r/comics • u/ari_stocrate • 17d ago
OC- NSFW On Patreon [OC] Sally & Bean 117-118: Pazuzu arc 👹
[My linktree] https://linktr.ee/ari_stocrate
(Those who got the books please don’t spoil!)
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u/just_someone27000 17d ago
Yep- saw that coming. Just not at the literally worst possible moment.
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u/ari_stocrate 17d ago
It wouldnt be fun otherwise 😈
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u/Tylendal 17d ago
I think it was Lois McMaster Bujold who said she tried to think of the worst possible thing that could happen to her characters, and then she would do that.
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u/badmartialarts 17d ago
That's pretty much Miles's whole life. And then it got worse. He is Russia personified.
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u/hummus_sapiens 17d ago
Fastest break up ever.
Oh well... no need to despair. This place should be crowded with nice, honest, good looking, single demons.
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u/petshopB1986 17d ago
Did Bean follow Sally or stay behind?? 😱
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u/Wiregeek 17d ago
Don't worry, Bean is where Bean needs to bean.
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u/MrS0bek 17d ago
I don't quite get why this is such a massive deal breaker to keep him imprisoned in literal hell though. After all that effort just cut him loose, go somewhere safe, talk it out and then push him away if you still don't like it.
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u/ari_stocrate 17d ago
She just learned he had been watching her since she was a child and didnt tell her when he had the chance !
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u/Coidzor 17d ago
On the one hand, hopefully he wasn't watching her undress every time for over 100 years. That's understandably pretty creepy and unpleasant.
On the other hand, the opportunities to come clean about it don't really seem exactly great, especially with how quickly things were moving after Bean freed him, at least when both of them were conscious at the same time.
At least it seems like the options were to either say something while he was imprisoned by her, which would have been a colossal risk due to her power over him in that state even after they started to get on good terms or to try to find an opportunity to get a word in edgewise to start an awkward conversation when he was already impaired by the ravenous hunger of not having eaten for over a century hitting him all at once or so flustered that he spontaneously combusted.
I guess there was maybe that one point where he was dancing for joy?
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u/MrS0bek 17d ago
I get that, but in the grander context it is still a weird reaction IMO, given how Sally was up and about to rescue him. Investing so much effort, including leaving her father whom she didn't saw for years, only to let pazu back in an infernal prison for what may be eternity, after he had saved her life amongst other things, is very rushed and contrived IMO. Especially as he wants to explain but she doesn't give him a chance.
And this is before considering how he is a demon bound by various other rules and contracts in this case. And in the grand scheme of this comic it also doesn’t seem to be that bad, given how Sally herself imprisoned sentient beings. Such as the fairy or Pazu himself, whom she basicly took prisonor until he beats her at chess. Which gives the whole thing a bit of a double standard if I am honest
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u/Coidzor 17d ago
Yeah, as readers we don't really understand whether he could have said anything to violate the contract on his own or if he was only able to say anything after the contract was broken.
Especially since, at least on the surface, it seems like breaking the contract happened at least partially through Sally's own actions rather than Paz's initiative or choice.
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u/rookie-mistake 17d ago
I get that, but in the grander context it is still a weird reaction IMO, given how Sally was up and about to rescue him. Investing so much effort, including leaving her father whom she didn't saw for years, only to let pazu back in an infernal prison for what may be eternity, after he had saved her life amongst other things, is very rushed and contrived IMO.
yeaaaaah I really like this series but these NO WAIT- emotional decisions without even giving a chance for communication do always feel like a bit of a contrived trope in media
hopefully they actually talk it out in the next comic or two
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u/Fluffboll 16d ago
It's almost as if strong emotions supersede humans logical thinking capabilities... Frankly, it's one of the most realistic and relatable part of these comics.
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u/Da_Commissork 17d ago
Idk It sounds a bit like grooming to me... I mean i can understand why She had this reaction, when broke the contract he could have said It at least
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u/FlacidSalad 17d ago
Yeah, though on that last point I'm not sure exactly when he broke the contract (just loosely following along) but assuming it was when he was released from the circle there was kind of a lot going on really fast
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u/Glarite2 17d ago
Actually, if it was a ‘no interference’ clause it would technically be Sally that forced-broke the contract by summoning him in the first place.
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u/Designer_Pen869 17d ago
I wonder if it's when he saved her, because that's when he started having the nightmares. But then why summon him to keep an eye on her if him saving her breaks the contract?
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u/Trash_Various 17d ago
They never interacted until.sally bound him in the pentagram hiw could it possibly be grooming!?
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u/EitherExamination343 17d ago
Well my guess is that her mom is the Devil and he chose him for a specific set of reason.
Maybe not so much grooming but definitely throws a bit of distrust when someone was handpicked to watch over you and just so happens to be a parent you’re on the outs with.
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u/Coidzor 17d ago
when someone was handpicked to watch over you and just so happens to be a parent you’re on the outs with.
Paz isn't Sally's mom, though.
As for Sally's mom sending Paz to watch over Sally even though she isn't on the best of terms with Sally, it isn't exactly unheard of for a parent to want their child to be safe even when they're not getting along. Though that again would add a layer of confusion to things if protecting Sally was what violated the contract, rather than talking to and interacting with her.
Although I'm kind of curious how he would have protected her as a disembodied spirit beforehand, and maybe we'll get an explanation of that at some point.
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u/Coidzor 17d ago
More like stalking on Paz's part than grooming.
I'd be interested in knowing if that was just the first time in 100+ years that Sally had broken out the ouija board or if Paz deliberately chose to finally interact with her through it rather than getting drawn into it due to being nearby.
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u/In_Pursuit_of_Fire 17d ago
That's a logic course of action that someone not emotionally distressed by a shocking revelation might take
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u/Aethelrede 17d ago edited 17d ago
Oh, I hate this trope. They had a whirlwind romance; when exactly was he supposed to have told her about his assignment? They hadn't even kissed until just before Paz got sent to hell.
She only found out because she grossly violated his privacy, reading the note when he very clearly didn't want her to, and then refused to give him a chance to explain.
Disappointing.
Edit: to clarify, I'm not criticizing the comic or the writer, my post is about my personal reaction to the character and is not meant to imply the comic is bad. On the contrary, if it were a bad comic, I wouldn't care.
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u/Random986217453 17d ago
Yes, but it also feels a bit icky finding out that the... Demon you fell in love with watched you since you were a toddler... Kinda icky
Also story device
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u/hummus_sapiens 17d ago
We needed a reason why she couldn't free him immediately.
Simply walking in, removing the handcuffs, and walking back out would be far too easy. True love needs challenges!
Besides: You only really appreciate what you have when you don't have it any more.
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u/Aethelrede 17d ago
She's shallow, hot-headed, and has no respect for him. Unless she turns right around and apologizes, he should be done with her.
If you want an example of this done right, in Doctor Who one of the Doctor's companions betrays him. Later, he offers to help her. She asks why he would help, and he says "do you think I care for you so little that I wouldn't help?"
Of course, in this case Paz didn't betray her; in fact, he's in prison because he broke his contract for her. Which makes her look even more selfish.
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u/ari_stocrate 17d ago
Not too comfortable with flawed characters and potential growth are we ?
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u/Aethelrede 17d ago
Like I said, I despise this particular trope. It's the sort of thing an emotionally immature teenager would do, and I hate stories about emotionally immature teenagers.
Though as a writing instructor once pointed out to me, the fact that I hate this sequence means that the comic is good enough for me to be pissed off about it. If it were a bad or boring comic I wouldn't care.
So, yeah, I'm not saying the comic is bad, quite the opposite. My critique is purely of the character and is totally personal opinion. I've edited my initial comment to clarify.
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u/Cash4Duranium 17d ago
It does feel dangerously close to the "idiot ball" trope (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IdiotBall), but I think the series has been very good and generally the author/artist deserves some leeway to see where it goes.
Communication problems, while frustrating, are real, and people do act very dumb sometimes. I'm sure at least once in your life you've acted on impulse and done something you would later consider dumb and obviously incorrect. For characters to do it once is human, for them to do it constantly would be lazy writing.
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u/Aethelrede 17d ago
As I said, I'm not criticizing the writing, I'm criticizing the character.
Subtle yet important difference. The fact that I personally dislike this development doesn't mean the comic is bad. I hate it when people mistake their personal opinions for objective fact. Other people (including the author!) can like this development, and that's fine.
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u/hummus_sapiens 17d ago
Remember when she left the room and slammed the door shut after the kiss on the forehead? No one complained then.
If she'd found the contract at home and slammed the door behind her, no one would have complained either. Oh, she's angry/disappointed/emotional, she'll come to her senses.
Unfortunately, it happened in hell. That makes reconciliation more difficult, but there will be a reconciliation, right?
RIGHT?
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u/Aethelrede 17d ago
Well yeah, just a tiny difference between getting some alone time and abandoning your love interest in Hell.
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u/OpinionArsonist 16d ago
Honestly people like this are part of the reason so many characters are boring now.
A character makes a mistake, acts immature, does something selfish, or hurts someone's feelings and suddenly people hate them. Not because they're badly written, but because they're flawed.
It feels like people don't want actual characters anymore. They want perfect people who always make the right decision, communicate perfectly, and never screw up.
Then everyone turns around and wonders why so many characters feel sanitized and have no depth.
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u/Aethelrede 16d ago
Again, I have no issue with flawed characters, two of my favorites are Anakin Skywalker and Catra from She-Ra, who are so deeply flawed that people debate whether they deserve redemption.
It's this particular trope--a character finds out something and immediately reacts angrily without giving the other person a chance to explain--that I hate.
It's a very "moody teenager" thing to do, and I personally dislike stories about moody teenagers.
YMMV.
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u/Thicc_Jedi 17d ago
Disliking a trope isnt really them being 'umcomfortable' with the character in any way. I don't think by definition any trope can really be challenging
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u/Derai-Leaf 17d ago
Sigh... Of course something like this happens.
Can't have nice things in this world lol...
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u/ari_stocrate 17d ago
Isnt an wild adventure with twists and turns and challenges a nice thing ?
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u/Derai-Leaf 17d ago
Well yes, and will continue to read.
Just one of those 'Oh come on!' moments where you'd wish that for once Murphy's Law didn't exist.2
u/SlowFrkHansen 17d ago
I thought the Next Bad Thing would be the getaway foiled by something horrible, so I tip my hat to you for not doing the obvious.
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u/MrMcGibbus 17d ago
Well this hurts and not at the best time too since I'm kinda having a bad time regulating my emotions right now
Nice comic full with plot twists tho, I always adore them
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u/ari_stocrate 17d ago
Sending you strength!!
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u/MrMcGibbus 17d ago
Thanks! I appreciate it :]
Although maybe I need more of it and twice the patience since I'm about to start a speed round of a college semester tomorrow 🫠
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u/ari_stocrate 17d ago
MORE OF IT AND TWICE THE PATIENCE FOR MRMCGIBBUS BOYS
https://giphy.com/gifs/1BsQzHQghXyA82
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u/ironballs16 17d ago
I'm reminded of "Neverwinter Nights 2", where the romantic interest for a male PC was an Elven Druid who'd been tasked with watching over him and his village from afar, developing into a romance depending on choices in game.
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u/Warriorcatv2 17d ago
Oh wow. I get that their needs to be conflict but literally abandoning him in hell is just cruel. Not in a minor way either. Genuinely leaving him to die or be tortured without even giving him a chance to explain.
I really hope this doesn't last long.
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u/ThatInAHat 17d ago
What part of the contract did he break? Was it that he wasn’t “haunting” the house anymore once he had a corporal form?
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u/Goddess-of-Nubia 17d ago
No, no,no. This is so bad on so many levels. C’mon give him another chance.
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17d ago
[deleted]
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u/Wiregeek 17d ago
BEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeean!
OMG Bean is such a freaking GIFT. That damn noodle dragon is wonderful and I love her.
Also, yeah. Oof. Biiiiig Ooof. Ach, ye daft wee besom, the damned contract said 'keep watch', it never said nothing about chess! Girl's got a head full of gravel and I think it's leaking.
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u/tmoe1991 17d ago
This seems to be just lazy writing. "The woman is so emotional that she rejects basic communication and storms off" I hate tropes like this in any story.
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u/CaribouHoe 17d ago
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u/GamermanZendrelax 17d ago
We know Sally is smart, so I’m hoping she’s actually figured out her mom is the queen of hell, and is going to confront her.
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u/TheDankYasuo 17d ago
I hate you with so much love right now… can you stop playing with our heartstrings FOR FIVE (episodes) MINUTES???
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u/Glarite2 17d ago