Silent Hill: Dying Inside #3-4 - Atop the Fourth Wall

The fear of blood tends to create fear for the flesh. The fear of coherence tends to create this mess.
Originally uploaded October 12, 2009.
RUMINATIONS: Not much more to say that I didn't already say in the previous video's ruminations. Since I hadn't done a lot of multi-week episode stuff yet (I had been doing Atop the Fourth Wall for a year, but even at this point I was trying to figure stuff out), I was still uncertain what to do to make them special. Two-parters were easy - just do a cameo-filled "Previously On" segment. Three-parters? I was scratching my head. As such, the Silent Hill 2 parody for the opening was thought up. It works a lot better than the stuff I did for SCI-Spy... namely because it was actually FUNNY instead of just doing what I THOUGHT James Bond did.
It also continues the running gag of Harvey Finevoice demanding his paycheck. Doug Walker thinks all humor derives from misery. I don't agree, especially in regards to wordplay jokes, but hell if he doesn't make a convincing argument. That being said, in terms of subject matter, I think the best humor derives from BUREAUCRACY. To be accurate - putting the mundane in things that should not possess the mundane. In this case, we have a lounge singer speaking dramatic lines and surrounded by eerie fog while beautiful music is playing... and he's just demanding that he get paid.
Putting my characters into these alternate roles was fun, since obviously they just... don't match the ones in Silent Hill 2. The suicidal, damaged Angela is now a ninja who doesn't speak and loves to dance. The young, snarky Laura is now a blue robot with the voice of Microsoft Sam. 90s Kid as Maria was the best, hands down.

[@TheSmartestMoronReviews]

"He wants the world to be run by evil clowns." /stares at current timeline ....well he got his wish. :V

[@Tareltonlives]

The opening skit is a better Silent Hill story than anything in the comics

[@scrabblehandforaname]

That intro was hilarious. The choice of portrayals really make it amazing albeit the third dancer scene stuck out as off-topic and 90's Kid pulling a PSYCHE! was perfect.

[@alexanderfix3629]

This is my favourite special opening.

[@scrabblehandforaname]

@Rowan Aidan, thank you for your irrelevant comment that comes four years later.

[@kimifw58]

I think Jhonen Vasquez said it best: "Ah, profanity-- beloved crutch of the intellectually deviant."

[@majorfanboy2005]

You know I always imagine what would happen if you made a cartoon series based off his previous work before Invader Zim, Johnny The Homicidal Maniac!

[@Tareltonlives]

Intro is still a hilarious tribute. "PSYCHE! I'M NOT REAL!"

[@chaotixninja5]

I don't know shit about Silent Hill, but I sure did love that opening act.

[@crypto457]

Its interesting that in these two issues Scott Ciencin immediately go for the modern tropes of horror such as: Unlikable cast: check Rooting for the monster instead of the cast's survival: check Have a plot that make no sense at all: check Half the cast is obsessed with sex and parties: absent And the cherry on top, the cast consists of dumb white people who act like five year olds while living in an alternate earth where monsters/undead entities/cryptids/lovecraftian abominations/anal probing aliens exist: check

[@majorfanboy2005]

Dude, these tropes lasted for a long time. Longer than you could ever imagine.

[@lorddrayvon1426]

My interpretation of Silent Hill was that the horror came from the absolute manifestation of your fear best symbolised in Pyramid Head. Isolation was merely what helps add to the fear.

[@Shadethewolfy]

In Silent Hill 2, Pyramid Head represented the darker side of James as well as his own personal punisher. He can be seen torturing (through simulated rape) the other monsters of Silent Hill, which represent the baggage James has regarding his wife Mary -- Lying Figures represent how he saw her while she was sick; an infirm hideous thing. Mannequins represent his frustrated libido regarding Mary (they're featureless torsos with a very feminine shape but lack hands and feet). You find him enacting simulated rape of both types of monsters when you're exploring the apartments. PH really only makes sense as a manifestation created by James's subconscious because of how he acts and what he stands for.

[@Tareltonlives]

At this point I've stopped asking myself if the writers played the game or not, and started to ask the artists can even write legibly.

[@Tareltonlives]

I don't think I'll ever get tired of 90's kid.

[@mrtable2861]

I barely understood anything in this comic... ...and I didn't care about the parts I understood

[@MrBulldozer1000]

man this is like a time capsule to the better days of youtube.

[@Shades14]

Still relevant 7 years later.

[@thegayghost872]

"Payne" is a surname, though I don't think that's what they were going for.

[@MultiHydralisk]

Ghostwriter Any relation to a video game protagonist with a drinking problem named Max?

[@robbiehughes8382]

Ghostwriter example podrick payne from game of thrones

[@lordofhnajuty]

"wants the world to be run by evil clowns" Like that would be so much more of a change then what we already have~!

[@Cdr2002]

“The entire subplot depends on it!” Foreshadowing

[@noahmagana137]

10 years of silent hill

[@TheldinMarks]

I lost when you talked about someone wanting the world to be run by evil clowns!

[@FallofCyber]

Hogg with two G's Because Poor Literacy Is KEWL

[@Shadethewolfy]

I mean, to be fair to the comic, I feel like Scott hates his readers in a passive aggressive manner, so at least it's like Silent Hill in that regard? XD

[@TheSirenNymph]

This episode is the reason I love the Silent Hill 2 theme so much!

[@DollyBelladonna]

I love the music from the Silent Hill reviews :)

[@DuelingShade]

Geez this comic is like trying to follow the fight scenes in Berserk 2016

[@TtheWriter]

Silent Hill might be better suited for a novel. Someone call up the FNAF guy (Scott Something...?), he at least can make a subtle and unique story. This comic is just all over the place! D:

[@davidspring4003]

Cawthon. And let's face it, FNAF is more Silent Hill than this comic.

[@BreadHart]

That intro was Hilarius! xD

[@TooGeekForYou128]

I'm perfectly fine with the art style, But it seems better suited for paintings, posters, or book illustrations. Also, It might be possible that Lauryn's boyfriend is an Juggalo(ICP fan), in which case, ew.

[@eartianwerewolf]

It's just confusing with the way the panels are set up...Maybe if it was structured well...or some things were not as muddy all the time. It is just very confusing to try and get a coherent story from. If it is just an art piece that has little to no narrative and is open to interpretation it would be better for this art style.

[@Shadethewolfy]

Or a follower of the same cult Gamzee and Kurloz are a part of. In which case MURDER HIM MURDER HIM NOW KILL HIM BEFORE HE USHERS IN THE HILAROCAUST!!

[@naotatheendlessesper]

@@Shadethewolfy i didnt expect a homestuck reference

[@Shadethewolfy]

I mean I'm pretty sure the comic was making the reference first XD

[@JaelinBezel]

I mean Metal Gear Solid had this smoke art style but never used it in game, only for printed images.

[@Hanmerhack]

"Mensa level I.Q and he thinks the world should be run by clowns." Oh He's a Trunp supporter.

[@Plaugue1122]

even if i support trump your comment made me laugh. thanks bro

[@MTdaBlacking]

Aha! A Claire Bennett reference! Thanks for the nostalgia!

[@cynthiapot672]

Love the opening of this video :-)

[@a.jlewissonicski5278]

22:33 That Christabella was watching Dora with cuss words is so hilarious

[@KirbyCisntNT]

I'm still not convinced 'MENSA-level IQ' and 'SUSPECTS the world to be run by evil clowns' would have been a far more convincing line.

[@TheSirenNymph]

I tried to sync up the audio from the opening to Silent Hill 2's for the lolz ,but it didn't work XD

[@BrandonRaske]

I wish the at4w theme was public domain song

[@Ronin_Vector]

You shit on things only the way a true fan could. I love it.

[@sirderpington7704]

Yeah max Payne...know that? A name?

[@darthcinema4262]

Max Payne vs. Silent Hill is something we need.

[@mimkyodar]

So, I decided to watch the storyline playlist and holy crap, what happened to Lewis' acting? I mean it was slowly getting better as he went on, but damn, comparing that opening to, say, the Countdown fight? Light years.

[@TheScorpion0081]

Experience.

[@IfSapphOnly]

Who names their kid Christabella? o_o

[@catmadigan7763]

Not to mention her sister is simply called Lauren :p

[@roshpotter06]

Speekles maybe it's like 'Renesmee' (if that spelling is even right) in Twilight?

[@kimifw58]

WASPS, probably.

[@emperorpicard7222]

Someone who can't decide between Christina and Isabela?

[@gonzaloegonzalez8106]

I don't know... Stephanie Meyer?

[@skeevy_nyx]

Love that intro so much

[@KOTEBANAROT]

What is... wrong... with silent hill related media thinking the lore is the most important thing? Neither movies nor this comic shuts up about the cult shit and whether they should believe it and stuff when... like... the game characters never gave a shit, they were always on a very personal and relatable quest, they blatantly did not care for anything besides saving their loved ones. Also, Christabella is so blatantly movie!Alessa, who I kinda hate... game!Alessa is such a sympathetic and admirable character, a girl who despite knowing nothing but suffering in her life, still chose to do good and selfless thing by sacrificing herself and stopping the ritual. Alessa did nothing wrong and she deserved better than to be remembered as a creepy satan girl

[@tstar-mike5831]

Was going to post this in issues 1 & 2 of dying inside, but couldn't find the video that you yourself published. The artwork in these comics kinda reminded me of Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth in a weird way. Just wondering if you are planning to cover A Serious House on Serious Earth even if its a good comic.

[@voltmcvolt1751]

12:08 Damm, the Ace Attorney flashbacks are coming.

[@thenayslayer]

Good life advice; NEVER watch ANYTHING silent Hill-related just before bedtime! Apparently not even a comicbook review! Or things may turn out A LOT scarier than the actual comic....who knew?

[@9Godslayer]

Linkages. Just because you are intelligent that doesn't mean you are sane.

[@Geminimind1981]

Well to be fair, it is a group of teenagers. A monster that represents sexual frustration makes sense.

[@ThatOneGuy0006]

Wow Linkara! That intro was amazing! Great work. Was that Ninja Brian?

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

1Kenny30 No, Lewis himself.

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

NSD and 90's Kid are both Mary, I see

[@Ryushinku]

"'Anyway'? What do you mean, 'anyway'?! That's BOOOGUUUUUUUUUUUS!"

[@eartianwerewolf]

Trying to understand this is making my head hurt X______________X

[@ripleyjlawman.3162]

A Heroes joke? And it’s appropriate on two levels.

[@Cdr2002]

2:31 ninja style dancer theres something behind you

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

The "Evil Clowns" bit was cheap political humor, I'm pretty sure, since the next sentence is "I tell him it already is."

[@davidspring4003]

It was

[@robbiehughes8382]

Payne is an actual surname BTW.

[@darthcinema4262]

Now I'm imagining a crossover with Silent Hill and Max Payne.

[@MrRocknken]

Ninja Brain

[@RaphBlade7]

*The following is the opinion of a Salty SEAGULL named EARL who just shows up in my posts whenever he feels like it!* [EARL the SPOOKY SEAGULL:] "In addition to the @$$ shot, her nips poking through her shirt tell me she doesn't believe in bras in addition to panties! Seriously, it just seems to me like the artist just wanted to draw GOTH/PUNK T&A (and/or a Rule 63 version of the Rufio from Hook cause of the hair) in a Eshergirls' pose rather than anything remotely Silent Hill related for the cover! At least the artwork of Christabella & the tentacle in the last one gave off eldritch horror vibe that you'd expect from a Silent Hill comic & the first one of the partically badly drawn guy looked like he was dying inside and the cover could be viewed as something someone driven insane by the town's horrors would try to draw!"

[@realrealwarpet]

Someone give me the silent hill comic license, I can do a better job. *just need a good artist.*

[@XenithXenaku]

14:56 Lauryn not Lynne-or-however-it's-spelt...

[@TheAllSeeingEye2468]

i did not get the ref in the intro. totally lost. never played the game or saw playthroughs. maybe i should to get some context

[@martinzalle]

What's the title of the song at the beginning? It's from the game's soundtracks, right? Which game?

[@tata1232484]

martinzalle Laura's Theme/Theme of Laura. The two names are just different names for the same song

[@BrandonRaske]

martinzalle its theme of laura from silent hill 2

[@a.dennis4835]

Payne is a real name.

[@Shadethewolfy]

"You get beyond the veil and everything is so anal retentive" Yep. That's it, that's right. You cracked the code, Christabella. Especially in Chinese spiritualism holy shit. Bureaucracy all the way down. And yes, I am serious. Heaven is a Bureaucracy. Which is the funniest shit ever.

[@TennantJunkie1993]

I miss Harry. You know you remind me of him? I know I said that in your penultimate Thing review, but I still can't help but think you do. Especially in this part of when you started AT4W.

[@D.G.M.]

Maybe he's listening to Johnny Cash?

[@Aqua-Marine-UK_1991]

that was a 'cracking' review.

[@jalenikezeue4114]

This Is Not What Silent Hill Is All about This Is what Happens When You Don't Do Research It All turns Too 💩

[@huangwen-si7498]

9:23 Stephen King's IT really?!

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Is it just me, or did your camera in these days have a tendency to record the video a half-second out of sync with the audio?

[@jakebryant3445]

I think Future's End is much more confusing

[@DMBLaan]

If it's a name, it can be spelled "Payne"

[@catmadigan7763]

:p is this a fanfic Silent Hill/Corpse Party crossover?

[@thegoodoldays911]

This title seems to be literal.

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Okay, you were forcing the "Because Poor Literacy is Kewl" gag with Payne, since that's actually a semi-common real last name.

[@jessielefey]

Kinda with you on that. That's less poor literacy and more "english has a long and complicated history with phonetics" at best. Who decided it was a grand idea to solve the great english phonics civil war by keeping both sets of competing, conflicting rule sets anyway? Rhetorically speaking. ;-) And now all I can think is how good a comic series "the great english phonics civil war" could be.

[@jessielefey]

I was picturing it "Scandinavia And The World". Are there even genres in comics? Well, I guess in printed comics more, but webcomics I meant. I really need to learn to draw.

[@planescaped]

God... This is such a cheap and badly written story with no knowledge of what Silent Hill even is.

[@davidspring4003]

And Konami approved! Because Konami is Konami and Konami is the worst #fuckonami

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Lauryn does at least specify that it's a cheap reprint copy.

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I realize that's one pro vs. a lot of cons

[@Tareltonlives]

Is Scott Ciencin a bit Eli Roth fan?

[@Tareltonlives]

The cold opener trailer remains a classic bit. It's more Silent Hill than the comics will ever be

[@gRinchY-op5vr]

wait, that's Lynn? Pretty sure that's Lauryn??? though I haven't actually read these so I'm not sure lol

[@TheChallengerXX]

What's the music for the 90s kid skit called?

[@user-wx4sn6ve8y]

Who are you people!?

[@leekalba]

good ol' style over substance. there's so many artist inspired by Sienkiewcz but don't seem to realize he knows how to tell a story - it's not just splashes of sloppy color and sketchy lines. there's a reason Sienkiewcz has a laundry list of awards and it's not the surface qualities of his art.

[@Arsio12]

I actually like the artwork... Problem is that it's too inconsistent. Some panels it looks gorgeous (though probably not appropriate for comic books) and other panels characters just look deformed, off model or just silly.

[@calebmayfield3326]

So the beginning was just a bunch of random nonsense that has not crap to do with the Main storylines?

[@AT4W]

Yep, just a parody of Silent Hill 2's opening.

[@calebmayfield3326]

+Linkara-AtopTheFourthWall Also Please review Star Trek/Legion of Superheroes & the KFC comics

[@calebmayfield3326]

+Linkara-AtopTheFourthWall Also Green Lantern crossing over with Star Trek is like Thor crossing over with Harry Potter

[@dragonsword8129]

6:55 Is that a reference to something? Because I don't get it.

[@Robbinson98]

Dragon Sword I think it's a reference to season 1 of Heroes

[@theangryholmesian4556]

@@Robbinson98 It is.

[@theshyatheist222]

Interesting

[@dakotadoyle7573]

The guy who got a magic gun off ebay is questioning someone getting who got a demonic spellbook off ebay?

[@davidspring4003]

We still don't know where he purchased that.

[@YMasterS]

@@davidspring4003 we do. It was a bonus on a dvd I think. Someone who looked battle weary walked past him randomly and asked if he wanted to buy it, then walked off.

[@davidspring4003]

@@YMasterS so not on ebay.

[@theblacksheep1000]

WTF IS GOING ON

[@BrandonRaske]

these comics suck

[@jasongretencord3326]

You claim Silent Hill is about lonliness, yet every Silent Hill Game has the protagonist interacting with at least one other person.

[@davidspring4003]

interacting, sure, but they're usually either an apparition, the villain, both, or they don't actually accompany you anywhere. Or if they do, it's not for a long time.

[@gRinchY-op5vr]

they still spend the majority of the game separated from people and have no clue when someone will turn up, plus cannot leave or they have no idea if the people are indeed there or in their heads because the town is already screwing with your head.

[@Trevin_Taylor]

The Dire Tarrasque loneliness isn’t the same as being alone

[@tommydiaz-millan2438]

Do you really have to keep playing that SpongeBob music in all your videos?