Deus Ex Marina
08-02-04
D: Okay, this is the fifth and final part of Mary’s guest arc. And what a note to end on. The in-joke to end all in-jokes.

M: And here's Government Sanctioned Killing Machine, making his first and last appearance simultaneously.

D: You might not have noticed, but it’s a return to the two-step rhythm I mentioned in earlier parts: regular panels, alternating subjects.

M: Yup, once again with Shakra always appearing on the right side while other characters pop in and out of frame...like the supporting cast visiting the crucifixion in Life of Brian.

D: Some things in life are bad. They can really make you mad. Other things just make you swear and curse. When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble – give a whistle! And this’ll help things turn out for the best….

M: And Shakra would be great in the role of Big Nose. Look how it just gets larger and larger in every panel where he's drawn in profile. If I kept this arc going another week, I'd just be drawing one giant nose and sticking hair and eyes on it.

D: It’d be like Evil Dead. But with a nose instead of a chin.

M: Of course, Halifax isn't drawn much better in this either. He's like Simon "the Triangle-Headed Man" Pegg, but with more hair. Which I guess is fitting, since this was a zombie-related arc and all.

D: And more fitting given that Spaced is one of the finest sitcoms ever made, and Shit Happens is ordinarily meant to be the broad equivalent of a sitcom.

M: *mumbles* Couldn't tell that from the pilot episode.

D: You’re American. Like you’d know funny if it came and bit you on the arse. Or ass, I should say.

M: But anyway! Hurray for the funniest punchline in webcomics ever!

D: I am ten punchlines!

M: And now the nightmare of incredibly obscure in-jokes and badly-drawn monkeys is over, dear readers. Back to your regularly scheduled well-drawn strips, already in progress.