...so umm...


krunch...


O.O guess he's not as zomg morally as we all thought. That kidna goes to show though; when it was a thousand dwarves it was okay but when it was one it was O.O

Do you guys think that's because that one was more "coldblooded"; or because he seemed more of an individual, or... what?

discuss.

I'm not sorry we lost the gnome. I just...thought it would be Richard doing the killing. But Noooo! Richard wasn't in this one because they split up the group. Why do I always have to be right?! WHY? *weeps*

Yeah, I'm a little disturbed too by this turn with Krunch's character.

I'm not really disturbed.

He's still not evil in my eyes. He did what was necessary to keep from getting killed by the Trolls...

Also, the irritation stuff could easily have been me...

"Why... Won't... You... DIE?"

also... love the line "Why won't you help me...?"

You're right. It was funny as Hell. I just wonder where Krunch would draw the line. In order to save himself would he stoop to killing Cale? or Richard? When do you stop being expendable in his eyes?

Meh I think Krunch just looks out for him and his own... ie himself and Gidd... Richard and Cale arent that close to him yet so i think hed happily kill them to save hisown or Gidd's lives... Soo yea, thats my 2 cents worth.

Really, that was so much better when Krunch did that, and not Richard this time. Always loved Krunch, and love him even more now. Maybe "Don't overexpose Richard!" did work.

Well, about him being evil and all, if he raised Benny and she said blasting off a head of a gnome was 'also hilarious', what would you think? Not evil evil as Richard, thinks me, since the two actually do have some wisdom and morale within them, but I'd call them more so survivalists. You know, you do what you have to do, don't mind the rest too much if it's neccessary for you to live and so on. They must've seen enough in life to form this cynical attitude towards just about everything they haven't known for mroe than a couple of years, or don't seem too friendly from the start.

Should Cale turn out too troublesome (he's been pretty much just tagging along now, doing his part more or less and throwing a question of morale in here and there), I'm sure they'd thrust a spear in his stomach too, if their lives actually did depend on it. I don't call it evil per se, just surviving. With perhaps a bit questionable methods.

But I loved this. Go Krunch!

edit\\ Just look at Krunch's face at panel 8. Gotta love it. You call that cold blooded? And yeah, anyone would be irritated by that constant screaming. Gnomes must sound horrible living, and even more so when they're half dead.

I say there that elf seems to be catching on with all the evil thing going on.
Finally noticed that he's wearing one of those bloodmage capes but black.

Anyone noticed how huge Fitch's boots are in the last panel?
They go up to Cales knee, that are some pretty huge boots for a gnome

Krunch's and Cale's expressions in panel 9 are just priceless

Personally I think this attack hits you harder because you don't expect it. Before the gnomes were clearly enemies, this time Fitch was their guide. You're like, "Aww, poor little guy...", but yeah, funny as hell.

As Krunch said when they met, it's not that he's evil, it's that he does what he has to do. And that leads to some people qualifying him as "evil". Still, hilarious.

Lol, I loved the Monty Python parody here! I found myself chuckling while saying "But I'm not dead yet!"

I got a good kick out of that. Shows some foreshadowing for future comics. Always thought Krunch was just ad did what he had to do to get by, but apparently he gets irritated really easy and acts without care forthe others feelings (self preservation for him, probably gid too).

Still seeing him call cale "Pinky" is funny.

Oh and one thing, I've noticed Krunch is using a spear instead of that hammer now (Edit, my bad, he took from the guard). Also Bjarki, the gnome is closer to you and cale/krunch are father away, it's a perception trick (things closer will look bigger then things father away). Look a few panels up, and his shoes barely reach above cale's shins and Krunch's hooves.

In my opinion, Krunch killed the gnome not solely for the sake of his companions, but for the sake of the entire gnomish race. Think about it... if they fail in their assassination of Stoll, all five of them will die in vain, and the war will continue. It's kind of the same logic behind killing Stoll in the first place: one dies instead of hundreds over the course of a long, drawn-out war. Either kill the gnome in seemingly cold blood, or kill all of the gnomes through their failure - "Better that one man [or gnome, or troll] should die than that an entire nation should perish." Or, in Spock's words, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one."

Just my $.02 worth.

More excellent work . Oh and hi folks .


Yeah. Actually it'd be a nice trick to focus on Cale & Krunch for a few strips, then have them leave Stoll's base to find the other two free (no need to ask how). It wouldn't overexpose Richard, but we'd all have a good idea of how they got out .

Do I spot a Warcraft 3 fan here?

and to keep mildly on topic (sorry for almost derailing the topic), I have to say I just now discovered and enjoyed the blood splatter on Krunch, as well as the blood left by the Gnome on Pinky's cloak.

nice touch.

While I agree it's nice to see one on one interaction between Cale and Krunch, it would be just as (if not more) interesting to see one on one interaction between Richard and Benny. I've never seen Richard alone with anyone other than Cale, and it would be nice to see how they interact when they're in danger and it's just the two of them. Oh yeah, and I'd also like to see what the Pit of Despair looks like.

Must say that this was my favorate pannel yet and there is no richard. How does that one work.

NOOOOOOOOOO!
Mini-Hitler!...er Fitch!
I know I called his death, but....somehow I got attached to the little guy.
But he's not dead yet. There is still hope. Maybe Krunch just kinda, stabbed him in a nonfatal way.
And he'll only die if left alone for too long. They might kill Stoll and run, who knows.

First of all... nice turn of events. We now see Krunch will do what has to be done, as he once said, to get by. But necessity dictates his actions. Opportunistic? Maybe. Evil? No.

As I've mentioned before, Richard doesn't kill because he has to. He just enjoys it so much it's almost innocent.

Okey, my bad.

I meant Richard's evil in a pure, non-judging no-morals sort of way. Krunch's actions may seem evil but are actually done based on decisions he's taken. In this case, a clear path to reaching his true objective.

...and now it's me reading too much into the comic. I'm just glad that we get some flavor into the other characters. This might have something to do with not overexposing Richard indeed - because now that we've strayed away from him for a bit, returning to see him interact with Benny/Gid will be sweet. I've said too much. Time to go.

Yes, I immediately thought of Monty Python and Austin Powers.

Fitch should look on the bright side. Either he's avenged, or his wife and children are avenged. Unless the four of them really do go to work for Lord Stoll.

And just as the original Hitler did, Mini-Hitler has bought the farm. A pity, but not unexpected.

I'm waiting to see how Richard deals with his loss of power. You gotta love the thouroughly evil ones, and neither Krunch or Benny/Gid seems to be completely evil, just seeking the easier ways through life.

EDIT: I just noticed something. That panther wasn't with them when they encountered the trolls. I foresee this being signifcant in the near future.

Funniest one yet didn't even have Richard in it. Absolutely Magnificent.

I found it funny but the Krunch char change confused me. well... not so much confused but... you know. I didnt see it coming.

Also, Fitch is another Terry Goodkind reference for those who didnt notice. He's the kitchenhand boy in Soul of the Fire. In love with Beata.

I'd call Gid and Krunch both Neutral evil. of course, that's normally my allignment as well but it sure is fun.

I liked this one a lot. Had me laughing. Good show =)

if richard is not in the next edition i gotta say i dont think ill be coming back to this site for a few years till its well underway with laods more of richard

Your vast contributions thus far will be terribly missed, of course.

Wow. What a harsh assessment. While Richard is a predominant character, he is, by no means, the star of the show. Many comic strips, including Marvel ones, have a few pages without the major character to develop the storyline.

Patience is a virtue.

While Cale may think of Krunch as the "evil" one for putting the gnome down... I think that it is interesting to note that Cale had apparently started some kind of story that compromised Fitch.

Krunch is very content to carry out the nessessity of any action... unfortunatley that may lead to bad consequences, which sometimes can, and sometimes can't be helped.

Cale is the one who is trying to be good. In that respect he needs to think more about the consequences of his actions... If he really had any loyalty to the gnome... he should not have betrayed him!

I know that Benny, Richard, and Krunch never pretended any such loyalties. Krunch didn't like being forced to work for the gnomes, and doesn't really care about killing one more now.








"You can do anything in a cartoon!" is this the right post now?

I think we have seen some genuine loyalty towards Benny... Krunch did not have to tackle that dragon. But that may be as far is it goes... I think Cale had better look out in the long run. Especially if it is Cale's ideas that keep getting them into trouble.

Krunch always seems like a peacemaker to me. He stopped Gid/Benny from getting angry at Richard and many other fights - but yeah. And I assure you, darko - your presence will not be missed. If this were a comic all about Richard it'd be called "Richard, the Warlock" or such.

I think Krunch would actually save Benny over himself. If what she said about him raising her is true (page 16), he should of gained some sort of parental bond.

And I think Krunch does feel bad for the death of the gnome. Well, until it got annoying, but his expressions do show a hint of remorse. Plus he did say "Doesn't mean I like it"....though he could be lying. Gah! Damn characterization!

I liked this comic alot! i was actually laughing at a strip with no richard! I think it is a good idea not to over expose richard...although he still is most peoples favorite. Finch will be missed

About the panther not being there, it's true that it wasn't with them at the time but borrowing a page from another realm that may have been forgotten...

R.A. *cough* Salvatore *cough*

..I'd guess Sooba needs to dissapear/dematerialize from time to time.

I like the fact that we get to know Krunch's family - and I do love Richard, but my concern over him being overexposed was for the best. You don't want to grow tired of Richard. I know I don't. After all that's why I opened that "Don't Overexpose Richard" thread.

*All eyes on Nocton. Dead silence. Everyone has their hands on their weapons.*

Errr... okey easy guys... hey look, Elvis!

*Runs for the door*