Showbiz and Souls Analysis: Alice and Bendy's Relationship
Hello!! This is going to be a very quick/rough analysis of the newest @showbiz-and-souls update made by @biposi - please go check them out!!
Spoilers for the most recent update below
As I was reading, I noticed a couple of things pertaining to Alice and Bendy, more specifically, references to how their relationship/dynamic works. In my last post about sbas, I mentioned that I think Bendy and Alice have a rough relationship due to two of the panels in the previous update:
"Maybe [Alice]'s the 'leader' of the batim trio in this au? But it seems like she might be super insecure about her position in the trio - maybe she's used to bendy getting the 'spotlight' when they perform together?"
So I was on the lookout for more references to what their relationship looked like behind closed doors. And oh boy, I was not disappointed!
In the last update, Bendy took the spotlight from Alice at the very end when he 'thanked' inkwell for letting them perform. Alice had made it very clear before they performed that she didn't want him having the spotlight, and here, the two of them are staring at each other because they both know what just happened - Alice is glaring down at Bendy (rightfully angry), and Bendy's looking at her smugly because he knows she can't do anything about it since they have autographs to sign.
And, when asked if she enjoys her work and likes working with Bendy, Alice says:
She doesn't answer the question about working with Bendy, and he answers that question instead. Honestly, you can really feel the distain she has towards him through the screen in this panel (and the other panel I showed).
When putting all this information together, it starts painting an interesting picture about Alice, Bendy, and their relationship:
Alice is very good at putting on a front. She hides her true emotions behind a curtain of niceties, hiding her true self being a mask. But deep down, she wants to be loved by everyone around her, making her both seemingly very confident and insecure at the same time. She wants everyone to love her, she wants the spotlight to be on her, but Bendy constantly fighting her for it, undermining her, has made her feel less than. At first, I thought Alice's distain for Bendy stemmed from only a deep insecurity, but now I think it might be a little more complicated than that. I think she also hates how egotistical he can be - maybe he's messed up before, but he doesn't want to admit to that, and it leads Alice to think, "He's not as good as he thinks he is, but he's trying to compete with me?!" That sort of thinking leads her to feel less than, and she hates that. Also, they have a job to do! The Devil and King Dice are counting on them! She knows they can't mess up, but Bendy's ego is getting in the way, and it's stressing her out. She can't just get rid of him, though. Again, she has a job to do, so she sucks it up and hides it.
Bendy is full of himself. Like, so full of himself. From the little we've seen, it doesn't seem like he's insecure at all, which is obviously his greatest flaw. We already see him mess up when he says Cuphead and Mugman's name, showing us that his pride is making him mess up their job. He wants the spotlight to himself - maybe he views Alice as a stepping stone, maybe he views their relationship as a friendly rivalry and doesn't see that she actually dislikes him. Maybe he also dislikes her for 'stealing his spotlight'.
This all makes sense when you look at the original game too. The two of them have a... very rough relationship, to put it lightly; they basically hate each other. Twisted Alice thinks Bendy has stolen her spotlight, creating her insecurities and her want to be perfect. In chapter 3, Alice makes Joey destroy all of the Bendy cutouts, saying how the Ink Demon hates when she does that. The Ink Demon thinks Twisted Alice gets in his way. But they can't escape each other because they're stuck in the cycle forever.
Anyways, I'm super excited to see more of the BATIM trio and how their different dynamics flesh out going forward!! This is a super quick analysis that I haven't proof read but I wanted to get my ideas about these two out quickly (maybe I'll make more stuff about Alice because she's my favorite). I don't know if I'm right, but it's fun theorizing, especially about something as interesting and fun as sbas.
This MAAAYYYY be a stretch but I literally CANNOT get it out of my head
Link to my previous SBAS analysis, not exactly needed but I do reference the last part a few times
@showbiz-and-souls by @biposi
THEORY ON SBAS LAST CALL ANIMATIC
==========Delusional Yap Ahead!==========
Ok so first of all I think that Alice and Bendy are debt collectors for The Devil
Taking into consideration that King Dice has said that The devil has some "mighty-fine show ponies" when all his other attempts failed (I mean cmon srsly ur j sending two-pointed gnomes to a gun show... What did we think was gonna happen?? π)
Why do they owe their soul though? I got two possibilities: 1. They joined King Dice's lil gameshow and won leading their souls to be in possession of the devil or 2. They needed funds for their show and took a risk with the casino
I do believe that they do actually love dancing and singing; it's not j a means to manipulate people. I mean look at these whimsical and joyous faces
Seeming as they know how to showbiz (lmao get it? get it- π₯π₯π₯) and act they can clearly allure people who may owe their souls to the devil and snatch em from there without ever having to fight or get their hands dirty!
Yes I'm aware that the song is from another series BUT THATS NOT THE POINT HERE (lemme be delusional)
Now the song itself Last Call i'd like to think is a nod to the fact that this may be the Devil's only other attempt at actually getting Cuphead's soul since... The trio has basically fucked Any Other Method thus far (since this is following the game from what I've seen) so if this method also fails, well he's gonna have to go back to sending imps again that has been proven to fail time after time no matter the numbers
"Let's have some fun boys! There's no where to run huh!" Remember how in my last SBAS analysis I said they probably like to play with their targets? Yeah that lmao. I SAW THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES DURING THE INSTURMENTAL OF THE SONG THEY KNOW THEY GOTTEM
That is absolutely a knowing Smug Lookβ’οΈ and you cannot tell me otherwise
Also a bit of a tiny tidbit here that I rlly find funny
"So try a highball, a corpse reviver" this is j a fucking TEASE at this point LMAOOO to me it's saying "try to revive dumbass"
"We're gonna dance 'til the break of dawn" now IF my previous theory was correct (that they owe their soul) then they're probably not gonna give up, (never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never go-π₯π₯π₯) and well as the lyrics state, they won't stop until they get their goal. This may be their last job to being free since The Devil is just ABSOLUTELY FED UP with The Trio. Which would add to their motivation to snatching his soul and as well as heighten the stakes!
"Pour one less cocktail, a Mary Pickford | Top me off, boy, 'cause I want it all" now I don't unfortunately have anything for this AHSHAHAHHA I'm drawing a complete blank. So if y'all have any thoughts I'd be happy to hear em!
"My days were gloomy and sad, 'til you came to me With a Southside and flowers in hand" MMMMM MY FAVOURITE ONE TO THINK OF. Having your soul owned? The thing you loved doing being used to own other souls? Not funnnn~~
Now Southside cocktail has a rather refreshing taste which is the exact opposite of the first line. They are literally giving them their refreshing taste of freedom IF their souls are captured + this also being their "Last Call" to being free
"Oh baby, let's drown our blues, dance the sun away" NOW THIS IS HOW I THINK ALICE IS GONNA GET TO MUGMAN. Think abt it! He's extremely paranoid and he's always getting attacked by imps and there's also the stress of having to find out how make Chalice corpeal! And then there's NOW having to work with Saltbaker. There's always something in his mind that isn't always good. Alice becomes HIS Southside cocktail instead! Giving him the joy and whimsy of singing and dancing I'm so fucking jealous of this stupid lil ceramic GETTTTT OOOUUUTTTT MUGMAN.
"There's no tomorrow, let's live for today" well I mean I think we know the implication on this one. But I think I have another: this gives a sense of urgency to try to fit everything into one time! Not wanting to leave anything for later-- there's stress in it, a push that might make Mugman take that one wrong step
Annnddd i think that's all I have for this one! Yeah there's more lyrics at the end
"It's time for last call (last call) / It's time for last call (last call) / We've had our fun, boys / Let's pack up and run, hon / But drink another / Yeah, honey, one more / Before we go out, play one last song / It's time for last call / It's time for last call / Before the night's done / Play one last song"
But all I can really say to this one is the Darling Duo's-- and Boris' ofc, supposed happy ending they want. It comes right after their Smug Lookβ’οΈ and Alice sounds REALLY powerful atp
===================================
Am I a complete overanalyzing idiot who is absolutely wrong? Maybe.
Or am I actually a genius who's niche has been directed to indie comics on the internet? Maybe.
But I guess we'll have to WAIT A- π₯π₯π₯π₯
Sbas might actually convince me to watch the cuphead show
FINALLY READ @showbiz-and-souls BY @biposi SOOOOOOO HEREEEESSS
MY THOUGHTS ON SBAS!!!!
=======EXTREMELY LONG YAP AHEAD!======
Of course we must start at the very beginning!
I absolutely adore how they were introduced, it didn't take long and we got a bunch of their personalities already!
Cuphead betting on his skills, being somewhat cocky with his achievement (as he should), being an extremely caring person (shown with how willing he was to meet w/ Saltbaker for chalice and him throwing himself in front of Mugman during attacks)
Mugman being logical, reading his book but still enjoys showing off! He's a serious guy but obviously knows how have fun. It's clear this guy is extra careful but not so much he's eye darting and shaking (I hate it when ppl chalk characters up to that) and ofc their brotherly bond. Mugman willingly giving his armor pin to cuphead and keeping an eye on him the entire time they were with Saltbaker. Literally was never a FOOT apart aside from the wash up πππ
Chalice is impulsive and thrill seeking, pulling pranks and looking for excitement, yet obviously desperately yearns for her life. Oh sweet silly characters with a deep sad dark desire that would eat anyone whole how i love you. Oh and did I mention impulsive? The way her ass so excitedly told the cupbros about Saltbaker and was surprised with their reactions π I can't fully blame her of course! He was one of their best chances to give her a permanent body!
I find it hilarious how Elder Kettle still fusses over them at their Big Adult Ageβ’οΈ π. Like yeah that's his babies, don't mind the fact they have 21 years of life up their ass they're his children. Grown ass chud babies . And how in turn these grown ass adults keep secrets about where they're going/doing and start sweating like Waterboy from Dispatch the moment it's mentioned from another's mouth while ELDER KETTLE IS SEVERAL ARCHIPELAGOS AWAY.
I'd give my inner organs to see Elder Kettle's reaction to all the bullshit the cupbros have done. Like yeah pops dw we're just here dying, reviving, fighting several HIGH powered ppl, yk like the devil, the salt shaker guy that bakes, a dice head. Oh and did we mention we're friends with a SEA MONSTER? she's gorgeous btw. Oh yeah and this is our new found sister who's a ghost from heavens know what century. I think there's things worth far more concern than a crisp burnt fence, could j be me though
I'm sure all the callbacks to past bosses/enemies sent cuphead show fans to the sky
Back on to Chalice's fucking impulsivity πππ this girl finna be the death of me. She planned a whole prank where she DIES at the hand of SALTBAKER of all people. She had good intentions yes but mind U she tried so hard to convince the cupbros to visit Saltbaker despite what happened π. And then runs off to find the guard with a soul helmet disregarding the fact she's a ghost. Poor guy. And her constantly getting stuck in moselaeums idk how to spell that shit.
Saltbaker is an ABSOLUTE NERD π«΅π«΅π«΅. Literally cannot convince me otherwise. All his theories were on point and even drafted up a method to bring a centure old woman back to life that even the cupbros didn't know about. And mind you these guys have been fighting people with soul-imbued weapons for YEARS. Not only that but he was also determined to sacrifice someone to complete his new project??? My guy bakes more than pastries I tell ya.
I love how Mugman was absolutely READY to throw hands the MILLISECOND something was off. Buddy holds a grudge and SHOWBIZZES it. Pulled out the old sparker when he saw Chalice's head and I swear his hand was on cuphead 80% of the time. My man's FIGHT or flight was clockin in π.
But at the same I love the fact that despite having a vendetta reservations against Saltbaker he entrusted the decision to Cuphead instead. He was the most affected by the ordeal and instead of trying to get him as far away as possible, he let Cuphead decide. He knows Cuphead's an idiot (I mean going into a temple drunk??? Cmon man) despite that, he still trusts that he'll make the right decision and treats him like an adult.
And just the way Mugman literally folds the minute puppy eyes are in his face πππ and his pure unadultered excitement when a lil sing n dance is mentioned, he's so real for that
RAHHAHAGGAHAGAHAGHAGAHAGHA OH MY GOD I COULD NOT STOP GIGGLING KICKING MY FEET AND HIGH PITCHED SCREAMING THE ENTIRE TIME I WATCHED THE VIDEO HELLLO???? I still do every rewatch
Alice's voice? Her eyes? Her hair?? Mugman CANNOT handle ALLAT. Godbless whoever voiced her YOU'RE DOING AMAZING SWEETIE!!! IM ADDICTED TO HER VOICE ππ the way it's deep and so alluring oh my god HELLLOOOOOO. And Bendy well-... I'm joking I'm joking I loved how his voice sounded at the end, the accent and how high it was. He sounds exactly like how he looks and I couldn't imagine a better voice for him. I rlly wanna hear what a duet with em sounds like
And the music oh my lord the music. I randomly sing last call now. I need to lyrics INJECTED into my vocal cords and that melody and instrumental forever in my eardrums. The way it's starts is slow and relaxing at first and then two sudden louder parts that has quieter parts in between and then ITS TIME FOR LAST CALL πππ AND ITS SOO UPBEAT HALLELUJAH πππ and the crowd "Last call"? OH IVE GOTTA KNOW HOW IT WAS DONE IT SOUNDS SO REAL
Oh my lord the animation? I've mentioned that right? I've mentioned the animation yes? OH MY GOD ππππ I absolutely LOVED the close up on Alice's lips, they way theyre animated and drawn MOVE MUGMAN MOVE. In all seriousness I love how bouncy??? Flowy??? The movements are hello??? And oh my god when she first opens her eyes HELLO ANGEL. And the initial dance was beautiful on god the way their feet moved, the constant side to side GORGEOUS. I finna be dunkin donuts the way I'm glazing the living shit out of this video but EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON IT DESERVES EVERY BIT. And I know this is gonna sound so weird but when Bendy and Alice put their foot down and it went from front to side view? CLEAN absolutely CLEAN that shit was SMOOTH. The spin around they did looked like so much fun holy shitttt πππ probably one of the hardest things to animate but by god πππ I can't believe I'm getting this for FREE. The way Bendy and cuphead were staring at each other? Analyzation aside the FRAME BY FRAME ANIMATION ON THAT BITCH theres smthn special in there I swear, throw me into a wall if I'm wrong but everything else was mostly tweened. It's gonna came back to slap us in the face methinks.
Obviously these people were hired by the Devil and Dice as we did see Alice answering the phone. Now I'd like to think that the Darling Duo like to play with their food and they pick who gets who.
Bit of a sidenote here but I do think this'll lead to the Cupbros thinking Saltbaker had a hand on this considering that they were present during HIS party giving them the CHANCE to meet the cupbros
They both seem like they like to play mind games with their victims; Alice going the alluring route, being the siren to sailors on sea, and Bendy using banter and ragebait, taking a more arrogant trait of the two.
This is based off of the scene where Alice went towards Mugman and kissed him. (MOVE YOU PATHETIC PORCELAIN.) She knows what she has and knows how to use it -- the way she blinks her eyes, the way her lips move, everything! So she most definitely knew what she was doing and the effects she had on him. She's trying to ALLURE him to her instead of her having to chase him down. Meanwhile Bendy was definitely trying to bait Cups, not by flirting like Alice does, but by making him suspicious. It's highly likely the duo are aware of the Cupbros past with the devil and Bendy knows how obvious his demon self is. But we can very clearly see him staring down at Cups and holding it when Cups glares back. Like Alice, he's also aware of the effects he has on people and they're PERFORMERS, CHAT!!! PERFORMERS!!! They know how to act! They know how to get a certain reaction out of people! Knowing how to make your audience think a certain way is also a part of the art!
I think the matchup is perfect! It was mentioned in a character card that despite being overly paranoid, Mugman can be surprisingly naive; this strengthens Alice's hold on him even more since the bias adds to the naivety! Cups meanwhile already has a vendetta/grudge against demons with a very straightforward thinking: "they're demons, demons are evil." Which again *taps sign* MAKES IT EASIER FOR BENDY TO RAGEBAIT HIM
They've just met, but the game has already started and the Darling Duo are taking the lead of this dance!
====================================
Now the opposing ways of manipulation/methods are actually genius! Mugs is now hypnotized by Alice while Cups is wary of Bendy. This has the potential of creating a divide between the two! While sure Mugs would trust what Cups says, the leverage Alice has with him is STILL THERE. This may be a stretch but this could lead to a PHYSICAL seperation between the Cupbros, if one isn't present then the other can't be revived, leaving the soul exposed. Can't wait to see how this'll play out ππ
Which actually we can already see in the animatic! Cuphead trying to tell Mugman about Bendy being a demon but can't bc he's too enamoured by Alice, then Cuphead's attention turns back to Bendy!
Thank you so much to Biposi and everyone else working on this comic it was an absolute joy to read! And *scrolls through yap* holy fucking shit did this comic make me THINK. Props to y'all and again thank you so much for the top tier food, will be dining again:}
I recently read Showbizz and Souls and I'm trying so hard to get my thoughts out about it but I'm so fucking busy rn and my internet is so ass it deleted a HUGE CHUNK OF MY YAP??? LIKE A WHOLE APPRECIATION ESSAY ON THE ANIMATION WAS DELETED. I'm crying WHYYYY
