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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SPoD" data-source="post: 4330961" data-attributes="member: 51268">This, right here, is the problem Rich faces: for every person who will never be happy until Belkar gets treated like they think an evil character should be legitimately treated, there is one who thinks Belkar is the best thing about OOTS and the comic would lose all entertainment value if he left the comic. No matter what happens, the longer the story continues, Rich loses.With this strip, he's trying to keep everyone happy. It may be doomed to failure, but that's the obvious intent. Those who want to see Haley grow a spine and chew Belkar out get to see that yes, she can be pushed too far, and those who want Belkar to stay with the party get that, too. It's an attempt to manage a fanbase that is increasingly polarized.For my money, I don't think Belkar is leaving the comic. Ever. I think if you're hoping for Belkar to leave, you're fooling yourself. Rich has stated in an interview that Belkar is one of his favorite characters to write jokes for, and has stated in one of the books that if Belkar was killed, the comic would follow him to the Abyss. He's not going away, and he's likely not reforming, either. Haley chewing him out was just a bone being thrown to those people who don't like him, but the end result is clear: he stays, even if Rich has to alter space and time (and memory) to make it happen.Edit to add: Also, why do people treat reading and enjoying OOTS like its an inalienable right? If you think it sucks so much as to question whether or not it should exist, stop reading it!! No one is holding a gun to your head, you'll be a happier person and your blood pressure will go down. It's one thing to say he dropped the ball this time, but if you think has no business being a story comic at all, stop encouraging it and withdraw your support.</blockquote>

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