Housepets!

Hey Spo! You're back from your trip... that we definitely knew you were taking... and we definitely missed you... because again, we knew you were not here... with us

It has only been a year... We haven't seen him since like 2013 tho. How does time work in this comic again?

He did appear in a sketch posted last year. https://www.housepetscomic.com/comic/20 ... sketchy-1/
And in a one-off before that, which is what I was referencing in my comment post. https://www.housepetscomic.com/comic/20 ... -portents/

Hang on, is Spo going to the Uni house?
The home of learning all there is to know?
I take it he never sat an exam?
Well, then, you go, little guy, you just go.
It’s great that Spo has the big ambitions
and has sought to improve his soul and mind,
but culture is more than language, big guy;
calling Fido stupid is quite unkind.
He’ll be needing a new head in the class,
especially to see the class tutor
and, in payback for the help they give him,
he can assist them with their computer...

Rikunda wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:09 am It has only been a year... We haven't seen him since like 2013 tho. How does time work in this comic again?

They all have lives that are moving even when don't see them.

I'll admit I keep mixing Spo with Squeak. Either way, I like Fidos reaction. I think he expected Spo had been invited to dinner with the Bigglesworths or Skip.

This is Spo's first speaking role since 2015 and his first appearance since 2018. Welcome back.

Not pictured is what the tattoo says, specifically "I Love Cheese." Spo doesn't, he just made the mistake of getting a tattoo in Wisconsin and telling the artist he was "okay with anything that doesn't have the Packers logo."

I'll admit I keep mixing Spo with Squeak. Either way, I like Fidos reaction. I think he expected Spo had been invited to dinner with the Bigglesworths or Skip.

Just remember that Squeak is the one who enjoys getting stepped on is always seen with Joey.

dr_eirik wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:17 am

Rikunda wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:09 am It has only been a year... We haven't seen him since like 2013 tho. How does time work in this comic again?

They all have lives that are moving even when don't see them.

I'll admit I keep mixing Spo with Squeak. Either way, I like Fidos reaction. I think he expected Spo had been invited to dinner with the Bigglesworths or Skip.

Walt Kelly who, like Rick, drew a comic with over a hundred characters, often speculated on how most of them occupied themselves while off-stage. That could be another thread (When not working in "Housepets", Skip the Hawk is a flight controller at LAX.)

Wow, I totally forgot about that Spo was a character >.< Still, nice to see 'em back!

Thank you, Rick, for stomping on the trend of furred characters with tattoos I mean how would that even work?

(Badly, it seems)

Argent wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:21 am Thank you, Rick, for stomping on the trend of furred characters with tattoos I mean how would that even work?

(Badly, it seems)

Dyed fur?

Or even hair follicles that generate a different colour hair?

Hey Rick! I had to go back through your comics and remind myself who Spo was. In doing so I have seen how much your art style has evolved. You have refined it so much in the past 7 years. Looking forward to reading more!

Seems like a lot of the tattoos recently on display were done by Spo's artist....

Spo is back!

University? Does this mean Spo has joined the ECP? Will he soon meet another collegebound rodent?

Sir Chestnut wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:28 am Spo is back!

University? Does this mean Spo has joined the ECP? Will he soon meet another collegebound rodent?

That was kinda what it felt like to me.... and then run into a hungry Lois?

LunarFox wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:34 am

Sir Chestnut wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:28 am Spo is back!

University? Does this mean Spo has joined the ECP? Will he soon meet another collegebound rodent?

That was kinda what it felt like to me.... and then run into a hungry Lois?

Not sure that Lois is that much a threat. It's funny to see her playing into her form, taking down Keene and teasing Marion, but actually seeing her eat a live rodent is a bit different. I can imagine her staring at a shocked Spo and rolling her eyes at the idea of eating him.

dr_eirik wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:59 am

LunarFox wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 9:34 am

Sir Chestnut wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:28 am Spo is back!

University? Does this mean Spo has joined the ECP? Will he soon meet another collegebound rodent?

That was kinda what it felt like to me.... and then run into a hungry Lois?

Not sure that Lois is that much a threat. It's funny to see her playing into her form, taking down Keene and teasing Marion, but actually seeing her eat a live rodent is a bit different. I can imagine her staring at a shocked Spo and rolling her eyes at the idea of eating him.

Right, not that he'd get eaten but that Lois would be hungry and terrify him by accident.

yay the return of SPO <3

VeryAngryDeer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:24 am

Argent wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:21 am Thank you, Rick, for stomping on the trend of furred characters with tattoos I mean how would that even work?

(Badly, it seems)

Dyed fur?

Or even hair follicles that generate a different colour hair?

There are all kinds of alternatives to tattoos, including fur dye, paint, or stylistic shaving. There was an SF novel by Lee Killough called "Deadly Silents" about aliens who were having problems with the non-telepathic offspring of parents who had been burned out by exposure to Earth's billions of unshielded minds. One of the human characters manages to insult an alien barber by suggesting that a template might make painting fur easier...

But I'm talking about the occasional occurrence of artwork featuring patterns, similar in complexity and detail to human skin tattoos, on furred pelt. Even if it were done with dye or pint it wouldn't be as crisp.

I wasn't around for any arcs where Spo showed up, but it's nice to see him nonetheless! Especially since I have the feeling that he and Marion will be roommates in the ECP boarding house. I could definitely see there being a Rodent Wing with proper-sized accommodations for them that aren't makeshift things of the sort that you'd see in Tom & Jerry.

Back with the original comic. Interesting new story arc, nice to see Spo back, he was missing since long time, except for a couple of appearances. That's very good of you, Spo, long travels are an important life experience, also if not without difficulties. And then, a tiny mouse can get big difficulties. Surprised Fido got confused, but he should be happy to see again his old mouse friend. Eh, it wasn't a good idea to make a tattoo...

Going with thw thought that Spo is going to end up at the local University...

Spo: I'm still not sure why you're making such a fuss. I can get to class myself!
Fido: Humor me. I'll feel better if you're going with a couple of students I know.s
Spo: Who do you know going to university? Joey? Bino?
Fido: <Rolls eyes> Just keep an open mind. <Knocks on door>
Lois: <Opens door, smiles at Fido> Officer Byron... I mean, Fido! It's been a while!
Spo: HOLY CARP! IT"S A BOBCAT!!
Loia: <Looks for a moment at Spo, then back at Fido> Where's he been?
Fido: Europe.

Ash Greytree wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:05 pm I wasn't around for any arcs where Spo showed up, but it's nice to see him nonetheless! Especially since I have the feeling that he and Marion will be roommates in the ECP boarding house. I could definitely see there being a Rodent Wing with proper-sized accommodations for them that aren't makeshift things of the sort that you'd see in Tom & Jerry.

Maybe "The Return of Jinx" is to be anticipated next .......... ?

Spo should really be careful because Fido is the only one that can put up with him. He burns that bridge he might end in a world of trouble.

Argent wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:21 am Thank you, Rick, for stomping on the trend of furred characters with tattoos I mean how would that even work?

Heh - "stomping on"

restcure wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 7:45 am

Argent wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:21 am Thank you, Rick, for stomping on the trend of furred characters with tattoos I mean how would that even work?

Heh - "stomping on"

Squeak's already in the queue, I'll bet.

I like Fido's "confused dog" head tilt in the last panel. Spo seems like the kind of guy who would backpack around Europe to "get ready for college" and then just brag about that constantly instead of actually going to class.

Looks like this is going to be an arc. Wonder what kind of craziness is going to result this time from our blunt little mouse.

Hopefully he will learn to be less blunt because if this is an arc about him trying to go to school he obviously will be going with Marion and Lois and Lois doesn't suffer fools gladly.

Rikunda wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:09 am It has only been a year... We haven't seen him since like 2013 tho. How does time work in this comic again?

In this strip Grape says "The Avengers were also big this year" a strip that happened in 2012, so it's kinda likely that time happens exactly as in real life (like some other franchises like the MCU have)

Elwood Blutarsky wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 9:03 am I like Fido's "confused dog" head tilt in the last panel. Spo seems like the kind of guy who would backpack around Europe to "get ready for college" and then just brag about that constantly instead of actually going to class.

Looks like this is going to be an arc. Wonder what kind of craziness is going to result this time from our blunt little mouse.

Just as long as he's not going to show souvenir photos.

That's why you go with freeze branding, Spo.

So, like, he was gone a full year without Fido knowing why? That'd have to be nerve-wracking.

Sleet wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 7:23 pm That's why you go with freeze branding, Spo.

So, like, he was gone a full year without Fido knowing why? That'd have to be nerve-wracking.

Yeah, if true, that doesn't say much for Fido's awareness skills. Unless Spo habitually vanishes for long, unannounced periods of time and that, too, would be worrisome (but perhaps welcomed Fido's K9 colleagues who are relieved to be rid of mousey snark).

Sleet wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 7:23 pm That's why you go with freeze branding, Spo.

So, like, he was gone a full year without Fido knowing why? That'd have to be nerve-wracking.

Given that Spo is a mouse, after he didn't appear for a while he likely just assumed he was, well, gone. Like taking a trip down the alimentary canal.

Going to be honest, Fido didn't seem that pleased to see Spo again. Maybe he thought himself free. Or maybe he was upset that Spo just left without telling him initially. Though maybe this is an opportunity to delve more into their relationship.

D-Rock wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:12 pm Going to be honest, Fido didn't seem that pleased to see Spo again. Maybe he thought himself free. Or maybe he was upset that Spo just left without telling him initially. Though maybe this is an opportunity to delve more into their relationship.

I'm leaning towards thinking that it's that he left without a word, and even a year or so later, doesn't seem to realize that was impolite. It always felt like they had an odd relationship, but if Fido hadn't liked him he could have booted him out.

I don't think Fido has it in him to resent anybody no matter what they do to him or act towards him. He still makes some effort with Bino when anytime Fox sees him he is liable to send him to the vet.

Spo's finally made his return,
Hope Fido's okay, yeah coffee can burn,
And Spo says he got a tat,
But the fur's blurred it, look at that.

Spo says he's going on to get his degree,
And he'll find it's not real easy,
But hey, he's back,
Maybe he's discovered a life hack.

Wonder if Spo learned a new language while he was off and abroad?

I would imagine he would try then after about 5 minutes probably give up then speak gibberish to the others and try to claim THAT was a language.