Panel 2: In retrospect, not sure this implication of quid pro quo in the bedroom entirely holds up under close scrutiny, but let's choose to ignore that, shall we? I don't quite have the time to explore this matter further right now, which is probably for the best.

Panel 4: Behold, a direct reference to the yaoi shenanigans of Empowered vol.3’s story “Objectifine,” with me trying to imitate my friend Jo Chen’s artwork from the doujinshi cover. 

Panel 6: Rubbing Emp’s, ah, friskiness in poor Frank’s face is really a dick move on Thugboy’s part, to be honest, and might even be considered somewhat out of character for him. Then again, Frank did almost blow his brains out back in Empowered vol.1, so perhaps Thugboy feels less inclined to indulge his undersexed bud’s delicate sensibilities than might otherwise be the case.

And thus ends the brief wackiness of “The Downside of Hurricane Elissa,” folks! Next time, we start up a very, very important Empowered story, “Orbiting Spookums,” which introduces another key Empverse character.

-Adam Warren