146: Join Myspace

2013-05-18T17:32:24Z

88.108.125.121: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 146
| date = August 21, 2006
| title = Join Myspace
| image = join_myspace.png
| titletext = I really shouldn't abuse that power so heavily.
}}

==Explanation==
This comic references to the 1980s TV-comicseries (and Greeting Card subjects) {{w|Care Bears|“Care Bears”}} in which various cuddly bears in rainbow colors go on missions to save the world. The characters' ultimate weapon is the "Care Bear Stare," in which the Bears stand together and radiate light from their respective tummy symbols. These combine to form a ray of love and good cheer which could bring care and joy into the target's heart.

“Myspace” references to the social networking site {{w|MySpace|myspace.com}}. [[Cueball]] is convincing [[Black Hat]] to create an account at this networking site, but Black Hat doesn't feel like it. Then, when Black Hat gets annoyed by Cueball's persuasions, he activates his “carebearstare”, thus overthrowing Cueball's request to be friends only.

On a nostalgic note, considering the state of Myspace today, perhaps Black Hat is just really good at foreshadowing.

==Transcript==
:[Cueball is talking to Black Hat]
:Cueball: Dude, you should get on MySpace.
:Black Hat: Eh, I don't think so.
:Cueball: C'mon. There's no real reason not to except snobbiness. It's the new social scene.
:Black Hat: I know. I'm just not interested.
:Cueball: Please? I'll friend you.
:Black Hat: Carebearstare.
:Cueball: What?
:[Black Hat shoots a rainbow colored ray from his chest - the Care Bear Stare. It throws Cueball to the edge of the panel, pinned to the wall.]

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Social networking]]

105: Parallel Universe

2013-05-18T17:08:39Z

88.108.125.121: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 105
| date = May 22, 2006
| title = Parallel Universe
| image = parallel_universe.jpg
| titletext = It's possible. Better to be on the safe side.
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] has (by some ritual, judging by the pentagram) summoned himself from a {{w|Multiverse|parallel universe}}. The second character suggests that Cueball should take advantage of this rare opportunity and make out with his other self.

Now, who this second character with the hair? That decision swings the joke in one of two ways.

*If the character is [[Megan]] the third panel is her having reconsidered that she would rather Cueball not make out with anyone other than her, by threatening that she would leave him.
*If the character is some other character (say any of the other scruffy-haired-but-not-quite-as-long-as-Megan's characters), then the third panel is this character suggesting that Cueball should make out with them instead, since they could also vanish at any moment.

The title text does not help in deciding this swing vote. If it is Megan, Cueball should stay safe and not make out with himself. If it is not, he should play it safe and make out now, before his alternate self goes back to the parallel universe.

All this ambiguity suggests a third joke. Perhaps there are two universes that this is playing out in, in one of them the character is Megan, the other is not.

==Transcript==
:[Two people are standing next to a large pentagram with candles at the points. A figure is hovering above it in a wave of energy.]
:Cueball: Sweet. I summoned myself from a parallel universe.
:Person: You know, he could vanish at any moment.
:Person: You should take this chance to make out with yourself.
:Person: . . . You know, '''<u>I</u>''' could vanish at any moment.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

146: Join Myspace

105: Parallel Universe