And Rob Liefeld was a very professional, versatile comiker.
Also, Dave Sim has no personal problems with women whatsoever, just like how Alan Moore is none too proud of his British roots, couldn’t be less drama prone, and doesn’t make any effort to resemble a moonsick mushroom wizard.
Billie is the one who entered the elevator, not Amazi-Girl.
The only reason I know that is because I remembered it as Amazi-Girl entering the elevator too, and was going to write in the exception until I went and double-checked it and found I was wrong.
Putting on glasses is actually a pretty effective way to be not recognized. It’s amusing the number of people who don’t recognize me because I’d forgotten my glasses in the morning.
She can adhere to her own moral code without necessarily fitting the rule-abiding rebel archetype. Keeping one’s word and not breaking agreements are pretty common pieces of moral fiber.
Save in past tense, since Dick Grayson did become Batman pre-New 52 reboot….
Speaking of which, how many times did Bane break Batman’s back and how many new graveyards did the Joker fill after the last Flying Grayson filled in for the Brooding Loner?
Wait I am confused was the roommate agreement actually ever handed in? Because if it was the Ruth has no reasoning to bullying Billie(other then the stolen beer however Ruth has not proof of this and according to Coffin v. US presumption of innocence is assumed until proven guilty) , therefore this whole story need not have taken place. Unless Ruth is a an @$$ #013. Sal dresses in blue so she cannot and Amazi-girl dresses in blue and yellow, which Sal does not who else dresses in blue and Yellow. Therefore Amazi-girl must be Wolverine!!! or Amber ( that’s pretty far fetched).
Ruth is venting bottled up aggression from family problems on the first person who made herself a reasonable target. Ruth feels miserable and is making Billie her company.
I’m pretty sure “someone has a secret identity and someone makes a perhaps erroneous guess” is a trope that eclipses Shortpacked! by a very wide margin. To say this is a “recycled joke” is to paint with a ludicrously broad strokes.
In Shortpacked!’s case, Robin thinking Ultra Car was Amazi-Girl was a parody of that trope, because no sane person would think that a human girl is a car in disguise. In Dumbing of Age, if Billie is wrong, this would be playing the trope straight, because Sal being Amazi-Girl is not a terrible guess.
I am amused by the idea that, in a world with a superhero with a secret identity, one is not allowed to guess wrong about their identity, because that is a “joke” that you can’t repeat. Does everyone have to get it right on the first try, or can no one guess at all?
Actually Sal as Amazi Girl is a terrible guess. Different height, weight, nationality, glasses, hair length, pop culture references, fashion style, voice, etc. It would be plausible if she had just heard second hand accounts and made the connections, but having ridden her… not so much.
Walky is Amazi-Girl. Notice how much he wishes he could wear pajamas made for girls? Cross-gender crimefighting is his only outlet. He made the Batman remark about Sal to throw Billie off his trail, knowing she’d catch on otherwise.
Billie is Amazi-Girl. She’s only accusing Sal so that Sal doesn’t learn the truth. Her previous encounters with Amazi-Girl are explained by time-travel.
Are you kidding? The clues totally point to Walky. Notice the hyphen in “Amazi-Girl?” That long, stiff hyphen is a phallic symbol, indicating that Amazi-Girl has a penis (hence the amazement). Walky is also assumed to have a penis, so it’s a perfect match. Furthermore, David Willis left a clue in one of his other works. Turns out the title of one of his most epic comics is “It’s Walky!” What more proof could we need?
All the ladies in the house put your hands up!
All the fellas in the house put your hands up!
Now whoever is Amazi-girl put your hands up!
Now everyone else put your hands down!
I just noticed that Sal’s hair has one side tucked behind her ear and the other hanging free to cover the other ear – and which side is tucked back changes to face the viewer. And now I can’t unnotice it. I’m picturing it actively rearranging itself as she turns her head. Kinda freaky.
Very well. Deadpan Joyce shall stay. It’s a rare thing anyway, and I’d hate to leave it vacant and have someone else pick it up. It’s kind of like a signature at this point.
I love how putting on a mask and costume stumps any and all forms of identification other than seeing the person’s face. Sal is taller than amazi-girl, has the wrong skin tone, and obviously different hair. Now, some of these could be faked to some extent, but I think Sal would have serious trouble hiding her hair under a wig to make it look like Amazi-girl. Ah, the magic of a mask and costume…
As has already been pointed out above, the hair is actually the easiest of these.
Basically you braid it and tye it close to your head, and then pin the wig to that. It sorta works at concealing identity because everybody expects it to be impossible, but it’s really easy.
The skin is similarly easy, make-up, but application time should be much more extensive, which may make it impractical.
Height is the hardest one. It’s relatively simple to get height augmenting shoes of some sort, but obviously you’re assuming Sal’s height is the real height (since Walky would know otherwise). You can pretend to be smaller than you are by standing in the correct angles and abusing perspective, but it’s a constant effort and it’s very easy to slip, so I doubt it’d be worth it. It would also impair her fighting prowess a fair bit.
Right, so considering all that plus changing her accent, manner of speech, weight, and pop culture references we can safely say it’s a bad guess. Really bad, which is fine. Plus I really don’t buy that even professional make up artists could do a plausible job bridging the gap.
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Billie’s face in the last panel is weirding me out for some reason. O.o
It reminds me of Foxtrot, specifically Jason’s face in some comics.
It’s sorta like that circular pursed-lips expression they make when they’re pleased/anticipating but in a different style.
She looks like Hattie from NCIS:LA
I have to disagree. She has a Fox Trot face.
For example: http://comics.ganneff.de/2008.05.29/Foxtrot-2008.05.29.gif
Panel 5 is a total Jason Fox face.
Agreed.
Yeah agree.
It’s Ultra Car dammit!
…Yes. Sal is Amazigirl. Also Ed Wood was a great director.
And Drake of the 99 Dragons is a good game.
and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li has the best SFX and acting ever. 😛
And One More Day is the best thing to happen Spider-man since the Clone Saga.:)
At least the Clone Saga was fun to read, if a bit long winded.
And Uwe Boll’s next movie is going to be good!
This might sound crazy to you but there is one good Uwe Boll movie.
In the Name of the King, right? I’ve heard that one was actually watchable. Haven’t seen it myself.
You’re right, that does sound crazy.
And Rob Liefeld was a very professional, versatile comiker.
Also, Dave Sim has no personal problems with women whatsoever, just like how Alan Moore is none too proud of his British roots, couldn’t be less drama prone, and doesn’t make any effort to resemble a moonsick mushroom wizard.
Your first one physically hurt.
I love Alan Moore like he is my messiah, and even I couldn’t stop myself from choking with laughter at that description of him.
Sure, and Frank Miller thinks those occupy wall street folks are real american heroes!
Billie! Where’s my Super Suit!?
Whaaat?
Where – is – my – super – suit?
I stored it away.
WHY do you NEEED to KNOW?
I NEED IT.
Nuh-uh! Don’t you think about runnin’ off and doin’ no derring-do! We’ve been plannin’ this dinner for two months!
The public is in danger!
My evening is in danger!
YOU TELL ME WHERE MY SUIT IS, WOMAN! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD!
I am the greatest good you are EVER gonna get!
Here is a suit with a chest-window, now that is the greater good.
I’d say Combo-breaker, but I think the Combo came to its natural terminus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2qRDMHbXaM
listening to that clip repeatedly and reciting the lines was the best part of working concessions in a movie theater when “the incredibles” came out.
well, that and selling popcorn and milk duds to mike tyson. (true story!)
What the HELL is wrong with Pixar, putting out a Cars sequel before a sequel to THAT. Are they insane!?
The public is in danger!
My dinner is in danger!
Anger is in danger! (See, you just take the D off)
Two drums and a cybal fall off a cliff…
And nobody noticed.
Subtle, Billie. Real subtle.
Amazi-girl uses doors… can’t be Sal.
When have we seen Amazi-Girl passing through a door?
Elevator door, when Billie recommended she be a cheerleader.
Billie is the one who entered the elevator, not Amazi-Girl.
The only reason I know that is because I remembered it as Amazi-Girl entering the elevator too, and was going to write in the exception until I went and double-checked it and found I was wrong.
Amazi-Girl did leave the elevator, however.
Also we just saw Sal pass through a door – so she can’t be Sal.
No dina, you are the Amazi Girl.
It’s getting to the point that I’d believe Everyone is Amazi Girl in Indiana.
Amazi Girl is Legion.
And then Amazi-Girl was a Geth.
Amazi-Girl, too?
the face in the last panel iss awesome
Does anyone else feel like Sal and Walky should adopt Billie as a third sibling?
… Billie is pretty dumb, huh? She’s seen Amazi-Girl up close, and she looks nothing like Sal.
If you were a super hero, wouldn’t you find ways to make your alter ego not look like yourself?
Right! Like putting on glasses! One little touch and your whole look can change. Glasses, and the power of The Script, of course.
Putting on glasses is actually a pretty effective way to be not recognized. It’s amusing the number of people who don’t recognize me because I’d forgotten my glasses in the morning.
I know what you mean.
Of course! Sal’s disguise involves being several inches shorter and at least twenty pounds heavier! It all makes sense now!
Oh, and mousy brown hair shorter than her natural hair!
wig and bald cap. dreadfully uncomfortable but no one could pull your hair, arguably worthwhile discomfort.
Sal… respectful and asking permission to break the rules… Has she been body snatched?!?
Yeah! she even walked through a door and everything.
Yes, she is a pod person.
@KresyAntics: No, she’s just a Rule Abiding Rebel.
Blast it! I just spent the last 2 and half hours on TV ropes!
She can adhere to her own moral code without necessarily fitting the rule-abiding rebel archetype. Keeping one’s word and not breaking agreements are pretty common pieces of moral fiber.
I like your username.
My Gravatar doesn’t agree; but then, he doesn’t agree with much.
Except your mom, for a nickel.
Now I just cant help but imagine Sal becoming Amazi girl’s robin somehow.
Batman ain’t no sidekick.
Who would be Alfred?
Duh. Dina. She’d be a perfect Alfred.
Jason
Save in past tense, since Dick Grayson did become Batman pre-New 52 reboot….
Speaking of which, how many times did Bane break Batman’s back and how many new graveyards did the Joker fill after the last Flying Grayson filled in for the Brooding Loner?
Wait I am confused was the roommate agreement actually ever handed in? Because if it was the Ruth has no reasoning to bullying Billie(other then the stolen beer however Ruth has not proof of this and according to Coffin v. US presumption of innocence is assumed until proven guilty) , therefore this whole story need not have taken place. Unless Ruth is a an @$$ #013. Sal dresses in blue so she cannot and Amazi-girl dresses in blue and yellow, which Sal does not who else dresses in blue and Yellow. Therefore Amazi-girl must be Wolverine!!! or Amber ( that’s pretty far fetched).
yes…. because Ruth seems the type to obey case-law….
Ruth is venting bottled up aggression from family problems on the first person who made herself a reasonable target. Ruth feels miserable and is making Billie her company.
Don’t be absurd. Amber wears glasses.
Willis, please never draw billie like that again. ever.
She looks like that from now on.
I’m down.
Taunt not the Willis.
In this case, and this case alone, I encourage the feeding of the troll.
I can’t wait to see what that face looks like from head-on!
It probably will look a lot better.
That will teach you to tempt fate asking Willy things like that.
Do not meddle in the affairs of David Willis, for he is subtle and quick to anger
SAY “WHAT” AGAIN!
I DARE YOU I DOUBLE DARE YOU M%&&*% $%$#3& SAY WHAT AGAIN!
He’s black.
I love that both this and the Incredibles reference up in the comments are Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is the gift that keeps on giving.
Does he look like a bongo?
What?
*BLAM* DOES HE. LOOK LIKE. A bongo?!
*sob* NO!! *sob*
Then why’d you try to fuck him like a bongo?
Dammit, you actually beat me to this one. Darn my late day alarm clock.
It’s totally Jennifer’s fault for all the “What”s. If she didn’t mumble, we wouldn’t have this problem.
Meanwhile… Ruth is still alone in a hallway with Walky….
Cut to gratuitous scene of their clothes on the floor…. next to a box of fiddy-piece nuggets.
Walky/Ruth/McNuggets = OT3
I AM BOARDING THIS SHIP.
PREPARE TO BE BOARDED.
For a nickle.
OCD commands I correct myself. nickel*
This comment has made my day. There is no further reason to post today.
And then LoisLane chasing on the false lead for months.
Lois Lane, action journalist, able to reveal big conspiracy, never realize Clark and Supes are the same person.
*face in two palms*
To be fair, those glasses do cover a considerable portion of his eyes.
doesn’t she figure it out a few times, but then there’s mind erasing, and somehow she sees them both at the same place at the same time?
No Billie, you’re wrong. Dina is the Amazi-Girl.
Wrong again, Dina is (not-so)secretly Boner Babe.
And her Sidekick Dorothy, the Headline!
Fonzie?
Eyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Oh wow, now I can’t unsee it.
Unsee what? Guiltar doing the Fonz’s “Eyyyyyyyyyyyy”?
Hey look! It’s that recycled joke from shortpacked.
*cough*Robin/spidercar*cough*
Recycled? Perhaps. Still funny? Damn skippy.
There are things in the world that are funny even if it’s recycled, like Tom and Jerry for example.
ben and jerry’s ice cream, not so much.
Pretty sure this joke is used in every piece of fiction that involves secret identities of some sort!
I’m pretty sure “someone has a secret identity and someone makes a perhaps erroneous guess” is a trope that eclipses Shortpacked! by a very wide margin. To say this is a “recycled joke” is to paint with a ludicrously broad strokes.
In Shortpacked!’s case, Robin thinking Ultra Car was Amazi-Girl was a parody of that trope, because no sane person would think that a human girl is a car in disguise. In Dumbing of Age, if Billie is wrong, this would be playing the trope straight, because Sal being Amazi-Girl is not a terrible guess.
I am amused by the idea that, in a world with a superhero with a secret identity, one is not allowed to guess wrong about their identity, because that is a “joke” that you can’t repeat. Does everyone have to get it right on the first try, or can no one guess at all?
Your squirming sustains me.
Your lack of rebuttal and admission to trolling gives me the impetus to remove you.
Don’t feed the troll. Justification just sustains it. If trolls are ignored, they eventually starve and eat a gun. Nom.
I prefer to block the IP of the troll from the website.
Eeep.
If I’m a troll, you’re too gosh darn sensitive.
My so-called ‘trolling’ was just a lame joke right from day one. Way to censor the lame.
Also, conveniently I just moved. So it’s like it wasn’t ever blocked at all. HUZZAH.
Actually Sal as Amazi Girl is a terrible guess. Different height, weight, nationality, glasses, hair length, pop culture references, fashion style, voice, etc. It would be plausible if she had just heard second hand accounts and made the connections, but having ridden her… not so much.
Anyways, just my 2 cents. ymmv
ridden her . . .
Walky is Amazi-Girl. Notice how much he wishes he could wear pajamas made for girls? Cross-gender crimefighting is his only outlet. He made the Batman remark about Sal to throw Billie off his trail, knowing she’d catch on otherwise.
Billie is Amazi-Girl. She’s only accusing Sal so that Sal doesn’t learn the truth. Her previous encounters with Amazi-Girl are explained by time-travel.
Are you kidding? The clues totally point to Walky. Notice the hyphen in “Amazi-Girl?” That long, stiff hyphen is a phallic symbol, indicating that Amazi-Girl has a penis (hence the amazement). Walky is also assumed to have a penis, so it’s a perfect match. Furthermore, David Willis left a clue in one of his other works. Turns out the title of one of his most epic comics is “It’s Walky!” What more proof could we need?
Amazi-Girl is Faz with falsies and a tuck.
PersonwhoisAmaziGirlsayWHAT.
All the ladies in the house put your hands up!
All the fellas in the house put your hands up!
Now whoever is Amazi-girl put your hands up!
Now everyone else put your hands down!
Who does Sal think she is? Stone Cold Steve Austin?
I AM AMAZIGIRLSPARTACUS!
She is CLEARLY the Catwoman to Amazi-Girl’s Batman.
So, that means we’re shipping Sal/Ultracar, right?
She used to be Amazi-Girl, but then she took an arrow to the knee while eating cake.
Huh
I know I confuse myself sometimes, but geeze. X~P Skyrim meme + Portal meme.
Please, that cake is clearly a lie.
But it’s so delicious and moist!
What would happen if Billie, Sal, and Amber were all in a room together?
Also, am I the only one thinking Billie and Sal need to get together right about now?
Of course you’re not.
Awesome! >:D
Joe is Amazi-Girl. He disguises himself to Joe the sexually indecisive – with his penis, I assume.
It bears noting that the list of people who have been saved by Amazi-Girl are 1) Joe’s friend Danny, and 2) various women.
That… When you put it like that, it does make a certain amount of sense. You know, aside from the breasts.
Are you implying you want to see Joe with breasts?
What? No! God no! I’m just saying:
Amazi Girl = Breasts
Joe =/= Breasts
This is the primary hole in the “Joe = Amazi Girl” theory, but other than that, considering what begbert said, it makes some sense.
You’re just wondering where Joe’s primary chest hole is!
And By hole I mean window…
This just makes me think of Cybersix
Will people please stop trying to ship me with Joe?
As a friend of me would say: “Nein, jetzt erst recht.”
I’m currently looking for the correct translation.
Awww, does Joe make you nervous?
Anything with a naked penis makes me nervous.
I just noticed that Sal’s hair has one side tucked behind her ear and the other hanging free to cover the other ear – and which side is tucked back changes to face the viewer. And now I can’t unnotice it. I’m picturing it actively rearranging itself as she turns her head. Kinda freaky.
If I weren’t so attached to my Joyce gravatar, I’d totally change it to Billie’s face in the last panel.
Well, attached to A Joyce gravatar. I’m thinking about changing it up, but I want to stick with Joyce.
Change is good, trust me on this.
Please don’t change it just for the sake of changing it. Besides, I just love that deadpan Joyce.
Very well. Deadpan Joyce shall stay. It’s a rare thing anyway, and I’d hate to leave it vacant and have someone else pick it up. It’s kind of like a signature at this point.
Besides, this image most closely fits the theme that my screen name sets.
I love how putting on a mask and costume stumps any and all forms of identification other than seeing the person’s face. Sal is taller than amazi-girl, has the wrong skin tone, and obviously different hair. Now, some of these could be faked to some extent, but I think Sal would have serious trouble hiding her hair under a wig to make it look like Amazi-girl. Ah, the magic of a mask and costume…
As has already been pointed out above, the hair is actually the easiest of these.
Basically you braid it and tye it close to your head, and then pin the wig to that. It sorta works at concealing identity because everybody expects it to be impossible, but it’s really easy.
The skin is similarly easy, make-up, but application time should be much more extensive, which may make it impractical.
Height is the hardest one. It’s relatively simple to get height augmenting shoes of some sort, but obviously you’re assuming Sal’s height is the real height (since Walky would know otherwise). You can pretend to be smaller than you are by standing in the correct angles and abusing perspective, but it’s a constant effort and it’s very easy to slip, so I doubt it’d be worth it. It would also impair her fighting prowess a fair bit.
Right, so considering all that plus changing her accent, manner of speech, weight, and pop culture references we can safely say it’s a bad guess. Really bad, which is fine. Plus I really don’t buy that even professional make up artists could do a plausible job bridging the gap.
True. Total transformation time from Sal to Amazi-girl: About an hour or two 😛
What if Amazi-Girl is actually Jason?
Facepalm
Your secret is safe with me, Superman