Saturday, May 30, 2009

I See You!

Whoooa..! Where did you come from?I can't figure out what Margo is supposed to be saying in the first panel, but she looks pretty doped up in the second panel, so that might explain it. Maybe she's taken a pre-flight Xanax. You are flying soon, aren't you Margo? To Tibet? /China? That's still happening, right? Soonish?

My favorite part, though, is Tommie, popping out from behind the door frame, as if to say, "Peek-a-boo."

Friday, May 29, 2009

I"... I... I'm so not going to marry you!"

I don't need time to reject you, Gary.Now I'm starting to feel pretty bad for Gary. He's trying the best he can, albeit in a kind of overly eager manner, and Tommie is soooooooo not interested. Guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow to hear her say No to the Way to the Jose.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

A Rare Glimpse

Here's a bit of A3G-related news: Margaret Shulock, writer for Apartment 3-G and coauthor of the strip Six Chix (she writes and illustrates on Tuesdays), recently posted about What Writing a Continuity Strip Looks Like, focusing on the week she wrote the now-infamous "Margo has Dinner with Her Biological Parents and is Sort of Baffled by the Whole Thing" story arc. It's cool to see the process, and now I know who to thank for Taser Lady.

From one Margaret to another, thanks! Keep up the good work.

The Proposal

I can't go away with you, Gary. I have to wash my hair. Hoo boy, Gary. Something tells me Tommie isn't really digging your proposal. Maybe it's the body language, or the avoiding eye contact, or the somber expression... something! In Tommie's defense, proposing marriage at this point only ups the uncomfortability factor from "Come move to Denver with me after two weeks of dating!" to "Come movie to Denver with after two weeks of dating, plus you're legally bound to me!" I wonder why Gary thought that Tommie would, yes, reject moving away with him, but then be more receptive to it if they got married.

This is the icky picture of Gary I was thinking of by the way:

To Gary, getting to second base means touching a woman's shoulders.I mean come on, the guy just looks like a fish-lipped creep. It's from back in October, when Tommie's all shaken up because she just had to tell Lu Ann that her boyfriend just got shot by a crackhead, and Gary's all like, "Yeah that's right, come to Gary... wait til I tell the guys I made it to second base tonight!"

Actually, this picture always makes me laugh, so kudos to Gary, I guess.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

"You're a Nurse, Dummy."

I can't quit my job, Gary! Heh heh! You believe me, right? Hey, Gary is using the same arguments I just made! Additionally, Denver has many highly rated healthcare facilities where Tommie could work, and is also "America's thinnest city" in the state with the lowest obesity rate, so she wouldn't even have to work as hard once she got there.
And yet Tommie still won't go. I mean, that's why I wouldn't go. First she tries to throw him off with a (transparent) white lie, then she trains her eyes on anything but him as he tries (fruitlessly) to illicit an emotional response.

Why? You might think it's because they've only been dating for like two days in A3G time (that's since May 2008 in real time), but it's actually because Gary's icky. I know, I know, it might not seem like Gary's that icky, but trust me... with my woman's intuition, I can tell. There's a picture of him that makes him look like a weird creep somewhere, I'll have to fish around the archives.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Til There Was Tommie

If Tommie really were a robot, she would probably use her robot powers to explode Denver. Tommie looks as stiff as a board in the first panel... or is it as bored as a stiff? I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of that wordplay, but in Tommie's case, I think it fits nicely. Actually, she's more robotic than dead looking. "Opportunity status: wonderful. Terminate silliness. Commence fumbling embrace.

I can't believe Gary is this head over heels for Tommie. I mean... it's Tommie.

Still going to Denver??

Gary is a man who loves the color orange.Oh god... are we still talking about the SAME DENVER?? Please! Not Denver! No! Not... Denver!!

Seriously Tommie. What have you got to lose. They can use nurses anywhere in the world, and with 300 days of sunshine every year, award-winning restaurants and dining, world-class museums and hotels, the best in live entertainment, and stunning Rocky Mountain views, Denver blends urban sophistication with outdoor adventure! ...so I hear.

More about wonderful Denver.

DENVER??

Smile, honey, it's still good news. DENVER?? Oh sweet lord not Denver!! Denver??! Denver!!

By reputation only (having never been there), I think of Denver as a nice, healthy little city. Tommie will never go for it though. She's too attached to NYC... not that I've ever once seen her go out or enjoy it in any way. Let's face it: she's really just addicted to making sure the apartment is sparkling clean for Margo. Remember what Ruby always says: "My door could use a good scrubbin."

Also of note, BOTH PARTIES HAVE CHANGED CLOTHES, WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN TODAY AND YESTERDAY?!

The Roses Can't Wait

I'm sorry, could you you give me some time with the roses? Alone? "Excuse me, Gary, these roses are way more important to me than you." She looks like she's pretty into them... sorry, Gar. Three's a crowd. And don't ever call anyone "honey" ever again! It just doesn't suit you.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Tommie, Wait!

Half a dozen roses is better than no roses at all, I guess. But enough about Margo and her once-broken home! Hey wait... is Tommie still wearing the same clothes from yesterday... just like Margo? What were Tommie and Margo DOING last night? Do I want to know? Does Gary want to know?

I bet Tommie says she need more time... more time WITH MARGO. I don't blame her though, Gary's kind of icky.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

We Are Family

Please please please don't kiss in front of me.It's the happiest day of Gabriella's life? Whoo, break out the champagne, it turns out I'm not being evicted! I'M ON TOP OF THE WORLD! Well, Gabriella has had a pretty bad time of it... her entire life.

And is it just me, or does Margo seem like she's in a catatonic state, frozen with horror? Panel two in particular she looks like she's desperately trying to keep it together. "We're a family! And it's great! And you two are maybe getting back together and that doesn't make me throw up in my mouth in the least!"

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Prime Real Estate

I'll never have to leave my casa! ...too much?"And I couldn't let these condominiums stay on the market for such a low low price!"

Uh actually, I don't know, does this happen? Do people talk about tearing down apartment complexes (or "complexi"), kicking out all the residents, and selling the lot to... make different apartments? Or townhouses or something? Zoning regulations would prohibit industrial or commercial development, right? Oh I don't know. I think this one's filed under "Rich people can do whatever they want." New York sure is one crazy city!

MY GABRIELLA?!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Say Si!

Isn't he just muy great? Margo is right to interrobang. It's one thing for Gabriella to enjoy Martin's company after all these years, but to spout out the "most wonderful man in the world" line after one drink! Really, Gabriella, no one's gonna buy the cow if you're giving away the milk for free... the milk of your lovely compliments.

For those of you not aware, Martin was married when he had an affair with his housekeeper Gabriella. She got preggers with Margo, and gave up the baby to Martin so Margo could have a better life. So I don't know, most wonderful man in the world material? I guess time heals all wounds.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Margo has Joined Your Party

I'm checking el roasto, signor. What'd I tell ya! So this is what Martin postponed his trip to Tibet for. Rrrow.

Oh that Gabriella. She's so........... Hispanic? I'm sorry. Is it Italian? I took Latin, I really don't know.

Giggle... ha ha!

Pout, pout, pout. Well! A brand new format for A3G: sunday strips without reusing any material! Of course, it's actually pretty much the same thing, with Margo just rehashing what we've read all week while she walks around, instead of actually talking or anything. I don't know which is worse. I guess this is better, because we get to see Margo make her "I'm thinking" pout for like six frames in a row. I challenge someone to photoshop all the thought balloons out of this comic so we can see what it'd be like if we couldn't read Margo's mind.

Also, if I were Margo, I would back away from the door. Your mother is a vivacious woman, Margo. No doubt she is entertaining male company. Now may not be the best time. Don't you ever think to call first?!

Allright Already

Well, I'd better hit the old... dusty trail... Well that was thrilling. When you have to spread out a six-word turn of phrase over two panels, you know you're stretching your material.

Friday, May 15, 2009

"Are you leaving or what?"

But ya ARE, Blanche!Hey yeah, wait a second! Isn't Margo supposed to be in China? Wasn't she supposed to be in China a couple of months ago? Lucky for us, Martin McGee's busy schedule allowed Margo to squeeze in some impromptu umbrella whacking.

This totally boring exposition allows me to interject a thought: could Doris be Margo's twin sister? Margo clearly being the dominant twin. Well, they don't even have to be twins I guess, I'm really just picturing a What Ever Happened to Baby Jane-type realationship. Margo, of course, is delusional Jane Hudson, and Doris is her beleagured sister Blanche.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Woo hoo.

Oh that Doris! I love Margo's "Yippee." It looks neither sincerely exhilirated nor particularly sarcastic. It's just there. Sort of like Doris, whose name is Doris apparently!

Actually, I'm kind of anxious to see a day in the life of Margo, since so far I've seen "Doris" here do twice as much actual work than Margo. However, I suspect Margo will listen to an alarming voicemail (left by it doesn't matter who) and leave immediately. Any other guesses?

UPDATE: I just looked at today's strip and yesterday's stacked on top of each other and they're like, almost identical. They could've at least changed the side-by-side, reading-something, Doris-in-the-foreground sequence!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The Morning After

Just add a raincoat, and it's a totally new outfit! Yike... looks like Margo had a few too many last night, fell asleep in her clothes, woke up at 9:15, stuffed a Special K Breakfast Bar in her mouth and ran out the door. Don't think that yellow slicker can fool me, Margo! Although her bun is perfectly in place, as usual.


Tweet, tweet.Meanwhile, Haley Brown? Really? The last time we saw her was October 12, when she freaked Lu Ann out by mentioning, as non-specifically as possible, drugs. How much time has passed in the A3G universe that Haley Brown has anything relevant to say about an investigation that is still ongoing? That is, what on earth is she singing like a bird about?

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Keep Smilin', Keep Shinin'...

I'll be on your siiiide forevermooooooore...!
Honestly, I really didn't think they were friends. This is probably the first nice thing Margo has done for Tommie, and it involved violence to the point that her embrella exploded.

And Margo is not trying to make you smile! Taser Lady was clutch.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Cheers

Margo will drink to anything... I guess Margo's chosen to dress down for her nightcap with Tommie, slipping into her blue turtleneck with clamshell pendant accompaniment. But Tommie's so excited that she's put on her best black vest!

Please, raise your little wine shot glasses of Guiness... to Ruby. Hot and spicy, Texas style. And to Taser Lady, who we all hope will come back soon.

Flee While You Can!

Down, Margo! Please!! I don't usually post the whole Sunday strip cause it's mostly boring recap, but it's interesting here to observe the progression. At first Tommie's all like, ohhh Gary, stay with me, hold me, it's not your fault! But Margo's all hanging around and yelling at Gary and shaking her fists, so Tommie's all like, "Oh yeah, Margo's right, I'd better throw you out." At first I thought it was because Margo can brainwash Tommie into doing anything she wants, like a Jedi mind trick but with more screaming. But Tommie's cowed, apologetic look in the last panel makes me think otherwise.

Margo is like kind of like Tommie's out-of-control German shepard. Tommie pretends it's her decision to make Gary leave, but Margo's really in control. If Gary doesn't leave now, he's gonna get bit. There will be blood. And once Margo tastes blood, she can't help herself. Wait, is that German shepards or sharks?

The Incredible Margo

Margo SMASH!!!What's Margo so upset about? I didn't think she even liked Tommie. Oh wait, Tommie's the only one that cleans the apartment. Margo could've lost a valuable servant, you jerk!

By the way, what on earth is Margo wearing? It's like a collared shirt with two buttons at the collar and buttoned sleeves. She's supposed to be the best dressed, too. Between the shirt and the Shy Violet haircut, I don't know what to think. Who would usurp her as the fashionable one, though? Tommie, who's wearing probably the same shirt in green, and probably borrowed from Margo? Or Lu Ann, who... hey, where IS Lu Ann?

Friday, May 8, 2009

Margo Fumes and...

Gary? What Gary? Margo is bobbing and swerving all over the place today. And I feel like I need to make a new label for finger pointing, it goes on so much in this apartment. I'm not really sure what she was expecting Gary to do about this bolder more desperate red flag, but I'm sure we'll hear all about it tomorrow.

The real winner today is Tommie's million-mile stare right through Gary. It's like she's pretending he doesn't exist.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

The court calls Gary to the stand!

You freaking SQUEALED?? Margo is OUTRAGED at Gary's collaboration with our national judicial system! I guess she's actually gonna be upset that Gary didn't tell Tommie earlier, but it's more fun to think she believes that strongly in her own vigilante justice, with umbrella and suds in tow.

Or maybe she's nervous now that she knows Gary is a snitch...

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Heads Up

Gary just wanted to give Tommie a tootle.I bet Gary wants to warn Tommie that Joe might be on his way over.

You know... I can't help but think with this whole Joe thing semi-resolved, Gary's gonna find a way to see himself out of town. What could he have to add to the plot without Joe acting as his foil? Then again, what does anyone have to add to the plot?

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tootle Tootle!

That's FOUR tootles!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Hahaha... ahh. HAAAAAaaahahahahahaha!!

Tootle.

I hope this is not the last we've seen of Taser Lady!

Umbrella, Busted

Ruby has yet to take off the gloves.Let's relive Ruby's "shaking" comment, now with 0% shaking.

I didn't see Margo whacking Joe hard enough to bust up that umbrella, but good for you, girl. You bust up that umbrella. Hey, that cop didn't mention Margo's efforts at all, now that I think about it! Just hairspray and suds. Huh. Jerk.

Denouement

Oh no! Where's Taser Lady?
Well I guess all the action has been resolved! Joe apparently walked himself to the squad car while the cop chit-chats with the Bucket of Suds crew, all of whom just look so pleased with themselves in the second panel. Particularly the Professor. He's probably thinking, "Who should I tell this story to first?"

Beam me up, Tommie.Later, on Sunday, Tommie attempted to communicate with her home planet.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Statis

You've been a baaaaaaad boy.Oh thank goodness. We escalated all the way to bucket dumping and possible tasering, but we've returned to a fairly peaceful state of finger pointing. The action is over. I hope everyone's sated, because we're probably not going to see that level of rigorous activity again for another six to eight years.

Also: how far in front of herself is Ruby holding that bucket?