Line #27 Webcomic/Redd


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2	%% Links to the comic have been removed since the host site is gone, as well as entries that fall under Weblinks Are Not Examples (i.e. examples that do not explain how the comic uses a trope and instead just quotes the comic and/or links to a corresponding page).
3	%% Editors who find alternate links are welcome to reinsert them.
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5	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/reddsfw.png]]
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7	''Redd'' is a webcomic featuring the eponymous character Vicky Redd, an armless researcher who sports a set of floating waldos and works on technology involving translating neural signals to instruments. Outside of her research position, she also fights sea monsters (apparently a very common occurrence) and seems to be being groomed by [[MegaCorp a company named IBISEC]] to take down the extant superhero and supervillain community. In 2014, the comic went on hiatus and has since disappeared from the web, though it can still be found [[https://web.archive.org/web/20141203104800/http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?chapters=redd through web archives.]] In the meantime, creator Jack Cayless has moved on towards [[https://web.archive.org/web/20180915152313/http://themiskatonicgame.tumblr.com/ developing a survival horror/comedy game,]] (Internet Archive link since the site is gone) which features several HumanoidAbomination characters similar to the popular ''Redd'' character, Ezzie.
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9	'''Be warned, while ''Redd'' is relatively tame, the site is very NSFW.'''
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11	'''Spoilers are unmarked.''' '''Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.'''
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13	----
14	!!''Redd'' contains examples of:
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16	* TenMinuteRetirement: It lasts approximately two chapters.
17	* ActionGirl: Redd. She actively enjoys the field work, and on occasion discounts solutions that won't involve getting into the thick of it.
18	* ArmCannon: The weapon used for her first sea monster.
19	%%* BeachEpisode: Chapter 8: [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter81 Always End With a Beach Scene]]
20	* BewareTheSillyOnes: Redd has reservations about killing a supervillain because he's human, [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman unlike the monsters she's fought in the past]]. After being given the villain's [[ListOfTransgressions rapsheet]] and being told that he's too dangerous to the civilian populace to keep alive, [[LetsGetDangerous she changes her mind]] and the readers are made aware how serious she is when she jumps from her transport towards the villain. [[DeathGlare JESUS CHRIST, VICKY.]]
21	* BigBreastPride: Redd, to the point where she refuses to wear a bra despite it being uncomfortable for her to run without one.
22	%%* BoldInflation: '''[[WithGreatPowerComesGreatPerks OBLIGATORY HOT SHOWER AND DOUGHNUTS DAY OFF PARTY]]''' [[GratuitousJapanese (Japanese subtitles)]]
23	%%** Done earlier when Redd [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter310 becomes DARK REDD]], with similar Korean subtitles.
24	* CapeBusters: IBISEC aims to put superheroes as a whole out of business by cornering the world-saving market. They act out this trope to its full extent with supervillians, killing them off one by one as soon as they can get an individual respective contract with the government.
25	* CoincidentalBroadcast: Redd ends up sleeping through one that reveals [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter413 that one of the monsters she killed was actually a superhuman.]]
26	%%* ComfortFood: [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter67 Yay, ice cream!]]
27	* CutShort: The comic ended with a promise of a "Season 2", but it and its host site has since disappeared from the web.[[note]]It's suspected that Jack Cayless, the creator of ''Redd'', put the comic on an indefinite hiatus to work on a SurivalHorror VisualNovel [[http://themiskatonicgame.tumblr.com/ game]] he's creating.[[/note]]
28	* DeathIsCheap: Implied by Redd, who has coming BackFromTheDead on her checklist.
29	* DisabilitySuperpower: Zigzagged: Redd's disability does not constitute a superpower in itself, but growing up without arms provided the facility with prosthetics she needs to operate her waldoes as if they were part of her own body.
30	* EvilIsCool: In-universe. Esmerelda Bizarre studied the forgotten art of Flesh Magic. Despite the fact that she uses her LovecraftianSuperpower [[DarkIsNotEvil for good]], she ''still'' [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil got kicked out of magic school]] AND her ex-peers ''still'' [[CoolPeopleRebelAgainstAuthority want to be just like her.]]
31	* EyesDoNotBelongThere: Ezzie plays this up to eleven, since her skin is constantly shifting to include several eyes. Amusingly, she sometimes sprouts them when she's ogling Redd.
32	--> '''Redd:''' I like how your skin jiggles [[BodyHorror whenever you grow a new eyeball.]]
33	--> '''Ezzie:''' [[DissonantSerenity Thanks!]] I like how [[MsFanservice you sort'a just jiggle by default.]]
34	* FauxYay: This could actually be Redd's default sexuality. She's way more interested in invoking AmbiguouslyBi than grabbing a single [[LoveInterests Love Interest.]]
35	* FloatingLimbs: Redd's floating hands. One of the few times where it's [[JustifiedTrope Justified.]] (See the entries for HandicappedBadass.)
36	* GamerChick: If she's not fighting monsters or doing tests for IBISEC, she's usually lounging around her room playing her "vidya gaems".
37	* GenreSavvy: Redd in spades. She constantly pokes fun at superhero tropes and wipes the floor with other supers.
38	* HandicappedBadass: Redd was born without arms because of her dad. Doesn't stop her from scoring floating hands of science and kicking ass with them.
39	* IHaveToGoIronMyDog: "[[NoPunctuationIsFunnier REDD CAN I SEE YOU IN THE CHANGING ROOMS FOR AN IMPROMPTU LESBIAN SCENE]] OR [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial SOMETHING EQUALLY UNRELATED]]"
40	* IKnowMortalKombat: According to Redd, she got all of her fighting techniques from playing video games.
41	* ImpossibleHourglassFigure: Redd and the woman from "upper management" are particularly obvious examples of this.
42	* InTheHood: Sometimes the subject of the main characters casual wear.
43	* JokerImmunity: Played with. The world has no death penalty, supervillians go to [[TailorMadePrison Tailor-Made Prisons]] outside government authority [[CardboardPrison (that they keep breaking out of),]] and the [[EvenEvilHasStandards superheroes and supervillains themselves]] keep a ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros''-esque policy of ThouShallNotKill… other supers. Any InnocentBystander is free game for the villains. In fact, if you happen to break this rule, you are deemed a [[CapeBusters “Cape Killer”]] [[TheDreaded and a guy named]] [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast “The Enforcer”]] will come and murder you in turn. [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] quickly by [[MegaCorp IBISEC]], who believes that keeping supervillians around does more harm than good. Cue Redd fighting her first supervillian, [[OneHitKO starting and ending]] with a NeckSnap.
44	* LampshadeHanging:
45	** When they have Redd in a suspension tank to study the effects of an attack on her:
46	--> "Doctor, we've placed Redd in the ambiguous goo tube with the bars at the perfect height to cover her naughty bits and the weird gel she can talk through"
47	** She also questions why they don't use conventional weapons more often against the sea monsters, which is handwaved with something about trying to reduce collateral damage.
48	** Done to the RuleOfDrama:
49	--> '''[[LovecraftianSuperPower Ezzie:]]''' "How do you manage to slam a an automated sliding door?"
50	--> '''Redd:''' "[[ThePowerOfHate The Power of]] [[DownplayedTrope Grump.]]"
51	* LovecraftianSuperpower: Ezzie's shtick. Most prominently shown on the cover of Chapter 7: [[ExcitedTitleTwoPartEpisodeName Ezzie! Sick Shoggoth Powers!]]
52	* MegaCorp: IBISEC, who created Redd's handmaidens, among other things used by both the general public and the military. However, the corporation seems to hold the idea of traditional heroes and villains in contempt, and are hoping they can use their tech--along with Redd--to shake up the status quo.
53	* MidSeasonUpgrade: Redd's hands, and often offscreen. [[OnceAnEpisode Many, many times.]] Ultimately, it's justified by IBISEC being a technological powerhouse, which they use to give Redd the appropriate armor for any given mission.
54	** Notably, her MultiArmedAndDangerous armor (which was used to kill a supervillain) is one of the few, if not only, models where Redd has actual arms attached to them. [[OrganicTechnology Meaty, exoskeleton-covered arms.]]
55	* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: Ezzie can give a CheshireCatGrin like the best of them.
56	* MostCommonSuperpower: Redd is a sterling example, although she seems to come by it naturally.
57	* MostDefinitelyNotAVillain: IBISEC:
58	--> '''Ezzie:''' [[GenreSavvy Well I mean, the company's clearly evil.]] Aside from all the people I stick back together, [[CapeBusters you guys]] are developing [[PowerNullifier anti-superhuman weapons and stuff.]] And Frankie Ibis' office [[ManOfWealthAndTaste has that "I'm evil" aesthetic to it.]] Anyone who [[ExecutiveSuiteFight has a nice office]] enjoys their job, [[{{Workaholic}} and anyone who enjoys their job]] is [[HiddenAgendaVillain hiding something.]]
59	* MsFanservice: Redd, of course. For a girl without arms, she's pretty curvy, as well as proud of her figure. Most of [[{{Fanservice}} this]] revolves around her MostCommonSuperpower and [[MaleGaze occasional]] [[FormFittingWardrobe accentuating outfits]]. She's definitely invoking this via GenreSavvy-ness.
60	* NothingIsScarier: Shown to be Redd's [[WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes greatest fear]] when she's locked in a room of darkness.
61	--> '''Redd:''' (at nothing) WHAWASSAT?!
62	--> '''VoiceWithAnInternetConnection:''' What was what?
63	--> '''Redd:''' I dunno, I think my brain is bamoozlin' me. [[ScaredOfWhatsBehindYou And bamboozles are my one weakness.]]
64	--> '''[[OneTwoPunchline Author's Note:]]''' Bamboozles, [[AlwaysABiggerFish the superhero's natural predator.]]
65	* PoweredByAForsakenChild: Ezzie's flesh magic. The HumanResources sacrificed thousands of years ago to her buddy [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Flesh God]] manifest as [[AndIMustScream tiny screaming faces on her skin.]]
66	%%* ProtagonistTitle
67	* PunchClockHero. Anyone working at IBISEC. They can't even kill a bad guy unless they get a contract from the government. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] since their CEO believes that [[SmugSuper regular superheroes]] have too much of an ego, among other [[ThouShallNotKill "imperfections."]] (See JokerImmunity entry for details.)
68	* RadiationInducedSuperpowers: [[AvertedTrope Averted.]] Vicky's dad wanted a superhero for a kid, so he supposedly exposed her to radiation while she was still in the womb. [[HandicappedBadass She ended up being born without arms.]]
69	* RedIsHeroic: Nay, [[PunnyName Redd]] Is [[SuperHero Superheroic!]] Also, the [[AppliedPhlebotinum technology]] that powers her floating hands is custom-colored red.
70	** PaintItBlack: [[AvertedTrope Averted.]] Redd's hands go through [[MidSeasonUpgrade constant models and upgrades,]] often reverting to black, which is simply the standard model color of IBISEC's technology.
71	* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Redd does not like being in a dark abyss.
72	* SeinfeldianConversation: The dialogue mostly consists of this, with ''a lot'' [[ItMakesSenseInContext of weird subjects.]] Subjects [[OnlyMostlyDead like recovering in a med tube]] [[LosingYourHead from getting your head cut off]] and the [[SideBoob Side Boobs]] in {{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}.
73	* ShoutOut:
74	** Example A, Chapter 1: [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros FALCOO]][[MegatonPunch OOOOON-]][[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter113 PAWNCH!]]
75	** Redd grabs a Platform/PlayStationPortable [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter215 here.]]
76	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter2-52 She spends the day with]] Mark because she got bored of the [[GameMod tsunami mod]] of [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto GTA.]] Mark doesn’t get it.
77	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter2-54 This exchange]] two pages later, when Redd comments on her hands overheating:
78	---> '''Mark:''' Why don’t you just take your [[Franchise/ScoobyDoo Velma]] sweater off?
79	---> '''Redd:''' It’s my ''[[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Mabel]]'' sweater, thank you. [[DistinctionWithoutADifference It’s only my Velma sweater when I wear glasses to fit in with the scientists]].
80	** Redd has a ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' T-shirt [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter2-55 under the sweater.]]
81	** "You don’t think that wearing this dumb [[VideoGame/WorldofWarcraft Warcraft]] {{Cosplay}} [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter312 is punishment enough?]]"
82	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter315 When Redd is placed in the]] [[PeopleJars goo tube]] (see the LampshadeHanging entry [[ItMakesSenseInContext for details on that]])...
83	---> '''Redd:''' “Reminds me of {{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}, how the writers always came up with a way to get the characters to [[NakedPeopleAreFunny take their clothes off.]] Good SideBoob potential [[AmbiguouslyBi in that show.]]
84	---> (Later) '''[[MrExposition Scientist #1]]:''' “[[TookALevelInBadass It seems that Redd]] has been [[SuperPoweredEvilSide infused with magical abilities]] [[SuperMode that she can activate temporarily.]] [[ToMakeALongStoryShort Essentially,]] she can [[PersonAsVerb occasionally go]] [[Anime/DragonBallZ Super Saiyan...]] [[WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged if you know]] what I’m Saiyan.”
85	---> '''[[ThoseTwoGuys Scientist #2]]:''' “[[RedundancyDepartmentOfRedundancy Oh, I know what you’re Saiyan.]]”
86	---> '''Redd:''' “Is there a way to soundproof the goo tube? For obvious reasons.”
87	** Chapter 4 is called "[[Manga/AttackOnTitan Attack On Brighton]]".
88	** Are Website/WomenInRefrigerators a thing? [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter44 Yes, but only to get cream cake!]]
89	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter45 Here.]]
90	--> '''Redd:''' Well, the sooner we get there, the sooner [[PunchClockHero I can belt this monster around the chops and get back]] [[TheSlacker to an afternoon of pajamas, pizza]] and Platform/PlayStation.
91	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter412 When we see the]] TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness doing… whatever the hell TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness always does, the creator [[CaptainErsatz discusses his inspirations for the design and characterization]] for them.
92	---> “It’s like [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion SEELE]] and the [[RealLife Rothschilds]] [[JustForFun/XMeetsY had a baby.]]"
93	** The creator also later admits that he’s a repetitive watcher of ''Anime/KillLaKill'', which [[ThisExplainsSoMuch Explains So Much]] about [[BoldInflation the manner]] [[GratuitousJapanese of introducing]] [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter310 Dark Redd]] and the '''[[WithGreatPowerComesGreatPerks OBLIGATORY HOT SHOWER AND DOUGHNUTS DAY OFF]] [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter415 PARTY.]]'''
94	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter59 "...but if you're stuck with super powers]] and [[ComicBook/SpiderMan Uncle Ben's]] [[ILetGwenStacyDie still alive]], it kinda feels like a world-saving intern."
95	** [[Franchise/MassEffect "To quote the famous alien scientist,]] [[SomeoneHasToDoIt has to be me, or someone else might bugger it up."]]
96	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter65 Here.]]
97	---> '''Redd:''' "[[Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender Water Tribe,]] [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch.]]"
98	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter613 Redd's]] [[RippedFromTheHeadlines keeping up with the newly-released season of]] ''Series/GameOfThrones.'' She also likes watching {{Creator/Netflix}} on a slow day. [[{{Fanservice}} She does the latter]] [[NakedPeopleAreFunny completely "nekkid," by the way.]]
99	** [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter614 "Look!]] [[PersonAsVerb I can do]] Creator/TimBurton [[TakeThat before he fell up his own arse!]]"
100	** To this very site, apparently...
101	---> '''Redd:''' Well, at least Ezzie can bring us BackFromTheDead. [[CameBackWrong Hope I don't reincarnate all]] DarkerAndEdgier. That is '''[[JumpingTheShark always]] [[NinetiesAntiHero retarded.]]'''
102	** "[[Franchise/{{Batman}} A certain Dark Knight]] [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter811 taught us that]] anyone can be a SuperHero as long as [[CrimefightingWithCash they have enough money]] [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower and have the perfect body]] [[AmericaSavesTheDay and are American.]]"
103	* SmugSuper: {{Pride}} is the FatalFlaw of superheroes, according to Mister Ibis. His speech about them is basically a hoard of FridgeLogic towards the entire SuperHero genre, spiced up with a big fat WhatTheHellHero to every superhero ever.
104	* {{Stripperific}}: Some of the outfits Redd wears when on-duty (this extends to the other test subjects of both genders as well). Most of them cover her whole body, [[FormFittingWardrobe but are skin-tight]]. She has her limits though; when she gains a [[EvilCostumeSwitch darkness-enhanced magic boost from a wizard]], it gave her a much more skin-baring ChainmailBikini as a result. She immediately covers herself and demands some sort of actual cover before she fights (to which the wizard apologetically hands her a cloak in response).
105	* SuperPoweredEvilSide: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted with Dark Redd.]] Her company made a DealWithTheDevil in order for Redd to fight magic-users, giving her the ability to manifest an [[SuperMode immense amount of magical power]] for a short period of time. This includes an EyeColourChange, donning [[EvilCostumeSwitch a gray-and-black,]] more {{Stripperiffic}}-than-usual outfit and speaking in black SpeechBubbles… [[EnemyWithin but no split-personality]] [[DarkIsNotEvil for Redd.]]
106	* UltimateBlacksmith: Apparently, [[ExaggeratedTrope every single superhero.]] They make their own super-suits, which can keep up with their everyday work [[RequiredSecondaryPowers without getting ripped and torn like little bedsheets.]]
107	* UnclePennyBags: Mister Ibis, head of IBISEC. Little guy even looks kinda like the TropeNamer.
108	--> “[[EstablishingCharacterMoment Please!]] [[FriendlyAddressPrivileges Call me Frankie!]]”
109	** AmbiguouslyEvil: As the usual course for a HiddenAgendaVillain. [[ItSeemedTrivial Oh yeah, we forgot to mention]]: He's evil. Rest assured, [[BenevolentBoss he's still a nice guy,]] but whether this means that he's AffablyEvil or FauxAffablyEvil is yet to be determined.
110	* UnlimitedWardrobe: Redd sports a different look several times throughout the comic.
111	* TheUnSmile: A lot of commentators interpreted the alien receptionist's smile here as this.
112	--> '''Seth Brodbeck:''' That is the kind of smile that says "I may not fully comprehend this smiling thing, but I comprehend the disciplinary action that will be taken if I don't smile."
113	** Early in the comic, a woman from upper management shows up to ask Redd if she would like to participate in IBISEC's hero program. She's sports an [[CheshireCatGrin odd smile]] the whole time and one of Redd's co-workers refers to the woman as a "scary lady".
114	* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Redd has qualms about killing a supervillain on the basis that he's human, unlike the sea monsters she had been facing earlier, but she ultimately decides to do it (see BewareTheSillyOnes above for more detail). Later, she kills a giant creature that was just standing in the ocean near a port with no hesitation, thinking it was another monster. It's later revealed that it was actually a giant man in armor (though Redd missed this tidbit when it was revealed due to being asleep at the time).
115	%%* WhamLine: [[http://www.bumrushcomics.com/?comic=chapter88 Wham Word, really.]] [[BoldInflation (It's the big, bolded one.)]]
116	* YouthfulFreckles: Redd has these.

Context Webcomic / Redd