Sometimes there is never a good way to say goodbye, no words ever seem right, fitting or as honorific as it should be.
This seems as fitting as any other way… good writing Ursula.
@JewelWolf – I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear that yet, but Digger’s not one to waste words, and, well… Ed can’t hear her anymore, and I doubt there’s much she could say in front of the Skins that would feel right, considering that they’re prepared to give Ed what they consider to be the highest honors, and she’s not really comfortable with it.
Now, once she gets to the surface again, if any of the tribe dare say a word about her getting emotional over the nameless… I bet they’ll find out in a hurry that his Name Is Ed, and exactly what they owe him.
I kind of want a voting incentive. It’s not that I don’t vote without one, it’s just that it helps a great deal. Ballerina Mafia, a humor comic, rocketed into the top ten after including an extra joke with every page when you vote on TWC.
@Jewelwolf… Remember, when all is said and done, Digger is pragmatic and practical. Most likely she’ll save the big speech for when it have the greatest effect. No point in wasting it on present company, who honor the dead in a very different fashion than she knows.
I wouldn’t expect a speech from Digger at all. But, we all gave him our best speeches already, didn’t we?
As far as voting: I too think that we might get a few more hits on the votes if there was an incentive. Digger deserves more recognition than it gets. Maybe Ursula likes it that way, but I agree with the rest of the fans, more people should be giving it a chance.
Another thing that might help is a little spot on the sidebar, perhaps, reporting Digger’s rankings for the day or week. It slipped nearly past 40 over Thanksgiving week, which made me pretty sad. It’s now at 32 as of my vote this morning.
I may be sounding like a broken record here, and Digger thinking about how hard it would be for her to carry Ed back up to the surface is realistic, but why did they have to SKIN HIM?!
@Hunter. It’s what they do. They collect rare, unusual, or exotic skins for their collection, to “live on for 10,000 years.” It’s the only monument Digger can give poor Ed now.
This very much reminds me of “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium”
“When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He’s written “He dies.” That’s all, nothing more. […]. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is “He dies.” It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with “He dies.” And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it’s only natural to be sad, but not because of the words “He dies.” but because of the life we saw prior to the words.
I’ve lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I’m only asking that you turn the page, continue reading… and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest “He died.” ”
I will miss Ed the painter. Perhaps there could be a “The god is dead, long live the god!” turn out? The world need balance. Perhaps She-Is must be counterpointed with a He-Is, now that the original has finally left the picture? Just a thought.
Ursula, may one request a vote button on the sidebar? That’s all the incentive I’d need to vote every day; some days when I’m pressed for time I don’t take the time to look through the comments for the link to the voting portal.
@ Nicole B Beautiful words. You’re right, I think Ed would say something like that.
@ Hunter Digger explained it perfectly on http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=886.
The last panel made me go “Awww” and smile. The Skins are cute.
For some reason, in my head, that glowing bug is a cave-scarab (the “cave” part being to explain the glow). Scarabs are symbols of rebirth, and of life coming out of death.
And I so want a bug on a stick. It would help me see my way. *nods a lot.*
@Hunter – I suspect that the Skins would be at least as uncomfortable with letting Ed’s pelt rot in the ground as we are, or Digger is, with the idea of skinning him. Add that to the fact that I don’t think we’ve ever gotten any indication that they ever leave the caves, and I’m not sure they /would/ be willing to help carry him out for burial. Digger’s being pragmatic here – it may not be the memorial that she would have wanted for him, but it’s one that he probably would have appreciated, and it’s a more respectful and loving treatment than he’s likely to get on the surface. Ed recognized a kind of kinship with the Skins. I don’t think he’d be upset at the idea of being inscribed with the purple ink he taught them to make – and we’ve seen that the hyenas put some stock in continuing to be present with those they cared about after death, usually in the form of funerary cannibalism. From a hyena point of view, what we’d consider to be a respectful burial might seem a little too close to the “leave no body or bones where a person might eat them” clause of Ed’s banishment.
I still think the Skins’ whole-hearted honor of Ed will be miles better than any grudging appreciation he gets from most of the People. Hyenas are proud; they don’t like admitting they were wrong, and getting into a fight about it would be against all that Ed was after he became Ed. For certain, Bloodmare would cause more fuss than it would be worth.
Anyway, I wanted to thank you, Ursula, for the “you can hold my bug” line, because it’s been a crappy day, and it got a watery chuckle out of me, at least. I’m not gonna lie, I am crying again, but I did go “Awwww” out loud when I saw that. I could use a bug on a stick myself. š
@Madam Atom: I agree with your second point. “The eloquence is the first thing to go.”
As for the previous non-holiday panel when digger pointed out that what choice did she have? was she going to “butcher him then and there and cram his liver down Grim-eye’s throat” bit… could be worth a try. I know Ed said of his banishment “Told to die, Told to leave no bones where real people might eat them.” would suggest his banishment does not end in death, but i was still kind of holding out hope on a funeral-feast based on pretty much one of the first things that Grim-Eyes Said to Digger.
“Nice Trrry earrrth-rat, but we generally find that DEATH is the ultimate purifier.”
If I knew that was true of some who associated with The Eaten, I might try taking his liver back just-in-case it was true of the eaten himself. Maybe the name and liver meet up again (or meat up again if Digger canāt hold down liver) once there are both eaten. I dunno. Besides, Digger is a smart wombat. Herbivore or no, thereās no reason why a sensible person couldnāt conduct something as simple as a basic post-mortem organ extractionā¦
Well, okay maybe, but Iād give it a go if I thought that was what he wanted. (also did anyone else think of that like from the novel version of Neverwhere where Mr Croup āExamined the statement with all the care of an anatomist dissecting his one-true loveā when they read that bit about Digger saying she didnāt thing she could stomach (or liver) butchering him? Or what that just me again?)
I’m glad my stricken Awwwww was not just me – that last panel got me where I live. I look forward to seeing what the skins version of ‘all will be well’ actually means…
If only we all had a glowing bug on a stick for when we’ve had to say goodbye for the last time. Or for anytime at all.
“here, you can hold my bug.”
that made me go AAAWWWWW :'[
Still really going to miss Ed. š
SHE CAN’T WHAT?! Where’s the heartbreaking speech about how Ed was the wisest person she knew and that he died a hero and he… Where’s the speech? T_T
Sometimes there is never a good way to say goodbye, no words ever seem right, fitting or as honorific as it should be.
This seems as fitting as any other way… good writing Ursula.
@JewelWolf – it IS Digger. Except for the narration she never struck me as much of a speechy wombat. *blows nose*
She’s got his necklace, though. Part of him stays down here, and part of him goes with her, inside AND out.
We all need someone who will let us hold their bug.
@JewelWolf – I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear that yet, but Digger’s not one to waste words, and, well… Ed can’t hear her anymore, and I doubt there’s much she could say in front of the Skins that would feel right, considering that they’re prepared to give Ed what they consider to be the highest honors, and she’s not really comfortable with it.
Now, once she gets to the surface again, if any of the tribe dare say a word about her getting emotional over the nameless… I bet they’ll find out in a hurry that his Name Is Ed, and exactly what they owe him.
*passes the box of tissues around*
VOTEY: http://topwebcomics.com/vote/10180/default.aspx?id=10180
I want to see digger right at the top of the rankings before it finishes… It deserves it :).
I kind of want a voting incentive. It’s not that I don’t vote without one, it’s just that it helps a great deal. Ballerina Mafia, a humor comic, rocketed into the top ten after including an extra joke with every page when you vote on TWC.
*sniff* So sad, but so fitting.
@Bwee I didn’t notice that Digger put on Ed’s necklace in the fourth panel until you pointed it out. Thanks!
I am all full of the sniffles over here… Ursula, you have done a fabulous job telling this tale that grabbed a hold of you and wouldn’t let go! ♥
@Jewelwolf… Remember, when all is said and done, Digger is pragmatic and practical. Most likely she’ll save the big speech for when it have the greatest effect. No point in wasting it on present company, who honor the dead in a very different fashion than she knows.
The bug bit made me go ‘awww’ at the compassion of the Skins. It’s the thought that counts, isn’t it.
@JewelWolf: We GOT the speech. Digger said all that really needed to be said, and because she’s Digger, she did it in six words:
“He was worth ten of you.”
If she says anything more elaborate, I suspect it will be (1) to the tribe and (2) after some real sleep.
I’ve got to tag this strip NSFW. It’s embarrassing sitting here with tears running down my face.
Goodbye, Ed.
I wouldn’t expect a speech from Digger at all. But, we all gave him our best speeches already, didn’t we?
As far as voting: I too think that we might get a few more hits on the votes if there was an incentive. Digger deserves more recognition than it gets. Maybe Ursula likes it that way, but I agree with the rest of the fans, more people should be giving it a chance.
Another thing that might help is a little spot on the sidebar, perhaps, reporting Digger’s rankings for the day or week. It slipped nearly past 40 over Thanksgiving week, which made me pretty sad. It’s now at 32 as of my vote this morning.
Um…are they going to skin him right here, right now?
That may be too much for the poor herbivore…
I may be sounding like a broken record here, and Digger thinking about how hard it would be for her to carry Ed back up to the surface is realistic, but why did they have to SKIN HIM?!
Digger has said all that needs to be said, and is taking with her all that needs to be taken.
Blessings on the Skin. (How did I never notice they were so small?) There have been times when I could’ve used a bug to hold.
@Robin: send the box my way, willya?
*sniff* *sniff* *BAAAAAAWWWWWL!*
*takes a tissue*
G’bye, Ed.
Ohhhhhhh……. *sniffles*
@Hunter. It’s what they do. They collect rare, unusual, or exotic skins for their collection, to “live on for 10,000 years.” It’s the only monument Digger can give poor Ed now.
This very much reminds me of “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium”
“When King Lear dies in Act V, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He’s written “He dies.” That’s all, nothing more. […]. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is “He dies.” It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with “He dies.” And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it’s only natural to be sad, but not because of the words “He dies.” but because of the life we saw prior to the words.
I’ve lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I’m only asking that you turn the page, continue reading… and let the next story begin. And if anyone asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest “He died.” ”
I feel like Ed would say the same thing.
I will miss Ed the painter. Perhaps there could be a “The god is dead, long live the god!” turn out? The world need balance. Perhaps She-Is must be counterpointed with a He-Is, now that the original has finally left the picture? Just a thought.
Ed.
But bug!!
@Azure They could help her carry him back up, or something. I’m sorry, it’s just that I’d prefer to see him buried than skinned.
Tom: I’m nearly the same. Had to keep it in.. barely.
And that I was listening to something somber yet delicate in music was not helping… yet was. (Wailin Jennys – Take It Down (cover of John Hiatt))
Ursula, may one request a vote button on the sidebar? That’s all the incentive I’d need to vote every day; some days when I’m pressed for time I don’t take the time to look through the comments for the link to the voting portal.
OTOH, since today I *have* the time…
http://topwebcomics.com/vote/10180/default.aspx
@ Nicole B Beautiful words. You’re right, I think Ed would say something like that.
@ Hunter Digger explained it perfectly on http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=886.
The last panel made me go “Awww” and smile. The Skins are cute.
I actually aww’d out loud at “You can hold my bug.” In fact, I just did it again typing it. AWWWWWWWWWW.
I want a bug on a stick. š
For some reason, in my head, that glowing bug is a cave-scarab (the “cave” part being to explain the glow). Scarabs are symbols of rebirth, and of life coming out of death.
And I so want a bug on a stick. It would help me see my way. *nods a lot.*
I am buying this entire series when this is over. Ed’s outline in the second frame and Digger’s expression are so well drawn.
@Hunter – I suspect that the Skins would be at least as uncomfortable with letting Ed’s pelt rot in the ground as we are, or Digger is, with the idea of skinning him. Add that to the fact that I don’t think we’ve ever gotten any indication that they ever leave the caves, and I’m not sure they /would/ be willing to help carry him out for burial. Digger’s being pragmatic here – it may not be the memorial that she would have wanted for him, but it’s one that he probably would have appreciated, and it’s a more respectful and loving treatment than he’s likely to get on the surface. Ed recognized a kind of kinship with the Skins. I don’t think he’d be upset at the idea of being inscribed with the purple ink he taught them to make – and we’ve seen that the hyenas put some stock in continuing to be present with those they cared about after death, usually in the form of funerary cannibalism. From a hyena point of view, what we’d consider to be a respectful burial might seem a little too close to the “leave no body or bones where a person might eat them” clause of Ed’s banishment.
Seriously, I can’t believe you all missed it. It’s right there, in the Skin’s first speech bubble in Panel 5 of page 888.
What will she see?
Digger probably needed a new vest anyway. A nice new Hyena vest. Now Ed will always be close to her heart…
–Perfesser
I still think the Skins’ whole-hearted honor of Ed will be miles better than any grudging appreciation he gets from most of the People. Hyenas are proud; they don’t like admitting they were wrong, and getting into a fight about it would be against all that Ed was after he became Ed. For certain, Bloodmare would cause more fuss than it would be worth.
Anyway, I wanted to thank you, Ursula, for the “you can hold my bug” line, because it’s been a crappy day, and it got a watery chuckle out of me, at least. I’m not gonna lie, I am crying again, but I did go “Awwww” out loud when I saw that. I could use a bug on a stick myself. š
*Charline de Lyon hmms* I would prefer to eat Ed’s liver… with fava beans and a nice chianti. *gnash gnash gnash!*
*The evil lioness NEVER ceases to be evil! Not even for tragedy!* >:3
The last panel is absurdly touching. ;_; And I love that she took his necklace.
Since I don’t know how those votey-page-thingies work, I can only vote on Digger pages where someone’s put a link in the comments.
Oh, man. Somebody comes out of a cave after a god is killed, holding a glowy thing on a stick….
Digger me lass, I hope you like bugs on sticks, ’cause I think that’s gonna be your divine (or at least heroic) attribute in all the iconography. š
@Madam Atom: I agree with your second point. “The eloquence is the first thing to go.”
As for the previous non-holiday panel when digger pointed out that what choice did she have? was she going to “butcher him then and there and cram his liver down Grim-eye’s throat” bit… could be worth a try. I know Ed said of his banishment “Told to die, Told to leave no bones where real people might eat them.” would suggest his banishment does not end in death, but i was still kind of holding out hope on a funeral-feast based on pretty much one of the first things that Grim-Eyes Said to Digger.
“Nice Trrry earrrth-rat, but we generally find that DEATH is the ultimate purifier.”
If I knew that was true of some who associated with The Eaten, I might try taking his liver back just-in-case it was true of the eaten himself. Maybe the name and liver meet up again (or meat up again if Digger canāt hold down liver) once there are both eaten. I dunno. Besides, Digger is a smart wombat. Herbivore or no, thereās no reason why a sensible person couldnāt conduct something as simple as a basic post-mortem organ extractionā¦
Well, okay maybe, but Iād give it a go if I thought that was what he wanted. (also did anyone else think of that like from the novel version of Neverwhere where Mr Croup āExamined the statement with all the care of an anatomist dissecting his one-true loveā when they read that bit about Digger saying she didnāt thing she could stomach (or liver) butchering him? Or what that just me again?)
I’m glad my stricken Awwwww was not just me – that last panel got me where I live. I look forward to seeing what the skins version of ‘all will be well’ actually means…
Digger was at 30 when I just voted.
So sad. And yet – so funny.
Perfectly pitched Ursula, just superb.
“Goodbye Ed”… and my heart’s in my throat again. :'(
I really miss Ed…. Digger has done all she can realistically do and she’s not one to waste time. I’m glad she decided to take his necklace.
On a side note, I wonder what’s on Ed’s necklace. It looks like beads or teeth.
I think some people are misinterpreting the skin lizards and they’re intentions.
http://www.diggercomic.com/?p=163 sums it all up nicely, in Ed’s own words too.
Hmmmmm, can’t tell exactly, but it looks to me like beads and teeth alternating.
Bone Claw and Owl Caller both know Ed’s whole story. I wonder if they’d personally have issues with not being able to have Ed’s remains.