@itswhatiam: note the “someone dies” tag. He received a cake with a metal file hidden inside to escape with, but he ate the file along with the cake and died, and his ghost was able to leave the prison.
I shouldn’t have read the conclusion in the comments so quickly – I was just about to develop a metaphysical theory of about how the file as a stereotype of prison-escape is such a strong image in our heads and shared knowledge that the very essence of the file was able to become part of the prisoners nature – thus enabling him to escape any escape-worthy-scenario (other occasions would have been a lame weddinga of your cousin, an unfulfilling work-life or someones high moral expectations) …
Actually my interpretation would have worked better if there were only the first two panels. The third one did puzzle me as I couldn’t explain to myself why they should have a X-Ray of the (successfully) escaped, so I pictured those guys as philosophers rather than doctors.
Nice going! Must’ve looked through about five times before finally coining on. I like how the butterfly in the second panel shows that being free is… nice.
@BlueRaja While it would make more sense if the panels were switched, it wouldn’t be as funny. The second panel confuses the reader. The reader may interpret it in numerous different ways, as you can see in the comments above. However, upon viewing the third panel, the reader learns the prisoner was killed after eating a cake with a metal file baked in to it. This subverts the classic “escape from prison with the help of an outsider and a hidden tool inside of a cake.” This is what makes the comic funny. Think of the third panel as the punch line. The punch line is at the end of the joke, not the middle.
@dlars93 Please don’t explain the joke. Not only you’re killing it, but you’re depriving other people from the joke of getting it on their on. There’s nothing worse than explaining a joke.
@Boogerguy: By request the joke was already explained earlier in the comments, so it’s a bit late to ask someone not to. And also a bit inconsiderate to those who wanted to read the explanation.
It took me way too long to figure out that he was dead in the second panel. First I thought “invisibility-cake”, then I thought it was some kind of “this is the plan”-illustration. I had to look at the tags to make sure that I understood what happened.
Wow, I didn’t know this one would generate this much discussion. Thanks for your comments, everyone!
But yeah, if another reader asks for an explanation, feel free to chime in with one in the comments. As Boogerguy pointed out, explaining the “joke” pretty much kills it, and I agree – but the only thing worse for me is if a reader gives up after finding no help in the comments either.
And of course I’d rather not give it away immediately in the hope that you guys will fill in the blanks on your own. Or something! I’ll probably not try to be this obtuse for the next few strips, but who knows.
@Bob: Good point – it would probably be a bit clearer. However, I firmly believe that X-ray images are funnier than autopsies in most cases.
Wow man! I almost didn’t get that! Pretty good actually.
It makes sense. No worries.
Does somebody want to explain it then?
HAHA, great stuff. I almost missed it, but when I got it I thought it was fantastic!
I’d love for one of the commenters up there who it made sense for to explain it to me, because I’m clueless. Is that a candlestick in his stomach?
It’s a nail file, for filing through the bars of the prison or something. It was hidden in the cake.
Er, metal file, not nail file.
@itswhatiam: note the “someone dies” tag. He received a cake with a metal file hidden inside to escape with, but he ate the file along with the cake and died, and his ghost was able to leave the prison.
Here’s one for sharing. Brilliant as always!
Oh. Duh. Don’t I feel stupid now lol. Thanks for explaining, guys!
hahahahaha, i get it now! HAHAAHHAHAHA
He’s finally free! Love it!
Fantastic.
Haha – I thought that it was invisibility-cake or walk-through-the-walls cake also with the file inside :)
Didn’t notice the Xes in the eyes in the last panel at first – when I did it all made sense. :P
This one was pretty obvious to me? I must just be really fucking clever. Nice one Kris
I shouldn’t have read the conclusion in the comments so quickly – I was just about to develop a metaphysical theory of about how the file as a stereotype of prison-escape is such a strong image in our heads and shared knowledge that the very essence of the file was able to become part of the prisoners nature – thus enabling him to escape any escape-worthy-scenario (other occasions would have been a lame weddinga of your cousin, an unfulfilling work-life or someones high moral expectations) …
Actually my interpretation would have worked better if there were only the first two panels. The third one did puzzle me as I couldn’t explain to myself why they should have a X-Ray of the (successfully) escaped, so I pictured those guys as philosophers rather than doctors.
Nice going! Must’ve looked through about five times before finally coining on. I like how the butterfly in the second panel shows that being free is… nice.
I think it would make more sense if the last two panels were switched.
At least he got out!
The important thing to note here is that your ghost will be wearing the same clothes you die in!
Yep, totally didn’t get it. I was like: magic cake? I should have, tho… but, yeah… that put the sub in subtle.
I don’t understand the confusion? It makes perfect sense! Excellent stuff man, made me chuckle.
@BlueRaja While it would make more sense if the panels were switched, it wouldn’t be as funny. The second panel confuses the reader. The reader may interpret it in numerous different ways, as you can see in the comments above. However, upon viewing the third panel, the reader learns the prisoner was killed after eating a cake with a metal file baked in to it. This subverts the classic “escape from prison with the help of an outsider and a hidden tool inside of a cake.” This is what makes the comic funny. Think of the third panel as the punch line. The punch line is at the end of the joke, not the middle.
@dlars93 Please don’t explain the joke. Not only you’re killing it, but you’re depriving other people from the joke of getting it on their on. There’s nothing worse than explaining a joke.
*from the joy. dammit hands, get it together!
Autopsy table for last panel would have made it far quicker to process but got a lol
@Boogerguy: By request the joke was already explained earlier in the comments, so it’s a bit late to ask someone not to. And also a bit inconsiderate to those who wanted to read the explanation.
It took me way too long to figure out that he was dead in the second panel. First I thought “invisibility-cake”, then I thought it was some kind of “this is the plan”-illustration. I had to look at the tags to make sure that I understood what happened.
Wow, I didn’t know this one would generate this much discussion. Thanks for your comments, everyone!
But yeah, if another reader asks for an explanation, feel free to chime in with one in the comments. As Boogerguy pointed out, explaining the “joke” pretty much kills it, and I agree – but the only thing worse for me is if a reader gives up after finding no help in the comments either.
And of course I’d rather not give it away immediately in the hope that you guys will fill in the blanks on your own. Or something! I’ll probably not try to be this obtuse for the next few strips, but who knows.
@Bob: Good point – it would probably be a bit clearer. However, I firmly believe that X-ray images are funnier than autopsies in most cases.
Idea for next april fools: post a comic that doesn’t make sense and has no point to it, then watch anarchy ensure in the comment section
it took me several minutes, but then i laughed uproariously! you are a seriously clever guy.
I thought it was a screw driver from doctor who or something like that.
I thought it was a vibrator and he’d vibrated between the molecules of the walls a la Flash
Warehouse 13.
This is hilarious. I recently discovered your awesome webcomics. Your works are always clever and enjoyable to view.
Keep up the great work. >:)
Thanks for that, Spardeth! Keep reading!