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1''Parallel Dementia'' ([[https://web.archive.org/web/20161002063243/http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=0 first strip]]) by Ben "834n" Fleuter was a somber webcomic about a world that is under siege by [[MonsterOfTheWeek creatures]] of [[AnotherDimension nightmare]] and the Templar organisation that [[TheWorldIsNotReady secretly defends it]]. Although there are many bit parts, the story usually holds CharacterFocus on one of a few key members of the cast:
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3* Fall Boxer is a [[CowboyCop talented maverick Templar]] who is plagued by Nightmares. She also has lots of bad dreams. Fall is good at using GunsAkimbo. She has something to do with the destruction of the [[MegaCorp UniCorp]] tower.
4* Reginald is a tall [[InstantAIJustAddWater sentient robot]] who works with Fall. He's a GeniusBruiser who favors GoodOldFisticuffs.
5* Timothy is a fire demon who now works for Fall. He uses [[ElementalRockPaperScissors fire]], natch.
6* David Shizukana is a former member of the Peace Keepers (riot police) who now works with Fall. He likes to use an assault rifle and [[GrenadeTropes grenades]].
7* Alexandra "Alexi" Ivanova, Mistress of Blades, is a Russian immigrant and an amazing, fearless knife-wielder. Never underestimate her.
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9The human figures at the beginning are loose and rubbery, the comic's greatest weakness. However, it had a brilliantly executed {{Crossover}} with NJ Huff's ''Webcomic/EmergencyExit'' from [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=176 2006-12-25]] to [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=305 2007-06-14]] that really seemed to bring out the best in both webcomickers. A comparison of recent strips with the early ones shows great improvement in the human figures, clearly influenced by NJ's style.
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11Aside from that, the art has nice backgrounds (avoiding a common weakness of webcomics) and makes good use of a wide variety of palettes. Other strengths are good CharacterDevelopment, a compelling story, creative panel arrangement and choice of [=POVs=], slick written effects, and evocative lettering in general.
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13As of 18/04/2010, it no longer updates.
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15On June 24, 2015, Fleuter introduced a new webcomic called ''Webcomic/TheSwordInterval'' ([[http://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/sword-interval/ep-1-prologue/viewer?title_no=486&episode_no=1 here]]). While the plot is different from ''Parallel Dementia'', it still has a modern supernatural theme and many PD characters were only slightly changed to fit back in. It has a Kickstarter [[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1637065512/the-sword-interval-volume-1 here.]]
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17As of January 2018, the address pd.milkinthepantry.com is down with a DNS error, likely because the DNS registration has not been renewed.
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19----
20!!Provides examples of:
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22* AbnormalAmmo: All the Templars who use firearms have a long list. Amethyst, obsidian, silver, blessed, or even all of these at once!
23** Each is specific to a particular supernatural threat-silver for werewolves, obsidian for angels, blessed for demons, what have you. Agents going into an unknown situation start with a test clip containing one of each, and when they find the one that pisses off their target, they switch to clips of that. "All at once" ammo is for when there's no time to bother with trying to figure out what it is, but is heavily rationed because of the expense of making it.
24%% * Action Girl: Alexi, Fall.
25%% * AnIcePerson / MakingASplash: Miyan.
26%% * AnotherDimension: where the Nightmares come from.
27%% * ApocalypseMaiden: [[spoiler:Fall certainly seems to fit, with [[SuperpoweredEvilSide turning into an unstoppable killing machine]] as an added 'bonus'.]]
28%% * ArtEvolution: [[http://beanjamish.deviantart.com/art/PD-Three-Years-and-Counting-105379485 See for yourself.]]
29%% * TheAtoner: Visage, in his own twisted way. His only reason for existence is to destroy the demon-god Greed, who was created as a result of the destruction of Visage's world, which Visage sees himself as being responsible for.
30%% * BackStory: Issues #6, #7 and #8 detail Alexi's, Timmy's and Visage's respectively.
31%% * TheBlank: While Visage has a WhiteMaskOfDoom [[spoiler:and actually does have a face underneath, albeit an undead one]], his undead minions are all faceless horrors.
32%% * BlobMonster: Visage is made of tar.
33%% * TheCameo: Half the cast!
34%% * ChekhovsGun: The vials of blood seen [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=462 here]] set up the ''awesome'' fight in [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=552 this]] later strip.
35%% * ChekhovsGunman: Miyan.
36%% * ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve
37%% * ConspicuousTrenchcoat: Reginald. Mocked in [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/fan-artgift11.html this]] guest comic.
38%% * CreatureHunterOrganization: Atlas, in a rare example actually managing to uphold TheMasquerade (which is essential since Nightmares are [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve summoned by belief in them]], including nightmares about them, which is how they get their name). They haven't managed to prevent the complete collapse of the economy and in many places society, though.
39%% * DarkActionGirl: Miyan.
40%% * DarkAndTroubledPast: Every single major character. If their past is known, it's dark and troubled.
41* DeliberatelyMonochrome: All of Visage's backstory, with the lone splashes of colour being his fiancé's eyes and the windows of his castle (see ShoutOut below).
42* {{Determinator}}: Reginald. He's MadeOfIron already, but in Chapter 11 he keeps going even when his armor is broken and he's been pummeled by the mercenaries.
43%% * ElementalPowers: Both Timmy and Miyan.
44%% * [[EvilDetectingDog Evil-Detecting Cat]]: Chainmonster Nightmares are no match for the [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=172 intrepid Mittens!]]
45%% * EyeScream: [[spoiler:Shizu]] recently had an eye cut out.
46%% * FantasyKitchenSink
47%% * FourthWallMailSlot: on the MessageBoard.
48%% * GeniusBruiser: Reg.
49%% * GoodScarsEvilScars: Midas has two scars over his eyes, but it's not yet clear where his loyalty lies.
50%% * GunsAkimbo: Fall.
51%% * HeroicBSOD: Fall has had at least two.
52%% * TheInsomniac: Fall.
53%% * InterspeciesRomance: [[Webcomic/EmergencyExit NJ]] and Orion (human/zombie). This {{Squick}}s David slightly.
54%% * {{Jerkass}}: Timmy.
55%% * JigsawPuzzlePlot
56%% * KidWithTheLeash: Timmy is bound into servitude to Fall.
57%% * KillItWithFire: [[spoiler: Visage, though he turned out to be [[Main/{{NotQuiteDead}} Not Quite Dead]].]]
58%% * LightningReveal: [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=114 this page.]]
59%% * LivingShadow: Lord Greed.
60%% * MeaningfulName: Midas, Visage.
61%% * MostDefinitelyNotAVillain:
62%%-->'''Timmy:''' I'm very uncrazy! I'm very normal! Yes! Human! Yes, mortality and whatnot. Um... how's about that food? Good stuff!
63%%-->'''Eddie:''' He's so cute when he lies! Let's bring him home and name him Barsley!
64%% * OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Dearnaley can change forms at will.
65* PaintingTheMedium: Virtually any non-human has some kind of special speech bubble, usually becoming more fancy if the increase in power. The comic makes great use of the infinite canvas as well. Also, [[spoiler: Alter!Fall]] causes the panels to crack in [[spoiler: her]] vicinity.
66%% * PerkyGoth: Miyan.
67* RedOniBlueOni: Tim and Miyan (although inverted in that Miyan in the DarkActionGirl and Tim is the AntiHero).
68* TheShadowKnows: [[spoiler:When [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=69 David passes Midas in the hospital]], Midas' shadow looks suspiciously like the god Greed.]]
69%% * Shout Out: Issue #8, Masquerade. Visage's backstory is one extended shout out to [[spoiler:"Literature/TheMasqueOfTheRedDeath".]]
70%% * ShowerOfAngst: [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=452 Here]].
71* SlasherSmile: Visage. Beneath his mask, he doesn't smile an awful lot though.
72%% * Don't forget [[spoiler:Fall, while she was attacking Silverton.]]
73%% * SmokingIsCool: Alexi Ivanova.
74%% * SomeCallMeTim: Timmy, obviously.
75* SpeechBubbles: Most Nightmares get their own distinctive speech bubbles: Timmy has orange ones, Visage's are black and white, Miyan has blue ones, etc.
76%% * TalkingTheMonsterToDeath: Reginald to [[spoiler:Alter!Fall]].
77%% * TheVirus: Weregoyles.
78* TheWorldIsNotReady: The more people know about nightmares, the more there will appear. Because of this, the Templar tries to keep their existence a secret.
79%% * ThoseTwoGuys: Balcom and Pfister.
80* UnexplainedRecovery: [[spoiler: Visage]] is asked why he's still alive in [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=570 this strip.]] His answer? "I got better."
81%% * WhamEpisode: [[spoiler:Midas killing Silverton]].
82%% * WrittenRoar: Including some truly epic ones.
83%% * WrittenSoundEffect: Some great examples.
84* YourHeadASplode: [[spoiler: Fall can do this when [[http://pd.milkinthepantry.com/?strip_id=574 Alter!Fall starts ... surfacing]]. Or however that works.]]
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