How the Jinxlets Saved the Space Zoo

[djublonskopf]

Aren't there . . . not any Jinxlets (at the Ganymede Zoological Station, nor anywhere else) now that the whole universe got rebooted?

Unless -- in this timeline -- the Cirbozoids fired up their glory song the moment Katarakis approached their world . . . otherwise, it seemed like baby-making was a rare event.

[Him.]

I suppose we must query Spock Prime as to how this might be.

On a related note: from relative spatial-temporal safety, I observed the latest Star Trek movie this last week. I condone it, and applaud its direction. I even like the new take on Kirk.

Enterprise? . . . . some things.

[GeekMan]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[KingAndy]

I am intrigued that the official name is "Jinxlets" rather than, say, "Cirbozoid" or "Larval Cirbozoid". I would have assumed "Jinxlets" was a real-world term only.

I guess Mr Jinx has quite an in-universe fanbase? It is a Critocracy, after all, and he does work ... in a museum ... thing. Oh and he saved the population from the Spine of the Cosmos by wearing it like a haaaaaat.

[KingAndy]

Aren't there . . . not any Jinxlets (at the Ganymede Zoological Station, nor anywhere else) now that the whole universe got rebooted?

Perhaps the "children's storybook" presentation of this chapter is not a simple stylistic decision, but rather an acknowledgement that these events cannot take place in the new narrative? Maybe the Jinxlets only exist in this universe in fiction?

[Captain Hat]

I think what's really funny here is not the continuity issues being brought up, but the subtle buzz-killing in the fine print.

"Refer to behavioral flow chart D"

[Imp. Severn Felix]

Jinxlet books are produced by committees of monoliths-- what do you expect?

[djublonskopf]

I think what's really funny here is not the continuity issues being brought up, but the subtle buzz-killing in the fine print.

"Refer to behavioral flow chart D"

That is indeed the best part.

I can't decide if I would enjoy it more if he included the charts at the end, or left them to our imaginations.

[GeekMan]

"Refer to behavioral flow chart D"

Y'know Kris, I think it's fair for us to ask to see these flowcharts at the end of the book.

[TemporalParadox]

Today's strip makes me think this series is going to either give us closure on the Jinxlets, or get them to a safe universe.

[Kris Straub]

This is an in-continuity story. Vanderbeam, who may want to pick out a gift for a 3-year-old cousin of his, might run across "How the Jinxlets Saved the Space Zoo" in a bookstore.

The events in the book are also in continuity. The Jinxlets did save the space zoo from the destruction of Jupiter and the whole previous universe. The kid's book presentation is in the same vein as "How George Washington Became President" or something.

[Imp. Severn Felix]

How the Jinxlets repealed the Alien and Sedition Acts.

[TemporalParadox]

The events in the book are also in continuity. The Jinxlets did save the space zoo from the destruction of Jupiter and the whole previous universe. The kid's book presentation is in the same vein as "How George Washington Became President" or something.

I would have said that, but I didn't want to steal your thunder. Also, I was going to say that the escape slip was going to reset everything into a universe where shift drive was illegal and Vanderbeam was captain, but I didn't want to steal your thunder then, either.

One of these is true.

[Captain Hat]

Y'know Kris, I think it's fair for us to ask to see these flowcharts at the end of the book.

I agree. I feel like these behavioral flowcharts are an invitation to some sort of psychological drinking-game.

[TemporalParadox]

Those flowcharts sound like great content for the next book.

[djublonskopf]

This is an in-continuity story. Vanderbeam, who may want to pick out a gift for a 3-year-old cousin of his, might run across "How the Jinxlets Saved the Space Zoo" in a bookstore.

The events in the book are also in continuity. The Jinxlets did save the space zoo from the destruction of Jupiter and the whole previous universe. The kid's book presentation is in the same vein as "How George Washington Became President" or something.

Well.

I stand thoroughly corrected.

[Imp. Severn Felix]

I really can't see these, or any, flowcharts being funny enough to justify the time and effort to read them, much less design them.

That's not a lack of faith in Straub, but a lack of interest in flowcharts.

[djublonskopf]

I really can't see these, or any, flowcharts being funny enough to justify the time and effort to read them, much less design them.

That's not a lack of faith in Straub, but a lack of interest in flowcharts.

Not a fan of XKCD?

[Imp. Severn Felix]

No. Much of its appeal is based on recognition; that is to say, the reader is expected to say, "hey, I know what Q=mcΔT is all about!" which is essentially the same as "oh yeah I totally listen to coldplay too," though with a different audience. That said, I don't remember what the hell Q=mcΔT is all about. Furthermore, the "romantic" strips can better be qualified as stalker-creepy. The art is, obviously, a non-factor, and while good writing can salvage bad art far better than good art can redeem bad writing, uninteresting writing and rock-bottom art cannot hold my attention.

[Captain Hat]

I totally feel where you're coming from. I can flat-out say that I do not like XKCD for all the above reasons. It comes across as almost pompous at times.

[KBF]

So you're unwilling to enjoy something unless it meets the standard of 'art'? See, I don't really have the problem because I read comics to have fun. Even if I don't always entirely get the math or science jokes, the thought process is easy to pick up and, hey, sometimes I get interested and learn something new.

Get back on topic.

sudo Get back on topic.



I'd love to see the flowcharts, there's a lot of potential there. If Kris can't come up with enough jokes for them I could see it being kind of a lame strip though.

I'd more like to see an actual coloring book come out with the forms though. Maybe part of a book collection. I love what you're doing with this little 'arc' Kris.

[Donny]

Yes, because when I think of comedy I too think of math equations.

XKCD isn't funny because it isn't funny. I'm looking forward to the day that Chris Onstand and Randel Munroe decide that Tax Forms are the next go to thing for filler because when everyone is aping THAT maybe people will realize how obnoxious that sort of "comic" is.

[Captain Hat]

I too, read comics to have fun, and I'm not going to berate anyone who enjoys XKCD. I just don't happen to like it because I, personally, don't find it funny.

Here's how I feel:
XKCD is to webcomics as Woody Allen is to movies. You either like XKCD or you don't. You either like Woody Allen or find him obnoxious.

[GeekMan]

The events in the book are also in continuity. The Jinxlets did save the space zoo from the destruction of Jupiter and the whole previous universe.

Really? I often do wonder about that universe, actually. By emergency-shifting at the moment of their universe's (supposed) destruction, it would seem that "our" crew caused a hapless, alternate Paradigm & crew to be shifted to the "doomed" universe and destroyed / killed. That always kind of gave me the heebie-jeebies; I know I'd be a tad uncomfortable knowing that I'm living because a parallel universe duplicate of me was sacrificed.

But as they say:

"What happens to our parallel selves?"
"Who cares?"

[djublonskopf]

XKCD is to webcomics as Woody Allen is to movies. You either like XKCD or you don't. You either like Woody Allen or find him obnoxious.

What if you like XKCD but can't stand Woody Allen?