Editing 1552: Rulebook
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{Incomplete|first draft}} | |
− | In | + | This comic is a reference to the films ''{{w|Babe (film)|Babe}}'', ''{{w|Air Bud}}'', and to a lesser extent, the other films in its {{w|Air Bud (series)|series}}. In Air Bud, a golden retriever becomes the star player on a basketball team. The opposing team contests the legality of having a dog as a player, but the referee, having reviewed the rulebook, responds "Ain't no rules says a dog can't play basketball." The same scenario is parodied in [[115: Meerkat]]. In the movie Babe, the titular pig is entered into a sheepdog competition through a loophole in the entry papers, which only request, "''Name of Entry''". It is implied in the film that Babe's performance in the competition will determine the ultimate fate of the pig. |
− | + | Here, the opposing team uses the rulebook logic against the first team. Rulebooks are considered the final arbiter of decisions in many games. However, the flawed reasoning that anything not prohibited in the rules is therefore permitted would allow any number of activities that are not specifically discussed in the rule book, such as killing the opponent's dog and eating it, as [[Ponytail]] suggests in this comic. By the same logic, Ponytail is suggesting it would be permitted for her team to do so. By flipping the conceit of the ''Air Bud'' films with the pathos of ''Babe'', Randall is highlighting the absurdity of all of these films. This comic could also be seen as a commentary on Hollywood's habit of building movies by reassembling basic tropes that tend to do well in the box office. Using the same strategy, Randall has created an absurd and anticlimactic premise for a movie. | |
− | + | The title text acknowledges that this would probably contravene the general language regarding "{{w|technical foul}}s" (rules about interfering with other players), but the penalty for a foul is, in the opponents' view, worth the benefit of eliminating the presumably very adept basketball-playing dog. This ignores other rules that may cover the proposed killing, such as the laws of the jurisdiction where the game takes place. | |
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+ | Given the title text, possibly Randall is poking fun at the practice of intentional fouls, which is especially common in basketball. Although a foul is by definition against the rules, a team will deliberately violate the rules (and accept the penalty) as a strategy to gain some perceived advantage--especially a team that is behind in the late minutes of a basketball game. A common example of such would be an association football (soccer) player intentionally fouling a player with a strong attack so that their team can regroup and defend properly, beginning with attempting to repel the subsequent free-kick. | ||
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+ | The number nine could also refer to the former ninth planet {{w|Pluto}}, and also a dog in the Disney chain is named {{w|Pluto (Disney)|Pluto}}. The {{w|International Astronomical Union|International Astronomical Union (IAU)}} ruled out the status planet to this celestial object in 2006, shortly after {{w|New Horizons}} was launched. And this is still disputed today. | ||
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+ | Rule books are also mentioned in | ||
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+ | :* [[330: Indecision]] | ||
+ | :* [[393: Ultimate Game]] | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Cueball and Megan are standing with a dog wearing jersey number 9, Ponytail and Hairy are facing them holding a rulebook. The horizon is visible behind them.] | + | |
+ | :[Cueball and Megan are standing with a dog wearing jersey number 9, Ponytail and Hairy are facing them holding a rulebook. The horizon is visible behind them.] | ||
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:Ponytail: There's nothing in the rulebook that says we can't kill and eat your dog. | :Ponytail: There's nothing in the rulebook that says we can't kill and eat your dog. | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
+ | [[Category:Rulebook]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
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