Comic Transcripts

[[XAMDER approaches a gatehouse, where DYER stands sentinel.]]

XAMDER: So THIIIIS is who they have guarding the East Gate now, eh?  Ayup, yup, yup, yup!

DYER: Come again?

XAMDER: Used to be MY beat!  I worked here for eleven years.  Stood right where you are!

DYER: Is this so.

XAMDER: Six-to-two shift, East Gate detail, dial five-two to report any characters, YUP!

XAMDER: Ayup, yup, yup, yup.  Good times, good times.  DALBERT still in there BUSTIN’ CHOPS?

DYER: Dalbert is no longer here.

XAMDER: Killed in action at last, eh?

DYER: Promoted up to division.

XAMDER: Probably killed in action there.

XAMDER: SAY, you know the little secret about the gate override switch…?

DYER: The gate was rewired thoroughly last year to be brought up to code.

XAMDER: Ayup, yup, yup, yup, things sure do change.  You missed out on some GOOD TIMES, brother.

DYER: I have no brothers.  I am an only child.

XAMDER: Ayup, yup, yup.

XAMDER: WELLLL, Nice catchin’ up with the ol’ haunt.  You see Marshella, you tell her the BIG BUG said HOWDY-DO, hear?

DYER: I do not know anyone named Marshella.

XAMDER:  Probably killed in action.

DYER: No one has been killed in action on gate duty in the history of this detail.

XAMDER:  That’s ’cause they FIRE you first an’ kill you as a CIVILIAN!  IT HAPPENED TO ME!

{{header: swing back by WONDERMARK.COM}}

#1343; A Triumphant Return transcribed by in

[[XAMDER approaches a gatehouse, where DYER stands sentinel.]]

XAMDER: So THIIIIS is who they have guarding the East Gate now, eh?  Ayup, yup, yup, yup!

DYER: Come again?

XAMDER: Used to be MY beat!  I worked here for eleven years.  Stood right where you are!

DYER: Is this so.

XAMDER: Six-to-two shift, East Gate detail, dial five-two to report any characters, YUP!

XAMDER: Ayup, yup, yup, yup.  Good times, good times.  DALBERT still in there BUSTIN' CHOPS?

DYER: Dalbert is no longer here.

XAMDER: Killed in action at last, eh?

DYER: Promoted up to division.

XAMDER: Probably killed in action there.

XAMDER: SAY, you know the little secret about the gate override switch...?

DYER: The gate was rewired thoroughly last year to be brought up to code.

XAMDER: Ayup, yup, yup, yup, things sure do change.  You missed out on some GOOD TIMES, brother.

DYER: I have no brothers.  I am an only child.

XAMDER: Ayup, yup, yup.

XAMDER: WELLLL, Nice catchin' up with the ol' haunt.  You see Marshella, you tell her the BIG BUG said HOWDY-DO, hear?

DYER: I do not know anyone named Marshella.

XAMDER:  Probably killed in action.

DYER: No one has been killed in action on gate duty in the history of this detail.

XAMDER:  That's 'cause they FIRE you first an' kill you as a CIVILIAN!  IT HAPPENED TO ME!

{{header: swing back by WONDERMARK.COM}}

There's no easy way to say this, but... I'm afraid we're going to have to both fire you AND terminate you.

#1343; A Triumphant Return

  — September 19th, 2017

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Applications open for Genius Northwest – an IRL gaming competition

May 8, 2026 by David Malki !

Last year, I participated in Genius Northwest, a gaming competition inspired by the Korean gameshow The Genius and its ilk.

It’s a reality show without the cameras — a 3-day, all-inclusive weekend retreat structured around a series of challenges and puzzles, in which personalities and dealmaking matter as much as playing games.

It’s truly a remarkable thing. I came in dead last in the competition, but I still had a great time participating.

The event is held annually in the Pacific Northwest (hence the name) and applications are now open to participate in the 2026 competition!

Learn more — and apply — at GeniusNW.com.


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