Comic #170: Donald for Algernon (Patreon)

Originally published, December 21st, 2008.

I made a smart Donald and didn't even have him try to take over the world? I feel like this would have been at least 10 episodes if I hadn't just done the whole NPC rebellion arc.

I like how I've created so many separate origin stories for Donald's stupidity. I've contradicted myself on it at least 2 times. First he was just dumb, then he was squished by a time machine, now he's just a kid. I feel like my rationale is that there is real world lore (he's a literal child behind a keyboard) and then in-game lore, he had an accident.

The title is a reference to the short story "Flowers for Algernon" which I remember reading in middle school. It involves a man with intellectual disabilities who undergoes an experimental surgery that temporarily makes him a genius, and then gradually returns back to his initial intelligence. I remember it so vaguely I had to look up a summary just now to remind myself and man, it sounds far more tragic than I remember. Maybe I should reread it.

Okay, it's time for me to complain about this comic. I know I was probably in a rush and going out of town, but look at Nyte in the last three panels! It's literally just 3 duplicate images. Also look at Krom's bald head. It's not even round! Was he squashed by a time machine too? Finally, I really don't like panel #13. Why is Krom explaining the joke? I feel like those types of visual gags work best if they are left for the reader to discover rather than just spelling it out.