Jarate origins
I’m pretty sure you’ve all seen today’s spy/sniper update page. If you haven’t, wander over and have a look. It’s full of goodness. It tells the story of a weakling sniper, and his frustration at being pounded on by the spy leads him to learn the art of Jarate (the jar based karate).
I was reading the comic, thinking that it all seemed very familiar. First I figured it was just an echo of a troubled childhood of my own, but then I saw Kowl Slaw’s thread in the forum linking to the original, and it all made sense (I mean, I avoided the beach as a child, the sand kicking in face bit is about right).
Spot any similarities to the new TF2 version?
Anyway, it turns out that the original Charles Atlas version has a long and proud history of comic book parody. Not being much of a comic book aficionado, I missed the reference. But I still think it’s cool all the same.
Stumble it!
brood_x responded on 21 May 2009 at 2:22 pm #
They also threw in a nice “haw haw” Chick Tracts reference.
nineteen responded on 21 May 2009 at 2:30 pm #
Apparently the Scout is Harvey Keitel now.
Corodan responded on 21 May 2009 at 2:54 pm #
Whatever.
Let’s get a taco.
JustAConspiracy responded on 21 May 2009 at 3:22 pm #
And for what it’s worth:
Saxton Hale is an anagram for:
Hot Anal Sex.
LikaLota responded on 21 May 2009 at 5:24 pm #
…And deep down the scout is harboring secret tendencies to be a bikini-clad woman… (ROFL)
gelugon2105 responded on 21 May 2009 at 6:12 pm #
Thank you for telling us this, madlep! I am very amused by this revelation.
Zorgulon responded on 21 May 2009 at 6:21 pm #
Proof, in case more was needed, that Saxton Hale is manly enough to make Chuck Norris and Mr T cry.
lo0gie responded on 21 May 2009 at 6:44 pm #
Dont know if you guys noticed, but in the meet the sniper video, you can clearly seen the jarate. Dont know if those jars are piss or jarate…or the same:รพ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87132894@N00/3551125948/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87132894@N00/3551126718/
AlphaChannel responded on 21 May 2009 at 7:07 pm #
I’m pretty sure the jars of urine were just a joke in the video, then turned into a weapon idea. Just like sandvich.
Jazmeister responded on 21 May 2009 at 7:19 pm #
Yeah, you have to think how you’d make these decisions. I think Valve know that they just need to introduce weird, wonderful things to push the boat out, and then read the hordes of complaints to decide whether to nerf, buff, or remove. The Axtinguisher is great, and if Jarate comes from the same process, then hell, I’ll gamble a stamp and get this FREE UPDATE!
Scattegunner responded on 21 May 2009 at 7:46 pm #
I’ve always wanted to throw pee in a jar to those pesky spies… now I can, and all THANKS TO THE JARATE!!!
@Zorgulon: no one…, no one is more manly than Chuck Norris, in fact, I’d be amused if you weren’t dead already.
LoL
Killa-Ewok responded on 21 May 2009 at 7:53 pm #
Saxton Hale is homosexual.
LET THE FLAME BEGIN.
Non responded on 22 May 2009 at 3:27 am #
Let the flame end.
Stephen responded on 22 May 2009 at 6:34 am #
Charles Atlas is great! http://www.charlesatlas.com
Jokerine responded on 22 May 2009 at 8:19 am #
It surprises me how manly and muscular the Scout looks in the third panel. THE INTERNET LIEZ.
Pad See Ew responded on 22 May 2009 at 11:51 am #
“Only 15 minutes a day of pleasant practice – in the privacy of your own room”
Sinister Minister responded on 22 May 2009 at 3:03 pm #
@Jokerine: RANDOM PECZ
ubercharged.net - Sniper Diagnosis responded on 24 May 2009 at 10:12 pm #
[...] it’s a result of all the Jarate practice he’s been [...]