Shortpacked! by David Willis
Toys are serious business.
Convention appearances:
Calgary Expo Calgary, AB: April 26-28
Phoenix Comicon Phoenix, AZ: May 23-26, 2013
BotCon San Diego, CA: June 28-30
San Diego Comic-Con San Diego, CA: July 18-21
SPX Bethesda, MD: September 14-15
Phoenix Comicon Phoenix, AZ: May 23-26, 2013
BotCon San Diego, CA: June 28-30
San Diego Comic-Con San Diego, CA: July 18-21
SPX Bethesda, MD: September 14-15
Multiplex
Sorcery 101
Templar, AZ
The Transformers Wiki
Hail to the Slash
80 page GIANT
Axe Cop
The Book of Biff
Butt-Taco
Comics Curmudgeon
College Roomies from Hell!!!
Diesel Sweeties
Dinosaur Comics
Dr. McNinja
Dresden Codak
Fans!
Fleen
Gastrophobia
Girl Genius
Girls with Slingshots
Goats
Hark, a vagrant
Hijinks Ensue
Intrepid Girlbot
Legend of Bill
Medium Large
Not Invented Here
Octopus Pie
Overcompensating
Penny Arcade
PhDcomics
Power Nap
Questionable Content
Real Life
Rob and Elliot
Bad Machinery
Schlock Mercenary
Sheldon
So Far Apart
Something Positive
Two Lumps
Wapsi Square
Wonderella
Wondermark
Frumph.NET
Sorcery 101
Templar, AZ
The Transformers Wiki
Hail to the Slash
80 page GIANT
Axe Cop
The Book of Biff
Butt-Taco
Comics Curmudgeon
College Roomies from Hell!!!
Diesel Sweeties
Dinosaur Comics
Dr. McNinja
Dresden Codak
Fans!
Fleen
Gastrophobia
Girl Genius
Girls with Slingshots
Goats
Hark, a vagrant
Hijinks Ensue
Intrepid Girlbot
Legend of Bill
Medium Large
Not Invented Here
Octopus Pie
Overcompensating
Penny Arcade
PhDcomics
Power Nap
Questionable Content
Real Life
Rob and Elliot
Bad Machinery
Schlock Mercenary
Sheldon
So Far Apart
Something Positive
Two Lumps
Wapsi Square
Wonderella
Wondermark
Frumph.NET
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©2005-2013 David Willis | Powered by WordPress with ComicPress | Subscribe: RSS | Back to Top ↑
This is sweet in an odd sort of way. I don’t necessarily want to see them back together right now, but I’m happy they’re getting along.
Yeah, while I do love Leslie and Robin, more needs to happen before they get back together. Plus, Robin’s comment is pretty self-aware.
Robin was very explicitly not gay when she brought in Leslie. If I recall correctly, the whole thing was just a setup to trick (and seduce) Ethan.
I wonder how she got Leslie to go along with it.
And then Robin found out she was lesbian but only for Leslie.
I too am glad to see Robin supporting Leslie here with a little humor and no manipulation. She even pokes fun at herself to get Leslie to cheer up. There’s some real love in what she’s doing here.
I wonder if Leslie’s ever thought of looking up lesbian social groups online or whatever? There might be a few bad apples out there, but it’s at least a good starting point and she could keep trying. It’s a good thing to be around people like yourself, it provides an environment that’s safe and disarming and fun. Being around straight people all the time (especially when some of those straight people judge her) must wear on poor Leslie a lot.
Funny, I’m, pretty sure it was noted that she has crushed on other girls before Leslie, Amber for one.
Yup!
I like how Robin put it earlier. “I’m completely straight. With an exception.”
I think this does work well. Maybe they can be each other’s wing-woman.
Yeah! Hooray for progress.
Aww, Robin. So considerate.
YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD00MzA7cT04NTt3PTYzMA–/http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/01/25/Unknown-jpeg_181420.jpg
Or she could have disguised herself as one of these.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/M1G783MLTw0VRQWAu_cFfQ–/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD00MzA7cT04NTt3PTYzMA–/http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/01/25/Unknown-jpeg_181420.jpg
Do this again, shall we?
Aww, that was kind of nice.
Helpful advice? Playful banter? Gentle teasing? Ladies and gentlemen, we have mending bridges. Whoo!
Good news, this ship may still be viable!
your avatar seems to suggest otherwise =D
Always safer when you wear protection! It would be terrible if anything should happen to your dingy, you know.
I like how you describe the suggestion to dress up as a giant fetus as “helpful advice”, completely without irony.
God bless this comic.
I think it’s a fantastic suggestion.
I might try it one day.
And it would be HILARIOUS.
Oh so much looooove.
“Well, yes, but seeing as you consider yourself ‘straight with an exception’…”
“Leslie, YOU’RE the exception!”
“Details!”
I’m pleased they’re getting along so well now, but I feel like I’ve missed a stage between “exes having to work together…awkward” and this.
That happened in one of those “Robin intoxicated with sugar” blurs last fall. It just went by so fast Willis didn’t have time to draw it.
Well, Leslie got hurt, and as insensitive as Robin is, she’s always been very defensive of her lesbian.
Doesn’t mean Leslie will take her back, of course, but it’s nice that they can have a conversation that isn’t 100% awkward.
It’s still SOMEWHAT awkward between them, but Robin’s sense of humor is working in her favor for once, allowing her to engage Leslie without hitting any of the many, many conversational minefields between them at this point. Except she kind of skips lightly over one at the end, and apparently Les appreciates the boldness.
I’m glad that we didn’t have to read through several “awkward silences and occasional sighs of regret” type strips. Better just to assume that all happened off-stage.
This is fucking adorable.
Now, where would be the humor in falling for someone of a compatible orientation, Robin? We wouldn’t have gotten so much comedy gold out of you if Ethan had actually appreciated your pert jugs, now would we?
…her bodacious funbags?
Sweet sweet sweater meat.
Good and good for you!
That is nice. Good to see that Leslie and Robin can be civil with each other again.
I thought Robin’s bisexual.
That’s part of the joke.
“straight with an exception”, in her own words.
a few exceptions, anyway…
I’m counting at least two girl-crushes on Robin’s part. (Amber and obviously Leslie.)
Is Robin just a little suborn to admit she might just be bisexual?
The concept of sexual preference as a spectrum is still pretty uncommon. Most people insist on treating it as an either-or thing, or at least as there being only three choices: 100% hetero, 100% homo or no preference either way at all.
Robin’s probably just somewhere around 80% heterosexual, 20% homosexual, but isn’t in a position to consider that as likely…especially since, in this toy store, the leading proponent of sexual preference as a spectrum has been FAZ.
Do any of those even exist in SP, Robin?
(Besides Leslie that is)
Yes but they all have drama radars and avoid Leslie…
Draydar?
No, DRADAR is a technology that detects wagons.
DANG It! I meant DRAYDAR. The pun is now ruined.
I fucking love Leslie’s face in the last panel. Don’t know why, I just do.
It’s the fourth wall. She is staring at you.
That last joke really, really could’ve backfired. I would’ve warned Robin that it could be a rather sore point.
The rest of the routine was pretty good Robin. I always like it when she uses her wackiness like a tool instead of letting it use her.
How long did those two live-together? I’m socially stupid as can be, but I don’t over often offend my wife . I’m guessing Robin and Leslie aren’t able to that easily offend each other when they’re not trying to. I don’t know if it’s they know how to broach typically offensive topic, or if you don’t take offense to things said by people who are very close to you. Maybe a combination of both.
That’s a fair point. The fact that they both use the same joke on Ken, independently, hints that their sensibilities are somewhat in sync. A point in the shippers’ favor.
Dating an actual lesbian.
A novel concept, yet, still not without drama and lots of it.
It’s a million-to-one odds, but it just might work.
I love Robin when she’s being clueless, but even more when she’s being smart.
I think it’s safe for me to say this as I am now a Malaya fan (and have basically always been a Robin fan)-
Clueless Robin is sweeter than Clueless Malaya – don’t know why. Maybe because Malaya’s Clueless moments are based in bad reasoning, trouble focusing on others and rationalizing issues, and general bitchiness well Robin comes off like a big child…
Maybe it’s because Clueless Malaya never tries to be sweet about things since she’s blunt and surly (for better or for worse) well Clueless Robin never does anything with any real malicious intent and comes off as cheerful and a bit ditzy (for better or for worse).
Wow, just looking at your avvy and the comic there’s a big At bumb; is that from a poster?
Also, anyone notice how cordial this comic is to the “Butters” effect? Leslie and Malaya both started as one shot jokes or walk-ins before graduating, and the soap opera pseduo-scrubs narrative (when stretched over a webcomics timescale) leads to entire blocks of the cast falling in and out. Not to mention the five or so main characters, this is probably the most dynamically constructed character study there is.
Everything done with Malaya to date has been planned.
Robin trying to make nice is… rather sweet actually…
And Robin updates me on why I like her…
I don’t think this is a sign they’ll get back together, but I am among those who hope they’ll become friends again. Although I suppose they kinda are friends in a dark way…
In fact I’m kind hopin’ that Malaya becomes part of the “group” if you will – as every group needs the bitchy girl (by then I’d assume she’d be somewhat more buffered into being a bitch with a gold heart) then She, Leslie, and Robin can have lots of awkward zany moments…
Then the comic can be about the three of them doing wacky things and the original point of Shortpacked! will be lost and the fanbase will be split between those who like the old stuff, those who like the new stuff, and those who never read the old stuff!
In time a great war will happen – death and chaos shall spread! Pain and suffering will…
Hey WTF – I wanna see Ethan again!
Not enough Ethan lately! Shortpacked! is ruined forever! [cries]
Good idea with the “Malaya-bitch with heart of gold” thing. She can be the Faye of the strip, we don’t really have one yet.
It’s comics like this that remind me why I like Robin.
Dammit Willis!
If it isn’t going to happen again, don’t tempt us with it you master of characterization!
I would actually love it if those two could turn this around and actually be friends.
“Friends” is worthless. Somebody in this strip needs to have a lesbian relationship!
That’s what Faz is for.
Yeah, if anyone could convince a girl to become a lesbian, it’s Faz.
Leslie, just have him flirt with Malaya for 20 minutes. She’ll come around.
This comic is for gay men and gay men alone.
Also Amber and Mike I guess.
Amber and Mike have a approval rating of 79% with gay men and an approval rating of 83% with bisexual men thus they are allowed to exist.
Oddly Leslie has a 93% approval rating with gay men when single and a 41% approval rating when dating Robin and a 37% approval rating when Dating Malaya.
These are statistics I pulled outta my ass so you know they’re legit!
On a side note: Ethan has an 100% approval rating in my heart. [swoon]
Amber and Mike are being spun off into their own series where their child will beat up Joyce & Walky’s kid for the laughs. Coming next fall from Willis.
I’m picturing the fetus running up and kicking someone in each strip. It would be lawesome.
For me, the optimal situation is one gay couple, one lesbian couple, and (occasionally) one het couple. Oh, and a threesome. <3
Awwwwwww! <3
Nice to see that Robin and Leslie are having funny and natural dialogue again. Good to see them as friends.
I love Robin! I’m glad that she and Leslie are getting along again.
Awwww, I hope they make up for serious.
I know they won’t go back to dating (although that would also make me very happy), but they can at least be good friends.
Quick Leslie, its not too late. Break out the snickers suit and the pixie stik body powder.
I grok that handle, dude.
Awwwww.
Wow, this is surprisingly classy, coming from Robin’s dislike of Malaya.
That was six months ago, when Malaya was first hired and going out of her way to alienate everyone at Shortpacked by being a complete bitch. Everyone but Leslie that is, who she flirted with. This made Robin jealous, naturally.
But then Robin overheard Malaya comment how much fun Leslie was to “mess with.” Robin, like most of us, assumed from that, that Malaya was gloating that her flirtation with just a tease to screw with Leslie’s head.
This lead to an angry confrontation between Robin and Malaya that didn’t go anywhere, and a brief hook-up in the stockroom between Robin and Leslie that didn’t end well when Robin put her foot in her mouth. As usual for her, really.
After that, and after Ethan had taken everyone, including Malaya, to see Transformers 3, where they had planned to make out in the back, Robin — and Ken as well — seemed sadly resigned to Leslie and Malaya’s relationship.
It didn’t hurt that Amber had to adjust everyone’s schedule to avoid any angry or awkward confrontations. And like I said, six more months have passed.
Six months – Robin never had that much of a attention span when you think about it…
I’m surprised she remembers Leslie! (I’m kidding of course – although I wouldn’t be surprised if she forgot Malaya and her ever had a problem…)
no way it’s been six actual months series time
The comic features Real Time Season Change to allow it to make fun of the Latest Toys, films, and cartoons in Real Time.
It doesn’t matter if it’s six months or six years when love is involved.
She could always date my aunt.
Aww I love this!
I don’t care if they don’t get together again but I really like when they are nice to each other 
this is one of my favorite strips so far. Very touching, simple, and funny
Yeah! I like this. Gives me a nice feeling. Robin can be decent, and Leslie is a favorite of mine. Glad they are talking.
How has the ironicness of les getting mad at malya for not knowing that she WASN’T a lesbian, when it took les till after her wedding to figure out that she WAS a lesbian.
oh no. mad typos because it 2:20 am and no edit button…
Or the irony of Les being ?ad at Malaya jerking her around when in a sense Les, in trying to get laid despite having no solid feelings for Malaya, was kind of jerking M around in the first place.
Yummy, delicious irony everywhere you look!
I’m not sure if I interpreted this right, but I always took it to mean she wasn’t really sure of her preferences until after her marriage.
I mean, she’s been attracted to girls since she was 8, but she also waited until she was married to sleep with her husband, which I guess means she hadn’t been with any women at that point either.
So I figured she imagined that she’d enjoy sleeping with her husband more than she actually did, then found the experience unsatisfactory and finally accepted that she was 100% gay.
Could be wrong about that, though. Haven’t read the archives in a while.
She’s right, dating a real Lesbian WOULD be really madcap
Nice to see they’re capable of friendly banter
TYPO ALERT PANEL FOUR.
You mom has a typo.
I love ou.
I would like tos ee this side of Robin more.
It is the shizit, yo.
That’s sweet in a back-handedly twisted sort of way. I seriously love the look on Robin’s face in the fourth panel.
Excuse me while I translate Leslie’s expressions:
Panel 1: Huh?
Panel 2: Why are you talking to me?
Panel 3: You might actually have a point there…
Panel 4: Oh Robin, thanks for cheering me up.
Panel 5: Oh, continue? Are you going to give real advice?
Panel 6: Ok, now where’s the nearest closet I can push you into for a ‘Make-Up’ Session, and I don’t mean lipstick and eye shadow-Oh there it is, over to the Reader’s left side, *Robin-Grab*.
Robin would like nothing better than to get back together with Leslie, from everything we’ve seen, but she actually seems to be smart enough to realize that “ten hours after Leslie’s last breakup” is not the time to press that issue. I know, I can’t believe it either.
(Whether Robin would STAY together with Leslie is a question I don’t think has been adequately answered yet. Right now, she’s still preoccupied with “making things right,” but would she start to feel trapped again if she actually got the chance to? Insufficient data.)
I think you could easily chalk up Robin’s disregard for Les’ breakup to her recognition that it wasn’t really a relationship to begin with. In fact the obviousness that Les was in it just to try and get laid might have signalled Robin that this could be a good time to strike. Mom picked up on it. Why wouldn’t Robin know her at least as well?
I dunno, I think with the jealously over Malaya gone she might be realizing that making things right =/= getting back together with Leslie
Remember, she may still think she doesn’t deserve to have Leslie back.
I actually like Robin’s idea.
Well, it looks like they’re into the “not awkward to talk to each other” phase. It’s nice when you can start being friends with your exes again.
Oh, and Apples to Apples is a great game.
Say it with me now: Awwwwwww!
and they all lived happily ever after…the end.
Workin’ her way back in. Smooooooth.
This is possibly the least self-centered conversation Robin has ever had. I love it. And I am glad that she and Leslie can be friends.
I love this. Keep on this, Willis.
This. This is how you know someone cares. They don’t bag on the ex, they don’t hash you for details, they just poke fun at you until you smile. Even if they don’t try again, I’m glad that Robin has shown that she cares.
You know what this is nice I’m not sure I want to see them get back together but it’s nice to see them mend a friendship.
This is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen in the Walky!verse.
I am happy in the heart place. Thank you.
wow, this was a really sweet move on Robin’s part. I mean, it was nice, friendly and playful. Looks like they can start being friends again.
Yes, this does continue to be so babies. In fact, I would go so far as to include a McIntyre or two in there.
The first strip not-including Malaya, and you didn’t got to 150 comments.
That’s weird.
Hey Willis, I’ve been wondering how you’re going to the scene when Amber gives birth.
Are we going to see everything or will you just fade to black and then we see her with her baby? You probably won’t tell us your super-secret plans, but it doesn’t hurt to ask
You’re a good writer, so I DOUBT that you will go for the tired, stupid Hollywood cliche of “woman screaming her head off during childbirth”. I’m sure I would not be the only disillusioned reader if you did
I will do a full week of closeups on Amber’s child crowning.
Let’s be honest – Amber’s gonna be so doped up she’s not gonna feel anything below the waist and she’s gonna be seein’ sonic rainbooms the whole freakin’ time…
That or Mike will be an ass and somehow convince her an “all natural” birth is a good idea…
The .001% of my brain that doesn’t know you are kidding just stifled a shudder.
Is it bad that the only complaint I would have about this scenario is that that week would be boring? It’s shocking ONCE and then you get used to it…
As someone who has given birth naturally without any painkillers in the last stretch (not voluntarily though), this is something Hollywood actually got right, because unless you have an epidural IT HURTS LIKE FUCK. Like, HOLY SHIT.
So, yeah, screaming is actually involved for reelz, in a “nnnnnnngggggggggyyYAAAHHHHHHHUUUUGH!!!!” kind of way. Extreme bitchiness and swearing may also be involved. The experience doesn’t leave a lot of leftover processing speed for niceties like caring about other’s feelings or phrasing things politely.
Oh, I’m not denying it doesn’t hurt, but their portrayal of pain is pretty inaccurate, at least according to nearly all the mothers I know.
Who wants to start a betting pool on the child’s name?
I think stormagaddon is a definite possiblity. That or damian.
my ship
YES! They are some-what friends again!