Zombie Cliche Lookout: A Shift in the Current
For this cliche, we’re not sticking within the zombie subgenre, or even the horror genre. This is a trope that seems to exist pretty much everywhere in fiction. I’m speaking, of course, of the sudden shift from the beginning of an argument or fight, to everyone having to jump up and deal with some sort of crisis.
This is usually done for a couple reasons. First, it’s a good way to increase the tension from a relatively minor fight, to a full blown crisis, almost like shifting gears. Second, it postpones the fight between two characters, which could defuse the situation, or make it far, far worse. Third, it acts as sort of misdirection, and that’s always fun.
About this Episode:
So this write-up fits a little more closely with the previous episode, but I had to get my brag on in that one.
Speaking of which, thank you all for your kind words and encouragements. It was a really awesome.
Other News:
Bricks of the Dead won’t be updating on Thursday or Friday this week, since I’m going camping with my family. Hopefully it’ll be a good time and maybe I’ll get the chance to shoot some new video. As always thanks for your patience and we’ll get back to normal on Monday. In the meantime, I’m posting longer-than-usual episodes to make up for it.
Discussion Question: Wound Recovery Time
We’re going to get a little meta for this discussion question, so bear with me. In fiction, people have a tendency to either shrug off fairly major injuries, or to recover from them unrealistically quickly. Since Murphy took a shot to the leg, how would everyone here prefer him to recover? Should he just have a bit of a limp for a while, or should things be a bit more serious than that?
This is, of course, assuming he didn’t bleed out on the way back to the cabin.
Assuming that he didn’t bleed out on the way back to the cabin (George RR Martin of the dead) and that its only a flesh wound (que the Back Knight) I figure 1-2 weeks with no weight bearing followed by about a month on crutches and another month or two of limited mobility. Im also pretty certain that you cant leave a lead shotgun pellet inside a person. Unless the pellet passed though then Murphy may need some field surgery
And then a severe permanent limp, provided he doesn’t die from the infection.
Actyally modern shotgun pellets are made of steel to reduce bad effects on the enviroment such as poisoning water. As for recovery time it would depend on how it was treated and where murphy was hit if it hit a bone it could up to 4 months to recover. however if it just hit hit mustle he could recover in two months provided it did not get infected and weight was not put on it.
Also Dave have you figured out the contest yet? Really eager to enter.
Yep, I think I know what I’m going for the contest; I’m working on prizes now.
Muffinman, shotgun loads manufactured for sort use on fowl and small game typically contain steel or tungsten alloy shot to protect the environment. Shotgun loads intended for large game, military, law enforcement, or civilian self defense contain much larger shot typically referred to a “buckshot” Military and law enforcement specifications still call out lead shot for these loads although sometimes the lead is copper plated.
Interesting stuff. All I knew was that you can’t use lead loads hunting waterfowl.
Michigan banned lead shot for waterfowl back in the 70s when I was just a sprat but the law didn’t go federal until the early 90s. Problem was ducks and geese would ingest lead shot that had settled to the lake/pond/swamp bottom while feeding. Later on a lot of skeet/trap ranges started banning lead shot because it caused large areas of their property to become saturated with lead shot and devalued that land for future development due to clean up costs. Lead shot is slowly disappearing due to a combination of states banning its use or manufacturers not wanting to hassle with the environmental issues of manufacturing it.
The larger shot sizes (intended for use on big game or military/defense/law enforcement) typically #4 and up, is still mostly made from lead because its produced in much smaller quantitates and the ballistics of lead is still superior to all but the most expensive of materials. Useful link to shot size chart https://www.google.com/search?q=shotgun+pellet+sizes+chart&tbm=isch&imgil=ZE6S1rSHvZr-hM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcR_XTNGhowfQO2ZKvOQvZ5_UPpz1gepJwgIzzqG7dHXf06DeucxeA%253B600%253B583%253BT5AS5_ATJBCIdM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.gunguyradio.com%25252F063%25252F&source=iu&usg=__CHNtioOl9EN2DcKF8_fgk1VJUGQ%3D&sa=X&ei=TTHFU6fUHc6IogSB8ILQCg&ved=0CCMQ9QEwAg&biw=1600&bih=805#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=ZE6S1rSHvZr-hM%253A%3BT5AS5_ATJBCIdM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Flh6.googleusercontent.com%252F9VAcZqhBj2NFvWNhD7k6kQvgKrfRWcRIFrcH4dQ0wWMpyKLhwTPNaokpNOxt_vbcpl4rUTxSphdcWpJGxdLUC3uBqlzW5YS3_xJh5UZ4AfGyGsSrf6OiXa_n%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.gunguyradio.com%252F063%252F%3B600%3B583
Very good info, Damage.
Refresh my memory, are you from Michigan as well?
Yep
Lived all my life in the metro Detroit area with the exception of a 5year stretch in East Lansing.
Ah, good man. We should grab a drink sometime.
I would like that. Your in Grand Rapids aren’t you?
Williamston (Outside of Lansing), actually.
Typo alerts, there are a few, pay attention Dave:
Zombie Cliche Lookout, second paragraph, second sentence: relative–>relatively ; blow–>blown 😀
Same section, same paragraph, third sentence: diffuse–>defuse I did not know crises were water soluble! 😀
Discussion Question, second sentence: of–>off
Fixed all, thank you, sir.
Not quite, you missed the blow–>blown typo! 😀
In case you’re not sure why you’d use blown and not blow. check out the dictionary definition. It’s the verb form of blow that you want here, so I really would recommend changing it to blown. 😉
Right you are; I completely missed it.
I’d prefer Murphy to recover relatively slowly, and perhaps after some improvised surgery to remove the bullet or shotgun pellets from his leg. A;though you could probably skip the actual surgery! 😀 He should probably wind up with a final limp, but the big trick will be to picture it properly in plastic! 😉
Yeah, the limp would be hard to pull off. Maybe a cane?
I think the museover text for the comic is getting a bit snarky, maybe Dave should make it evolve into an in-strip character, that’d just make it even more hilarious! 😀
*mouseover even 😀
I have a lot of fun with the mouseover text. It’s how I inject myself into each episode.
Heh, I had to go back and read a bunch of episodes to remind myself why/how Brent had shot Murphy!?!? Mind you, it was back in November.
Right I’m caught up… on with the show Dave!
Glad to have you back, Mad..!
If you want to rally off another cliche it doesn’t matter that Murphy’s hurt or for how long, so long as he can move around like normal for a few minutes whenever it’s plot-convenient.
And also welcome to issue 501! (I never got to congratulate you on 500, so I hope it’s better late than never). Enjoy your trip and your time off.
Thank you, Jonesing!
Maybe Brent and Inez will go to a high school to get some medical supplies, and Brent will get shot be Inez in the foot for no reason.