Difference between revisions of "Bidwell's Big Plan"
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| − | {{ | + | {{Comic infobox |
| − | |preview = BidwellsBigPlan Titlecard.png | + | | preview = BidwellsBigPlan Titlecard.png |
| − | |release-date = September 30, 2010 | + | | release-date = September 30, 2010 |
| − | |number-of-pages = 6 | + | | number-of-pages = 6 |
| + | | artist = [[Michael Oeming]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
{{Quotation|'''Saxton Hale'''|If you're like me, you'll want to skip directly to page six, where I jump out of a building and sock it to some hippies. Why? I don't know. And I never will. That's a Mann Co. Comics Promise.}} | {{Quotation|'''Saxton Hale'''|If you're like me, you'll want to skip directly to page six, where I jump out of a building and sock it to some hippies. Why? I don't know. And I never will. That's a Mann Co. Comics Promise.}} | ||
| − | '''''Bidwell's Big Plan''''' is a [[comic]] that was released on | + | '''''Bidwell's Big Plan''''' is a [[comic]] that was released on {{Patch name|9|30|2010}}. It was created to go with the [[Mann-Conomy Update]], and explained the idea of selling community made items. Bidwell's Big Plan follows [[Saxton Hale]] being kicked out of a plane after a "dramatic confrontation with (his) nemesis and former mentor, [[Charles Darling]]". |
| − | The comic is notable for building on the character of [[Saxton Hale]], giving Saxton | + | The comic is notable for building on the character of [[Saxton Hale]], giving Saxton a nemesis, and introducing the idea of the [[Mann Co. Store]]. It is also the first instance of a character invoking the mysterious '''''[[#Her|Her]]'''''. |
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
| + | The comic begins with [[Saxton Hale]] hanging from the edge of a jet, confronting his former hunting mentor, [[Charles Darling]]. Darling has been capturing endangered animals as trophies to keep "behind bars" (inside his zoos), something which conflicts with Hale's philosophy of punching the most dangerous animals until he loses his watch. Darling dramatically kicks Hale off the edge of the plane. During his fall, Hale directs the reader to page 6 of the comic, which cuts to the fights, since the pages in between that have his assistants blathering about a [[Mann Co. Store|new way to buy hats]]. | ||
| − | + | Hale's plan of using an endangered eagle to glide safely to the ground fails as his weight also causes the eagle to plummet, sending them both through the skylight of his office at [[Mann Co.]] where [[Bidwell]] awaits him. Bidwell explains that customers are unhappy with their current selection of Mann Co. products and are beginning to [[Steam Workshop|create their own]]. This enrages Hale, and he sets out to kill all the customers before being stopped by Bidwell. Bidwell proposes that they allow these custom items to be sold through Mann Co. while the creators receive a percentage of the profit. Hale, who is at first wary of the idea, is distracted by the scent of hippies and jumps out of a window to battle a mob protesting in the parking lot of Mann Co. Headquarters. | |
| − | + | == Transcript == | |
| + | {{/Transcript}} | ||
== Pages == | == Pages == | ||
| Line 38: | Line 42: | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | == | + | == Notes == |
| − | [ | + | {{anchor|Her}} |
| + | ; Page 1 | ||
| + | * This is the first published mention of '''''Her''''', generally implied to be the [[Administrator]], the woman who supposedly enticed Saxton Hale away from his [[:File:Unhappyreturns02.jpg|animal-fighting romance with Mags]] to run his father’s company, [[Mann Co.]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Page 3 & 5 | ||
| + | * Here, it is established that Saxton Hale's trophies are ''deadly'' predators that he has punched to death; which contrasts with the types of animals that Charles Darling collected and the way he displays them ''(see [[A Cold Day in Hell]], [[:File:Acolddayinhell07.jpg|page 7]])''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Page 4 | ||
| + | * ''"Cheaply made, unsafe products that '''catch on fire!'''"'' ''(See [[A Visual History]], [[:File:Bg_comic_03.jpg|page 3]].)'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Trivia == | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Page 1 | ||
| + | * The animals Darling has collected in his airplane for his zoo are either (almost) extinct or [[w: Endangered species |endangered]], except for the [[w: Pygmy rabbit|pygmy rabbit]], the closest relative to the [[w: Cottontail rabbit|cottontail rabbit]]. | ||
| + | ** These animals are cited by [[w:Charles Darwin|Charles Darwin]] in his exploration of his [[w:evolution|theory of evolution]]. | ||
| + | ** The obviously non-pygmy cottontail and long ears would be recognized by most 1960s Americans, with the Tasmanian and Tweety bird cage, as reference to the [[w: Bugs Bunny|Warner Bros. Cartoon characters]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Page 2 | ||
| + | * "[[w:Sock It To Me|Sock It To Me]]" was a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmOqkG99Wkg catch phrase of 1968]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Page 5 | ||
| + | * [[w:Hippie|Hippies]] were a minority subculture within the young adults of the United States in the 1960s and ‘70s. They were particularly noted for protesting the [[w:Vietnam War|Vietnam War]], nominally under the noble cause of anti-violence. | ||
| + | ** Hippies burned [[w:Patchouli#Incense|Patchouli oil incense]] to disguise (unsuccessfully) the smell of [[w:Cannabis|marijuana]] smoke.<!-- because that was the only reason you ever smelled Patchouli oil incense --> | ||
| + | ** Hippies were also stereotypically associated with [[w:Moral exclusion|moral exemption]], [[w:Protest#Forms|protest signs]], and avoidance of work (hence, soft hands). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ; Page 6 | ||
| + | * Hippies are introduced as pacifist protesters of the [[w:Military–industrial complex|Military-industrial complex]], represented by [[Mann Co.]] and [[:File:AFateWorseThanChess21.jpg|Saxton Hale personally]]: | ||
| + | ** ''"Stop selling to mercenaries" "No more guns"'' Hippies historically organized protest actions against weapons manufactures supplying the Vietnam War. | ||
| + | ** ''"Mann Co? Hell no!"'' Hippies chanted "Hell no!" specifically to encourage [[w:Draft evasion|draft dodging]]. | ||
| + | ** ''"Put a shirt on"'' Ironically, going shirtless (both sexes) was a form of hippie protest. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Comics]] | * [[Comics]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Storyline]] |
| + | * [[Non-player characters]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == External links == | ||
| + | * [http://www.teamfortress.com/bidwells_big_plan/ Bidwell's Big Plan] on teamfortress.com | ||
| − | {{MannConomyNav}} | + | {{MannConomyNav}}<br/> |
{{Comics nav}} | {{Comics nav}} | ||
[[Category:Comics]] | [[Category:Comics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:53, 28 June 2025
| Bidwell's Big Plan | |
|---|---|
| Comic Strip Info | |
| Released: | September 30, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 6 |
| Artist: | Michael Oeming |
| “ | If you're like me, you'll want to skip directly to page six, where I jump out of a building and sock it to some hippies. Why? I don't know. And I never will. That's a Mann Co. Comics Promise.
— Saxton Hale
|
” |
Bidwell's Big Plan is a comic that was released on September 30, 2010 Patch. It was created to go with the Mann-Conomy Update, and explained the idea of selling community made items. Bidwell's Big Plan follows Saxton Hale being kicked out of a plane after a "dramatic confrontation with (his) nemesis and former mentor, Charles Darling".
The comic is notable for building on the character of Saxton Hale, giving Saxton a nemesis, and introducing the idea of the Mann Co. Store. It is also the first instance of a character invoking the mysterious Her.
Contents
Synopsis
The comic begins with Saxton Hale hanging from the edge of a jet, confronting his former hunting mentor, Charles Darling. Darling has been capturing endangered animals as trophies to keep "behind bars" (inside his zoos), something which conflicts with Hale's philosophy of punching the most dangerous animals until he loses his watch. Darling dramatically kicks Hale off the edge of the plane. During his fall, Hale directs the reader to page 6 of the comic, which cuts to the fights, since the pages in between that have his assistants blathering about a new way to buy hats.
Hale's plan of using an endangered eagle to glide safely to the ground fails as his weight also causes the eagle to plummet, sending them both through the skylight of his office at Mann Co. where Bidwell awaits him. Bidwell explains that customers are unhappy with their current selection of Mann Co. products and are beginning to create their own. This enrages Hale, and he sets out to kill all the customers before being stopped by Bidwell. Bidwell proposes that they allow these custom items to be sold through Mann Co. while the creators receive a percentage of the profit. Hale, who is at first wary of the idea, is distracted by the scent of hippies and jumps out of a window to battle a mob protesting in the parking lot of Mann Co. Headquarters.
Transcript
| Bidwell's Big Plan |
|---|
| [The comic opens on a large plane the stormy sky, with the silhoette of Saxton Hale hanging from the back of the cargo-bay doors. The plane is inscribed with the text 'DARLING ZOOS' on the side. A figure stands above Saxton Hale]
Saxton Hale: Blast it, Darling! This is WRONG! Hunting's supposed to be about tracking the most dangerous bloody killing machines on earth! Then punching them until you lose your watch! You don't put them behind bars! [The figure, revealed to be Charles Darling, looks down at Saxton Hale while holding a cane. Several animals in wooden box cages surround him] Darling: A hunter needs his trophies, Saxton. You of all people should understand that. You were my best student, once. Before you gave it all up. For Her. [He kicks Saxton Hale's hand away from the plane, with the text 'NEMESIS KICK!' for emphasis] Saxton Hale: Nooo [As Saxton Hale falls, he begins to monologue through the comic itself] Saxton Hale: [Your eyes didn't just deceive you, reader! I -- Saxton Hale -- just had a dramatic confrontation with my nemesis and former mentor, Charles Darling!] [These other adventure rags would have saved a gem like that for the climactic ending to a four-part story! Not here! At Mann Co., we know your time is precious. Only wetnurses and jazz guitarists want to sit around reading page after page of character development just to find out why people are fighting. Our comics cut right to the fights. Half the time I don't even know why I'm hitting something!] DARRRLING! [The next few pages have my assistants blathering on about some new way to buy hats. If you're like me, you'll want to skip directly to page six, where I jump out of a building and sock it to some hippies. Why? I don't know. And I never will. That's a Mann Co. Comics promise.] [Luckily, he spots an endangered eagle as he falls towards the earth] Saxton Hale: [Luckily, I spot an endangered eagle as I fall towards the Earth!] Aha! I can use this noble creature to glide safely to the ground! [He grabs the eagle, pulling it down with him...] Eagle: Awk Saxton Hale: [This turns out not to be the case! Instead, my weight causes the eagle to plummet also.] [He then crashes directly through a window, still holding the eagle, landing infront of his assistants Mr. Bidwell and Mr. Reddy. The text 'SMASH' is shown during this for emphasis] Saxton Hale: [...directly through the skylight at my office at Mann Co. Headquarters!] Mister Bidwell! Mister Reddy! Marvelous news! Do you remember my old hunting teacher, Charles Darling? He's my nemesis now! Eagle: Awk Reddy: I'll add him to the list, sir. [As Saxton Hale bandages his bloodied arm, Bidwell approaches him with a worried expression] Saxton Hale: Oh, I am going to beat the hell out of him. Bidwell: Sir? We have a bit of an emergency. Saxton Hale: Damn it, Bidwell, what are you scowling about? Here. Have an eagle. [Saxton Hale holds up the eagle by its legs, offering it to them as they talk] Eagle: Brawk! Saxton Hale: They're endangered. If anyone asks where you got it, I would just run. Bidwell: Sir. It's about our customers. Saxton Hale: What? What are those weeping crybabies sniveling about now? Bidwell: Our customers are demanding more, sir. Saxton Hale: More what? Guns? Clothes? Hats? Scars? Reddy: More everything, sir. [Suddenly, Saxton Hale raises his fist] Saxton Hale: Horseradish! They'll take our current inventory and like it! Cheaply made, unsafe products that catch on fire! Reddy: Keep in mind, sir, that in the absense of new Mann Co. products, our customers are designing their own. [Saxton Hale looks at them both with a more serious expression] Saxton Hale: Not the equal of Mann Co. brand, I'll bet. Reddy: No, sir, they're better. Saxton Hale: Ohhhhh, they are dead men. [He then begins to walk away. Bidwell walks after him as Reddy continues to stands in place] Bidwell: The customer is always right, sir. Saxton Hale: The customer is a dead man, Bidwell. Bidwell: I did have a thought. If they're going to build items anyway... why don't we offer to sell them through Mann Co.? Saxton Hale: Oo! I like it. Bidwell: We could even give them a cut of the profits. Saxton Hale: Ha ha ha! What? Wait! I just realized I stopped caring about this conversation five minutes ago. Take care of it Bidwell, I-- sniff sniff [Saxton Hale abruptly stops, then begins to smell the air around him. The text 'SNIFF SNIFF SNIFF' is used for emphasis] Saxton Hale: Patchouli oil... entitlement... poster board glue... smooth hands... HIPPIES! [He then jumps out of a window, with the text 'SPKSH!' for emphasis, into a crowd of hippies. They carry various signs, some slightly (obscured), reading from left to right downwards; '(MANN) CO? HELL (NO!)', 'NO!', 'NO MORE GUNS', 'PUT A SHIRT ON', 'STOP SELLING TO (M)ERCENARI(ES)', 'RED AND B(LU?) NO THANK (YOU!)', 'SAY NO TO MOUSTACHES'. He begins to monologue through the comic once more, under the assumption the reader skipped ahead as mentioned in his previous monologue] Saxton Hale: Ha ha ha ha ha [Dear reader: You made the right choice skipping ahead!] [Now, this fight goes on for another six pages, and let me tell you, I come off looking pretty damn good in it.] [Especially on the fifth page. Oh, I really give it to them on that page.] [After that there's several boring pages involving the police. You can skip those.] [I'd skip the whole rest of the issue, actually. I'm looking through it now and most of it involves litigation.] [Oh! But in next month's issue I punch a tiger! Buy that issue. I'm leafing through it now and it's easily twice as good as the comic you just bought. I don't want to spoil page 18 for you, but I suplex a business rival through a table.] THIS FIGHT CONTINUES FOR SIX PAGES! |
Pages
Pages (no text)
Notes
- Page 1
- This is the first published mention of Her, generally implied to be the Administrator, the woman who supposedly enticed Saxton Hale away from his animal-fighting romance with Mags to run his father’s company, Mann Co..
- Page 3 & 5
- Here, it is established that Saxton Hale's trophies are deadly predators that he has punched to death; which contrasts with the types of animals that Charles Darling collected and the way he displays them (see A Cold Day in Hell, page 7).
- Page 4
- "Cheaply made, unsafe products that catch on fire!" (See A Visual History, page 3.)
Trivia
- Page 1
- The animals Darling has collected in his airplane for his zoo are either (almost) extinct or endangered, except for the pygmy rabbit, the closest relative to the cottontail rabbit.
- These animals are cited by Charles Darwin in his exploration of his theory of evolution.
- The obviously non-pygmy cottontail and long ears would be recognized by most 1960s Americans, with the Tasmanian and Tweety bird cage, as reference to the Warner Bros. Cartoon characters.
- Page 2
- "Sock It To Me" was a catch phrase of 1968.
- Page 5
- Hippies were a minority subculture within the young adults of the United States in the 1960s and ‘70s. They were particularly noted for protesting the Vietnam War, nominally under the noble cause of anti-violence.
- Hippies burned Patchouli oil incense to disguise (unsuccessfully) the smell of marijuana smoke.
- Hippies were also stereotypically associated with moral exemption, protest signs, and avoidance of work (hence, soft hands).
- Page 6
- Hippies are introduced as pacifist protesters of the Military-industrial complex, represented by Mann Co. and Saxton Hale personally:
- "Stop selling to mercenaries" "No more guns" Hippies historically organized protest actions against weapons manufactures supplying the Vietnam War.
- "Mann Co? Hell no!" Hippies chanted "Hell no!" specifically to encourage draft dodging.
- "Put a shirt on" Ironically, going shirtless (both sexes) was a form of hippie protest.
See also
External links
- Bidwell's Big Plan on teamfortress.com
|