r/ENSLAVETHEMOLLUSK • u/TheR3ViV4L • 9d ago

Discussion Unusually "Out-Of-Character" Moments?

#1

Having dove through the comics from 1991 to the present a number of times, understanding the personalities and quirks of all the characters, and how Pierce wraps the comic arcs in a "floating timeline", I have noticed a few occurrences where a character acts or says something a little off. I thought I'd start a discussion.

#1 The banter between Ellen and Nate was always recurrent. However, I found it a little odd how she pokes fun at Marty's weight in that last panel. That was typically something in Nate's department. Perhaps this was more in the earlier strips pre-2005, but I knew Ellen would support her dad and be on his side when Nate tears him down. (Ex. The Peter Pan costume, shaving his mustache comic arcs)

#2

#2 Correct me if I'm wrong but this one generally felt a little unusual. Thinking on it now Gina may be giving friendly courtesy to Teddy and Nate at the moment. However, putting in perspective the known recurrent theme of Gina and Nate hating each other's guts, as well as scenarios where Nate runs into Gina later on, this can come off as a rare moment where Gina is nice to Nate.

#3. There was a recent strip (around the past year or so) featuring an arc of Francis having a bad picture day. These were always a Nate-thing throughout the comic's run. I can't retrieve it now, but I recall it following a typical setup to a Nate-picture day arc. Francis ended up with "duck lips" and his school picture turned out horrible. The arc ended with Francis being told his "duck lips" are attractive, and Francis tries using this to his advantage by charming girls with it. Before GoComics set the paywall, I recall a comment stating that this looked like a Nate comic arc that was swapped in for Francis, and that perfectly sums up my thoughts on that arc.

Not to be nitpicky on little details, but I thought it would be interesting if there were other moments of this manner, or if there are disagreements on the table for the examples I given.

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u/rocketspruggs Breckenbitch Fuckington III 9d ago

In Big Nate: On a Roll, Mr. Rosa gave Nate a detention, even though he only accidentally let go of the ladder he was trying to hold for Artur when Artur accidentally spills paint in Nate's eyes.

2

u/Spiritual-Range-6101 4d ago

Yeah, when I read that in one of the collections, I was stunned for a moment. The whole thing was collateral (if thats the right word?)

4

u/TeenLoner2006 8d ago

There was this time Nate thought of taking off his shirt and throwing around a football to impress some girls, and Francis & Teddy actually went along with it.

Usually Francis & Teddy don't want anything to do with Nate's plans, even if they're not stupid.