Recently I went to town on El Goonish Shive concerning pacing and how the current artistic style seems to emphasize the slower pace of current comics. Thus it may seem odd for me to come out and praise the comic. But the characterization in today’s comic calls for it. And by that I don’t mean the antics of our foul-mouthed freckled friend trying to browbeat the school populace for turning their backs on Susan. No, I’m speaking of Principal Skinner Verrückt, and the quiet sullen anger Susan is showing him in return.

In the past, Principal Verrückt has been played off for comedic purposes. Early appearances of him had him look like a fat balding Hitler-wannabe, and his actions and beliefs didn’t show merit. The emphasis on murals over having a properly-functioning fire alarm system (which I believe may be Federally-mandated, thus the school is possibly not in compliance with Federal legal codes… don’t quote me on that though) is just one of the many idiocies of Verrückt. The upcoming battle of wills over the new school uniform policy between he and Susan seemed to be a no-brainer as to who’d win.

I’m not so sure now. Verrückt has shown considerable restraint and tact in this most recent update. This is how teachers and principals are supposed to act… with calmness and downplaying disciplinary issues but letting the student know that should the misbehavior continue, punishment would result (and would be harsh). It is a level of leniency that I wasn’t expecting. And naturally enough, Susan will resist and pay the price. While I have no doubt that we’ll have a manic insane Principal Verrückt running through the halls again in the future, I’m hopeful that Dan Shive will continue with this aspect of the principal… as a figure of responsibility and authority enforcing an unpopular measure.