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{{Quotation|'''The Engineer'''|You done incurred my wrath, son!|sound=Engineer_dominationengineer05.wav}}
+
{{Comic infobox
[[Image:Engy_comic.jpg|right]]
+
| preview        = LooseCanon Titlecard.png
 +
| release-date    = July 2, 2010
 +
| number-of-pages = 13
 +
| artist          = [[Heather Campbell|Heather "makani" Campbell]]
 +
}}
  
'''''Loose Canon''''' is an entry in the [[Team Fortress 2]] [[comic]] series that was released on July 2, 2010, three days before the beginning of the [[Engineer Update]]. Loose Canon is centered around the story of how the initial wars between [[RED]] and [[BLU]] began, brothers [[Redmond Mann|Redmond]] and [[Blutarch Mann]], and what role the [[Engineer]] and his [[Radigan Conagher|family]] have played throughout the generations. It also introduced the concept of [[Australium]] to the Team Fortress 2 universe.
+
{{hatnote|This article is about the comic. For the weapon, see [[Loose Cannon]].}}
  
''Loose Canon'' is notable for building on [[Non-player_characters#Zepheniah_Mann_and_Company|the story of Zephaniah Mann]], the introduction of Radigan Conagher, and being the only media to feature the Engineer class without his goggles over his eyes.  
+
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer'''|Why don't you go ahead and call me Dell, ma'am.
 +
"Mister Conagher" was my grandfather's name.}}
  
[http://makani.deviantart.com/ Art for Loose Canon was drawn by makani.]
+
'''''Loose Canon''''' is a [[comic]] that was released on July 2, 2010, three days before the announcement of the [[Engineer Update]]. It tells the story of how the initial wars between [[RED]] and [[BLU]] began, about brothers [[Redmond Mann|Redmond]] and [[Blutarch Mann]], and the roles that the [[Engineer]] and his [[Radigan Conagher|family]] have played throughout the generations. It also features the first marked appearance of [[Australium]].
 +
 
 +
The comic is notable for building on [[Non-player characters#TF Industries and divisions|the story of Zephaniah Mann]] and introducing Radigan Conagher.
 
   
 
   
== Synopsis ==
+
== Synopsis ==  
''Loose Canon'' opens during [[timeline|present day]], as the Engineer sits calmly awaiting a meeting with Blutarch Mann. An elderly woman then appears, and lets the Engineer know that Blutarch is ready to see him. Though never directly stated, this woman is likely Blutarch's secretary. The Engineer inquires about a large painting on the wall, and whether or not it is an '''original''' Kicasso, impressing the secretary.
+
''Loose Canon'' opens in the [[Storyline|present day]] with the [[Engineer]] waiting for a meeting with [[Blutarch Mann]]. He is greeted by an elderly woman who tells him that Blutarch is ready to see him. They briefly talk about the painting hanging behind the Engineer, who asks to be called Dell. As they walk to his office, she inquires whether the Engineer knows of his [[Non-player characters#Radigan Conagher|grandfather's]] relationship with the Mann family, however the Engineer is unaware of any. The woman explains that many years ago, his grandfather solved a sensitive issue for Blutarch, but implies that his solution is starting to fail. She closes by saying that Blutarch will explain it all himself, and also for the Engineer not to shake his hand.  
 
 
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer'''|Why don't you go ahead and call me '''Dell''', ma'am.  
 
 
 
"Mister Conagher" was my '''grandfather's''' name.}}
 
 
 
As Dell Conagher and the secretary walk to his office, she asks Dell about the extent of his knowledge regarding his the relationship between his grandfather and the Mann family. Dell is unaware of any, stating this had been the first he heard of it. The secretary explains that many years ago, Dell's grandfather solved a sensitive issue for Blutarch, but implies that his solution is beginning to fail. The secretary closes by saying that Blutarch will explain it all himself, and warns Dell that he shouldn't shake Blutarch's hand, as he "forgets sometimes".
 
 
 
''Loose Canon'' then cuts to the reading of Zepheniah Mann's will, in the year 1850. [[Non-player characters#Elizabeth|Elizabeth]], grandmother to the [[Administrator]], receives the rest and residue of his estate. [[Non-player characters#Barnabas|Barnabas]], grandfather to [[Saxton Hale]] recieves complete control of [[Mann Co.]], as well as something else. What else is currently unknown, as the will reader is interrupted by Barnabas, who found himself distracted by a particular cougar's pepper sauce. To his layabout, brain defective sons, Zephaniah leaves "partnership" in the form an equal share of whatever land he has left. "You have wasted your '''lives''' bickering over nothing. And so I leave you dimwits something of '''consequence''' over which to feud."
 
 
 
Following a quick timeskip, we find Radigan Conagher in a meeting with a now-aged Blutarch Mann, in the year 1890. Standing behind Blutarch throughout this scene is a young secretary, who would with age become the same woman to see Radigan's grandson to the same man. Blutarch explains that both Redmond and himself immediately hired a team of mercenaries in order to take control of each others land. Redmond and Blutarch have found themselves in a stalemate for 40 years. Since Blutarch could no longer take his brothers land by force, he decided to simply outlast him. However, Redmond won't die. Blutarch then states that he wants Radigan to build him a machine to prolong his death and outlast his brother. That he wants Radigan to make him a monster. Radigan silently thinks for a moment before agreeing.
 
 
 
'''"Alright."'''
 
 
 
It's a particularly dreary evening, and rain pours against the brim of Radigan's hat. As Radigan unlocks the door to his Conagher's Tools and Munitions store, he finds Elizabeth already inside, awaiting his arrival. As Radigan asks who she is, Elizabeth cuts him off, stating that ''"it would save us both a lot of time if you did not ask who I am or how I know what I know"''. Elizabeth is aware that Radigan has agreed to build a machine to prolong Blutarch's life, and asks if she could convince him not to. Radigan declines with a simple "No ma'am.", prompting an alternative proposal from Elizabeth. Elizabeth presents a single pure-golden ingot, engraved with an image of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia|a man and a kangaroo boxing.] Elizabeth proceeds to explain how the people of Australia have outpaced the world in terms of technology for the last forty years, despite being a land of savages. The element [[Australium]], of which the ingot is composed, is only found in small caches in Australia. Elizabeth states that she has spent the last 10 years collecting 100 pounds of the element, and that she will give it all to Radigan in exchange for him building an additional life support machine for Redmond.
 
 
 
{{Quotation|'''Elizabeth'''|Think, mister Conagher- if this element can make a genius out of an '''Australian...'''
 
  
... What would it do for a man of your faculties?}}
+
The comic then cuts to 1850 to the reading of Zepheniah Mann's will. Zepheniah's maidservant, [[Non-player characters#Elizabeth|Elizabeth]], receives the rest and residue of his estate; [[Saxton Hale]]'s grandfather, [[Non-player characters#Barnabas|Barnabas]], receives complete control of [[Mann Co.]] and something else (the narrator of the will is interrupted by Barnabas fighting a cougar); and finally Blutarch and [[Redmond]] receive "partnership" in the form of an equal share of whatever land remained in Zepheniah's possession. This is due to Blutarch and Redmond spending their entire lives bickering over nothing, and so are left something of consequence over which to feud.
  
''Loose Canon'' then returns to the our present day meeting between Blutarch and Dell. Blutarch states that Redmond also built a life support machine, apparently unaware that Radigan was the one that built it. Blutarch angrily explains that his machine has begun to break down, and he wants the Dell to fix it. Dell explains that, while he's flattered that they thought to ask him to fix it, he has no idea how the machine works. Touching such a machine when he has no idea about the inner-workings would more than likely kill Blutarch. Blutarch quickly enquirers whether Dell could fix it if he had access to the blueprints originally drawn by his grandfather. "Well, now that's a different story." Dell begins "Not much hope'a '''that''', though. The old man had 'em-" Dell is cut off by Blutarch carelessly tossing a stack of old papers on the desk that sits between them. "-buried with him." Dell finished, with a disgusted look on his face. Blutarch shrugs and admits to having dug up Radigan and looted his corpse to obtain the blueprints. Blutarch goes on to state that he has spent sixty years and a small fortune trying decipher them to no avail. Blutarch continues that Dell may ''borrow'' the blueprints drawn by his grandfather on one condition, but freezes before he is able to state his barter. Confused, Dell asks if he is alright, to which Blutarch's secretary states to give him a moment. "He's just dead." The machine then surges a great, blue bolt of energy through Blutarch's body, not unlike an [[Ubercharge]]. Blutarch grabs Dell by his collar and states that each day he stays dead a little bit longer, and that there is nothing on the other side. He tells him to fix the machine.
+
The comic then jumps 40 years to 1890, where Radigan is in a meeting with a now-aged Blutarch. Blutarch explains that he and his brother both immediately hired a team of mercenaries in order to take control of each other’s land, and because of this have been in a stalemate for 40 years. Since he could no longer take his brother's land by force, he decided to simply outlast him. However, Redmond has yet to die. Blutarch then states that he wants Radigan to build him a machine to prolong his life and outlast his brother. Radigan silently thinks for a moment before agreeing.  
  
As Dell shifts through his grandfathers' blueprints and notes at his workbench, Blutarch's words echo to him. Blutarch states that Dell is to decipher his grandfather's notes, and learn how to fix his machine. If Dell finds '''anything''' else of interest, it belongs to Blutarch and Dell is to bring it directly to him. Dell smiles with a wicked glare, staring down the cover of a note labeled "Guns: Maps of Australium Caches".  
+
That evening, Radigan returns home. Unlocking the front door to his Tools and Munitions store, Radigan discovers an unknown woman waiting for him inside. Though the woman bears a resemblance to the Administrator, she cuts Radigan off before he can ask, claiming it would be quicker if he did not ask who she is or how she knows what she knows. She is aware that Radigan has agreed to build a machine to prolong Blutarch's life, and asks if it would be possible for him not to. Radigan declines. Expecting as much, the woman proposes an alternative: she presents Radigan with a gold ingot. The woman goes on to explain how Australians have outpaced the world in terms of technology for the last 40 years, despite being a land of savages. The element ''[[Australium]]'' is only found in small caches in Australia. She claims to have spent the last 10 years collecting 100 pounds of the element, and that she will give it all to Radigan in exchange for him building an additional life support machine for Redmond.
 +
 
 +
The comic then returns to the present day meeting between Blutarch and the Engineer. Blutarch states that Redmond also built a life support machine, apparently unaware that Radigan was the one that built it. He then angrily explains that the machine has started to break down and he wants the Engineer to fix it. The Engineer then explains that while he's flattered they thought to ask him to fix it, he has no idea how the machine works, and that he would more than likely kill Blutarch if he touched it. Blutarch asks if he could fix it if he had his grandfather’s blueprints, which the Engineer states he could, but that the blueprints were buried with his grandfather. Blutarch then throws the blueprints on the desk, saying that he has spent the last 60 years and a small fortune trying to decipher them to no avail. He then states that the Engineer may borrow them on one condition, but freezes midsentence. Confused, the Engineer asks if he is alright, to which Blutarch's assistant says that he's just dead. The machine then electrocutes Blutarch back to life. He grabs the Engineer and states that each day he stays dead a little bit longer, and that there is nothing on the other side. He tells him to fix the machine.
 +
 
 +
Later, at his workshop, as Dell shifts through his grandfather's blueprints and notes, the voice over of Blutarch continues to say that the Engineer has been lent the blueprints to decipher them and learn how to fix the machine. Blutarch also states that should the Engineer find anything else of interest, the Engineer must not build it, but bring it directly back to him. The Engineer is then shown grinning after finding a file titled ''Guns: Maps of Australium Caches''.
  
 
== Pages ==
 
== Pages ==
Line 51: Line 46:
  
 
== Pages (no text) ==
 
== Pages (no text) ==
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:EngineercomicNT01.jpg|Pages 1, 2, and 3
 
File:EngineercomicNT01.jpg|Pages 1, 2, and 3
Line 67: Line 61:
  
 
== Trivia ==
 
== Trivia ==
=== Page 1 ===
+
* A '''loose cannon''' is a [[w:Cannon|cannon]] that was carelessly tied, and so has come loose and is sliding around on the pitching deck of a storm-tossed ship. It is mindless and liable to kill any sailor it slides into.  / A '''loose canon''' is [[w:Canon (fiction)|canon]] that was carelessly tied, and so has come loose and is sliding around on the swerving plot of a storm-tossed storyline.  It is mindless and liable to kill any narrative it slides into. ''(See [[Storyline]])''
* The [[Engineer]]s last name is revealed to be Conagher. This continues the tradition set in the [[WAR! Comic]] of revealing a mercinary's name every major comic.
+
;'''Page 1'''
* The painter Kicasso, is based off of the painter [[Wikipedia:Picasso|Pablo Picasso]]. Pronouncing his name the same way, it creates the pun 'Kick-ass-o'.
+
* The [[Engineer]]'s last name is revealed to be Conagher. This continues the tradition begun in the [[WAR! Comic]] of revealing a mercenary’s name every major comic.  
 +
* The painter Kicasso is based off of the painter [[Wikipedia:Picasso|Pablo Picasso]]. Pronouncing his name the same way, this creates the pun "Kick-ass-so".
 +
 +
;'''Page 2'''
 +
* The painting is based on [https://www.pablopicasso.org/self-portrait.jsp Picasso's Self Portait] from his Blue Period. This is a reference to the fact that Blutarch keeps everything, from his home to his mercenaries, color-coordinated in blue.
 +
 
 +
;'''Page 4'''
 +
* Zepheniah Mann's maidservant, [[Elizabeth]], is introduced, with a [[w:Poliosis|Mallen streak]] similar to the [[Administrator]].
 +
* This is the second time a member of the [[Hale]] family has been shown fighting a [[Wikipedia:Big cat|big cat]] whilst sitting down. The first instance was on the cover of a [[:File:Saxton_haircut.jpg|Saxton Hale comic]] where Saxton Hale fought a lion while getting his hair cut. Both men remark on the creature's spirit, but because Tabasco-brand pepper sauce would not be invented for another 18 years Barnabas uses the generic term.
  
=== Page 2 ===
+
;'''Page 5'''
* The painting is based off of [http://pablo-picasso.paintings.name/blue-period/gallery/self-portrait.php Picasso's Self Portait] from his Blue Period.
+
*The [[Eyelander]] can be seen sheathed near the globe next to Radigan, and a [[Solemn Vow]] is on a pedestal across the room.
 +
*Blutarch is already connected to some form of life support equipment.  
  
=== Page 4 ===
+
;'''Page 8'''
* Zephiniah Manns maidservant, [[Elizabeth]], is revealed to be the grandmother of the [[Administrator]].
+
*The adobe pueblo building in the background places the scene in the [[Badlands (region)|Badlands]].
 +
*Several blueprints can be seen in the background when Radigan meets the unknown woman; designs for Sentry Guns that would be attributed to Dell in 1965.
 +
*Hanging to the left are aircraft models similar to the aircraft then flying in Australia on the next page.  
  
=== Page 5 ===
+
;'''Page 9'''
* The [[Eyelander]] can be seen on the table behind [[Radigan Conagher]].  
+
* The fighter on the right in the top panel is wearing [[Saxton Hale]]'s signature [[Trophy Belt|crocodile-toothed hat]].
  
=== Page 9 ===
+
;'''Page 13'''
* The fighter on the right in the top panel is wearing [[Saxton Hale]]'s signature, croc-toothed hat.
+
* The workbench and wall that Dell is facing is similar to the workbench and wall upon which the contents of Radigan's papers are displayed on the [[:File:Engineer_Update_Page0.jpg|Engineer Update Page]].
 +
* The handwritten notes on the "Life Extender Machine" blueprint suggest that, besides for Blutarch and Redmond, another machine was built for a third person and completed on April 14th, although the detailed year of completion and the identity of the user remain unknown due to the frame of the second panel being cut off.
 +
* In the text version of the comic, the "Guns" folder held by the Engineer has "Maps of Australium Caches" written underneath the title; in the no text version, this sub-header is missing.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Comics]]
 
* [[Comics]]
 +
* [[Storyline]]
 +
* [[Non-player characters]]
 +
* {{update link|Engineer Update}}
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
* [http://www.teamfortress.com/loosecanon/ Loose Canon Comic] on teamfortress.com
+
* [http://www.teamfortress.com/loosecanon/ Loose Canon] comic on the Team Fortress 2 Official Website.
 +
* [http://tf2.com/post.php?id=4013&p=4 Blog post] that accompanied the announcement of the Loose Canon comic on the Team Fortress 2 Official Website.
  
{{Comics nav}}
+
{{EngineerUpdateNav}}
 +
{{Comics nav}}  
  
 
[[Category:Comics]]
 
[[Category:Comics]]

Latest revision as of 19:31, 25 May 2024

Loose Canon
LooseCanon Titlecard.png
Comic Strip Info
Released: July 2, 2010
Number of pages: 13
Artist: Heather "makani" Campbell
This article is about the comic. For the weapon, see Loose Cannon.
Why don't you go ahead and call me Dell, ma'am. "Mister Conagher" was my grandfather's name.
The Engineer

Loose Canon is a comic that was released on July 2, 2010, three days before the announcement of the Engineer Update. It tells the story of how the initial wars between RED and BLU began, about brothers Redmond and Blutarch Mann, and the roles that the Engineer and his family have played throughout the generations. It also features the first marked appearance of Australium.

The comic is notable for building on the story of Zephaniah Mann and introducing Radigan Conagher.

Synopsis

Loose Canon opens in the present day with the Engineer waiting for a meeting with Blutarch Mann. He is greeted by an elderly woman who tells him that Blutarch is ready to see him. They briefly talk about the painting hanging behind the Engineer, who asks to be called Dell. As they walk to his office, she inquires whether the Engineer knows of his grandfather's relationship with the Mann family, however the Engineer is unaware of any. The woman explains that many years ago, his grandfather solved a sensitive issue for Blutarch, but implies that his solution is starting to fail. She closes by saying that Blutarch will explain it all himself, and also for the Engineer not to shake his hand.

The comic then cuts to 1850 to the reading of Zepheniah Mann's will. Zepheniah's maidservant, Elizabeth, receives the rest and residue of his estate; Saxton Hale's grandfather, Barnabas, receives complete control of Mann Co. and something else (the narrator of the will is interrupted by Barnabas fighting a cougar); and finally Blutarch and Redmond receive "partnership" in the form of an equal share of whatever land remained in Zepheniah's possession. This is due to Blutarch and Redmond spending their entire lives bickering over nothing, and so are left something of consequence over which to feud.

The comic then jumps 40 years to 1890, where Radigan is in a meeting with a now-aged Blutarch. Blutarch explains that he and his brother both immediately hired a team of mercenaries in order to take control of each other’s land, and because of this have been in a stalemate for 40 years. Since he could no longer take his brother's land by force, he decided to simply outlast him. However, Redmond has yet to die. Blutarch then states that he wants Radigan to build him a machine to prolong his life and outlast his brother. Radigan silently thinks for a moment before agreeing.

That evening, Radigan returns home. Unlocking the front door to his Tools and Munitions store, Radigan discovers an unknown woman waiting for him inside. Though the woman bears a resemblance to the Administrator, she cuts Radigan off before he can ask, claiming it would be quicker if he did not ask who she is or how she knows what she knows. She is aware that Radigan has agreed to build a machine to prolong Blutarch's life, and asks if it would be possible for him not to. Radigan declines. Expecting as much, the woman proposes an alternative: she presents Radigan with a gold ingot. The woman goes on to explain how Australians have outpaced the world in terms of technology for the last 40 years, despite being a land of savages. The element Australium is only found in small caches in Australia. She claims to have spent the last 10 years collecting 100 pounds of the element, and that she will give it all to Radigan in exchange for him building an additional life support machine for Redmond.

The comic then returns to the present day meeting between Blutarch and the Engineer. Blutarch states that Redmond also built a life support machine, apparently unaware that Radigan was the one that built it. He then angrily explains that the machine has started to break down and he wants the Engineer to fix it. The Engineer then explains that while he's flattered they thought to ask him to fix it, he has no idea how the machine works, and that he would more than likely kill Blutarch if he touched it. Blutarch asks if he could fix it if he had his grandfather’s blueprints, which the Engineer states he could, but that the blueprints were buried with his grandfather. Blutarch then throws the blueprints on the desk, saying that he has spent the last 60 years and a small fortune trying to decipher them to no avail. He then states that the Engineer may borrow them on one condition, but freezes midsentence. Confused, the Engineer asks if he is alright, to which Blutarch's assistant says that he's just dead. The machine then electrocutes Blutarch back to life. He grabs the Engineer and states that each day he stays dead a little bit longer, and that there is nothing on the other side. He tells him to fix the machine.

Later, at his workshop, as Dell shifts through his grandfather's blueprints and notes, the voice over of Blutarch continues to say that the Engineer has been lent the blueprints to decipher them and learn how to fix the machine. Blutarch also states that should the Engineer find anything else of interest, the Engineer must not build it, but bring it directly back to him. The Engineer is then shown grinning after finding a file titled Guns: Maps of Australium Caches.

Pages

Pages (no text)

Trivia

  • A loose cannon is a cannon that was carelessly tied, and so has come loose and is sliding around on the pitching deck of a storm-tossed ship. It is mindless and liable to kill any sailor it slides into. / A loose canon is canon that was carelessly tied, and so has come loose and is sliding around on the swerving plot of a storm-tossed storyline. It is mindless and liable to kill any narrative it slides into. (See Storyline)
Page 1
  • The Engineer's last name is revealed to be Conagher. This continues the tradition begun in the WAR! Comic of revealing a mercenary’s name every major comic.
  • The painter Kicasso is based off of the painter Pablo Picasso. Pronouncing his name the same way, this creates the pun "Kick-ass-so".
Page 2
  • The painting is based on Picasso's Self Portait from his Blue Period. This is a reference to the fact that Blutarch keeps everything, from his home to his mercenaries, color-coordinated in blue.
Page 4
  • Zepheniah Mann's maidservant, Elizabeth, is introduced, with a Mallen streak similar to the Administrator.
  • This is the second time a member of the Hale family has been shown fighting a big cat whilst sitting down. The first instance was on the cover of a Saxton Hale comic where Saxton Hale fought a lion while getting his hair cut. Both men remark on the creature's spirit, but because Tabasco-brand pepper sauce would not be invented for another 18 years Barnabas uses the generic term.
Page 5
  • The Eyelander can be seen sheathed near the globe next to Radigan, and a Solemn Vow is on a pedestal across the room.
  • Blutarch is already connected to some form of life support equipment.
Page 8
  • The adobe pueblo building in the background places the scene in the Badlands.
  • Several blueprints can be seen in the background when Radigan meets the unknown woman; designs for Sentry Guns that would be attributed to Dell in 1965.
  • Hanging to the left are aircraft models similar to the aircraft then flying in Australia on the next page.
Page 9
Page 13
  • The workbench and wall that Dell is facing is similar to the workbench and wall upon which the contents of Radigan's papers are displayed on the Engineer Update Page.
  • The handwritten notes on the "Life Extender Machine" blueprint suggest that, besides for Blutarch and Redmond, another machine was built for a third person and completed on April 14th, although the detailed year of completion and the identity of the user remain unknown due to the frame of the second panel being cut off.
  • In the text version of the comic, the "Guns" folder held by the Engineer has "Maps of Australium Caches" written underneath the title; in the no text version, this sub-header is missing.

See also

External links

  • Loose Canon comic on the Team Fortress 2 Official Website.
  • Blog post that accompanied the announcement of the Loose Canon comic on the Team Fortress 2 Official Website.