood, I've always wanted to get into it but haven't made myself yet. I think it's the timesuck factor.


#86

Gusto

Gusto

Lally said:
As far as Achewood, I've always wanted to get into it but haven't made myself yet. I think it's the timesuck factor.
Click to expand...
I was the same way. I started reading it on Christmas Eve 2008, desperate to spend my winter break doing ANYTHING at all.


#87

Cat

Cat



#88

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Someone explain to me why that's amusing.


#89

Cat

Cat



#90



Kitty Sinatra

Shegokigo said:
Someone explain to me why that's amusing.
Click to expand...
Well see, gays are weird and creepy and not like normal people and should be laughed at.



(Note: there's sarcasm in them thar hills)


#91

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Yeah, but "Oregon Trail" threw though whole joke out the window.


#92

Cat

Cat



#93

Simfers

Simfers

I never tried XKCD (one day), but I do like Achewood. Couldn't tell you why for the life of me, though. I very rarely laugh at it. I just enjoy reading it, although it's nowhere near my favourites.


#94

Dave

Dave

I've never liked Achewood and only occasionally laugh at xkcd.


#95

ElJuski

ElJuski

Ame, it scared me that that list was the top ten "best xkcds". I can say, however, that you can totally tell who the tech people are, and what they expect for lulz. Except for Shego, of course, but I figured she wouldn't enjoy Achewood anyway.

---------- Post added at 11:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 PM ----------

also: http://achewood.com/index.php?date=04122002


#96

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

The thing is, I'm REALLY stretching here. I'm TRYING to find the humor in them. I'm not even attempting to troll this thread in the least.


#97



Twitch

Those are terrible. I like XKCD less now having looked at what are the "best"


#98

Gusto

Gusto

I'm afraid we're all gonna end up more galvanized than where we began in our respective camps here, but believe me when I say that I AM TRYING.


#99



Kitty Sinatra

I don't know. Some exposure to achewood might get me interested. But so far I still find Family Circus more entertaining (even the ones Billy draws)


#100



Iaculus

I disagree with that Top Ten for xkcd - way too niche, even by an admittedly niche comic's standards. Here are just some of my personal favourites:

Asteroid:

Alt-text =
My Deep Impact/Little Prince crossover fanfic has been poorly received by the community.

Troll Slayer:

Alt-text =
We have met the enemy, and he is us.

Outreach:

Alt-text =
Completely implausible? Yes. Nevertheless, worth keeping a can of shark repellent next to the bed.

New Car:

Alt-text =
Somewhere out there is a company that has actually figured out how to enlarge penises, and it's helpless to reach potential customers.

Parking:

Alt-text =
Police reported three dozen cheerful bystanders, yet no-one claims to have seen who did it.

Friends:

Alt-text =
Friends with detriments.

Google Maps:

Alt-text =
Apparently Google Maps assumes you're travelling during the ferry's normal operating hours. We lost two hours circling that damn lake (to say nothing of the Straw Man).

Duty Calls:

Alt-text =
What do you wnt me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!


#101

Gusto

Gusto

I'd seen most of those before. The Google Maps one made me smile.


#102

Cat

Cat



#103



Twitch

AmorousEyes said:
<3 XKDC
Click to expand...
Am I missing something? You've spelled it like that three times now I think. Is it a joke or another site?


#104

Gusto

Gusto

From Straub's twitter, from a strip he did and edited a couple weeks back:



I lolled. He's pretty passive-aggressively anti-xkcd.


#105



Iaculus

And here I was thinking it was a tacit acknowledgement of the blaaatant subtext between Cutter and Memnon...


#106

Gusto

Gusto

Quine?


#107

Calleja

Calleja

Cutter has only one eye and a bad ass looking metal eyepatch thing... how can you confuse him with that curly haired nerd!?


#108



Iaculus

Calleja said:
Cutter has only one eye and a bad ass looking metal eyepatch thing... how can you confuse him with that curly haired nerd!?
Click to expand...
Poor eyesight. Very, very poor eyesight.


#109

Calleja

Calleja

You're drunk aren't you?

That's ok, it's a Friday night, we're all supposed to be.


#110



Iaculus

Sadly, no. This is me sober.

Horrifying, isn't it?


#111

bhamv3

bhamv3

Gusto said:
From Straub's twitter, from a strip he did and edited a couple weeks back:



I lolled. He's pretty passive-aggressively anti-xkcd.
Click to expand...
I giggled. The absurdity is delicious.


#112

Espy

Espy

Gusto said:
I'd seen most of those before. The Google Maps one made me smile.
Click to expand...
You are so cold. So cold to the warmth.


Now go make me a margarita.


Never mind, I'll make it myself. Be right back.


#113

Cajungal

Cajungal

It's hard for me to explain why I love Achewood. I just do. I think it's just one of those things--you either get it or you don't. I'm not trying to insult people who don't like it. I just think it's one of those things that you either like or you don't.

It's like... Tim + Eric. My brother, cousin, and a few of their friends love that show. I think it's stupid, but there's something about it that makes them laugh every time. I think their stash might have something to do with it. (B'owl is a funny sketch, though... it's hard to not love Bob Odenkirk.)


#114

Espy

Espy

You know... I'm a big XKCD fan... and the more Achewood I read the more I... like both for very different reasons.

I gotta be straight, since I have a margarita in my hand... that Tori Amos joke had me rolling.


#115

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

That's the thing, when you have to defend a comic by saying "You either get it or you don't, it's just not funny if you don't get it" seems to be a weak excuse.

At least when you complain about other webcomics, there are things you can nitpick. With Achewood, the complaint against it, is that people just don't find it funny as a whole.


#116

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

but it is the only real explanation. it's a love it or hate it kind of thing. if you can't accept that reasoning, then you're going to be disappointed by anything we say and there is no real reason for you to be here


#117

Cajungal

Cajungal

Shegokigo said:
That's the thing, when you have to defend a comic by saying "You either get it or you don't, it's just not funny if you don't get it" seems to be a weak excuse.

At least when you complain about other webcomics, there are things you can nitpick. With Achewood, the complaint against it, is that people just don't find it funny as a whole.
Click to expand...
Right. Because some things appeal to very specific types of people. It's why one thing that makes one laugh won't even make another person blink. People are just different sometimes. I'm sure if I took the time I could pick apart what exactly draws me to both Achewood and why certain people find it funny. But in the long run, I don't care much. I say it has good characters. Other don't. I think the dialogue is clever. Others don't. I think... etc etc.

So yeah, all there is left to say is you like it or you don't like it and then move on with my life. In the end, it doesn't matter who likes what as long as we all laugh.


#118

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 4

Achewood: Roast Beef Takes a Gamble

Again, not a funny strip. Not supposed to be.

It is interesting to note a few things though:

- Molly either hasn't noticed RBK's absence or is used to him wandering off in the night.
- We can only assume Teodor and brain-damaged Ray are locked inside the burning Escalade.
- We have no idea whether RBK accepted his fate or chose to escape it.


#119

ElJuski

ElJuski

I thought it was implied that RB was going back to his fate...but who knows. Meanwhile...I can only imagine T's fear and anger while Ray, like a dope with a two-inch book wound in his face, talks about how the escalade is hot like a chinchilla.


#120

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 7

xkcd: Blockbuster Mining

Hm.

Needs more explosions and sunsets. Admittedly I know almost nothing about Harriet the Spy so I may be missing some of the hidden gold in this strip, but yeah, I get the overall joke. Michael Bay makes ridiculous action movies. LOL. Hi- LARious.

And the alt text isn't so much funny as it is a twitter post.


#121

ElJuski

ElJuski

That joke has been done a million times before :(


#122

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

ElJuski said:
That joke has been done a million times before :(
Click to expand...
:eyeroll:


#123

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

interesting comic :coffee:


#124

Vrii

Vrii

This challenge is making me realize that I don't, in fact, enjoy xkcd much at all.

I guess that's a good thing to know?


#125

Gusto

Gusto

Well yeah. Basically.

I could never get into it and mostly kinda wrote it off. People sometimes link me to them or show me particularly decent ones, and that's cool, but I never really gave xkcd a chance to grow on me.

That's what this month is kinda about.


#126

Calleja

Calleja

You chose a lousy month, though... to be honest Munroe hasn't been at the top of his game for a bit.


#127

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

They already made a Harriet the Spy movie.


#128



Kitty Sinatra

I believe that's part of the joke, Charles. Thank you for ruining it for everyone.


#129

ElJuski

ElJuski

Gruebeard said:
I believe that's part of the joke, Charles. Thank you for ruining it for everyone.
Click to expand...
Ahh jeez the sarcasm detector is on the fritz ohhh mannn


#130



Kitty Sinatra

Should I have included a smiley? Should Chuck have done so? Did you need to?

Is anyone here actually being serious? Damn the internets is tuff


#131

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

:[ I AM SERIOUS


#132



Kitty Sinatra

I don't believe you.


#133

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

:] I AM KIDDING


#134



Kitty Sinatra

NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE


#135

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

you should believe in me who believes in you


#136

ElJuski

ElJuski

toniiiight tooooniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiighttttttttttttttttttttttttt


#137

Calleja

Calleja

THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIIIIR AT NIIIGHT
THE STAAAARS GET BRIIIIGHT

FER-NAN-DOOOOOO


#138



Iaculus

Allen said:
you should believe in me who believes in you
Click to expand...
Do you have awesome sunglasses? No? I didn't think so.


#139

Calleja

Calleja

My name is also Fernando.


#140

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

Iaculus;249968][quote=Allen said:
you should believe in me who believes in you
Click to expand...
Do you have awesome sunglasses? No? I didn't think so.[/QUOTE]

your accusation has caught my attention, and I will do everything in my power to make it so:coffee:


#141

doomdragon6

doomdragon6

This month's XKCDs are the worst I've seen so far.

Don't judge by this month's so far.

Also, most of the Achewoods posted here are.. Shit, I couldn't even think of a word to describe how awful they are.

BUT, the motorcycle one made me laugh. It was awesome.

This is my favorite XKCD:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/the_man_who_fell_sideways.png

Granted, it's not L-O-L hilarious, but it's just a very funny execution to me. Seriously, I feel like you should start from the first strips onward. You could finish the archive in an hour and have a better judgement.


#142

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

doomdragon6 said:
Seriously, I feel like you should start from the first strips onward. You could finish the archive in an hour and have a better judgement.
Click to expand...
nah I'd just want to kill myself


#143

Cat

Cat

I don't care about convincing anyone to like achewood. I'm just posting random comics.


#144



Kitty Sinatra

what's the Alt text on that, doom? Ya gotta tell me what the Alt text is, doom. I need to know what the Alt text is, doom.


#145



Kitty Sinatra

Thanks for the hit, Amorous. I'm a wreck when I don't get my Alt text.


#146

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 8

Achewood: Of Head Wounds and Identity

Looks like we're getting to the end of this story. It's kind of satisfying to have Beef repeat lines that we've known Cartilige Head to use in the past, and it's great to see Teodor get all uppity about OnStar almost killing him and Ray.

The alt-text is unrelated but paints a pretty vivid (and adorable!) picture. Best Achewood update during September so far, but I'm really eager to get back into a lighter storyline or even some of those humourous between strips. :)


#147

Gusto

Gusto

SEPTEMBER 9

xkcd: Date

So. Geneticists on a date, huh.

I guess this is a decent enough joke, although I didn't laugh or smile or anything. The idea that geneticists would have a much more specific type of conversation about their future children is pretty good, although the caption explaining that talking about future offspring might happen on a first date suggests to me that Munroe doesn't date much.


#148

HowDroll

HowDroll

Gusto said:
SEPTEMBER 9

xkcd: Date

So. Geneticists on a date, huh.

I guess this is a decent enough joke, although I didn't laugh or smile or anything. The idea that geneticists would have a much more specific type of conversation about their future children is pretty good, although the caption explaining that talking about future offspring might happen on a first date suggests to me that Munroe doesn't date much.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking you're a lost cause.


#149

Gusto

Gusto

I'm thinking that too.


#150



quandofloo

Charlie Dont Surf;250083][quote=doomdragon6 said:
Seriously, I feel like you should start from the first strips onward. You could finish the archive in an hour and have a better judgement.
Click to expand...
nah I'd just want to kill myself[/QUOTE]

Then I second his suggestion.


#151

Gusto

Gusto

quandofloo;251015][quote=Charlie Dont Surf;250083][quote=doomdragon6 said:
Seriously, I feel like you should start from the first strips onward. You could finish the archive in an hour and have a better judgement.
Click to expand...
nah I'd just want to kill myself[/QUOTE]

Then I second his suggestion.[/QUOTE]

Wow.


#152

ElJuski

ElJuski

You know that geneticist one was not half bad.


#153

Gusto

Gusto

ElJuski said:
You know that geneticist one was not half bad.
Click to expand...
It must have been good on it's father's side a couple generations ago OH SNAP.

:p

Nah it was okay, it's just the caption that kinda made it weird.


#154

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

well, first date is the most unexpected date to have that kind of conversation on. Therefore, it is the funniest one. If they were having that kind of conversation when they were planning to have children, it'd be expected. First date, nah.


#155

Gusto

Gusto

Sho 'nuff. :)


#156

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

it was okay, I guess

xkcd is one of those comics I think might be improved if he updated less.


#157

Gusto

Gusto

Maybe. I find his funnier comics are the ones with way too much detail and greater length, but I really like that kind of really specific detail in a LOT of webcomics, including Achewood and Order of the Stick.


#158

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

those are his funnier comics. munroe can pace and time long comic strips much better than his usual four panel or one panel comics.

today's probably would have been improved if he had them meet for this date, talk for a bit, discover they're both biologists, and then connect over building punnet squares.

as a one-panel, it seem like a rush job. Which it might have been. Munroe is punctual.


#159

Gusto

Gusto

Allen said:
today's probably would have been improved if he had them meet for this date, talk for a bit, discover they're both biologists, and then connect over building punnet squares.
Click to expand...
And then it ends with the in-laws meeting each other, also geneticists, who knew this fated union would happen for the past thirty years. :O


#160

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

that would be the alt text


#161

Gusto

Gusto

Allen said:
that would be the alt text
Click to expand...
"Their parents, also geneticists, consulted their Punnet squares from 30 years ago and predicted this would happen."


#162



Kitty Sinatra

but that would turn them into psychohistorians, not biologists. That wouldn't be funny.


#163

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

and yet, it would still be in improvement


#164



Dusty668

Ok on tuesday and today I read through Achewood and XKCD archives, and this entire forum discussion. My view on the comics in question are unchanged. One I didn't like as of monday, one I did. If my opinion changes in the upcoming month, and this 'challenge' continues to the end of september, I will let you know.

That is all. :zoid:


#165

Gusto

Gusto

Ambiguities!

I am excited. And also very glad that you gave one of them a chance, even if you didn't end up liking it.

Part of me thinks that I SHOULD go through the entire xkcd archive, but another part of me hasn't been intrigued/entertained enough by what I've seen of it to really give a shit.


#166



Dusty668

I just don't see how my shouting how one is super far better than the one you like would change your mind.

One time I got into a discussion with an artist about their comics. They decided that all their early work before a certain event was utter crap, and not worthy of viewing so they were going to take down and eliminate all previous pieces.

I had, what I thought, were reasonable valid points about their earlier artwork and how it was quite great-including specific stylistic choices I saw, along with my personal beliefs.

This artist chose to disregard it completely. Their call, their art. I have my copies saved. They may change their mind later, I don't know.

The point is, you like one, I like one, some like both. I can't convince you to change your taste, so why get all twisted.


#167



Dusty668

I'll leave the drama for the drama lovers. I'm just here for the comics.:Leyla:

I'd rather see why someone likes one comic or another rather than hear how stinky they think the other is.


#168

Gusto

Gusto

Fair enough but I'm not gonna pull punches on criticism if strips are deserving of it.

And they ALL are, quite frankly.

I can tell you right now my five favourite webcomics, in no particular order, and tell you parts where I feel they suffer.

My point is basically that everyone has their own opinion and that's great, but if we're not gonna discuss divergent viewpoints on anything, or compare and contrast, then I don't see why we have any need to discuss ANY kind of media.

Dang I don't feel very eloquent today...


#169



Kitty Sinatra

Ya don't look so elegant either. :p


#170

Gusto

Gusto

Gruebeard said:
Ya don't look so elegant either. :p
Click to expand...
Don't be a hater, brah. :uhhuh:


#171

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Amorous Eyes said:
Did you forget to go left at Albuquerque ?

You don't seem to fully realize where you are.
Click to expand...
Poor thing, all confused and turned about.... we should eat his heart. :sevil:


#172

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

That is literally the first time I smiled and chuckled at an xkcd comic.


#173

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

The facade cracks!


#174

Gusto

Gusto

That one's pretty good. :)


#175

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

It's not a facade! I love to laugh, I WANT xkcd to be good and make me laugh.


#176

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

That's pretty much my stance on Achewood. Since so many people I know actually do enjoy it.


#177

Gusto

Gusto

WE'RE NOT SO DIFFERENT YOU AND I.


#178

ElJuski

ElJuski

haha, okay. That one WAS good.


#179

Simfers

Simfers

Just got through the XKCD archives. I am now a fan. As well as a fan of Achewood. We CAN get along! :falldown:


#180

drawn_inward

drawn_inward

Amorous Eyes;245590][quote=Shegokigo said:
My question is, how can you find Achewood funny at all?
Click to expand...
I've been referred to Achewood several times over the years, and I never, ever, found it even remotely funny.

XKDC on the other hand, is absolutely hilarious.
I must say that XKDC does suffer from the hit or miss feel at times. But the hits are very frequent and brilliant.

..and yes, do read the alt text, and the 9/1 comic wasn't a very good example of what is great about XKDC. Hopefully you'll come around.[/QUOTE]

This.


#181

Gusto

Gusto

Man I have no idea what today's xkcd is about. Politics, philosophers and internets? Right?

Maybe I don't know enough about philosophy OR politics to get today's joke, but I'm not sure if this joke is very accessible to anyone.

I might add to or edit this post as the day progresses.


#182

bhamv3

bhamv3

Yeah, I didn't get it either. Oh well.


#183

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

it is an ender's game joke

I think it is making fun of how Peter Wiggin came to power if you consider the way the internet and political bloggers actually function


#184

Fun Size

Fun Size

That's actually my only real issue with XKCD. I read it every time it updates, but I go into it knowing there's a good chance I'm just not going to get it. I used to try to figure the jokes out, and occasionally learned something interesting, but lately I just go read CAD or whatever instead.


#185



Singularity.EXE

Holy shit today's was funny. You have to know Ender's Game to really get it though, and it makes you realize that how they came to power is rather ridiculous.


#186

Calleja

Calleja

If you haven't read Ender's Game you're not just not gonna get today's xkcd, but countless references all over the damned place as well. It's like general culture, people!


#187

Gusto

Gusto

Calleja said:
It's like general culture, people!
Click to expand...
I disagree. Although I have heard good things about the book and feel I should give it a shot...

But I think that a comic that relies heavily on niche knowledge (ie. anatomy text images on Wikipedia) is doing itself a disservice.

I'm not saying that xkcd is bad, necessarily. I'm saying that I'm sick of hardcore fans telling me that I need to know more about popular science fiction/string theory/computer science/engineering/philosophy, and/or read the entire archive to get it.

That's way too much work to put into a comic that EVEN FOR THE STRIPS THAT I GET, doesn't seem to be worth the payoff.

TL;DR

It really seems to me that xkcd is the kind of strip where hardcore fans can nudge other hardcore fans in the ribs with the elbow, and laugh derisively at the common simpleton who deigns to try to read it without first having educated themselves.


#188

Calleja

Calleja

Forget about xkcd.. the SIMPSONS, Futurama, Family Guy... these shows are not niche, correct?

All three have had Ender's Game references.


#189

Gusto

Gusto

Calleja said:
Forget about xkcd.. the SIMPSONS, Futurama, Family Guy... these shows are not niche, correct?

All three have had Ender's Game references.
Click to expand...
Yeah but they don't rely on niche jokes every episode.

Besides, 1.5 of the three listed shows suck. :uhhuh:


#190

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

no gusto, don't you see.

you shouldn't judge xkcd on whether it not it made you laugh, but the fact that all these other people enjoy it


#191

Gusto

Gusto

More power to 'em. :)


#192

ElJuski

ElJuski

I have not read Ender's Game, although I've heard it's something I should do. General Culture? To geeks, maybe ;)


#193

Vrii

Vrii

I've read Ender's Game two or three times. The only reason I had ANY idea what the comic was about was that they used his name...and the joke still didn't click. More than people who have read the book, it's aimed at the people who have either read it recently enough or often enough to remember some of the details that are not in any way central to the plot.

'Jokes' like that always strike me as an opportunity for people to say HA I RECOGNIZE THAT rather than actually drawing a laugh. Which I guess is what Gusto already said.


#194

Charlie Don't Surf

The Lovely Boehner

XKCD is like Robot Chicken for sad nerds


#195



Kitty Sinatra

Gusto said:
I'm sick of hardcore fans telling me that I need to know more about popular science fiction/string theory/computer science/engineering/philosophy, and/or read the entire archive to get it.
Click to expand...
I'm sick of it, too. And I like xkcd.

I discovered in this thread that I'm also sick of people who call the comics they like "masterpieces" or however El Juski described achewood. Just because you enjoy something doesn't make it the greatest thing ever. This goes for movies and books, too. And music too, Calleja.


#196

Gusto

Gusto

I'm not about to say Achewood doesn't have flaws, which brings me to my next point: TODAY'S UPDATE.

Today's Achewood is most likely the end of the latest Cartilage Head arc, and man I am happy to see it go. Especially satisfying to see Beef just shrug it off and go into one of his usual morning depressions.

It was a weird, confusing arc, that probably could have probably been composed a little more clearly, and I'm glad we can get back to knucklehead times soon.


#197

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

Beef would get mad at somebody else for trying to make him feel bad


#198



Kitty Sinatra

Gusto said:
I'm not about to say Achewood doesn't have flaws
Click to expand...
Yeah, you haven't been doing what I described there. Sorry if that looked like it was directed at you. It wasn't.


#199

ElJuski

ElJuski

Roast Beef's reaction was brilliant--and another awesome example of great characterizations. Agreed though...as a whole the arc wasn't really all that great. I miss the lesbian erotica :( I also miss Lyle.


#200

Calleja

Calleja

I miss your mom.


#201

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

get your eyes checked and try again:coffee:


#202

Calleja

Calleja

ok, i laughed


#203

Gusto

Gusto

I just got an update from Achewood's Assetbar and it was excellent.

Just sayin'. :)


#204

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

You're ugly and I hate you.

Just sayin'.:)


#205

HowDroll

HowDroll



Oh, yeah. That was an xkcd strip.

Alt text: I always wanted to impress them with how well I could hear, didn't you? Also, this sets the record for number of awkward-pause panels in one strip (previously held by Achewood)


#206

Gusto

Gusto

Good stuff.


#207



Chronos[Ha-G]

Some of Achewood's stuff makes me laugh. Some of xkcd's stuff makes me laugh. However, of the two, xkcd makes me laugh more consistently - and therefore I prefer it over Achewood.

So, in short: Blah blah achewood blah blah xkcd blah blah flamewar. Blah. Trying to save some time here.


#208

Gusto

Gusto

Hey, today's xkcd is pretty good! Clear and pretty concise, and it made me smile. Alt-text is good too. :)

ALSO, dinosaurs were fuzzy with down.


#209

Covar

Covar

I thought todays xkcd really mad the strip for me. the Comic itself was funny, but the alt text made me lol.


#210

ElJuski

ElJuski

oh shiiiiiiiit XKCD with the Achewood burn...that's not bad, either! The sign pointing to the junk...mmmhm.


#211

Allen who is Quiet

Allen, who is Quiet

juski, I have to share a nice coincidence. on my monitor, there was a little glob of dirt. positioned fortunately enough to be concentrated right at your avatar's left nostril. I literally guffawed with amusement.

also, I enjoyed today's xkcd. well-paced. and the alt-text really added something.


#212

ElJuski

ElJuski

Oh Allen <3

Anyways, I get the jump on goosto and today's Achewood, which just served to remind me how many loose ends that last storyline ended up having. Disappointed this time around :_(


#213

Gusto

Gusto

Yeah, today's Achewood only served to make me realize how many things I didn't understand about the last arc, seeing as there were FAQ answers o things I never considered, and vice versa.

Looking forward to what happens next though.


#214

twitchmoss

twitchmoss

the reincarnation that awaited roast beef is messed up. doomed to be reincarnated as a baby dog, FOREVER. and the only option out of that? the guy who stands outside the grocery store with a petition.:bush:


#215

Gusto

Gusto

Today's xkcd was okay. Makes me really wanna play Scribblenauts. I know I'm not supposed to judge xkcd on the artwork and all that.... but how in the hell is that girl/long-haired dude sitting in the first panel?!


#216

Shegokigo

Shegokigo

Gusto said:
Today's xkcd was okay. Makes me really wanna play Scribblenauts. I know I'm not supposed to judge xkcd on the artwork and all that.... but how in the hell is that girl/long-haired dude sitting in the first panel?!
Click to expand...
She's sitting her leg with the other one stretched outward.


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