Arc #32: The Dog Days of Summer

Mika · Post by **Mika** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:26 pm

*starts humming epic fight music*

Two_Twig wrote:Wait, I think we've already seen Tarot like this before: Look on the door

Unless there are any more Leviathans or mythical creatures disguised as pets (with Rick it's likely), I'm going to assume the two on the door are Pete and Tarot.

What does it mean? I'm not sure

EDIT: Also this (Just for fun. I especially like the comment that directly follows it.)

It is possible that Tarot has been living in babylon gardens (significance of the name?) a long time, guarding the thing pete was in, making sure no one opened it. She could just use the shape of a pomeranian to blend in with the local population.

IceKitsune wrote: I hope its some sort of Chess Motif then we would get to pick out who every one is (chess piece wise)(By the way I really doubt its a Chess Motif thing but that would be fun I love them.)

King maybe the king for a reason then? might explain why pete *ahem* "took him under his wing" (no pun intended...much)

one last thing...

IceKitsune wrote: I hate to say it but I think we're seeing the beginnings of Cerebus Syndrome...

Dont jump to conclusions just yet...This particular comic is a prime example of how unexpected Rick is, and the odd action scene doesn't necessarily mean drama/CS...but this comic does bring up a number of questions...and blows a lot of shippers ideas *ahem* "out of the water"

*gives Rick cookies*

For the best comic strip EVER!!!

Also...panel 3 doggie is floating

GameCobra · Post by **GameCobra** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:29 pm

As far as i can tell, Rick does alot more pet-related material than mythical magical creatures. So i wouldn't call this this anything stepping out of Rick's territory. I do like the whole idea of magic in the universe honestly, i just think we're more worried it'll go to levels that i would say alter the universe or natural disasters.

Currently, the whole idea of magic has been used in a humorous and subtle note. Tarot uses it for gimmicks and small things, but when things tend to go 'serious business' all of a sudden, you notice that only when pete or tarot or anyone of that nature around, the level goes through the roof. That's not a bad thing, since it's again subtle, despite the powers in play here, so it's still in the grounds of the story. as for King... well, he is pretty much still not sober @_@

"...that's it, i'm switching to clean water"

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:34 pm

How can he not be sober? I'm pretty sure that everyone would get sober in mere seconds after seeing a cute Pomeranian transform into a huge dragon.

Mika · Post by **Mika** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:40 pm

Oh, almost forgot...

This is the beginning of the end!!!

Or maybe she was just being dramatic...

Ratros · Post by **Ratros** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:41 pm

IceKitsune wrote: I think your confusing all Drama for CS that's not how it works CS is when the Drama begins to over take the Comedy in a comedy series or at least becomes as important as the comedy and the comic begins to show an over arcing story. Which in this comic only really started in (appropriately titled in retrospect IMO) 'Oops I arced'. And I'm not even saying that the Comic has Cerebused yet I'm just saying its starting to go that way.

Ah I see, my mistake, but I must say that I doubt that Rick will do that. Although this is starting to become one big plot instead of several one shots that it used to be.

Tiggy · Post by **Tiggy** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:43 pm

Mika wrote:Oh, almost forgot...

This is the beginning of the end!!!

Or maybe she was just being dramatic...

She was afraid that Pete would steal her moment in the spotlight, and well, he kinda did! So Tarot has every right to be angRY! rawrawr *eats bird*

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:44 pm

Mika wrote:*starts humming epic fight music*

It is possible that Tarot has been living in babylon gardens (significance of the name?) a long time, guarding the thing pete was in, making sure no one opened it. She could just use the shape of a pomeranian to blend in with the local population.

IceKitsune wrote: I hope its some sort of Chess Motif then we would get to pick out who every one is (chess piece wise)(By the way I really doubt its a Chess Motif thing but that would be fun I love them.)
King maybe the king for a reason then? might explain why pete *ahem* "took him under his wing" (no pun intended...much)

*gives Rick cookies*

For the best comic strip EVER!!!

Also...panel 3 doggie is floating

I think your first point is very possible in fact if she is the Dragon (which I personally believe my self but I accept the possibly she is just channeling or summoning something) She might have been the one to imprison Pete in the first place and it would explain why he is imprisoned in the middle of a forest in America and not in like the Middle East where the language on his prison originated. (Pete might not have been impersonated all that long ago.) (By the way do we know what state Babylon Gardens is in I don't think so but maybe I missed it.)

As for your second part if it is a Chess Motif then I think Tarot and Pete would be the Kings.

machchunk · Post by **machchunk** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:48 pm

Ratros wrote:I think the drama came in when Peanut found out that he was in love with Grape. Also let me just point out to those that are saying that the magical dragon is a bit much, you're a bit late. We have an all powerful griffin (not to mention Pete), a human changed into a dog, and what everyone used to think was just a psychic dues-ex-Pomeranian. The dragon's nothing more than icing on the cake.

The major strengths of the comic have always been the layer of cynicism, the focus on comedy, the lackadaisical approach to an over-arching plot, and recently, the fantasy trope deconstruction. It's like there's the main world, the fantasy world brushing against it, and the main world is under heavy sedation. The fear I have with this new "oh there are other large fantasy animals and they have a CODE to live by" is, 1) it's falling into the tropes unironically, 2) the comedy is starting to give in to the serious stuff, 3) it's giving us information about the fantasy world that not a lot of readers want to hear about (meaning anyone who isn't mentally disturbed), and 4) there's now some power struggle the pets have to worry about because they could be employed by these fantasy characters by some twist of fate. Concession succumbed to that (exactly that now that I'm reading over what I typed), and not like Concession was good in the first place, but it became so, sooooooooo much worse.

Ratros · Post by **Ratros** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:55 pm

machchunk wrote:
Ratros wrote:I think the drama came in when Peanut found out that he was in love with Grape. Also let me just point out to those that are saying that the magical dragon is a bit much, you're a bit late. We have an all powerful griffin (not to mention Pete), a human changed into a dog, and what everyone used to think was just a psychic dues-ex-Pomeranian. The dragon's nothing more than icing on the cake.
The major strengths of the comic have always been the layer of cynicism, the focus on comedy, the lackadaisical approach to an over-arching plot, and recently, the fantasy trope deconstruction. It's like there's the main world, the fantasy world brushing against it, and the main world is under heavy sedation. The fear I have with this new "oh there are other large fantasy animals and they have a CODE to live by" is, 1) it's falling into the tropes unironically, 2) the comedy is starting to give in to the serious stuff, 3) it's giving us information about the fantasy world that not a lot of readers want to hear about (meaning anyone who isn't mentally disturbed), and 4) there's now some power struggle the pets have to worry about because they could be employed by these fantasy characters by some twist of fate. Concession succumbed to that (exactly that now that I'm reading over what I typed), and not like Concession was good in the first place, but it became so, sooooooooo much worse.

Well this was hinted at when Pete first showed up, and further hinted at by other scenes which I am waaaay to lazy to go into detail about. What I think this really is, is the main plot of Housepets finally being revealed. Though even when the plot has serious parts, Rick still manages to present it in an entertaining way that offsets what would otherwise be a soap opera. Although the story is taking a turn to a serious and depthful plot that Mr. Griffin has planned for quite a while, I think he'll still manage to keep that style that has entertained us from the beginning...sorry does that make sense?

Indagare · Post by **Indagare** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:02 pm

machchunk wrote:
Ratros wrote:I think the drama came in when Peanut found out that he was in love with Grape. Also let me just point out to those that are saying that the magical dragon is a bit much, you're a bit late. We have an all powerful griffin (not to mention Pete), a human changed into a dog, and what everyone used to think was just a psychic dues-ex-Pomeranian. The dragon's nothing more than icing on the cake.
The major strengths of the comic have always been the layer of cynicism, the focus on comedy, the lackadaisical approach to an over-arching plot, and recently, the fantasy trope deconstruction. It's like there's the main world, the fantasy world brushing against it, and the main world is under heavy sedation. The fear I have with this new "oh there are other large fantasy animals and they have a CODE to live by" is, 1) it's falling into the tropes unironically, 2) the comedy is starting to give in to the serious stuff, 3) it's giving us information about the fantasy world that not a lot of readers want to hear about (meaning anyone who isn't mentally disturbed), and 4) there's now some power struggle the pets have to worry about because they could be employed by these fantasy characters by some twist of fate. Concession succumbed to that (exactly that now that I'm reading over what I typed), and not like Concession was good in the first place, but it became so, sooooooooo much worse.

I think by now Rick really deserves the benefit of the doubt. He's proven again and again that he can deal with 'serious' issues in a comedic or unexpected way. Ever since the n-ple Date we've known that Tarot has very unusual powers, an Rick has given hints before this (in the Zoo Arc and The Grove Arc) that there are potentially other forces at work in the Housepets! universe. The fact that he's starting to reveal more of these underlying threads should not be surprising or disappointing.

PhoenixAsper · Post by **PhoenixAsper** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:03 pm

Have any of you considered what abusing the rules might mean? For all we know, Pete forgot to file the astral ten-forty return, and now he's getting the audit of the millennium!

(Point: It COULD be something minor....)

Post by **rickgriffin** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:35 pm

I would say something, but EVERYONE complains and worries any time I work through a dramatic arc, and then goes back to "that was awesome" after it's over.

PhoenixAsper · Post by **PhoenixAsper** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:40 pm

I was being SILLY this time!

Shouldn't hurt entertaining the possibility, though. (Seriously, I DO worry.

You've seen it. Not one of my more endearing personality traits. I SAID I probably do this again back in April. I HOPE I go back to "that was awesome". Don't you EVER get sick of us?

)

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:57 pm

rickgriffin wrote:I would say something, but EVERYONE complains and worries any time I work through a dramatic arc, and then goes back to "that was awesome" after it's over.

But that's the point of Drama it supposed to make people worry (but not complain complaining is a little silly IMO.) If it didn't it wouldn't be Drama (or at least it wouldn't be good drama)

Liam · Post by **Liam** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:11 pm

Is it just me or make some people here more drama than is in the actual comic?

machchunk · Post by **machchunk** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:14 pm

Liam wrote:Is it just me or make some people here more drama than is in the actual comic?

It's just you

Liam · Post by **Liam** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:17 pm

>_>

Touché.

Mika · Post by **Mika** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:15 pm

Indagare wrote: I think by now Rick really deserves the benefit of the doubt. He's proven again and again that he can deal with 'serious' issues in a comedic or unexpected way. Ever since the n-ple Date we've known that Tarot has very unusual powers, an Rick has given hints before this (in the Zoo Arc and The Grove Arc) that there are potentially other forces at work in the Housepets! universe. The fact that he's starting to reveal more of these underlying threads should not be surprising or disappointing.

I agree

IceKitsune wrote: As for your second part if it is a Chess Motif then I think Tarot and Pete would be the Kings.

Queens, actually, being the most powerful players on the board. But there must be something special about King, why else would pete see him as a threat to his plans? it appears that he is pete's most valuabe piece, his 'king' Alternately, Tarot's king could be anyone else, but i think it would most likely be Peanut or Grape...

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:24 pm

Mika wrote:
IceKitsune wrote: As for your second part if it is a Chess Motif then I think Tarot and Pete would be the Kings.
Queens, actually, being the most powerful players on the board. But there must be something special about King, why else would pete see him as a threat to his plans? it appears that he is pete's most valuabe piece, his 'king' Alternately, Tarot's king could be anyone else, but i think it would most likely be Peanut or Grape...

But you are forgetting that if you get rid of Pete or Tarot the game is over and the other side would win hence why they are the Kings and they pick the pieces to protect them. King would be the Queen (lol) because he is clearly very important but losing him would not lose Pete the game because King could be replace with any other pawn on the field. Now who Tarot's Queen would be I don't know it really could be anyone. (This is getting a little silly and we don't even know if it is a Chess Motif so this discussion while very fun is pointless.)

Post by **Sleet** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:41 pm

I like these "big" arcs, as long as they are not too frequent. It's the little moments that give the big ones so much gravity.

Post by **rickgriffin** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:43 pm

By the way, after this arc is over I have plans for something ultra fun and silly

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:45 pm

Yay! I love ultra fun and silly

FlintTheSquirrel · Post by **FlintTheSquirrel** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:45 pm

If it is silly, then my bets are on Daisy or Joey.

GameCobra · Post by **GameCobra** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:47 pm

rickgriffin wrote:I would say something, but EVERYONE complains and worries any time I work through a dramatic arc, and then goes back to "that was awesome" after it's over.

Me personally, i don't worry about it and enjoy it.

Unless somehow Earl starts turning into a white knight to save Grape from the evil clutches of Pete, then we'll talk

Liam · Post by **Liam** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:27 pm

rickgriffin wrote:By the way, after this arc is over I have plans for something ultra fun and silly

That's good, another thing to complain about.

ctcmjh · Post by **ctcmjh** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:35 pm

Hey! Rick updated the cast page on the website, and Tarot and the Spirit Dragon have different listings. I think it's now safe to assume that Tarot was simply channeling the Spirit Dragon.

Esquire Fox · Post by **Esquire Fox** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:50 pm

I was going to comment on that XD!
But yeah, it seems to hint towards that.
We'll see Wednesday.

Vadiant · Post by **Vadiant** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:53 pm

Well, King and Joel also have separate entries.

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:08 pm

Vadiant wrote:Well, King and Joel also have separate entries.

Yeah there's that fact so I don't think we can really judge based on the Cast Page we will have to wait for Wednesday to find out for sure. Edit: To bring up something I don't think anyone has yet meeting Tarot/The Spirit Dragon was what Pete's plan for the day was and why he didn't want King to go to the Party. Edit 2: Giving it further thought I might be wrong on this but I'm not sure

Post by **Obbl** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:15 pm

ctcmjh wrote:Hey! Rick updated the cast page on the website, and Tarot and the Spirit Dragon have different listings. I think it's now safe to assume that Tarot was simply channeling the Spirit Dragon.

Or Rick purposefully made them separate entries to feed the discussion
CONSPIRACY!!!

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:20 pm

Obbl wrote:
ctcmjh wrote:Hey! Rick updated the cast page on the website, and Tarot and the Spirit Dragon have different listings. I think it's now safe to assume that Tarot was simply channeling the Spirit Dragon.
Or Rick purposefully made them separate entries to feed the discussion
CONSPIRACY!!!

King and Joel have separate entries as well and we know they are the same person. So again I don't think you can trust the cast page on this one. (until Wednesday most likely anyway)

chronocrosser · Post by **chronocrosser** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 10:22 pm

ctcmjh wrote:
Hey! Rick updated the cast page on the website, and Tarot and the Spirit Dragon have different listings. I think it's now safe to assume that Tarot was simply channeling the Spirit Dragon.

Don't forget King and Joel also have different listings even though they are the same person.

ctcmjh · Post by **ctcmjh** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:01 pm

I hope this turns into one big battle royal. And the Milton Ferrets can have Power Ranger-esque robots that combine into one big robot! Keene would have the head, Lana and Simon would have the arms, Duke and Pit would have the legs, and Rock would have the torso! Then they would kick some serious griffin butt!

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:14 pm

ctcmjh wrote:I hope this turns into one big battle royal. And the Milton Ferrets can have Power Ranger-esque robots that combine into one big robot! Keene would have the head, Lana and Simon would have the arms, Duke and Pit would have the legs, and Rock would have the torso! Then they would kick some serious griffin butt!

Ok I have to do this

Pete: Ah! After 10,000 years, I'm free! It's time to conquer Earth!

Tarot: Sabrina, Pete has escaped! Recruit a team of 6 Ferrets with a lot of money and attitude!

Edit: before anyone says anything I know the original was just 5 and also just attitude but there are six Ferrets so I had to modify it to make it fit.

ctcmjh · Post by **ctcmjh** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:35 pm

IceKitsune wrote:
ctcmjh wrote:I hope this turns into one big battle royal. And the Milton Ferrets can have Power Ranger-esque robots that combine into one big robot! Keene would have the head, Lana and Simon would have the arms, Duke and Pit would have the legs, and Rock would have the torso! Then they would kick some serious griffin butt!
Ok I have to do this

Pete: Ah! After 10,000 years, I'm free! It's time to conquer Earth!

Tarot: Sabrina, Pete has escaped! Recruit a team of 6 Ferrets with a lot of money and attitude!

Edit: before anyone says anything I know the original was just 5 and also just attitude but there are six Ferrets so I had to modify it to make it fit.

Go, go Milton Rangers!

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:45 pm

ctcmjh wrote:
IceKitsune wrote:
ctcmjh wrote:I hope this turns into one big battle royal. And the Milton Ferrets can have Power Ranger-esque robots that combine into one big robot! Keene would have the head, Lana and Simon would have the arms, Duke and Pit would have the legs, and Rock would have the torso! Then they would kick some serious griffin butt!
Ok I have to do this

Pete: Ah! After 10,000 years, I'm free! It's time to conquer Earth!

Tarot: Sabrina, Pete has escaped! Recruit a team of 6 Ferrets with a lot of money and attitude!

Edit: before anyone says anything I know the original was just 5 and also just attitude but there are six Ferrets so I had to modify it to make it fit.
Go, go Milton Rangers!

Power Rangers? Lame. Ferrets are like Voltron, the more you hook up the better it gets

LupinTheVapour · Post by **LupinTheVapour** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:01 am

I like both the epic dramatic arcs, and the funny ones.. but anything that makes Tarrot level up in the epicness department is a good thing, in my opinion.

Cerberusx · Post by **Cerberusx** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:15 am

So, what is it that we can ALL agree on about Pete and Tarot/Dragon?

Pete isn't evil, he is "not evil, but a jerk." And Tarot speaks on behave of the 'spirits.'

So is there really anything else that we can say for SURE about Pete and Tarot, or any very possible things about them?

Typhon · Post by **Typhon** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:21 am

Cerberusx wrote:So, what is it that we can ALL agree on about Pete and Tarot/Dragon?

Pete isn't evil, he is "not evil, but a jerk." And Tarot speaks on behave of the 'spirits.'

So is there really anything else that we can say for SURE about Pete and Tarot, or any very possible things about them?

I would've said that we know for sure that Tarot is a Pomeranian, but now, im not so sure what she is anymore lol.

IceKitsune · Post by **IceKitsune** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 1:29 am

Cerberusx wrote:So, what is it that we can ALL agree on about Pete and Tarot/Dragon?

Pete isn't evil, he is "not evil, but a jerk." And Tarot speaks on behave of the 'spirits.'

So is there really anything else that we can say for SURE about Pete and Tarot, or any very possible things about them?

I don't know if this is what you want but we know for sure that Tarot can create very convincing illusions with her powers,she can read minds,has some form of Telekinesis and can fly also she can see into the future. As for Pete he can transform beings in to other beings including himself,astral jump,also fly,and project himself into peoples dreams,but can not read minds or mess with someones free will. That's really about the extent of what we know about them both unless I'm forgetting something.