Comic 715 - Koganan Waltz
12th Jan 2022, 12:00 AM in The Guitar
Koganan Waltz
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Author Notes:
Microraptor edit delete
Microraptor
Johann's pseudonym may actually not be the most concealing one, since his real and his fake surname mean the same in different languages...

You may already know his father though, from Playground and from Grinder$.
From the latter we know that the "red-haired hussy" is none other than Donna Panks! (She's not a spy though - that's a a bee put in General Mbuni's bonnet by Augustus Alexander...)

And our cameo for today is Maxx from Tales From the Void!
(Are her cat ears real or is that just a headband...?)
User comments:
whiteshaix edit delete reply
whiteshaix
Interesting! I never imagined "Strauss" and "struzzo" had the same meaning, but once you think about it the etymology is clear.
Is his family obsessed with ostrichs? XD
I have to start reading Grinder$ sooner or later.
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
Oh, his family is very focused on ostriches! :-)
His father's name even literally translates to "Ostrich Ostrich" (since "Volstruis" is the bird's name in Afrikaans)! And he instigated the conflict known as the Ostrich War! (You may remember Selene Wildebees talking about how she fought in it...)

And yes, read Grinder$!
But if you want to learn more about the Ostrich War, General Mbuni, and his henchmen like Ratel here, you should also read Playground!

whiteshaix edit delete reply
whiteshaix
Yup, I remember the references to the Ostrich War. Was too peculiar to forget - I've been wondering about what caused it, so I'll take your reading suggestion ;)
Stilldown edit delete reply
Stilldown
It gets about time these buttons get remade for Kogana:Stop Ostrich
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
Ah yes, there once was that other "Mr. Ostrich"...
Stilldown edit delete reply
Stilldown
A redheaded catwoman fits very well at the Alpha Ralpha Ring, of course.
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
It also has a harpy, after all!

Which brings me to a point that occurred to me recently:
If Ethel moves to Anvil Flats soon, her egg shack in Gernsbeck will be vacant...
Stilldown edit delete reply
Stilldown
Who knows, maybe she travels a lot... but there are still several vacant buildings at the map.
For the redhead cat woman, the owner of the futtersack petfood shop is named after her, K'mell.
Some original illustrations, also showing the Alpha-Ralpha-Boulevard in the back. (And Bos in a spacesuit.) Interesting, the image on the upper left already has the mystery of four ears, cat and human.
image
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
Those illustrations looks really intriguing, I'll have to get my hands on these stories someday...

As for the vacant buildings: Hmmm, likewise intriguing! Much to ponder there for me...

(Would Ethel hire a help for her times of absence though?)
Stilldown edit delete reply
Stilldown
Quite possible she hires a help if it pays out.
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
Well well, there are several options that would come to mind...

(For example, if Jade Doyle of all people would do that as a student job, that would be... nice symmetry...)
lirvilas edit delete reply
lirvilas
Man, if Ethel is having a good time in Gernsbeck there’s no pressure for her to relocate. I don’t want to disrupt something that’s working
Stilldown edit delete reply
Stilldown
Ethel is a harpy, she can fly.
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
As I said, there will be another tiny Ethel cameo (literally tiny, namely in the background) a few pages later from here.

From there on, I currently don't have further specific plans for her - but in general, I think a harpy just fits nicely with my comic's theme! ^^
lirvilas edit delete reply
lirvilas
Also: Johann is a coward.

Outright refuse or get a rifle, don’t dissemble
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
Hmmm, would the General actually hurt his own son, should he unambiguously reject participating in the "family business"?
Johann may not be very eager to find that out...
lirvilas edit delete reply
lirvilas
Who is paying for his college?

That might be the reason. He’s still a coward.
Guest (Guest) edit delete reply
From what I know, Strauss means ostrich in german.
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
Exactly!!

(And mbuni means ostrich in Swahili.)
Octopus Ink edit delete reply
Octopus Ink
Now, did Nyegere come here to fetch him on Daddy's orders, as these 'great plans' actually have to do with succession and such---
or is she acting on her own, believing that the young man should be at home, catering to his father like a 'dutiful son' should, in her OWN opinion?
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
I'd say it's rather the latter, which I think is more apparent in the next page.
Jazz Nevermore edit delete reply
Jazz Nevermore
Yaaay, it's Maxx!!

Thanks for cameoing her. It's so awesome to see her in this comic.
Microraptor edit delete reply
Microraptor
You're welcome!

My comic has minotaurs and mermaids and harpies, so a girl with cat ears fits right in! ^^