The Max the Manatee Story did not come to a conclusion as some may have hoped. All but ignoring Max, the story kept its focus on what regular commenter Daniel Pellissier called “a new low…the source of absurd conflict between dufus Mark and two fourth-rate henchmen for an internet grifter. ” A sterner critic than I, Daniel even rated the incompetent bear-boobs two additional levels lower.

As for this past week, after losing track of the bear-suited kidnappers earlier, Mark and his two companions drove on, talking about the thwarted kidnappers. We finally got a glimpse of Max in just one panel. But before the trio could set up the equipment to get the Max into the water, those two “fourth rate” henchmen suddenly showed up—still in costume!—to demand Max. We were treated to a rare, highly stylized display of Mark’s famed “Fists o’ Justice” and the opportune drop of a “frozen” iguana onto the head of one of the bad guys. Apparently forgetting about Max, Skeeter and Rita walked over to watch the fisticuffs.

Afterwards, Skeeter identified the two bear dudes (sans head masks) as employees of “Cricket Bro Inc.”, adding a new layer of distraction for Mark, clearly more interested in his personal achievement and the opportunity to once again confront “his old nemesis.” But what about Max the Manatee, you ask? Oh, please. The “good guys” aren’t really concerned, so why should you be? Just focus on the Bigger Picture!

And that was the week that was.

The smalltooth sawfish is found in sub-tropical and tropical waters, barely present in the United States, but found in southern Florida and the Keys, on the Gulf side. I’m not sure why Mark feels the need to issue a non-sequitur (panel 5) about their feeding habits. In addition to algal bloom, accidental or deliberate fishing, and net entanglements are major threats that helped put them on the Endangered list.