26 Comments
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L. E. Mullin's avatar

Sometimes the stories where the hero fails to escape are more interesting than the ones in which he succeeds.

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Mar 10
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L. E. Mullin's avatar

It kind of works in a strange way, doesn't it?

Onlijn's avatar

Alright, I'll buy it: so escaping into deeper trouble is one the Condor's character traits is it? Or make a great leap for the moon (if that could reasonably get him into deeper trouble still...). But what about the Condor's knitting skills? Can he knit his own socks, like aunty Gladys can?

I'd love to catch him ssssstuffing that pink worm into a tight sssssstocking, I would..

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Someday I'll make a strip on The Condor's knitting skills. Or a whole graphic novel.

Onlijn's avatar

Can't wait....

The Boxpress Manifesto's avatar

L.E. .....how about the notorious example of the serial killer next door: Reporter: "Mrs. McGillicuddy, what was your impression of Otis Toole?" "Oh, he was just darling. Sweet man, We used to talk about gardening all the time."

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Same case, I guess. In a story, I would show him talking about gardening two or three times before the cops ask Mrs. mcGillicuddy (whom, by the way, I don't trust for a minute)

Toni Tan's avatar

Diving into the chaos! We mere mortals do it too, though not on purpose -- and even if we say resourcefulness or fearlessness are our superpowers, it just ain't the same, is it?

L. E. Mullin's avatar

No, it ain't, but it's still worth it, sometimes.

Daniel P Quinn's avatar

Trajectory yes; predictable only sometimes...

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Yeah, you can't let predictability turn into boredom.

Dianne Collins's avatar

Great thinking, Makes so much sense, Context rules : )

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Glad you like it, Dianne.

Kate's avatar

Love it! Now that I think about it, many shows follow this strategy. For instance, Death in Paradise always features a fish-out-of-water scenario with an uptight UK detective sent to a Caribbean island. He behaves in predictable ways, but each episode typically features a curve ball to keep things interesting. Of course, this is just one example of trillions. But now that I see the pattern, I can't unsee it!

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Glad you like it, Kate. I haven't seen Death in Paradise, but I just remembered the characters of the Mexican comedian Chespirito, who are hilariously predictable.

Michael Angelo Truncale's avatar

The real world surprises us. It’s nice to have a drawn character that is also surprised by it.

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Glad you like it, Michael. It also makes it more fun to draw.

Alexandra Klein's avatar

A fantastic lesson for comic strips and novelists alike. And when life is stranger than fiction.

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Yes it is. Glad you like it, Alexandra.

Julia's avatar

So, I don’t know your Condor character, yet, but I still say, what?? At first. But then I feel I would definitely expect him to try to keep going and try to escape trouble. But as I linger, I wish your Condor would also turn and face it. Sssssnake has got him where it wants him. Fleeing. I know THAT’S no good for a superhero. But it does make him human. And something most intriguing in a story of a struggle between good versus evil.

Cosmic Warlock's avatar

O shit is that BARNEY?

L. E. Mullin's avatar

I think Barney is far more evil and scary.

Joseph Lewis's avatar

Nice post. I hadn't looked at it this way.

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Glad you like it, Joseph.

Tony Brunello's avatar

It never works for me--but I feel a sense of hope and possibility when the Condor dives into chaos. Don't you wish it was an option--really?

L. E. Mullin's avatar

Always, Tony. It never works for me, either.