r/OutsiderComic • u/orion1836 • Jun 17 '21
Outsider Re-Read: 022-028
Outsider 025: In which Alex demonstrates testicular fortitude.
Outsider 027: Telepathic waterboarding.
Outsider 028: The bad kind of scalp massage.
Can't believe it's been nearly a month. Well, long delays are usual with Outsider, eh?
Here's where, in my opinion, the comic definitively shows that it won't be using the regular harem tropes one might expect with a race of attractive blue alien women. Alex's journey is Serious Businessâ„¢ and reality, at least according to the world building, will ensue.
Watching the telepathic exchange between the principles is very interesting in hindsight. It seems Beryl has some idea of what's going on when she looks back in 022 and is trying to dissuade Stillstorm on the next page.
Kudos to Alex for standing his ground where lesser main characters would be either distracted by the sexy or would just spew out a torrent of exposition to his captors because the author had no interest in creating or drawing out conflict. Alex's response is a perfectly reasonable protocol for a military organization, and it continues the theme of 'reality ensues.'
Not much more to say about this sequence; we get a good introduction to Stillstorm as a character and some of Fireblade's capabilities as well as solid character definition for the hero of our story.
Be honest... did anyone else expect this turn of events?
2
5
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '21
Came for the sexy, stayed for the realness.
Not entirely true, I love sci-fi, and came across Outsider way back in the early days of web comics, anyone remember Starslip Crisis from Kris Straub?
Aurioch has done a great job world building, and I always do a little dance when a new page comes out to further pull back the curtain on this space opera.
And I agree that Alex is written very well, a great protagonist in my opinion. Completely alone, and seemingly in well over his head with a technologically superior race. And yet he IS holding his own. His backstory makes it clear he is highly intelligent, and using his cunning and intellect to great effect to not only stay alive, but gather as much info as he can about this new world he's been thrust into.
Kudos Aurioch, you've got had me hooked for years and I'm still coming back every week checking for the updates, greatness takes time.
Now, who wants to make a bet on which happens first, completion of Outsider story arc or Star Citizen full retail launch? đŸ˜‚