The setup and delivery of Ian’s story about becoming the ruler of purgatory is among the best strips, period. The fact that it is set up so far in advance and the payoff is pretty much a throwaway is delightful. Harvest’s exit plan is also great.
Ryan’s love for D&D 3.5 is a nice little pinpoint as to where we are on the timeline. I can’t play… well I can’t run any D&D anymore because I’m too much of a contrarian asshole who doesn’t like the whole vibe. I’m the sort of jackass who has to go and do their own teardown system then do a couple of play tests over the course of decades, then meet my untimely death before ever putting out a completed version. Fortunately if that happens, I can reflect back on these strips to adjust the afterlife as needed.
I remember Harvest took that last line as cruel, and I think I said it. I didn’t intend it to be a dig, and I always kind of felt bad that he took it personally. Then again, I’m pretty sure he made the strip. The difference in font choices, while annoying 20 years ago, really helps me sort what is what today- thereby allowing me to narrowly escape blame. Hooray!
