Bob and George
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Template:Infobox Webcomic Bob and George is a sprite-based webcomic which parodies the fictional universe of Mega Man. It is written by David Anez, a physics instructor who lives in the American Midwest. [1]. The comic first appeared on April 1 2000 and has been updated daily with very few missed comics. To date, the series has only missed updating from September 17 2000 to September 30 2000 and December 20 2001 to December 22 2001, a total of 17 update-free days out of over more than six years of comics.
Initially conceived as a hand-drawn comic, Bob and George became a sprite comic first as filler, and then permanently after two failed attempts at the hand-drawn format.
Most Bob and George strips are still images. The initial strips were mostly done in GIF format (occasionally using JPEG for more graphic-intensive comics) before converting to PNG in May 2004. In addition, occasional comics are animated using either animated GIFs or Macromedia Flash. Some of the Flash comics have the characters speaking, voiced by Anez and others (often forum members). Animated comics are generally used for the annual week-long anniversary parties, for especially climactic scenes, and for the Cataclysm videos.
The comic's plot is mostly made up of story arcs of varying lengths. In later arcs, the background changes each story arc, and (for the most part) is a fixed color for that arc. Amongst past story arcs there have been retellings of various Mega Man games which often play out quite differently than the originals, as well as battles against powerful foes. In addition, many of the story arcs involve either time travel or dimensional travel.
Contents |
History
Image:BnG Strip 06-07-2000.png Bob and George was originally planned to be a hand-drawn webcomic about the college adventures of two brothers named Bob and George. Slated to start on April 1 2000, the plan fell through when the Dave Anez didn't have a scanner with which to scan his drawings. He instead released a sequence of filler comics using Mega Man sprites, which he intended to be a temporary measure until he gained access to a scanner, at which point he would implement his initial plan involving the hand drawn comics. He eventually purchased a scanner, and on June 1 he released the hand-drawn comic.
Anez has stated that he hated the hand-drawn comicTemplate:Fact, and returned to making the sprite comic with Mega Man characters on June 11. The sprite comic continued for several months, until David Anez took time off from the comic on September 17 to practice drawing. On October 1, he restarted the hand-drawn comic. Once again, the hand-drawn comic didn't last long, and on October 12 he went back to producing the sprite-based comic, which is still being produced. According to the Anez, the reason for this is that he realized that he still couldn't draw, and wasn't going to get any betterTemplate:Fact.
However, this meant that the comic strip was titled "Bob and George", but didn't contain any characters named "Bob" or "George". This was fixed shortly, when sprite versions of the two characters were introduced into the comic. Bob was depicted as a black Protoman recolor while George was a helmetless Mega Man recolor with blond hair.
Fan Community
Bob and George has an active fan community. As of March 2006, the site's forums have over 9,000 registered users and over 480,000 articles posted. In many ways, the forums have grown to be almost completely disconnected from the main comic by now, as the community is quite thriving and has blossomed on its own.
In addition to the main comic, the Bob and George site hosts a number of fancomics. Fancomics are comics created by other people that were deemed good enough by Anez to be included. Fancomics that have been determined by Dave to be of sufficient proven substance are referred to as "subcomics", and are linked to in their own area in the site.
Subcomics
As of November 20 2005, Bob and George hosts the following titles as subcomics:
- The Karnak Hates Everything Show by Karnak: The story of Karnak, a demon lord and leader of his own alternate Hell, Karnakville. This story features a mostly original realm and cast of characters, as opposed to the traditional basis on Mega Man or another video game.
- Legacy of Terra: The Vampire Wars by Karnak.
- Metroid: Third Derivative by Reynard. The title for this subcomic is a play on the title of the game Metroid Prime; in calculus, the marking of an expression with a prime mark indicates the first derivative of the expression. The third derivative of an expression "Metroid" might be read "Metroid Triple Prime". Content involves Samus, a degenerate caste Space Pirate with designation Jay-Oh-EE (Joey), and Charles (aka Squish) a sentient Metroid, and their (mis)adventures revolving around Dark Samus and Phazon.
- Misadventures by Plague. This comic takes place in the dark times of Mega Man X, where the Maveric Hunters are the only defense against Sigma's forces. The comic features Plague Roamer, the leader of the worst Hunter Team in history. Plague Roamer is an absolutely psychotic robot and the clandestine son of Dr. Wily, who fights evil for all the wrong reasons. This comic takes a serious tone at times with the main protagonist's (antagonist's?) battle against his own dark nature (though he doesn't try very hard or all that often).
- MSPaint Masterpieces by DisgruntledFerret: Another Mega Man-based comic, more closely related to the original Mega Man story than Bob and George is. The comic features new, author-created sprites for already extant characters and contains some plot elements and characters unique to the Game Boy line of Mega Man games.
- Oddball Fancomics by Rick O'Shay/RickX.
- Universal Voyage by Nameless Wonder (also known as NW): The story of the Nameless Wonder, a genetic clone. This story features an original realm and cast of characters, as opposed to the traditional basis on Mega Man or another video game.
Old Subcomics
A separate section of the subcomics page lists comics no longer featured as major subcomics, in most cases because their authors ceased to continue producing the comics.
- Dysfunction (Bob and George subcomic) by kittykaboom.
- Megami's Art Pages by Megami.
- Jailhouse Blues by Ramnesis.
- Randomness (Bob and George subcomic) by iX.
- Super Ho by Dave's wife Liss. This comic ended because it finished its story.
- Taco: The Comic by Holly-Beth (aka Chick Bot).
- Project: Suck
More ex-subcomics have existed than are listed on the site, including an art page similar to Megami's, created by "Suraida" (a possible Japanese transliteration for "Slider").
Dave's Subcomics
Subcomics authored by Dave Anez are also listed in the same category as the "old subcomics". These include:
- The Cataclysm: A series of animations which chronicles the events of the Cataclysm, the event in the comic which caused the divide between the original Mega Man series and the Mega Man X series.
- Helmeted Author Quips: This comic began as filler on the website's main page. This featured the Helmeted Author, who would generally be saying something corrupt or mean. This subcomic also encompasses the various other art, animations, and parodies displayed in the same area of the main page.
- Freakadave: Non sequitur animations featuring the Author, who has been transformed into a Freakazoid!-like character.
Cast
- Main article: Characters of Bob and George
Main cast
- Mega Man - The main star of the comic, he is a robot created by Dr. Light. His primary mission is to destroy evil robots and stop Dr. Wily; his secondary mission is to be an idiot.
- Proto Man - Created by Dr. Light, he is the older robotic brother of Mega Man. He is considered a strategic fighter and one of the more mature characters in the comic.
- The Author - The (nearly) all-powerful being who made the comic. The Author often appears to see how things are going, but tries not to get directly involved in the story. He appears as a blue/purple palette swap of Mega Man without his helmet. See fourth wall.
- Bob - The evil younger, yet more mature, brother of George. His alter-ego is Napalm, a super-powered being with the fire-based powers. He is very adept at programming. He is a grey palette swap of Proto Man. Dave Anez has stated that Bob is a prime example of a Mary SueTemplate:Fact.
- George - The notably simple good older brother of Bob. His alter-ego is Blitz, a super-powered being with lightning-based powers. He greatly values ice cream. George is a light blue palette swap of helmet-less Mega Man with blonde hair.
Secondary cast
- Bass - Even less intelligent than Mega Man, Bass is a robot created by Dr. Wily and designed to be similar to Mega Man.
- Roll - A robot created by Dr. Light. Initially created as Dr. Light's former housekeeper, she has since demonstrated an enjoyment of combat.
- Nate - A yellow demon that once tried to kill several cast members. Dr. Light turned him into a humanoid-looking Yellow Demon prototype designated N4-T3. This process seems to have rendered him mute, as he now communicates nonverbally with signs, gestures, and the like. Has the ability to merge with other robots. Referred to as Nate, as this is what N4-T3 translates to in leet. Wears large eyeglasses which contain a control jewel.
- Chadling - A purple demon with Wolverine-like claws from the same dimension as Mynd. He was initially Mynd's minion. When not in demon form, he looks like a purple version of Mega Man 7 Robot Master Slash Man. He enjoys ice cream as much as George. His serial number is C1-14D, model L1N6. He is referred to as Chadling since that is what "C1-14D L1N6" translates to in leet.
- X - Dr. Light's most advanced robotic creation, X is a super-advanced robot from 100 years in the future who can think for himself. The star of the Mega Man X games.
- Zero - X's friend, he is a robot created by Dr. Wily. Went on a rampage that caused the Cataclysm. Was put into a 100-year sleep, and became good sometime after that.
- Dr. Light - An alcoholic scientist who created various members of the robotic cast, including Mega Man, Mega Man X, Proto Man, and Roll.
- Ran Cossack - A communist robot created by Kalinka, the daughter of Mega Man IV villain Dr. Cossack. Ran is very fragile, and can be destroyed with as little as a poke of a finger. However, upon being destroyed a duplicate body with a copy of his memory is beamed to his previous location. His weapon is the Cossack Buster, an incredibly powerful blaster with similarly powerful recoil. He is a well known fan character in the Bob and George community. In fact, the character is so well known that he is often mistaken for a canon Mega Man character.
- Mike/"Ninja Ned" - From the same dimension as Mynd. Mynd's former minion, Mike is a cybernetic ninja. He is a red/dark grey palette swap of Mega Man with Proto Man's shield. Called "Ninja Ned" by Roll, much to his dismay.
- Alternate Mega Man and Bass - Alternate versions of Mega Man and Bass from an alternate dimension. The two are extremely intelligent and spend much of their time debating scientific issues.
- The Shadowy Author/"Shador" - A mysterious author with unknown origin, the Shadowy Author appears to be neither friend nor foe to the cast. He is the author of the Rockman Universe. He has interfered in the events of the primary universe on several occasions, though his intentions in doing so are unknown.
- Alternate Bob - A version of Bob from an alternate dimension. Is effeminate and openly homosexual. The only difference in appearance between him and the primary universe's Bob is that Alternate Bob's scarf is purple. Currently dating the Top Man of the primary universe.
- Alternate George - A version of George from an alternate dimension. A psychotic killer who has killed his dimension's Dr. Light and Roll, as well as other characters. Was unable to kill his universe's Mega Man, Bass, Bob, Protoman or Beat. Alternate George is blind, as his eyes have been pecked out.
Villains
- Dr. Wily - An evil scientist plotting the downfall of Mega Man and Dr. Light. Often explains his plans in overheard soliloquy. The primary villain from the Mega Man games.
- Mynd - A Sigma-lookalike from another dimension and godmoder extraordinaire.
- Helmeted Author/Fistandantilus/"Uncle Fisty"/"Helmut" - An Author-lookalike with dark gray Sephiroth-style hair. An author from another dimension. His helmet functions as a restraining device to keep his powers in check. Main character of Helmeted Author Quips, a subcomic which runs in the white space beneath the main comic on the website.
- Evil Overlord Mike and Non-Alternate Mynd - The versions of Mike and Mynd from the same dimension as most of the main cast. Evil Overlord Mike is a villainous version of Mike, and Non-Alternate Mynd is his minion.
- X - The most advanced robotic creation of Dr. Light. At one point, he assimilated everyone in the comic because he wanted friends. He was subsequently reprogrammed and deactivated. Was reactivated 100 years later, preceding the events of the Mega Man X video game.
Locations in the comic
- The Mega Man universe - The comic's main setting is in a highly-parodied version of the Mega Man universe. Notable locations include:
- Dr. Light's lab - The lab of Dr. Light, and home of most of the comic's heroes. The lab is complete with an area for the creation of new robots, as well as a holographic training simulator in which members of the cast hone their fighting skills.
- Dr. Wily's fortress - The fortress was home to both Dr. Wily and Bass before being destroyed later in the comic. Dr. Wily has had a different fortress in each of the Mega Man games which inevitably end up being destroyed by the end of the game.
- Dr. Cossack's castle - Located in Russia, the castle is home to Dr. Cossack, his daughter Kalinka, and Ran.
- The Alternate Mega Man universe - A parallel dimension, home to alternate versions of the cast who have dramatically different personalities than those of the standard universe. Examples include extremely intelligent versions of Mega Man and Bass, a homosexual Bob, and a homicidally violent George.
- Mynd's universe - Another universe, this is the home dimension of Mynd, and his henchmen Mike and Chadling.
- The Rockman Universe - A universe controlled by the Shadowy Author, this universe is based on the universe of the Japanese Rockman games. A more serious universe in which Rock (Mega Man) is competent, Roll is subservient, and Forte (Bass) and Dr. Wily are actually evil. This universe has recently suffered its Cataclysm due to actions of future versions of the Mega Man and Bass from the Alternate Mega Man Universe.
- The White Space - An all white dimension which is revealed to be a demiplane which interacts with all comic universes.
Terminology
- Cataclysm - The event in the Bob and George future where Zero kills most of the Mega Man characters.
- Helmeted Author Quips - Helmeted Author Quips are random pictures or animations that depict the Helmeted Author doing something generally unrelated to the Bob and George story. Also refers to or pictures/animations that are displayed below the comic that have nothing to do with the Helmeted Author. On Friday, October 28 2005, it was revealed that Helmeted Author has probably escaped this area.
- Quirky Personalities - The Robot Masters within the Bob and George universe are plagued with personalities that render them extremely stereotypical in relation to their name.
- Plot Hole - The end result of a logical paradox, such as a character being in two places at the exact same time. Believed to cause a catastrophic event of universal reach that would completely obliterate all universes that ever has or ever will exist. However, the Author continually insists that there are none, usually by way of the Jedi mind trick. Apparent plot holes in Bob and George are often resolved through convoluted plot, often involving time travel.
Storyline
- Main article: Storyline of Bob and George
Year 1
The origins of Mega Man and Proto Man are shown in a flashback to the first Mega Man game. The Author is introduced. Bob, Blitz, and Napalm are introduced in the hand-drawn comics. In the sprite comic, the Author is apparently killed by Dr. Wily, leading to the second instance of the hand-drawn comics. The story returns to the sprite comic, where the Author is apparently fine. Bob, George, and Nate are introduced. Bob is sent to another dimension by the Author, and ends up travelling through various dimensions.
Bass travels back through time to the period of the Mega Man II and alters the past. X travels back to the present from the future, and X and Mega Man travel back in time to fix the timeline.
Year 2
The past version of Mega Man is damaged, so the present-day Mega Man fights the 8 Robot Masters and defeats Dr. Wily. X and the both versions of Mega Man return to the present. Mega Man of the past is repaired, and he and X are returned to their own times.
Meanwhile, Bob ends up travelling to Mynd's dimension. Bob is defeated by Mynd and Mike. Mynd, Chadling, and Mike return with Bob to the Mega Man universe. Mynd attempts to take over the Mega Man universe, but is defeated by the combined powers of Bob and George.
George awakens from the fight to find himself in the past, in the time period of Mega Man III. George is kidnapped by Dr. Wily. Mega Man defeats several Robot Masters before being defeated by Shadow Man. Bob wakes up in the future.
Year 3
Bob travels to the time period of Mega Man III and agrees to help Dr. Wily. Mega Man defeats the rest of the Robot Masters, and Dr. Wily is defeated. Bob and George return to their own time.
Mega Man appears to turn evil, and is defeated. Bob ends up in the Rockman Universe, and kills that universe's Dr. Wily. Ran begins the story of the events of Mega Man IV.
Year 4
In Ran's story, Mega Man fights the Robot Masters, and Dr. Wily is defeated.
George is sent back in time by Dr. Light, and discovers why he survived the events of Mega Man turning evil. It is revealed that Mega Man had not turned evil, but instead the Helmeted Author had been disguised as him. George heads to a tropical beach to wait for his timeline to catch up.
In the present, the Helmeted Author attacks. The Author and Helmeted Author fight, and appear to destroy the comic.
Year 5
It is revealled that the comic was not destroyed. Roll and Mike save the president from Evil Overlord Mike's ninjas.
The Future Alternates inadvertantly cause the Cataclysm in the Rockman Universe. Bob wakes up in the standard universe's past just prior to Mega Man V, and teams up with Dr. Wily to take over the world. The Present Alternates and the Future Alternates arrive in this time period, and team up with Mega Man and Ran to defeat Bob, which they successfully accomplish. Bob gets stuck in a subspace rift.
In the present, non-alternate Mynd attacks Dr. Light's lab and is defeated.
Year 6
Dr. Light activates X, who assimilates most of the cast, as well as most of the world. George defeats X, freeing those who were assimilated.
Dr. Wily pulls Bob out of the subspace rift, and coerces Bob to program Zero for him. Dr. Wily then sends Bob back in time, where he appears just prior to the events of Mega Man VI. George travels back in time to get his brother. Template:Endspoiler