This issue begins with a school assembly where they have a guest speaker: Desmond from Casey's Mr. Majestic book. During this scene, Casey also references the continuity of that series, placing Majestic's ascension to godhood as the reality of this world, going against depictions of the characters since the end of that series. Like, for instance, the one by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, which began in a crossover with Superman and would continue in an ongoing series to begin a month after this issue came out... Hmm... Casey wouldn't purposefully attack Wildstorm and other creators, would he?Not much happens in this issue. Not much happens in any issue. Punchy doesn't think much of Desmond, which pisses off Duke, who is having some problems with constipation. Most of the issue focuses on those two with small bits given to Destra and Empty Vee. We also get to meet Kefong, but he skirts around the edges of the story only showing up a few times. First, for the comedic punchline when Duke rushes into the bathroom and then to find Duke and Punchy after their planned attempt to escape the Seminary and visit Majestic's Rushmore Sanctuary using a secret teleporter.
Really, this is an issue about poop and trying to break curfew with a special guest speaker who says some thematically meaningful things thrown in. It's an episode of Saved by the Bell or Boy Meets World or Family Ties or... you get the idea.
Honestly, I'm having a hard time discussing the book because it is so superficial in many ways. Nothing happens, not ever character development! Everyone is what they appear to be with a few hints that there's something more beneath the surface, but not much.
The budding friendship between Duke and Punchy is interesting as they don't actually like one another. That's one of the best things about this book: Casey recognises that friendships in high school mostly come about because there's no one else to hang out with. In Punchy and Duke's case, there's Sykes (who doesn't interact with anyone) and Kefong (the new kid, and therefore to be shunned a little), and... that's it. So, they get to be best buds despite having nothing in common and not really liking one another.
Their friendship is juxtaposed with that of Destra and Empty Vee who seem, on the surface, much friendlier towards one another--but, underneath, you get the impression that Destra hangs out with Vee because she can push her around and toy with her. It's much more insidious.
During his speech, Desmond talks about how the kids should ignore the adults and do their own thing, which Punchy makes fun of... and, of course, says later only to have Duke remind him that that's what Desmond said.
During next issue's discussion, I will ask "DO YOU LIKE ME? YES__ NO__ MAYBE___"
