So as per usual when I do this, I've been receiving a number of emails asking about or pointing out the fact that in the latest strip I seem to be reaching through the glass my head is in.

So let me explain.

There are two ways you can look at this. You can look at it the simple way, and realize that these are cartoon characters who can bend or ignore the laws of physics at will. God knows that applies to enough other things in the history of this strip.

Or you could take the "Dune fighting shield" theory. The basic idea is a forcefield that responds differently to objects impacting it at differant speeds. Somethings striking it quickly, like a bullet or bag of flour would be deflected. Something pushed through it slowly would encounter little or no resistance.

There's a number of ways this could theoretically be produced. My particular favorite though involves two slightly flexible polarized fields overlaying each other, but separated by a small distance. A rapid object impacting would push the outer shield into the inner, thereby completing the polarization and increasing the resistance to a point approaching a solid field. A slower encounter would pass through each wall, but the resistance would be given time to adjust as the mass moved through. Think of two sets of electrified bead curtains seperated by only a few inches. If any bead strings from one curtain touch any of the other set, it'll complete the current and you'll get fried. So if you wanted to put your hand through, you'd move it in slowly so the beads could swing gently out of the way. If you just punched it, you'd likely get toasted.

They've already done tests in the real world with fabric that uses a principle very close to this, which brings a giant grin to my face.

As for what is actually inside the "glass", well that's a good question, isn't it? No real distortion (these days), no color shift on my head, but anything seen on the other side appears blue. Very strange, ain't it?

Yes.

And no, there is no official answer to any of these questions. I usually like to leave things vague when it comes to technical explanations. I'm of the camp that believes that you can probably come up with something much more interesting than I can, if I just give you a few general parameters to envision within.

The shield thing is just one of those things I really enjoy the ideas behind.

The imagination is a fantastic tool. Use it well.

And for those who've written in to ask that I not completely abandon RP when I move on to my next project next year, because they want more of the science stuff, I just have to say this.

You haven't "seen" me do science yet. And RP is not going to be discarded. You'll understand a bit more in just under a month.

I think this strip just kinda got away from me. Ah well.

I'm sure you already read White Ninja, but I thought I'd remind you just in case.

No reason, just be-cause.