Rip Haywire by Dan Thompson for October 03, 2018

Looks like hiring mercenaries was counterproductive…

I’m thinking maybe Dan (or more likely a vacation fill-in) decided to try doing the strip in a less apt style (perhaps inspired by the success of Olivia Jaimes?), then realized this was a mistake and tried to salvage the pencils with inks in Dan’s usual style.

Whoever is doing the artwork is making the women more attractive. I mean, I’d probably never actually date a cartoon, but…

There’s no crying in mercenaries.

After Gilchrist’s run ended on Nancy, my GoComics feed has been woefully lacking in fanservice. Breezy is fun but she’s behind a desk most of the time now, Cobra is retired (for now), and Alexandra (Scorpion’s Right-Hand/ Girl Friday) is covered up. Worse, Dan has chosen not to bring back Polynesian Queen Henchwoman Crystal – much to my chagrin. Therefore, I nominate Merc-in-a-Skirt (aka, Betty NotCooper) to be the official cheesecake for the strip.

Wait a minute….Cobra = Veronica Lodge?Breezy = Cheryl Blossom?Merc-in-a-skirt = Betty Cooper?

Thompson, you magnificent -——, I read your strip!

Ka-rawr!

Or, pretend they’ve permanently changed their name to IHOB…!

Ka-Cry me a river

According to the t.v., they too soon will be going under.

KA-MERCENARY!

A brunette (black-haired?), a redhead, and now a blond….

Mercenary units are working for the Imperial military of the American Empire just like in the past with previous empires from the Romans to the British. The Ottomans used Janissary or slave soldiers.

I love this artwork, Dan.