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Candi Sorcerer in training Since: Aug, 2012

Sorcerer in training

Aug 23rd 2013 at 4:45:34 AM •••

The town of Mechanicsburg in Girl Genius has "The Doom Bell" . It spends four pages building up the tension prior to ringing the bell, which occurs on a two-page spread, it is struck once and the sound induces existential despair in the listeners, thus announcing the return of the Heterodyne and that the surrounding lords should probably give some thought to begging for mercy.

This was discussed in the Girl Genius thread when the spread was originally published. It does not fit the description of the trope, and was already added and removed once at the time. The ringing of the Girl Genius Doom Bell is a happy occasion, particularly at this point of the story.

Normally, the Doom Bell is rung to announce the Hetrodynes are in residence, and at the birth of a new heir. In the story specifically, the ringing of the bell means Agatha has come into her own, that the Jaegers can return home after around 15 years (at least), and it takes out a mess of invading forces as a bonus. Yes, what it projects is a type of massive despair, and knocks those who can't stand it/aren't used to it flat for a bit, but its ringing is not a sad event by any means.

Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett Hide / Show Replies

Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010

Aug 23rd 2013 at 5:34:52 AM •••

It plays with the trope via a crossing with the clichéd celebratory bells (which I note we don't have a trope for... weird) via a dose of Red Alert.

I vote for noting it down as a specific inversion/ subversion: that way, it'll not always keep being added as a straight example (which it isn't).

Edited by 70.33.253.45

Candi Since: Aug, 2012

Aug 23rd 2013 at 5:24:30 PM •••

They're yakking about it in the Girl Genius thread, and it's been noted that it doesn't really work as an inversion. For the actual town, at least. The neighbors, on the other hand... :p

(Forum>Webcomics>Girl Genius. It should be near the top because it's VERY VERY active.)

Edited by 69.172.221.2 Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett

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