2160: Warning! Challenger Approaching!

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Warning! Challenger Approaching!
Warning! Challenger Approaching!.png
Made by: Dr. Manny


Explanation[edit | edit source]

The entirety of this comic is a reference to Super Smash Bros., a popular series of fighting games that include several characters from separate Nintendo franchises (as well as a few from other companies). To break all the references down:

  • The title refers to the way the series handles unlockable characters: after meeting a certain criteria, the player is shown a screen with the character's silhouette and the message "Warning! Challenger Approaching!" They then must defeat the challenger in a match to unlock them.
  • The image itself is designed after the character pages seen on the Smash Bros DOJO!!, which was the official site for the third game in the series (subtitled Brawl). Compare it to, say, the first section of Mario's page.
  • However, where four screenshots of gameplay would normally go, the author has instead substituted four comic panels; each one comes from the Japanese release date of the first four games in the series. The original game was released on January 21, 1999, Melee on November 21, 2001, Brawl on January 31, 2008, and the 3DS installment on September 13, 2014. (The Wii U installment is generally coupled together with the 3DS one as simply Smash 4, though this is an unofficial term.)
  • The date given for the fake update is December 16, 2014; given the buffering time, this is likely when the strip was completed (and likely submitted as well).
  • As for the description: each character has four special moves, each activated by pressing a certain button (usually "B") alongside a direction. Likewise, a "Final Smash" is a particularly powerful attack (unique to each character) activated by successfully breaking a floating "Smash Ball".
  • The final smash description itself includes references to "kaiju" (a Japanese term used primarily for giant monsters), Vetvix (the main villain of the comic book-styled Garfield spinoff Pet Force), and Dan Walsh (creator of Garfield Minus Garfield).
  • Oh, and the linked depiction of Garfield's palette swaps include ones based off of Odie, Nermal, and Felix the Cat, as well as regular RGB ones and a rainbow pattern.

Description[edit | edit source]

Someone probably already beat me to it, but as long as they haven't, I've decided to try my hand at a Super Smash Bros.-style character reveal for the fat cat himself! Each panel where the game screenshot would usually be is instead a panel from a strip published on the date that each Super Smash Bros. game was released in Japan.

Top-left panel: 1999-01-21.
Top-right panel: 2001-11-21.
Bottom-left panel: 2008-01-31.
Bottom-right panel: 2014-09-13. (The date Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan)

In addition, I'm willing to reveal Garfield's Special moveset, for those who are curious:

  • Standard Special move - Odie Punch: Garfield concentrates all of the times he has been subjected to Odie's games of torture into one powerful, walloping punch. This is similar to Captain Falcon's Falcon Punch.
  • Side Special move - Lasagna Roll: Garfield whips out a giant slice of lasagna and rolls over the enemy with it. This is similar to various rolling movies, such as Sonic's Spin Dash and Yoshi's Egg Roll.
  • Up Special move - Lasanga Throw: Armed with the lasagna knockoff byproduct known as "Lasanga," Garfield throws cans of Lasanga at the opponent, which explode on impact. The further they're thrown, the greater the power. This is similar to Yoshi's Egg Throw.
  • Down Special move - Bed Slam: Garfield tucks himself into his bed, then uses it as a downward-falling heavy device. Varying sound effects (e.g. WHAM!) appear from both sides, making this attack difficult to counter. This is similar to Yoshi's Yoshi Bomb.
  • Final Smash - Garfield Nightmare: Garfield's nightmares come to life. When Garfield gets the Smash Ball, he falls asleep. Garfield is invulnerable during this state, as all of Garfield's nightmares show up to do massive physical and emotional damage to his opponents. These nightmares include:
    • An empty lasagna tray
    • A year's supply of "Lasanga"
    • Garfield on a diet
    • Kaiju Odie
    • Kaiju Nermal
    • Kaiju Jon
    • Kaiju mailman
    • Pooky possessed by the dark forces of "caninedom"
    • Vetvix
    • Grafield
    • Dan Walsh
    • Anything related to exercise
    • The word DIET encased in amber (anyone who touches this is instantly K-O'd)

I've also compiled some potential palette swaps for Garfield: Three follow the basic RGB spectrum, one is based on Odie, one is based on Nermal, one is based on Felix the Cat, and one... well, I got creative.

P.S. "Lasanga" was an error. I didn't realize I had spelled it wrong after I already finished the strip. I decided to keep the accident because it fit.

Transcript[edit | edit source]

{A Super Smash Bros. character card for Garfield}
Text: He's the lasagna-lovin', Odie-kickin', Nermal-hatin' fat cat with a wit that's as dry as his owner's attempts at dating. The long-overdue Garfield finally joins the brawl!
{Panel with Jon taking off a cap to reveal a scary shock of hair}
{Panel with Jon in a silly sweater}
Ball of wool: Hey!
{Panel with Jon complaining and Garfield smirking}
Jon: ... because I had the worst morning of my life!
Garfield: Yeah, I usually don't get up that early.
{Panel of Jon in a puddle of water up to his chin}
Jon: This puddle was deeper than it looked!
Text: How to Unlock
Text: Garfield's Special Moves
Text: Standard Special Move: Odie Punch
Text: Side Special Move: Lasagna Roll
Text: Up Special Move: Lasanga Throw
Text: Down Special Move: Bed Slam
Text: Final Smash: Garfield Nightmare

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Upon completing this strip, the author realized that the strip contained a typo. The author kept it anyway, and decided to work around it; this is an example of “Throwing It In." After the strip appeared on the site, the author contacted the admin to update the description to include this information.