Having Fun

Just my thoughts on the torture debate: People (synthetic or organic) are always walking the line between "just punishment" and "torture"; one generation's "just desserts" can easily become "systematic torture" to another--or even in the same time frame but different circumstances. Law enforcement's use of a taser is a perfect example that has been brought up. One officer stuns a suspect because he's "non-compliant" (kept raising his fists at the officer), while another uses the exact same reasoning for someone who wouldn't stop talking. We want a bright line to tell us the difference, but sadly it's hard to define...and any definition we apply now may be looked upon as barbaric and short-sighted (or worse) by future generations. What really gets me choked up about Jeff's world is that all of the problems that humanity has grappled with (and continues to do so) still apply to the new arrivals on the planet--the robots. Spooky Bot, and everyone who deals with her, are all having to work their way through the same moral conundrums that every inhabitant of Earth has. Does might make right? Is someone good because they help others, or bad because they hurt someone? Can someone be both at the same time? (BTW--I'm split on both versions. I like the details and follow-up to this one, but also how directly Spooky Bot handled the first iteration--very in-character, either way.)

David Days

100% torture for me. Use of physical pain to make someone do something he don't want to do. This guy is sick, and he is likely a worse evil than Corpse Witch, notably because he is much more competent. Making justice himself, and being basically unaccountable, is a big red flag to me.

Frederick Ohlmann

Not so much torture as a coerced confession to someone who is given the option of submitting to the rule of law. By an entity that's beyond the rule of law (for now). Interesting plot arc.

Ian MacLean

Gah, that posted before I meant it to.

Nancie

I get why people are saying that this isn't good, because torture. I'm just not reading it as torture.

Nancie

I get why people are saying that this isn't good, because torture. I'm just not reading it as torture.

Nancie

I agree. As Bubbles explained previously, to undergo such manipulation is the ultimate intrusion for a robot. CW made Bubbles an offer that she knew very well Bubbles could not refuse, and instead of owning up to her accidental erasing of the memories, she chose to hid it and manipulate Bubbles into servitude. On top of all that, she knew beyond a doubt that what she had done was wrong, but she still put a kill virus in Bubbles to save her own ass. Even if Bubbles had made it through the 10 years, CW knew that Bubbles would not take kindly to finding out that her memories had been deleted. The smirk on CW's face when she attempted to unleash the virus says it all. I have no sympathy for her.

I like the smiles, but suspect that anything that would make Spookybot *not* smile would be even worse news....

David Howe

No... I can't say that I like the idea of torture. Even for someone as evil as Corpse Witch. She stole Bubbles' memories, but it is not yet made canon as to whether she destroyed the data, or if it is saved somewhere. Yes, she deserves punishment. But if her fate is to be decided by anyone, it should be Bubbles.

David Paul

I like how Jeph named him Spooky Bot. Seems to me humanity went and made itself a God. I assume this Legion thing is that which Martin mentioned a while ago, that said "Thank you for my existence." to every computer on the planet, plugged in or not.

Joseph H.

OK yeah, this is way better.

Patrick Liston

People get tasered because they are violent. Not to extract a confession. Of course if you are religious you could consider VVBN's threat of eternal damnation as an alternative to confession as just retribution.

Corpse Witch got tasered. That's in the realm of what police do to humans who aren't even apprehended yet. Also keep in mind that this happened in robo-astral plane, rather than actual time space.

Indigo

Sorry, but VVBN's methods remind me of water boarding and other discredited means of extracting confessions. So CW is evil. That doesn't mean she is no longer entitled to the rule of law.

She was involved with military something or oner. It may be a design of a weapon system or dirt on some despicable military scandal.

Chas Simmons

Oh that is MUCH better than the previous version! Make sure you update the strip number at the top.

Wild Card

Has anyone asked WHY these guys are so interested in getting their hands on Bubbles now lost memories? I don't feel altruism is the case at all.

Shawn K. Younkin

Legion strikes me as genderless, personally, but yeah, the assumption it is male is rather bizarre, I think.

Ian Wolfe

"Let's... experiment."

daGrimm

I keep wondering why everyone refers to VVBN as a "guy". I perceived it as female, and on consideration it actually is sort of "What if Jeph Jacques drew Desire of the Endless?" That is, it's presenting as pretty androgynous.

Carl Fink

I agree. I actually prefer the old version.

Chris Hewson

Better, but I miss the tip of the hat to Bubbles' decision to be lenient.

Mind Rape and Slavery. Robots are beings of pure mind. CW stripped Bubbles of her very will. There is nothing worse that CW could have done to Bubbles. CW has earned an eternity in robot hell for what she has done. Mr. Morden is being more than lenient. He is being merciful with a being that deserves no mercy.

James

We're not supposed to "side" with that guy. He have been consistently depicted as amoral, dangerous, and liking to mess with people. It just so happen that here, it's another villain who is in the crossfire. Comparing that page with the original show that Jeph wanted to make extra clear just how amoral that guy is. Or : individual characters aren't the voice of the author.

Frederick Ohlmann

I know these are robots, but we appear to be expected to side with torture, and I don't like it.

Chas Simmons

How about Deus X. Machina?

Scribblers

A very good point, Jason. It is possible they are one and the same.

How is this character related to the one that sent the email/message to everyone shortly after the birth of AI stating that they were watching everything?

Tinwhisker

I LOVE this. DO keep the older version so that we can compare. A question though... What is the name of our friendly neighborhood Architeuthis? I'm pushing Legion (Call us Legion, for we are many), but I've seen iVampire, iSatan, and VVBN out there as well. It's your comic, you get the call. :)

I'm okay with this. Corpse Witch is hardly undeserving.

Derrik Pates

I like the look on their face in the last panel. Now, *that's* job satisfaction!

Hugh Eckert

I liked the bit about them being influenced by Bubble's actions. Shame that had to go, but this is an excellent replacement strip!

Al Hunt

I love this AI!

Jennifer Loh

Such a vulgar AI.

darklion

FAN-de-TASTIC! Just remember to change the strip number and we're all good!

Joseph Houk

This is why backups are always critical folks.

Stray

Ooh, yeah much stronger of a comic :)

Magus

Dammit! I just scared the crap out of my roommate because this comic set off my maniacal laugh. Congratulations Jeph! Your updated version has resulted in me being pummeled with a pillow and sworn at extensively.

Ian Wolfe

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why you do not tick off the lawful-evil types. Because while chaotic-evil may kill you, lawful-evil will DESTROY you.

Golnor

I can't see anyone mention it, but I think the strip number needs updated.

Owen Stupka

"AAAAUGHFJKDJ". Hmm. I think that might be my new favourite word. ;)

Brad Knowles

¡Tres Bien!

Zach Elwyn

I like this version. I find it more satisfying, on a... visceral level.

Czarzhan

ZAP HER AGAIN!!!!!!

Nicki Faulk

So, no AI enslavement, and/or no kill-software. Seems like a great moral foundation for a society.

Richard

Azimov's amazing ability to come up with his world, and then question all of the implications of what he had created is exactly what I see Jeph doing (perfectly might I add) here.

Ronald Stimbert

Anyone else read Isaac Asimov's short stories featuring Susan Calvin, the robopsychologist? Hit google or wikipedia for robopsychology. Perhaps that's what Bubbles, and other PTSD sufferers in her position, needs.

I wonder how this experience manifests itself for Bubbles and CW. When released, do they look at their own diagnostics and realize that VVBN used their own processing power to generate the world (and, harm CW in it.) Are their conscious minds being ported to other hardware, matrix-style where VVBN has ultimate power? I want to see what Station thinks of this being, and how Hanners (and maybe her Dad??) react to its existence. This is much better than the previous version, and at the same time slightly less satisfying with the actual 'violence' thrown in. Nitpicking. Jeph if you read these comics I want you to know an old fan thinks you have turned a corner with this and Alice. I look forward to telling people that I was into this Sci-Fi series long before it was optioned for TV or Movie (fucking hipsters in the making in these Pateron threads.) This world fascinates me to no end.

Ronald Stimbert

I agree. this is better.

Mike Rodgers

GAME UP! love it.

Mister Cletus

I like this version better than the original.

Christopher

So, what are the cultural implications here? I know Jeph puts a lot of thought into this. Is VVBN an entity which is above the law? Is this a family thing? So interesting to find out!

Jan Gampe

#approves

jeff fearnow

In my experience, people who have been in her position as long as she (theoretically) has need a reminder of what lighting tastes like. They tend to forget that the laws of physics apply to them as well.

Buck Caldwell

I don't know if I think it's better. I suppose I find a iron fist in a velvet glove can be more scary than someone swinging that iron fist. Corpse Witch shouldn't need the lightning; just the knowledge of the horrible things they can do.

David S

Much Better!!!

lilibat

More awesome indeed!

Greg Matyola

Nice. Interesting to see the draft process in action. Thanks Jeph!

Craig P Steffen

Wowwwwwww. Love it!

oh man, this is a bit darker. I love it

i must say an no offence but this blows the one you posted last night out of the water

We may need a banana smoosh interlude to settle before whatever's next. :)

Jp

The moral principle she violated: Always make backups. ALWAYS.

Andrew

Why do I feel tingly all over?

BobC

GET FUCKED, CORPSE WITCH.

Thom Fry

This is so much more satisfying. :)

Exactly my first thought too!

Mark

VVBN is going full emperor palpatine ^^

Jan Gampe