Demons

Saturday December 20, 2013

Uh, Dr. Bentley didn't say anything about PTSD, nor the weird claim that it could be cured. He probably thought Cole's long-term health issues might be single dad-itis, or chronic gym teacher hair. More importantly, check out Dr. Bentley in panel two. Where, exactly, does the demons' power get mitigated to? Could it be to a certain DR. BEELZEBENTLEY? Marty feels a pang of dread.

Monday December 23, 2013

Not sure what about the free hospital that "cures" PTSD made it the tough choice. Maybe it was everyone's unyielding support for the idea. Or the demon-mitigating thing.

Fresh Start

Thursday December 19, 2013

We have phones and email... right? We have email? Because I'm pretty sure Margo's relationship with James Bond fell apart because he didn't realize he could just text her.

Friday December 20, 2013

Hahaha! Oh Marty. You could use a fresh start. Once Tori lets the kids at school know you're a $500-bill vending machine, they'll never let up. Good thing ol' Dr. Shapeshifter signed Cole up without his consent! The nice men are probably on their way to help him put on the funny-looking jackets they wear there.

Say Goodbye

Gosh, Doctor! Do you hang around the hospital all day just to say goodbye to people's dads? What a funny job to have. I guess it's a living!

P.S. How are we even supposed to believe this is the same Dr. Bently that looked like he was ready to sell Lu Ann a certified pre-owned Yaris?

Mostly Regret

Just in case you were wondering, Dr. Bentley is giving the universal sign for "time to party," the violently shaken, overly-aggressive thumbs up.  Either that or he's just having a bad case of the DTs.

Instead of going out to party, Dr. Bentley should be writing a paper for The New England Journal of Medicine detailing his novel brain surgery that requires no cutting into the patient's skull and a recovery time equal to how long it takes the patient to get dressed in his finest mustard overcoat.

Why, Lu Ann?

How can Lu Ann cover Marty's $500 mistake.  That's going to be a lot of shifts at the gallery.  I can't imagine that Margo pays anything over minimum wage.

Five Hundred Dollars More

Well that bombshell had.... exactly zero impact. It seems like the more Lu Ann learns, the less impact it's having on her attitude. "Stop punishing yourself for betraying your veteran single dad, who's struggled to overcome alcoholism and PTSD to raise you before succumbing to a brain tumor. I mean, five hundred dollars, what is that even? Ever since the Governor's prize patrol started funding my art classes, I've been spending that much a week on pedicures."

Sweep Your Angst Under the Rug

"But you didn't, so you showed you wanted to stay, yay!" "No, I got ditched." "Oh, uhh...well..... this is awkward...... can't you just like, ignore how you were completely hurt and abandoned by almost everyone close to you? Just get over it!"

But Marty, to be fair, just because Lu Ann is a little dim doesn't mean she's a loser.

Everyone's Awake

Looks like the colorist was so shocked by the rare appearance of Lu Ann's hips in the first panel that he or she forgot to color in the rest of the wall.  Luckily the wall-mounted table-height toaster is the expected gray.  Got to focus on the important details.

Thanksgiving Recap

Thursday, November 28th

"There's plenty of room now that I finally sold that other girl's stuff on Craigslist.  You remember her, right...the red head?  What was her name again...Tina? Terri?"

Friday, November 29th

 

"I hope you don't mind, but I'm probably going to leave some drool marks on this overstuffed, kelly green futon.  If I start screaming, don't be alarmed.  It's just my night terrors, and the doctors say I haven't sleep-murdered anyone for months."

Saturday, November 30th

Maybe Mrs. Ward is just a little bit angry at the world that she's had to go through life with her wrist attached directly to her shoulder.  It definitely makes it hard to reach the receiver to her ear. 

Go Home and Relax

I like how Dr. Bluesuit is staring right at Lu Ann's triangle of flesh as she's talking about taking her dress off. NICE, DOC. The kid is only traumatized in the background from the thought of leaving her dying father, but no, by all means, you two get all excited at the thought of slipping into something more comfortable. Marty can always just... call the service. Whatever that means.

Talking in Circles

 

"Marty, your dad is suffering some complications from what I'm calling "medical cliche-itis."  His condition can only be described by using banal phrases that give the listener no indication as to his actual physical state.  I'll be blunt...He's between a rock and a hard place with his back to the wall, but he's strong as an ox and stubborn as a mule.  We're gonna have to wait for the dust to settle before we know where we stand."

Thanks, NURSE

Man, see, this is where I really miss Tommie. It could've been her delivering this expository dialogue, instead of this anonymous Nurse Rachet stand-in. Think of how much that would've added to the plot!

P.S. According to Wikipedia, "nurses' caps can still be found in many developing nations."

Doctor Bentley

Your dad and I talked a lot, and as it turns out, he doesn't even like his tumor. I don't even know why he got it in the first place! Ha ha. So anyway, funny thing... my name is Doctor, but I'm actually a used car salesman.

Pretty Awesome



Wednesday, November 20

 



"And frankly, I do say so myself, because I'm the only one who will say it. All those malpractice lawsuits I'm facing for telling my patients not to call 911 have really taken a toll on my reputation!"

Thursday, November 21

"Well, the surgery he needs will require $500 upfront."*

*I know this isn't a thing that happens, but maybe in the world of A3G, it is. Imagine the look on Marty's face!**

**I am a terrible person.

Emergency Response

1) I love Lu Ann's look of utter disinterest in the first panel.  "I left the Governor's Ball mid-proposal for this and you haven't even called 911!"

2) Why would Cole insist on such a terrible and poorly prepared emergency response plan?  Or was Marty just too busy with Tori and Lick to pick up the salient details? 

Cole: "Marty, it's very important that you follow the instructions that I am about to give you.  If I should ever have a seizure, immediately call Dr. B...."
Marty: "NOT NOW, Cole!  Tori is coming over so that we can smoke vodka.  Why don't you save it for your girlfriend?"

3) Why would you follow your father's wishes by not calling 911 only to go against them by calling Lu Ann?
 
4) Guess the Canadian province that Tori and Lick are in...Nunavut?...Ontario?

He Just Stares at Me

Oh jeez. How long has he been having a seizure now?? I'm guessing we skipped the panel where Marty opened the door and Lu Ann gave her a big comforting hug. Hopefully we also skipped the panel where the EMTs called to apologize to Marty for being so late. This city and its first responders!

Mystery Door

It's time to play "What's Behind That Door?"

Could it be...
Cole lying in bed... lifeless?
Cole lying in bed... with Lu Ann?
Cole lying in bed... with Lu Ann and some guy in clown makeup...?
Cole eating the world's largest ice cream sundae, and he didn't tell Marty about it, that pig?!

I know the whole lifeless (or almost-lifeless) body thing is the most likely, but I'm really rooting for the giant ice cream sundae. What do you guys think Marty sees in Cole's room?

Stupid Games

Marty! MARTY!! Your knocking would be more effective if you weren't simply punching the door, or kind of wiping you knuckles across it. But I guess it doesn't really matter since Cole is unconscious anyway. Way to ruin everything, DAD!

Internal Dialogue

Can one get busted for talking?  Is the A3G New York a hypervigilant police state where even the smallest violations of social mores are punishable and draconian laws instill a fear of consequence in the population?  I would think that Marty would be more concerned about the palsy that afflicts her of late than whether Tori is ten minutes late for their running away from home rendezvous.  She's probably just picking up a pack of Camels for the road...

Ruin Everything

Marty... I don't even totally get why it's important to you that Cole be awake, but instead of standing around and shaking your fist dramatically and waiting for him to wake up, you could go and umm just wake him up yourself? Jeez! Maybe this is meant as an insightful, searing criticism of today's youth. Ouch!