[14 May 12] Something more complex than "alkie"

[Arky]

He's not really being a jerk, though. He's making the extra effort to actually listen to these kids and give them good advice. If he complains is annoyed by them sometimes, so what? I don't think Jerk With A Heart of Gold is the right trope.

I see what you're saying, but there's no denying that Hank's advice, sensible and helpful as it is, comes with a good deal of irritation and snark. Maybe "jerk" is indeed too strong a word, but he's definitely not a smiling, "hey buddy, good to see you" sort. So perhaps "Good Is Not Nice" is a more accurate trope to describe Hank. Think Sherlock Holmes, who devotes his life to doing good by solving crimes, but is acerbic, sarcastic, and unaffectionate as a person. Or, to take a more extreme example, Severus Snape, who's severe (as his punny name suggests), strict and grudge-bearing, even cruel, towards Harry and his friends, but ultimately on the side of good.

In other words he's Davan MacIntire if he stayed in college.

Well, current Davan anyway. Davan is less acerbic than he used to be.

[Trefle]

He's not really being a jerk, though. He's making the extra effort to actually listen to these kids and give them good advice. If he complains is annoyed by them sometimes, so what? I don't think Jerk With A Heart of Gold is the right trope.

I see what you're saying, but there's no denying that Hank's advice, sensible and helpful as it is, comes with a good deal of irritation and snark. Maybe "jerk" is indeed too strong a word, but he's definitely not a smiling, "hey buddy, good to see you" sort. So perhaps "Good Is Not Nice" is a more accurate trope to describe Hank. Think Sherlock Holmes, who devotes his life to doing good by solving crimes, but is acerbic, sarcastic, and unaffectionate as a person. Or, to take a more extreme example, Severus Snape, who's severe (as his punny name suggests), strict and grudge-bearing, even cruel, towards Harry and his friends, but ultimately on the side of good.

In other words he's Davan MacIntire if he stayed in college.

I feel like Hank's different than Davan.. but that's just me. Davan feels like 'Jerk -and- a Heart of Gold'; he relishes in his sarcastic cynical attitude, but when he wants to be kind, he won't hesitate.

I don't really see the 'jerk' part of Hank; but he looks very secure in his experience, principle, knowledge, belief, and can be (or at least have been) demeaning to other people's perspective he deemed 'wrong'. And somewhat dismissive. "WHY the HELL do you see those as that when in fact they are THIS!? seriously, these freshmen."

His advices are all practical, and effective, but emotionally cold as stone. The important thing is that the situation gets better (Sara got her advice, Lisa got back from her funk, Michael's concern are heard without doing -anything- towards Marie) but Hank didn't touch any of the emotional content (Sara's nervousness, Lisa's...well, trainwreck of an angst, Michael's overall concern) for better (RA, not therapist) or worse (invalidation)

...if using MBTI (I know, there's the problem of 'typing' people into 16 code, but bear with me); looks like an xSTJ. Dependable, has an emotional shell of a turtle.

[Pink Freud]

I can't help it this is the first thing that jumped into my head when I saw this panel I think bad joke photoshop is like a compulsion for me or something.

[Hexr]

OK, I have nothing meaningful to say about the strip right now, so I'll just..

I can't help it this is the first thing that jumped into my head when I saw this panel I think bad joke photoshop is like a compulsion for me or something.

Ace - Queue - you - EEEEEeeeeeEEEEEEE!!
Also, I'll be chuckling at this the whole day. Thank you, Pink Freaud, thank you!

[TidalWave]

I don't get Hank's problem. Didn't he say something like "You can talk to me anytime" around the beginning of the comic?

[Hexr]

I don't get Hank's problem. Didn't he say something like "You can talk to me anytime" around the beginning of the comic?

My (and many others') guess is that he's actually rather benevolent, but acts tough and uninterested when he's talking with his friends.

[Doc Harleen]

I don't get Hank's problem. Didn't he say something like "You can talk to me anytime" around the beginning of the comic?

He did indeed, right here. Even though he is being snarky about it, I'd still assume "my door is always open" means that he's always available to them.

I wonder what Hank is studying at the university.

[Lia S]

I wonder what Hank is studying at the university.

Law.

[Doc Harleen]

I wonder what Hank is studying at the university.

Law.

Good catch! Thank you!

[Pink Freud]

I wonder what Hank is studying at the university.

Law.

Good catch! Thank you!

Hey, don't jump to conclusions! Maybe he's just thinking of going into the military. It could be an instruction manual.

[Zanosuke Kurosaki]

I just noticed: for that last panel, there should be a word balloon coming from off-panel. "Because you said so the first day, dude!" Because Michael would still be able to hear him as he's walking off, thanks to the apparently thin walls, and the rather keen hearing he's supposed to have, being based on me and all. Ah, well, there'll be more chances for Hank to get a bit of his own snark directed back at him.

[FlyingFish]

I wonder what Hank is studying at the university.

Law.

This actually explains his attitude. He knows that law will involve people coming to him with problems. He would prefer to shut them out and isolate himself. So he's forcing himself to interact by having an open-door policy. He doesn't like it, he's surprised at how often it's happening, and he grumbles about it when they aren't around, but he's sucking it up and dealing with it, because it will make him better at it.

[Bardlp]

So perhaps "Good Is Not Nice" is a more accurate trope to describe Hank.

Sort of a "You're so nice. You're not good; you're not bad; you're just nice. I'm not good; I'm not nice; I'm just right" thing then?

[TCampbell]

So perhaps "Good Is Not Nice" is a more accurate trope to describe Hank.

Sort of a "You're so nice. You're not good; you're not bad; you're just nice. I'm not good; I'm not nice; I'm just right" thing then?

Not really. The emphasis is on those who are good, without being nice.

[mindstalk]

So perhaps "Good Is Not Nice" is a more accurate trope to describe Hank.

Sort of a "You're so nice. You're not good; you're not bad; you're just nice. I'm not good; I'm not nice; I'm just right" thing then?

Not really. The emphasis is on those who are good, without being nice.

Granny Weatherwax!

Or the Alm-Uncle.