Theoretically you should have gotten a cover today, but y’know, I don’t want to break the action that long, particularly since I’ve had this vision of the single panel dark Ganesh forever, and I’d rather use the pause for that instead.
Digger
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Wow, this panel really does leave a lot of questions.
i wonder…
While I do like the chapter covers, I certainly won’t complain about jumping straight back into the thick of things! Especially with such a lovely page.
Agreed!
Awesome!
I must say this is my favorite graphic novel online.
I’ll second that, Kobrag.
Oooooh.
This is my favorite graphic novel period.
Is the bubble speech from the statue?
Awesome page, but gaaaaahhhhhhh,,, I want to keep reeaaadiiing. Haha. Keep up the good work!
Ursula’s doing her part. Now, you do yours!
http://topwebcomics.com/vote/10180/default.aspx
The way the site is set up is perfect for this panel– the darkness, the nothingness, and then a sort of panning shot down because you need to scroll.
@Pete: No, the statue speaks in boxes. There’re some examples here: http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=791
That’s some nice artwork 😀
The only bad part is, now I have to wait until Tuesday….but somehow it’s okay.
I think that’s one of the most amazing things about Digger as a story: it’s just so good that we all know it’s worth waiting for those precious updates.
I’d take this as a cover, too!
There is enough space on top to add the chapter’s title and call it a cover anyway 😉
We’ve thrown Digger to position 36!? Wow! Ssscary! 😀
Can’t wait until TUESDAY!!!
Wow, great page!
If I had to guess, I would guess that the speech bubble is coming from the Oracle (you know, the one with the hood and the sewn-shut-eyes?). You’d think if anyone would know when “it is time”, it would be her.
😉
19 votes shy of #35! Vote early, vote often! http://topwebcomics.com/vote/10180/default.aspx
I looked back and sometimes the statue’s words are in irregular polygons, not always boxes, as boxes are normally envisioned, but it does seem likely to be the oracle speaking in this case, on that basis.
We’re at #34 as of my vote.
I think that image would be *extremely* effective as a cover anyway. Yow!
This is my favorite graphic novel, but auuugh! the suspense is killing me! :0
Uber! Just Uber. I did not expect to get a cut-a-way back to Ganesh. Very neat way to start a Chapter. I agree that this could stand as a cover.
Digger is up to 32 and it’s right under Dreamer. It’s a story about Revolutionary War kids and the superheroes of their day, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Ravere.
Okay, who all said “Dun dun DUN!” out loud when reading this?
It makes a fine cover in its own right, Ursula.
Oh MAN, I would love a print of this (probably minus the text bubble) like woah.
Statue of Ganesh looks… sorrowful.
Okay I need to share. My wife was having a bad day, and so she required some cheering. Here is what I wrote. I hope you enjoy Ursula and Gang:
Crivens! I’m the horrible seventh son of the seventh son of a browncoat-wearing, blood-and-shale, wombat-hugging, green-blooded, wall-crawling reject from the Weapon X program who wields the sword Amoracchius in one hand and Glamdring the Foe-Hammer in the other. The wand in my back left pocket is made of holly and is powered by a single phoenix feather while my sword of truth rests in my back right pocket and is engraved in gold letters. Slung over my left shoulder in its sheath is my Qualta blade, and tied to my leather belt, in its pouch rests my collection of 20-siders. I’ve learned never to soulgaze on the first date. I’ve sat at the feet of the Monkey King. I’ve witnessed the art of the skin painter. I’ve swallowed the red pill, followed the white rabbit, and since then am a genuine child of Zion. I’ve traveled on the road to Ehvenor and stood with the Guardians of the Flame where only that which you have loved can help you. I’ve frequently feasted upon hearty herdbeast stew, tubers, and bubbly pies while washing it all down with fresh klah. It has been ingrained into my teaching that the enemy’s gate is down. O, my son Absalom. My son, my son Absalom. Would God I could die for thee. I have observed the Observer on American Idol, I am the King of the Lab, and I know the truth is out there, that there is no spoon. I’m a nerd, not a doctor, but by Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you can take my life, but you can never take my freedom. Although I may be covered in dren and my blood has run clear, gorramit, it’s all shiny because my faith protects me. My kevlar helps. I’m the pretender to the throne of the King of the Ducks who rides on the back of Great A’Tuin in search of Wonderflonium, Unobtanium, truth, justice, and the American way. I rumpus where the wild things are, and good or bad, I’m the guy with the gun. I seek to fight injustice. To turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. To boldly go where no man has gone before. I’m built better than I was before; better, stronger, faster, and the force will be with me always. Hail to the king, baby!
I could cry.
@Loren: Yes. I was lazy and used “boxes” as shorthand for “non-speech-bubble shapes with straight sides”. 🙂
I prefer things that move the story along, and it is in a fast part.
So I really like that decision to do story not cover.
You could just title that story shot and create a cover. It has space for the title.
Up to 33! Don’t ask me why I forgot yesterday was Thursday… I don’t even know… xD
FINALLY worked my way through the archives. Dear lord, this is a lot of awesome to reach the other end of. Few years ago I could allow myself the luxury of staying up until 3 in the morning to wade through a comic’s archives, but with Digger it took me three long (too short, I guess) evenings.
I’m glad I did. Excellent story, delightful prose, delicious art. I’m surprised I don’t recall finding this before.
I finished the archives (and what a page to finish on).
I need an Ed hug
On a side note: Did anyone watch Jay Leno last Friday? My jaw dropped as the lady brought an *actual wombat* on the show! And it was female too!
I hope Ursula made a tape of that part…..
dante gabriel rosetti mourning the death of his wombat. check. it. out. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pd/d/dante_gabriel_rossetti,_rosset.aspx
@ duck whisperer: nice Anne McCaffery reference. i don’t recognize the others
Oh, there’s a veritable plethora of references in there; I recognize most but not all. Here are the sources I recognize (you’ll have to match them with the references yourselves … ):
– Firefly/Serenity
– Star Trek (Spock)
– Marvel Comics (Spiderman, Wolverine)
– Lord of the Rings
– Harry Potter
– (Sword of Truth could be from Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth” series, or Terry Brooks “Shannara” series; I suspect the former)
– (A general reference to role playing games of the D&D variety)
– The Matrix
– “The Warrior Lives!” 😉
– Pern, as mentioned by Kelardy
– X Files
– Galaxy Quest
– Braveheart
– Dr. Horrible
– Core? (Not sure, there may be an earlier source … )
– Superman (old school)
– The Six Million Dollar Man
– Star Wars
– Could be any of several Bruce Campbell flicks, but probably intended to refer to the Evil Dead trilogy, especially the final installment “Army of Darkness”
Verily, I salute your supreme geekness, Duckwhisperer! And if your wife did indeed understand those references and was cheered by them, then she is a rare woman indeed and you had better treat her like the treasure she is!
I’d also like to add “Discworld” to the above. Loved the Pern Reference particularly, if only as I’ve always wanted to get my hands of a whole set of fictional beverages, including klah, Tanna tea and butterbeer, from different stories together for extensive comparative testing; although I suspect either the scrumble, klatchican coffee, Agatha Heterodyne’s coffee or the Pan-Galactic gargle blaster could present some problems….
Probably safer to stick to the October ale.
Firstly, sorry for the double-post. secondly…I’m, bored and depressed and re-trawling the archive, and seeing Duck’s geek-out cheered me up so much, I though screw it, lets have a go at it… Won’t be as good as Duck’s but then again, it’ll keep me occupied for a few minutes, and Tek can have fun unpicking the references…
Eulalia! I was born of a moonless night, they say, when the wind was in the trees, and it’s only gotten worse from then on. I’ve toured Gallifrey on less than one Altarian Dollar a day, and I sure as heck know were my towel is. I’ve flow my ‘Spit in defence of King and Country, shot down government Aerostats over Saint Jabber’s Mound, locked x-foils in attack position, made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs, and I know when to Do A Barrel Roll! I’m a member of the Long Patrol in good standing, have full RSCI and Royal Order Of Protestant Knights clearance, carry a Watch special constables badge because where you get secret crimes, you need secret watchmen, and I were the Potted-cactus shoulder flash of the Department of MS’s with pride, although for various reasons I’m now addicted to both bleeprin and, strangely, soured milk. I’ve fought with distinction alongside the Commissar of the 597th Valhallan, seen thing you wouldn’t believe, attack ships on fire of the shoulder of Orion, The Dance of the Gentleman with the Thistle-down hair, Cities in the sky fought over in war’s between witch clans and the magisterium In the frozen wastes of Svalbard, and even survived a mining accident on titan, and…
BunnyRock The tagged
Stood against The Grey Tide
When it mattered most.
…I’ve know horrors beyond the ken of man: the whisper-music of the Fair folk in Athel Loren and the the Darkling places of the Old-world, the touch of the Slender man, the business proposition from a con-man called Wednesday, I’ve braved threats from Mr Croup and Mr Vandemar, heard the waking roar of the great god Shardik, the horror and confusion of combat and flashing talons amongst the tunnels of Duncton and Siabod, the Owls that are not what they seem. All that I’ve seen and still passed my San checks, because I’m not mad, I’m just drawn that way. But then again, I’ve had good friends: El-ahrairant, my oath-bound comrades from Farthing Wood, my friends from N.I.M.H., my Namkata of reference-overdosed fellow Tropers, my Ka-tet of DuckWhisperer, Atom, Tindi, Hawk, SongCoyote, Tek and the others. We stood together, because we’re on a mission from god. We’re friend. I’m a friendly guy. No temper. Just don’t ask why I wear this stupid Bunny suit. Bunny? Bunny!? My name is Mister Bunny Rock-RAH!
Okay, well, They think that’s all over (it is now), but you’ve got to ask yourself, did I use reference to thirty-three Different pop-culture ‘verses before the Dirty Harry joke, or just Thirty-two? And you know, in all the excitement, I’ve forgotten myself, so you better ask yourself.
Do you feel lucky. We’ll do ya? Punk?
I must confess, most of the references there escaped me. I picked up a few:
Dr. Who
Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Star Wars
Alien Nation
The Golden Compass
Gahool?
Jessica Rabbit??
And of course, the Secret of NIMH and the Blues Brothers.
I know there are many more, and several teased at my subconscious, hinting that I might recognize them once someone else spots them. But the abused brain in my battered body refuses to divulge more, so I must be content to leave it at that. For now.
(P.S. I left my browser open, with this page on one of the tabs, for a week, hoping to extract more references than I did. Alas, and Alack! 😉 )
I squeed sooo silently (it’s a good thing when I do things silently; it means I’m too excited to remember how my throat functions *shifty eyes*) at the Golden Compass reference. Witches and Svalbard! Shiiineyh! And then again at the Gaiman (if I’m not mistaken; first American Gods, then Neverwhere, although I know Mr. Croup & Vandemar exist elsewhere too) ones, and finally (awesomely) at Farthing Wood, the bloodiest show for children that they should still all be forced to watch, gorramit!
There were more quotes in Bunny’s post than in Ducky’s that I didn’t catch, but that might just be from the sheer length of it. (Which is always a good thing. Words from the BR are always appreciated.)
Tek, I’m disappointed in you for not having listed Alice in Wonderland amongst Ducky’s references, although even he himself might have thought of it more as a Matrix one. Still, thou shalt not ignore white bunnies and jabberwockies! (Alright, the jabberwocky wasn’t really there, but it could’ve been and it still shouldn’t be ignored.) It also shocks me that Digger’s not on your list. I mean, I know it’s obvious, but show some courtesy t’wards our precious host, will you?
Else, I think you’ve gotten most of what I know in your lists. From Ducky’s, my only addition is that “where the wild things are” might be a reference to Where The Wild Things Are. *shifty eyes*
Things you missed from BunnyRock’s post (although I might be making some of them up *shifty eyes*):
– Discworld (haven’t you read it yet? Not even just the few books your library has, like me? :P)
– Watchmen (I think?)
– Warhammer 40k (although I admit I didn’t know that until I googled ‘597th Valhallan’, which I had to do because I make it a personal quest to find out who butchers my precious norse mythology and how (PS: This is acceptable. The comic Thor should freeze in Hel.) )
– World of Darkness (that’s sort of a wish and might well be wrong)
– American Gods (squeeee~!)
– Neverwhere (and, as mentioned, something that I don’t know properly)
– Farthing Wood (that was easy 😛 )
Lastly, although I don’t get all the references, I’m taking “she is a rare woman indeed and you had better treat her like the treasure she is!” as a personal compliment, what with being a gal and greatly enjoying every bit of this… stuff.
*grins*
I have, indeed, started on the Discworld series (via audiobook); I have thus far met Rinsewind, TwoFlower, and the various characters they encountered (my brain is too fried to recall more names right now), plus Granny Weatherwax and Eskarina Smith and some of their encounters as well (not finished with that one, and apologies for any misspelling of names – it’s hard to gauge spelling sometimes in an audiobook, especially with names). I didn’t spot any Discworld references, though, and I was specifically looking for that!
I omitted Digger because in here, all things are related to Digger contextually somehow, at least in my mind. It’s like listing the contents of the room, and forgetting to mention “air”.
Similarly, I left out the obvious (and self-defined) Dirty Harry reference.
I wonder, though, if I have just now spotted a VERY subtle reference to the city of Krondor …
@TekServer : You know, I nearly didn’t put the Jessica Rabbit line. I thought Is that too weird? will anyone get that joke?
You’ve done me proud. A and B the C of D with keeping it open on the browser as well!
Line by Line break-up: Redwall (Eulalia! I’m surprised no-one listed that.). The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes (the first poem they ever drilled into my brain at school, but by no means the last. I’m good at remembering very long poems and song lyrics) Dr Who (Gallifrey). Hitchhikers (Altarian dollars, the towel bits). General Battle of Britain reference (I was thinking maybe Biggles, I can’t recall exactly). Perdido Street Station (Aerostats rather that dirigibles, St Jabber’s mound). Star wars (X-foils, the Kessler run in less than twelve parsecs)… as for “Do a Barrel Roll”… how did no-one list that reference? my N 64 is CRYING! Redwall again (long patrol. I like Redwall, so why not twice?). Code Name Hunter (RSCI). Helsing (Royal Order Of Protestant Knights). Discworld (The city watch, and the line about secret crimes copied word for word from Vimes). Protectors Of The Plot Continuum (because when you read as much Fanfic as I do, you need the bleeprin.) Alien Nation (you are so lucky: I was going to go with the “It stretches!” “And it still fits?” joke) Warhammer 40K (Specifically, the Caiaphas Cain HERO OF THE IMPERIUM! Books). Blade Runner (the “I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe” line is absent in that form from “Do android’s dream of electric Sheep”). Jonathan Strange and Mister Norrel (The Gentleman With The Thistledown Hair, a truly excellent book). His Dark Materials (Svalbard, Witch-clans, the Magesterium. the first book ” Northern Lights” Specifically: you only JUST get points using the American re-name: The first Harry Potter book is the Philosophers stone and the First Dark Materials book is Northern lights. If i was a less kindly soul I’d have docked point there for “The Golden Compass”) We can remember you Wholesale/ Total Recall (mining accident on titan) The Dorset Squirrel Omnibus (aka “The Sliver Tide” books
This One is Quite hard
Red Squirrels Talk in Haiku
Fight Lots in These books.
I Highly recommend the Dorset squirrel books. Like Watership down, but with Red squirrels. And invasive Grey Squirrels. In Dorset. Blasting each other to death with numerology-powered magic death rays. I wish i could make something like that up.) H. P Lovecraft (used the Phrase “Horrors beyond the ken of man” no less than three times in various works, and words to the same effect in… pretty much all of them). Warhammer Fantasy (Athel Loren, home of the creepy wood elves) The Slender May Mythos (pretty explicit) American Gods (Wednesday) Neverwhere (The Old Firm, Croup and Vandevar who would scare the ever-loving out of me if they weren’t just so crazy awesome!) Shardik, by Richard Adams. Duncton “there goes my childhood” Wood by William “Brain Bleach” Horwood (Duncton and Siadod. An awesome book, think equal parts Watership Down and Titus Andronicus and your almost there.) Twin Peaks (“The Owls are not what they seem”). Call of Cthullu RPG (san check time… oh Nose! Critical fail marmalade!) Who Framed Rodger Rabbit (Good catch there Tek). Farthing Wood (If Britain ever gets invaded by shape-shifters and i need to tell if my friends are really who they seem to be, I will just whistle the theme tune and see if the Post Traumatic Stress Kicks in on not), TV Tropes (Will ruin Your Life). Steven King’s the Dark Tower (Ka-tet). Blues Brothers (Mission from god). Donnie Darko (“Why do you wear that Stupid Bunny Suit?”) In the heat of the Night (They call me MISTER Tibbs!). Watership Down (Rah). and, finally, the obligatory Dirty Harry joke.
I make that 32 by my count…
I don’t feel too bad, then; most of the references I missed were items with which I am not familiar. Some specifics that may surprise you:
– I’ve heard of Redwall, but know nothing about it.
– I’ve seen the “Do a barrel roll!” meme, but I have no real idea where it comes from. I’ve never owned a Nintendo console of any sort, and I know very little about any associated games.
– I’ve heard of Warhammer, and have some vague idea about what it is, but I’ve never played it or read any related material.
– I’ve heard of the Call of Cthulhu game, but never played it; still, I’m a little disappointed in myself for missing the San check reference.
Had you chosen to go with the alternate Alien Nation reference, I might have still gotten it; that’s one of my favorite movies. (The sequels are not as good, of course … )
And in my defense, my only exposure to the “Dark Materials” world is from the American-renamed “Golden Compass” movie – I’ve never read the books or even been aware there was a name change. FWIW, I’ve always thought “Golden Compass” was a stupid name; “Northern Lights” makes much more sense.
33 if you count the reference to the 1966 world cup final (England vs West Germany, England won 4-2 after extra time, England’s only Wold Cup Win) , but I decided not to count that one. Most Brits would get that reference from the cometry by Kenneth Wolstenholme “They think it’s all over” [England scores their final goal] “It is Now!”, but asking Americans, Canadians, Aussies and others to recognise a line of commentary from a soccer-match played over forty years ago is just sadistic.
Tek, READ THE DARK MATERIALS! Don’t let the film trick you into thinking it’s not as awesome as it is. I find the third book particularly mind-blowing, but they’re all just awesome. If you’d rather audio-book them, Phillip himself has recorded one with a full cast including Joanna Wyatt as a wonderful Lyra. In my eyes – well, ears – the best audio-book of all time.
And I always thought Golden Compass made much more sense than Northern Lights, since that made all the names an object, but I might be biased by that being the Norwegian translated name for it, and because I think Northern Lights is a boring way of saying Aurora Borealis. *shifty eyes*
… Wondering, once again, whether or not I read Redwall in Norwegian when I was little. At this time, maybe I should just re-read it anyway. >.> I obviously didn’t get the Donny Darko reference because that bunny gives me the creeps and I deliberately try to forget him. I’m considering sending you a small curse for reminding me, but I’m probably too lazy. *shifty eyes* And I really, really need to see Bladerunner one of these days. Really. Yes.
Still haven’t read His Dark Materials … but I have been following the new TV series based on it, which seems FAR superior to the movie. 😉